Hello, I have been shooting my bear grizzly for a bout two years now. And have decided this will be last year with the wheels for hunting elk. I have already taken two late season blacktail with recurve in the last two years. But have been reserved two swith full steam ahead for elk. For those of you who have made the switch you know what I'm talking about. But here is my question. Will my 53 # bow be enough I know with perfectly shot arrow and sharp head a 15# most likley will be enough. But I'm wanting to here you guys opinoin---thanks  Tim

Tim,

You will be fine.  Back in the day when I made the switch, I passed a cow on the first day and ended up taking a nice 5 pt on day 8 with my longbow.  No problem at all.  Dead is dead!!

Mike

an 80#  is not enough with poor tuning and dull broad heads

plenty of bow as long as the shot is well placed,bad shot and it dont matter what yer shootin.

What Elkherder said!  

I've never had to make the switch. Been traditional all the way so, your set up will be just fine. Get out there and get us some pics!   :D

I hesitate to post this picture as everyone here is probably sick of seeing it, but I shot this elk with a 53# Super Shrew longbow and 250g Wensel Woodsman head.  I think you will be ok.

Steve, I never get tired of seeing that elk      Click on my profile to see the picture of my elk. I shot him with a 52 pound bow.

I definitely ain't tired of seeing it either. That there is a bruiser of a bull!  

QuoteOriginally posted by Wannabe1:
I definitely ain't tired of seeing it either. That there is a bruiser of a bull!      

Yeah, what he said!

I've taken three with that weight bows... good luck and pick a spot.Joe

Those elk look pretty dead to me. I don't think you will have any problems as long as your arrows are tuned to your bow and your broadheads are sharp.

Fred Eichler made the grand slam with a 54# at his draw Palmer recurve. I don't think the elk will notice the one pound difference.

Thanks for all the responce--tim

With the right arrow it is plenty. Last weekend I watched my good friend  John shoot his second moose with a 54lbs longbow. In one side  and out the other, arrow stuck in a black spruce on off side.
THis is the 2nd moose he has killed and passed through!
600grn arrow.
Go forth and kill a big bull!!

I killed my first trad bull with a 55 lb Green Grizzly. I will never forget seeing that fletch sticking out of his side or watching that arrow blur as it went to him. The greatest thrill of my entire bowhunting life. I doubt that two lbs would have made one bit of difference.

It'll be fine. I'm hunting elk after thanksgiving with my recurve. 54#, tuned arrows, and razor sharp broadheads.

I've killed 5 elk with 54# down to 47# but in my opinion, the weight of the arrow is much more important than the weight of the bow.  Go 600 gr. or more and you will be fine.