minimum draw weight thoughts

[vandeman17]

I know that the minimum legal draw weight for a bow in WA is 40 lbs but I wanted to hear your thoughts and opinions on it. The reason I ask is that I have been trying to get my dad into archery hunting so he could go with me but he has a bit of a bum shoulder and is worried about not being able to draw a bow. We are wanting to hunt deer and elk and I told him that he could probably draw a 55 lb bow pretty easily since he could almost draw mine and it is set at 65 plus a longer draw length then he would use. What do you guys think?

[Bean Counter]

Take care of your pops. What about a cross bow?

[Bob33]

If he can draw a 55 pound bow pretty easily, and the minimum weight is 40 pounds, what's the issue?

[vandeman17]

Thought about that but it would probably limit places that we could use it. He lives in Texas where I think you can use them but if we go to Montana or he comes to Washington then that might be a problem... 

If he can draw a 55 pound bow pretty easily, and the minimum weight is 40 pounds, what's the issue?

I don't know if he can or not, I am just saying I think he COULD based on watching him try to draw mine at 65 and the longer draw length. I am just wondering if you think that would be sufficient for elk and deer hunting? I know that you change the weight and such on the arrows to adjust for the draw weight but do you think it would be lethal on an elk at 40 yards?

[Bob33]

With the right broadheads and accurate shot placement, a 40 pound bow will kill elk at 30 yards all day long.

[bobcat]

Have him get a 45-60 pound bow. I've got issues with both of my shoulders and that's what I just bought last year. A decade ago I had a 70 pound bow and could pull it back easily but started having shoulder pain that would last for 2 to 3 months at a time, so I gave up on archery hunting for a while.

But now with this new bow I had it set at 53 pounds and shot it quite a bit over the summer with no issues whatsoever. I didn't end up hunting with it this last season but plan on using it this year. It's especially nice now with 80% let off being legal, I'm only holding 11 pounds when at full draw.

I'm thinking I should be able to gradually work myself up to the full 60 pounds if I do it gradually, even if it takes a couple more years I don't care. I just don't want to mess up my shoulders bad enough to where I will need surgery to fix them.

[vandeman17]

Have him get a 45-60 pound bow. I've got issues with both of my shoulders and that's what I just bought last year. A decade ago I had a 70 pound bow and could pull it back easily but started having shoulder pain that would last for 2 to 3 months at a time, so I gave up on archery hunting for a while.

But now with this new bow I had it set at 53 pounds and shot it quite a bit over the summer with no issues whatsoever. I didn't end up hunting with it this last season but plan on using it this year. It's especially nice now with 80% let off being legal, I'm only holding 11 pounds when at full draw.

I'm thinking I should be able to gradually work myself up to the full 60 pounds if I do it gradually, even if it takes a couple more years I don't care. I just don't want to mess up my shoulders bad enough to where I will need surgery to fix them.

What I want him to do is go to the Bass Pro Shop by his place down in Texas and see if he can try shooting a few 50-60 lb bows with the shorter draw length.

I have actually thought about selling my bow and picking up a 50-60 lb draw so that I can set it at 60 to have the full draw weight. I can draw mine pretty easily now but it would be nice to be able to have a nice, smooth easy draw for those times when you have to be really sneaky. 

[Fullabull]

Best thing is to visit a pro shot and have him shoot some bows set at different poundages. do not let him know how much he is pulling though before he tries it, he might surprise himself

[vandeman17]

Best thing is to visit a pro shot and have him shoot some bows set at different poundages. do not let him know how much he is pulling though before he tries it, he might surprise himself

I agree. He is probably stronger then he thinks he is... 

[Camp David]

Accuracy is more important than energy. Lots of animals have been taken with light bows. Remember the efficiency of a bow is better than what is was years ago. You get more energy out of a 40lb bow than you did only a few years ago.

[h20hunter]

Also...keep in mind that it is not how much he can pull......it's how much he can pull and shoot accurately. I pull 65-70 but am a big enough dude that I can practice at that much easily. However, I could kill animals (If i ever get a shot) just as well pulling 20 lbs. less.

[vandeman17]

Also...keep in mind that it is not how much he can pull......it's how much he can pull and shoot accurately. I pull 65-70 but am a big enough dude that I can practice at that much easily. However, I could kill animals (If i ever get a shot) just as well pulling 20 lbs. less.

My thoughts exactly. I am trying to convince him that if he could practice comfortably with a 50-55 lb that was fit and tuned to him that he could kill just as many elk as I could with my bow.

[Fullabull]

Here is another thought, if you find he can pull comfortably in the 50's. You might purchase a 60lb bow and just dial it down to what he can draw. That way he can always go up if he becomes stronger at it. Getting a bow you can dial up or down a bit would be nice and would give you some flexibility... My dad is pulling 60lbs, he is 72 but I could tell this year he was having a little more difficulty with holding it for very long. We will probably dial in down a little for nex year.

Good Luck

[vandeman17]

Here is another thought, if you find he can pull comfortably in the 50's. You might purchase a 60lb bow and just dial it down to what he can draw. That way he can always go up if he becomes stronger at it. Getting a bow you can dial up or down a bit would be nice and would give you some flexibility... My dad is pulling 60lbs, he is 72 but I could tell this year he was having a little more difficulty with holding it for very long. We will probably dial in down a little for nex year.

Good Luck

I was thinking about starting him out in the low 50's until he got his form down and strength up and then seeing if he wanted to up the poundage a little bit. If he is shooting awesome groups and feels totally comfortable at the lower weights then I don't think I would change him though. If it aint broke, don't fix it. 

[Snapshot]

What I think is this: trying to pull a 65# compound with an injured shoulder is a sure way to mess it up even more. Get him a compound that can be dialed down to 40# so he can practice and build up that shoulder. If it gets stronger he can increase the weight. I think doing it one pound at a time would be the smart way to go about it.
Don't overlook the advice someone gave above about "the right arrow" because that is vital to being able to get the most out of a low-poundage arrow flingin' device.