Bow poundage

[sivart33]

I have a 66 lb bow now. I was honking about going down to a 50 lb bow, so I can shoot more arrows a day and just get better. My shoulders can’t seem to handle the 70 lb bow to long before I get tired. Would a 50 lb bow be enough to hunt and kill a  elk with. Deer is see 50 lbs to be fine but what about elk?
Edit: Ethical also. Good shots are good but not always enough.


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[huntnfmly]

Yes and ethical
Your shoulder will appreciate it also

[boneaddict]

Yes and Yes

[SeaRun1]

I have killed four Blacktail with my Prime Defy set at 54 pounds.  All were pass throughs.  I think you will be just fine.

SR1

[scotsman]

I have cleanly taken deer, bear and elk with traditional bows in the 48 - 54 pound range. You will do just fine! Just know your ethical range and keep disciplined to it.

[Iamyourhuckleberry]

I agree with everything written. I would like to add, there are 60-pound bows which drop down to the mid-40s range with 90% let off. They even shoot the kinetic energy of some older 70-pound bows! they're lightweight and fast, design for us older guys with sore shoulders. Check out the new PSE Evolve and Evoke series bows. I have had four 60 pound Evolve 28s in my house over the last few months. I set them up and then a friend visits...I end up selling my bow to them. I'm setting up my fifth currently- it isn't going anywhere except to the woods with me.

Here's a link:https://www.pse-archery.com/evolve/

If you need help getting into one, shoot me a pm. I get them at cost and will pass the savings onto you. It's the benefit of being a PSE Staff member.

[jnordwell]

As I get older I have thought about that same thing. I know a guy that use to belong to a archery club I shot at. He shoots 47 lbs and has taken deer,elk,bear with it. I think more important is the arrow set. I would try to stay above 400 grs for elk heavy arrows are momentum heavy death sticks...

[dilleytech]

Lots of animals taken with 40# bows. It’s important to shoot a heavy arrow at such slow speeds as it’s the momentum that carries it through the animal not the speed. Say no less then 400 gr

[follow maggie]

I shoot 55 lbs because of arthritis in my neck and it’s plenty. When I was sighting in my new string, it shot a carbon arrow through my fence & 7’ into the blackberry thicket n the other side.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Plenty of draw weight. Shoot what's comfortable   IMO selection of broadhead does become more critical especially for elk. Arrow weight is good, but a steeply angled head with a chisel type point is going to slow down much quicker,  than a sharp head with less aggressiy blade angles.