How Much Bow is needed for Elk?

[BrownA5]

While I have hunted Elk a number of times with rifle in Western Colorado, I am thinking it is time to start the pursuit with a traditional bow.  I also will be applying for KY's Elk season draw and who knows..... I might just get picked! (I can always dream!).  So what is recommended in terms of minimum draw weight?  I am not a "spring chicken" anymore so am thinking in terms of 50 pounds and under.  I also need to consider weight of arrow.

Any and all thoughts are greatly appreciated as always!

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

I was just thinking about this the other day. It's really a matter of arrow weight and speed, not poundage. Especially with some of the super fast recurves out there now. Also, a long draw will give you more fudge factor. I don't have an experience based answer for you on minimums, but I would think a well tuned 550 grain arrow at 150-160 fps and a two blade broadhead is enough for elk.

Personally, I'd really rather have an extra 15 fps out of that 550 grain arrow and would use a high quality 4 blade, like an Iron Will if I were chasing elk. I'd expect a passthrough with that setup if only hitting ribs. But all my elk killing experience has been with heavy longbows, 2" wide Simmons sharks, and 750 grain arrows, so take this with the proverbial grain of salt 

[Terry Green]

What ever you can pull and shoot accurately.  Whether 45 or 95.

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

What ever you can pull and shoot accurately.  Weather 45 or 95. 95

I got lost in reflection on minimums, but I agree with Terry. Given proficiency, more poundage, arrow weight, and speed is better!

[Pat B]

Mike Treadway killed his first elk(maybe his only) with one of his 41# bows, a complete pass through. Like said above arrow placement, scary sharp broadhead, good arrow weight and knowing where the arrow will go is more important.

[Russell Southerland]

You can kill one with a rock, but that is high risk. The more the better... 41 smortyone... doesnt mean that's what is needed for consistent kills. More is better. Period... if you can shoot t he weight.

[Crittergetter]

49#@28" - 540 grain arrow. Broke rib on entrance side [attachment=1]
Shoot the heaviest weight you can shoot comfortably and accurately!

[Ron LaClair]

If it was me I'd use one of my Shrew Classic Hunter II's,  45# @28" with a carbon arrow tipped with an Ace Standard broadhead. In years past I hunted elk with an 80# bow that was when I had more muscles than brains. 

[Terry Green]

Ron.... are you wearing skinny jeans now? 

[Friend]

The debate rages on year after year.

The concern for the quarry, we pursue,  often seems to be at a much lower priority as we continually explore the lower limits.

I have dropped down this past season to 45@28 and made sure that I have maintained focused on the overall arrow design....Note: fine arrow tuning and BH sharpness are standard protocol. The lower hunting draw weight  was new territory for me however, I had set up arrows for several trad hunters in the 42@28 range and successfully guided them to their first trad harvests.

My own results were both excellent and consistent.

If successfully drawn this year for the Kentcuky elk hunt, I plan to hunt confidently with the following setup:

Bob Lee Ultimate...45@28
Arrow...Carnivore 400...100 gn insert...190 gn Timber Shark...~530 gn total....

[Russell Southerland]

No body take me serious...just hacking on Ron.

[Ron LaClair]

Ron.... are you wearing skinny jeans now?

At my advanced age sweat pants and a wool cardigan sweater is the most comfortable to me.

[attachment=1,msg2950277]

[smag]

Good 45lb selfbow is plenty with a 550-600grn two blade. Just cant shot em at 35ydss prolly. You slide it between the ribs a minimum poundage bow for the state of choice be enough.

HH~

[Hawkeye]

Looks like you are getting a little thin there, Ron!   

Better have a couple venison steaks and a piece of banana cream pie for lunch...

[Terry Green]

Says the guy who won worlds with a 110# longbow.

[MT STEVE]

Dan, I shot completely through a mature bull at 22 yards with a 51 pound longbow, a thirty year old 2018 and a hair popping original Wensel Woodsman. I agree with the others that state good arrow flight and a shaving sharp head is just as, if not more important than bow weight. Just my 2 cents !

[BrownA5]

I appreciate all the feedback.  I currently have a Javaman Elkheart 45#@28 That I like for the task.

[J. Holden]

Also look at the state regulations.  I believe Wyoming has a 50# minimum.  We should all be reading those before you go on a hunt.  Just my .02

-Jeremy

[Crittergetter]

Also look at the state regulations.  I believe Wyoming has a 50# minimum.  We should all be reading those before you go on a hunt.  Just my .02

-Jeremy

All depends on how far you pull it back.! Lol
But you are correct.
90+ percent of the bows I have come through my shop for reduction or refinish do not scale what they are marked.... just because it says 50 at a specific DL doesn't mean it actually is or the shooter is drawing that specific length. This is a gray area that no one ever really addresses

[Wudstix]

I wonder if game wardens are carrying scales to measure poundage at the hunters draw?!?   
As mentioned above the arrow has to fly true and have enough energy on impact to push a scary sharp broadhead through the vitals.  Legal poundage doesn't mean much if all the other aspects are not in order.