bow draw weight for elk?

[Machias]

I understand funkster, if you live by that creed you'll do fine.  Sorry to be preaching to you guys.  I have been on a few hunting site that do not support bowhunting and the biggest complainant is wounded animals, even though I believe most rifle and muzzleloaders seriously exaggerate about ALL the animals they find laying around the woods with arrows sticking out of them....at least I hope so.

[pacyew]

I understand funkster, if you live by that creed you'll do fine.  Sorry to be preaching to you guys.  I have been on a few hunting site that do not support bowhunting and the biggest complainant is wounded animals, even though I believe most rifle and muzzleloaders seriously exaggerate about ALL the animals they find laying around the woods with arrows sticking out of them....at least I hope so.

Bowhunting's problem is that an arrow is kind of a visual thing. Its hard to see a bullet sticking out of an animal. And hunter's love to tell stories, and everyone has a better story than the last guy. Some guy hears a story about an animal found with an arrow in it. The next time it's told it was 4 or 5 arrows sticking out of it. It just doesn''t happen that way.

As to enough draw weight for elk, just get in real close and put the arrow in the right place.

[boneaddict]

Thanks for posting up Machias.  I agree with you %100. Like I said, even with most of my rifle shots, they are under 50 yards, and usually alot closer than that.  It doesn't mean I can't shoot further, I actually fancy myself as one hell of a shot, I just don't want to.  As you stated elequently and Miles stated its all about something else for me.  Thats why I hunted with my longbow during the general rifle season last year.  I'm a little sick of the technology out there these days, and very much for primitive only and modern seasons. ...but thats another thread.  Good opinions everyone.

[funkster]

I guess a good question to ask yourself is:  which would be more satisfying to you as an archer,  to lob an arrow out 80 yards and hope nothing goes wrong that is out of your control, OR  to be so close to the animal that you feel as if you could almost reach out and touch it right before you make that clean shot into the vitals

I want to be so close I can feel his breath when he answer's to my calling,that would be the most satisfying to me as a hunter!

[WDFW-SUX]

I don't see the advances in technology having any effect of the success rates of bow hunters because as time goes by the number of hunters is decreasing as well as the level of outdoor skill.  It will probably just stay the same IMHO. I have not seen many traditional archers that I would consider a threat to kill something out side of 15 yards excluding some of the FITA guys so I don't really care when or how long they hunt. I would like to see them use wooden arrows if they want a special season though.

[boneaddict]

I have not seen many traditional archers that I would consider a threat to kill something out side of 15 yards excluding some of the FITA guys so I don't really care when or how long they hunt. I would like to see them use wooden arrows if they want a special season though.

I'll take it!

[rewent12003]

i shoot a hoyt also, my draw is 65lbs my arrow speed is almost 300fps, i use carbon arrows with muzzy like three blade broad heads, at 60 yards im in the kill zone. i have a shakyness problem when at draw about the same as you i use a exercise band to strengthen my pull and shoulder strength it helped me out alot.

[tlbradford]

The only thing I want to add to this conversation is this:

RAZOR SHARP BLADES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN KILLING AN ANIMAL WITH A BOW!!!

Animals are killed by the cutting action of the broadhead.  Not a transfer of any energy.  Faster bows help with shot placement because they shoot flatter, so you can miss your range estimate by a few yards either way.  Penetration is greater with a faster, heavier arrow which will create a larger wound channel, but only if the broadheads are sharp.  If the broadhead is not "cutting a path" for the arrow to pass through, than how fast it is going is insignificant.  If this wan't the case we would all hunt with field points.

[LongTatLaw]

I pull as much weight as I can and when I get a new bow Im gonna get something that lets me get 10 more pounds added.

With todays arrows (following WA state mins) 60 pounds is gonna give ya the KE ya want for elk and a well placed shot will blow right through.

I pull as much weight as possible (possible meaning accurately and comfortably) for 2 reasons.
   1. The more weight I pull the flatter my arrow flies which covers for range errors
   2. If that animal does move or shift and you get shoulder I want to be pushing as hard as possible.

I only hunt with virgin blades. That can get pricey if its been a good year but once a blade touches anything but quiver...its a practice broadhead with me!

As for distance. I feel very confident I can shoot paper plates at 60 yards all day and much better at 50 yards. If an elk was calm and stationary I might consider 50 yards but not one yard more... too much can happen.

I pull 78 pounds and I shot a large bodied elk from 1 yard (in a treestand) with a razor sharp broadhead expecting it to dig knock deep in the ground after exiting the elk. I hit bone somewhere and only got 1/2 shaft penetration...That ended in a very difficult tracking job and a crazy mess that we all want to avoid!

So, while 60 pounds is plenty for a perfect heart shot... elk bones are big, dense, and mean to arrows...!

I grew up on whitetails and they "jump string" 90% of the time. meaning even at 20 yards they can move over 12 inches before your arrow gets there and at 40 yards they can be in the next zip code...

So its stuck in my head that 30 yards is max for deer... bears and boars would be more likely to see a longer shot from me because they are slower to react IMO.

Any way,

You set up is good but as the shoulder feels better and time allows... push that weight on up there if you can get the accuracy to stay consistent!

Good luck and happy hunting!

Ill keep my eye out for the pics of your monster trophies! 

[boneaddict]

My bull shifted this fall, and I got into the shoulder blade.  I was extremely happy I was shooting 2 blade Magnus Stingers versus my compound with its 3 blade montecs.  I honestly don't think the montecs would have split that shoulder.  Obviously I DON"T KNOW. I'm just gald it worked out.  It also helps that I am shooting 80 pounds ...no let off so I think I get more penetration than I do with the 85 pounds with let off.  No labratory tests, but digging arrows out of stumps shows that.   

I agree with you on the virgin blades.  I bought a sharpener this year, but have yet to re-use a blade, and yah, it isn't cheap.

[bullelk1]

Machias is 100% correct.  The idea behind bowhunting is that it is a short range method that requires skill and the closer you get the more skillfull you are!  Now, if we could only get a lot of the bowhunting population to practice that!

[jae]

Machias is 100% correct.  The idea behind bowhunting is that it is a short range method that requires skill and the closer you get the more skillfull you are!  Now, if we could only get a lot of the bowhunting population to practice that!

I AGREE!

[wastickslinger]

I have killed a few around the 50 yard mark, 52 and 55. Both were dead in less than 100 yards in my sight. 50 to 55 is max for me. I was excited both times. But nothing has been more exciting than the one at 7 yards!! The thrill of being that close is why I bow hunt. That super loud wack and the assurance that he is a dead buck walking before you release at close range is what it is all about. Everyone has their range, as long as you are 100% sure you can make the shot, and make it count, then make it!!!

[Intruder]

I agree with Machias 100%. 

While I've just taking my first baby steps in regard to archery I have been very fortunate to have some expert tutaliage from 2 archers who've killed dozens of elk over the years.  They generally refuse to shoot even over 20 yards with 30 being their absolute limit. 

While I'm quite sure there are hundreds of guys out there on this forum (hell, I've even done it at the 3D course) who can hit a softball sized target at 50 yards that doesn't equate often enough to ethical and humane kills.  My guess is that every 5 yards past 25 yards there is an exponetial increase in wounded animals.     

[dbllunger]

I agree with some points and disagree with others.  Machias...I have been bow hunting for four years now, and have shot three book bucks at 60+yds, 50+yds, and 40+yds.  The first year I did not shoot at another book buck at 50 because my equipment was not up to the task.  I have never lost an arrow or wounded an animal, and just re-fletched the same arrow used to kill all three.  It simply comes down to the hunter, their equipment, skill level, and how the person uses those to kill an animal.  Range and equipment has nothing to do with how far.  It is the person  who makes it ethical or not.  I also agree the major majority should practice more and limit should shooting distance to less then they have.  That does not apply to everyone.   I think the principal should apply to all weapons.