How many pounds do you shoot?

[USN_Sam1385]

I am 23, about 180 lbs, and i am pretty solid. However, I have my bow set at 65 lbs, and I find that it is wearing on my shoulder quite a bit. I am thinking of taking it down to 60 lbs. I only hunt white tails at this point, and I think anything over about 45 lbs. is more than adequate. What r ur thoughts fellow bowhunters??

[Jaypo]

Hi there. I'm about 195lbs, and pretty strong, and I used to shoot 74 lbs fairly easily. However, I tore my labrum in my "shooting" shoulder 2 years ago, and couldn't pull back very much. I stayed off of physical activity for over a month and slowly worked my shoulder back into shape. I am now stronger, and I could shoot heavier, but when my shoulder was hurting, I lowered the poundage to about 62. However, I had a lot of trouble tuning my bow at the lower speed. So I raised it up (currently at about 70lbs) and was able to tune it, and it shoots fast and straight enough. I'd say set your bow to the highest weight that you can COMFORTABLY draw while sitting down. Also, while shooting, make sure you're using your back and arm to draw (like a seated row in the weightroom). I read an article by Uncle Ted Nugent about his wife shooting 50lbs and passing thru a zebra. You're correct- 45lbs is adequate, but I'd recommend to shoot higher if you can do so comfortably. But the most important thing to produce a humane kill is accuracy. I'd say to set your bow at the weight that you feel comfortable drawing while sitting on your butt and perfecting your aim at that weight. Make sure your bow is tuned to shoot well at that weight.

Good luck. I hope this helps, because I've been in your shoes.

[Brow Tine]

I usually keep mine between 50-60 lbs

[DouglasSpear]

I have my bow set at 68 lbs.

[KwackWacker]

73, but it's not necessary. There's a kid in our hunting club that shoots 40 lbs. and he's killed deer for the last three years. It's all in where the arrow is placed.

[DouglasSpear]

73, but it's not necessary. There's a kid in our hunting club that shoots 40 lbs. and he's killed deer for the last three years. It's all in where the arrow is placed.

Agreed. Vitals are vitals and sharp broad heads are sharp broad heads.

[Wac'em]

70# I shoot all year long and it fells very comfortable to me...even in late winter with all the clothes on.

[NYBuckhunter]

I used to shoot 70+ lbs, and its not that bad for me, but I moved to shooting 60 lbs because it will do just as good of a job and its so nice and easy to draw. Less movement = less spooked deer. Plus, add my 80% letoff and I can hold at full draw all day.

[Bowhunters]

^ Pretty much the same as NY.

You need to be able to easily draw the bow in all hunting positions including sitting.

Whether you hunt from a tree stand or in a ground blind there will be times when you need to draw the bow while sitting, even in a tree stand you will invarably get caught sitting and you can't figure on having time to stand up without getting busted by your movements and lots of people can't draw as much sitting as they can standing.

I dropped mine to 60lbs as that was where (even in insulated winter camo) I found I could sit in a chair and draw the bow smoothly with little body movement, so I would advise people to give that a test and see if they can draw thier bow while sitting.

Most all people can draw more lbs standing than when sitting.

[nyhunter24]

im 16 and about 150. i shot about 52-53 lbs. i have a question for u folks- im shooting the rage 2-blade broadheads, and do u think i'll have enough penetration for deer?

[Bowhunters]

im 16 and about 150. i shot about 52-53 lbs. i have a question for u folks- im shooting the rage 2-blade broadheads, and do u think i'll have enough penetration for deer?

Yes, kids and even some grown women probably don't draw but 40-50lbs and they kill deer, just make sure your broadheads are razor sharp and take good ethical and accurate broadside shots in the heart/lung area.

Even the old slow bows kill deer if the arrow head is sharp and its an accurate hit.

[nyhunter24]

thanks

[backwoodsman]

Im 6'4" 310 lbs and I shoot 48lbs with my compound, 40-50lbs on my stickbows. I shot over 80lbs years ago but thats overkill. Sharp broadhead will penetrate fine anywhere above 40lbs. Most of my kills are pass thru's.

[FullLimit]

both of my bows are set at 68 pounds....

[AlabamaHunter]

I'm 18 about 189lbs, and I pull back about 70lbs on my Hoyt. Its not all that necessary, but i like the extra speed. On the subject of speed, have any of you seen the new PSE X-Force Omen. It is absolutely incredible. With me pulling back 70lbs. my Hoyt is reaching a little over 300 fps. The PSE x-force Omen set at 70lbs will sling some arrows at speeds up to 366 fps. If I'm not mistaken that is the fastest bow on the market. What now Mathews.

[09blackonblack]

I'm 23, 145 pounds pulling back 70 with a 27 inch drawlength with a release on, w/o its 28

[Jdustyc1]

I'm 37 years old 140 lbs and NOT I'm shape i smoke like a freight train and I shoot 64 lbs very comfortably I also shoot quit a bit though

[Nick Roehl]

65lbs is what I shoot my bow at. I like it set to that. Pulls back nice.

[kyolive12]

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