Minimum draw weight list by state

[R. Graddy]

Arkansas has a minimum 35# for longbows, recurves and compound.    

[dirtguy]

Verifying - Connecticut is still #40

[Mark R]

Il. just changed it to 30 lb.

[slowbowjoe]

Vermont; 40# for deer, 50 for bear.

[Zradix]

Originally posted by Gus:
Michigan is incorrect - no minimum bow weight.

That's correct.

[Bruce Folske]

There is not a minimum draw weight in Michigan.

[Blueridge]

Georgia minimum is 40# @ 28" of draw

[Bill from NJ]

New Jersey Correct.

FYI:  Below from the 2017-2018 manual.

"Bow" means any long bow, recurve bow, compound bow or crossbow. Hand held release devices are permitted. Air bows are not legal for hunting.

All bows must have a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds at the archer's draw length, except compounds, which must have a minimum peak draw weight of 35 pounds and crossbows which must have a minimum draw weight of 75 pounds.
Crossbows must have a minimum stock length of 25 inches.

See crossbow safety tips, below. Crossbows are now legal for bowfishing except for Greenwood Lake. Crossbows are permitted for hunting migratory birds. See below for restrictions when taking game birds in flight.

All arrows used for hunting deer, bear, turkey, coyote, fox or woodchuck must be fitted with an edged head of well-sharpened metal and a minimum width of ¾ inches.

Arrows fitted with heads other than specified for deer, bear, turkey, coyote, fox or woodchuck may be carried in the woods and fields during the small game season or other seasons which overlap with the bow and arrow deer season except that for taking game birds in flight, arrows equipped with an edged head are prohibited. Also, flu flu arrows are required for taking game birds in flight because the arrow is designed to fly only a short distance.

For the purpose of discharging a crossbow, hunters may carry judo points, target points or blunts. Canada geese and turkeys which are not in flight may be taken with standard fletched arrows and an edged head as described above.

Sunday bowhunting for deer is legal only on private land and state wildlife management areas.

It is unlawful to:
   •   use or possess a poison arrow or one with an explosive tip
   •   use an edged head for taking game birds in flight
   •   use a bow one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise during any hunting season
   •   use a bow and arrow from any vehicle, moving or stationary
   •   have both a firearm and bow in possession or under control while hunting
   •   transport in a vehicle a crossbow in the cocked position

[KevinK]

Blue Ridge, no draw weight minimum in Georgia. To the best of my knowledge hasn't been for a few years. Used to be 40# but they got rid of it. Checking the 2017 regs and cannot find anything about it being added again. I could be wrong. Is it something you discovered recently? Reason I ask is that in addition to hunting GA we also hunt in Ohio which just says 40# minimum. My wife is above 40# but only at a draw length of 25" (50-53# bows). We have spent a lot of money on new stands, bows and a lease this year and I hope she is legal.

[Lonehowl]

California's is outdated and silly. Ive never heard of anyone being checked or tested in any way.
Mark

[Blueridge]

Kevin
They could have changed it. If its not in this years regs I would think your ok.

[WDP]

Correction to Arizona. 30lbs except for Buffalo which is 40lbs.