Can someone straighten me out on this. I have looked on both Oregon and Colorado's state websites and cannot find the information.    

What draw weight is the state minimum for hunting elk in these two states?

Also, is it measured (by draw length or actual scale) or simply what is marked on the bow?
 :confused:

Oregon is 50 lb. draw weight, not what the bow says.

I believe Colorado is 35 lb. draw weight, someone else might be able to confirm this as I'm not 100% sure.

Last time i checked,it was 50 in Oregon and 35 in Co.Quite a spread there init?LOL

Thanks guys! I may have to start watching for some stiffer limbs on the classifieds!

finshtr, I can't speak to Colorado, but the Oregon 50# requirement for elk is published in the Oregon Big Game pamphlet.

how do you carry a 50 pound bow ??

With both hands

must be why they started making them with wheel....ZING! I'll be here all week guys.

Washington it is 40lb.  The various states are all over the map.

I was told Colorado is 40#.

I know for a fact that Oregon is 50#.

Paul

Oregon says 50# or greater with longbow, recurve or compound for elk, sheep or goats. It does not specify draw length. At least I can't find it?

It's on page 30 of the 2010 Oregon Regulations.

CO is min draw weight of 35 lbs required, let-off max of 80%.

I wouldn't hunt for elk with less than 50# anyways. They are a big animal weighing 600 plus pounds.

In the future and for anyone interested the answer(s) for Colorado is in the down loadable Big Game Regulation Brochure found on the Division of Wildlfe website.


Joshua

I appreciate all the answers, and I did try to download the colorado regs... but my computer started acting up and I had to cancel the download.

I'm still curious about demonstrated vs. marked. Say you have a bow marked 50@28 but only draw 27". Are you legal? I would guess not.

I'll get the regulations.

Thanks again.

what are these people in the Dept of Natural resources thinkin?  35 pounds for elk?  In MD 30#'s for Black BEAR???  craziness!

I would think it is draw weight. If the weight is 50# that means 50#. So, if you have a bow that is 50#@28" but you draw to 27" you are only drawing 47#. Some situations while hunting we all probably don't draw a constant length. Like someone else said, I hope all will shoot 50# or more because elk are large animals.

35# is plenty for bear. i carried a little 44" bow at that weight for a few years to kill bark peelers and never had one not die quick. bear are the "softest" animal i've shot.

Pete Ward has a picture of guy that used a bow that was barely over #40 that killed a moose! It is all about arrow placement.And that is it.
Chris Kiefner

I was hoping my wife could elk hunt with me this year... but she can't handle 50# right now. I may get her lifting in order to get her stronger.

I've never hunted elk with less than 55# but was considering my 48# BW shooting heavy arrows with high foc for this coming fall.

I guess I will just have to reconsider my plans.

Thanks for all the comments.