I shoot a BW PSA III. 44#. Is this enough for elk hunting. I put in for my state elk draw and have been invited out of state to hunt elk. Should I be concerned about this poundage. Thanks Travis.

Check the regs. Make sure it's heavy enough. Do a search, there has been a ton of "discussion" on this topic.

I would check the regulations in the state your planning on hunting and in your own stae for that matter should you hunt elk there..

Many states have a higher draw wt. limit for elk that they do for deer.

Gene  

I like mid 50

For elk in Oregon the minimum is 50#. As stated check your regs.    

To work up to 50-55# shouldn't be much of a problem and with the right arrows and heads you would be much better off.As long as you can still maitain your accuracy.

#35 in Colorado. I would use no less than #45. Keep it close and use a sharp broadhead.

OK thanks guys

What is your draw length at 44#?

Ken Beck killed an elk with a 45lb bow so it certainly can be done, I would think that the heavier poundage would help with a marginal hit (ie: bone contact) but if you pick your shot and can put the arrow in the right spot then get after it. Good Luck

Yep , If your bow is rated at 44 lb and you only have a 26 in draw it will be a 40 lb bow. Draw length is important. As Kirk said , Here in Oregon its 50 lb minimum. I would reccomend a regulatin check. God Bless you and have a great time with your hunt. Steve

This is just my thought but if you can shoot some more I would. Not saying you cant do it with your gear but a little heavier would help.

I agree with the others that mid-50's or more is probably a better choice.  No doubt a perfect shot at even 40# will get the job done but its the marginal hits where the extra power helps you out.  I killed my bull this year with a longbow pulling 57# at my 31" draw but I would shoot 65-75# if I could comfortably do it.  That being said shoot what you can comfortably and make sure your arrow flight is spot on.  Good luck...Shawn

Your bow will do the job.  Do not fall into the light arrow speed trap.  Your at the bottom end of hunting weight for elk.  Get that arrow weight up around 550 to 600 grains as a minimum.  Get close and only take broadside or slightly quartering away shots.  Tricia draws 42 lbs at a 28 inch draw.  She shoots 564 grain arrows.  I am fully confident in her equipments ability to kill an elk.

I killed my first bull last September shooting 47# at my draw length. That said... I would also add that you should shoot as much as you can accurately.

My arrows were 630 grain with two blade COC BHs. The shot was broadside at 23 yds.

I hope to be shooting about 53# by this September.

Good luck!!

Although you can kill anything with a 45# bow I don't think hunting elk with one is a good idea.  Too many things come into play and they are a thick animal.  I'd work up to at least the low 50s and then shoot 10-12 gpp and a very good broadhead.

Maybe you can pick up a heavier set of limbs for your bow.

Mike

I'm with Ferret on this one.A little heavier will help.Elk are thick and big boned.JMHO

I am planning to hunt a water buff in the future so I know that I need to go up in #s.Maybe you can do a elk with 45#,but why not to try to upgrade your muscles and master a 50-55#.It isn't not that much.

It can be done, just make sure that your arrows are flying like darts. A 55# bow that is shooting untuned arrows will not get the penatration that a well tuned 45#bow will.

Elk Nailer,

I don't understand your post.  

Arrows flying true and a good sharp broadhead are a must with any setup 45# or 80#.  The point here is that 45# is very marginal for elk and illegal in many states for that reason.

Mike