How Many Pounds Draw Weight Does it Take to Kill a Deer?

I was just wondering how many pounds draw weight it would take to kill a deer, I heard 50. What do yall think?

 

Colorado Big Game regulations only require 35lb draw to hunt Elk...logic would state 35lbs would work fine on whitetails also.

Many states have a 40lb minimum for whitetail - which is more than enough with the right arrow and archer.

 

it's not the draw, it is what comes out the business end when you release and your shot placement that kills a deer.

 

Massachusetts requires 45# for hunting.

 

I have always heard that 40 lbs is the minimum, but I like the KE method better. Check out thi link below. It has some good info on speed vs. weight and Kinetic Energy. Good read too if you are really into learning all you can about archery.

http://www.huntersfriend.com/carbon_arrows/hunting_arrows_selection_guide_chapter_5.htm

 

That was a cool little article, thanks for sharing!

 

30 is the minimum here in WI My wife shot her 1st 2 with a Martin Gazelle set at 32(about 18 years ago) Double lung pass threw at 25 yards. Shot placement is key :D

 

#35 lbs is legal for anything except bear in maryland...but i do 50 and it works fine

 

My guess 40 pounds!

 

I believe its more about Kinetic energy than draw weight or speed. To calculate your KE use this link http://www.dewclawarchery.com/Kinetic_Engery_Calculator-a/157.htm
My arrow puts out 69.66 ft-lbs. check out this below


Kinetic Energy
Hunting Usage

< 25 ft. lbs. Small Game (rabbit, groundhog, etc.)

25-41 ft. lbs. Medium Game (deer, antelope, etc.)

42-65 ft. lbs. Large Game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.)

> 65 ft. lbs. Toughest Game (Cape Buffalo, Grizzly, etc.)

 

Illinois minimum is 40#. Depending on where you live it might be less, but i think 30# is the lowest physically possible to kill a whitetail deer. Different deer species will slightly different, though. Also depends on where you live.

 

Like others have said it's kinetic energy that matters. You might get 40 KE with 60 lbs on one bow and 45 KE on another bow at the same draw weight. Just figure your KE for your particular setup.

 

I think MO did away with their old minimum of 30# DW but if you calculate with one of the online calcs...a bow with a 325 IBO and a 324 grain arrow with a draw weight of 35# is only about 41 ft lbs of KE which is widely considered adequate to kill a whitetail deer. You wouldn't be breaking any shoulders with a FPS of 240fps and a 325 grain arrow.

 

A lot of states have minimun requirements I know Nebraska's was at 45#, but I think they did away with it. Personally I keep mine at 60#'s for speed and distance

 

Haha bringing it back from the dead. This thread is from 2011 and the OP hasnt been on since then either.

 

And then there's California's brilliant contribution to bowhunting logic... "draw weight shall be sufficient to cast an arrow a minimum of 130 horizontal yards" which can be done with about 25lbs if you're using the right arrow.

I realize that's about as helpful as a punch in the junk, so here's some REAL advice. With a 100gr cut on contact fixed blade, 35lbs should be sufficient, assuming your draw length is at least 25in and you're pretty close. All of the KE calculators are going to give you KE at the release, which doesn't take flight time or loss of momentum into account. Figure at least 45ft/lbs KE MINIMUM, and go from there.


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30# is sufficient at short range(15 yds and under). It is important though to have a heavy enough arrow at such low weights to ensure the projectile has the necessary momentum to penetrate the animal. Total arrow weight should be at least 400 grains total weight. I hunt with 44# and wouldn't feel under bowed for anything in NA especially deer. Deer aren't armor plated and shooting a massive amount of weight only changes how far into the ground the arrow will go once it passes through. Legal minimums range from 30#-#50 depending on the state and the game to be hunted.

 

When I was a kid I killed a doe with a 30 lb. long bow.
way back in 1962

 

shouldn't take much but i shoot 70 so i can shoot far and there is an entry and exit hole

 

In Ontario, its 40lbs.