How do you guys determine bow poundage?

[Alan K]

Then the argument comes in about bows being most efficient/accurate at there designed peak poundage!

That's what I've always heard so I've always kept mine maxed out.   

[bobcat]

At my old age     I have problems with both of my shoulders, so when I bought a bow recently, I got a 60 pound bow. A decade ago when I tried bow hunting for a few years I had a 70 pound bow, and it worked fine for me maxed out, but I did have shoulder issues if I overdid it and shot for too much at one time. Even with this new bow I'm going to start out with it cranked down about halfway. So I'm guessing it will be at about 55 pounds. For hunting season I'll max it out, and I think this new bow at 60 pounds will be faster than my old bow was at 70 pounds.

[longknife]

good rule of thumb is sit on a chair with your feet off the ground and you should be able to pull back the bow with out your feet touching

I think this is the best way to test yourself/bow if it needs to be adjusted. I will get the San fransico slippers on, and shoot from my knees sometimes. Diffrent back muscles used at diffrent angles.

[Recurve-Elk]

Right now I am shooting a Martin Hunter recurve, which has a draw of around 53lbs.  I use it for deer and elk.  But for elk I am limited to close, broadside quartering away shots, generally under 25 yards.  My compound is 65lbs.  Being comfortable is absolutely key, if you aren't, say goodbye to accuracy.  Especially with recurve/longbow setups.  Anything above 50lbs will take take game to the size of elk with a well placed arrow. 

[boonerboy]

good rule of thumb is sit on a chair with your feet off the ground and you should be able to pull back the bow with out your feet touching

I think this is the best way to test yourself/bow if it needs to be adjusted. I will get the San fransico slippers on, and shoot from my knees sometimes. Diffrent back muscles used at diffrent angles.

   Also remember that it might be 10 degrees out when you need to pull on that big buck, so allow for that. It would SUCK to freeze your arse off for 6 hrs. only to not be able to come to full draw....and dont let the "I have mine set at 300 lbs." guys to affect you. If its comftorable to shoot, you will shoot more and it will be more enjoyable thus making you a beter shooter. 

[buckfvr]

Id like to add, make sure you can pull it back level, as in not having to point the bow to the heavens to draw it back. Also remember, todays 60lb bow out performs yesteryears 70lb bow.  R

[garyltbh]

i shoot everyday i shoot at 62lbs all yr and right before hunting season i turn it up to 70lbs and practace there for a couple weeks then i go hunting as soon as seasons over back down it goes to 60lbs. what im saying is shoot what is confortable to you and you will be fine. i dont have to turn my bow up to hunt it just makes me feel better to have a little extra power when i hunt. personal preference thats all. have fun with your bow

[coyote_out]

people have been killing animals with bows long before they even knew what FPS and poundage were.  with that being said, just make sure you shoot your bow. i shoot every day from spring to fall and probably 3x a week after hunting season until next spring.  you can crank your bow down, sight it in, and put it away till hunting season; and you will probably shoot at some animals, and you will probably harvest some animals, but you will be doing yourself and the animals a favor, no matter what your draw weight, by putting in your time.  besides, shooting your bow with friends and at shoots is half of it!

for the record, i shoot a 65# bowtech guardian.  i can crank it to 70 but i got so used to 65, why bother, im throwing strikes. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

Right now I am shooting a Martin Hunter recurve, which has a draw of around 53lbs.  I use it for deer and elk.  But for elk I am limited to close, broadside quartering away shots, generally under 25 yards.  My compound is 65lbs.  Being comfortable is absolutely key, if you aren't, say goodbye to accuracy.  Especially with recurve/longbow setups.  Anything above 50lbs will take take game to the size of elk with a well placed arrow.

        yeah sure remember growing up hunting with a recurve... All I know is it made me a much better hunter do to the fact of having the ability to get in close for an ethical shot... I have gotten lazier over the years so now I like my mathews and it is definately a killin machine......plus I do not need to get so close anymore ...hahahahah shoot straight !!!1

[Camp David]

Do yourself a favor and check your arrow speed @ 60lbs and 70 lbs. Poundage change = speed change. You will find out that your arrow speed will not change that much for 60 - 70 (~ 25' per second max). The arrow speed change has 2 effects: energy and drop. Higher spee :archery_smiley:ds give you more energy at impact and the higher speed also allow you to be a little less accurate on you range estimation. If you range a deer @ 30yds and he is actually @ 36 your arrow impact will only be a little low with a higher speed arrow. In contrast if you shoot a slower arrow you will most likely shoot under the deer. There are numerous other "tricks" you can do to increase arrow speed without increasing draw weight and still stay with in the confines of the law. Remember accuracy has killed more animals than arrow speed. 

[300rum]

I have my bow set where I can pull it straight back without moving the bow vertically.  I have no clue what it is set at (and could care less).  I get a kick out of guys set at 70 and then draw on the way down vertically with all of that movement.  What do you think the animal is going to do? 

The other thing to remember is that it will likely be 5 o'clock in the morning and 17 degrees outside.  You will be wearing two shirts and a coat and your muscles will be tight. 

I am sure that I would be hard pressed pushing 65 on my bow after pulling 70 on others bows.  I had a through and through on a bull at about 25 this last year, I never even found the arrow.  It is always about placement whether talking about bows or bullets.