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Nugent on draw weight - do you agree?

Vermin93

Vermin93

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This article interested me. I'm a new bowhunter and was unable to draw my bow one time last year when I was at a slightly awkward angle in my stand. I may dial it down a few lbs more than I already have. Curious if some guys shoot less weight than they need to just to give their shoulders a break.

Ted Nugent Texas Wild blog
 
I agree.

When I started bowhunting, a MAN's bow weight was 45 lbs.
They started going up with the advent of the compound bow, which at 45 lbs, produced comparable or more energy than the 45-lb recurve "manly" hunting bow. It was somewhat a marketing gimmick to get hunters to buy a new bow, by making them think they "needed" more poundage.

In my own personal experiences, I've lost shooting opportunities by having "too much" bow, and can't say I've ever killed a deer that a lighter poundage wouldn't have done same. I have had a 70-lb weight bow fail to bust a deer's shoulder, so bad shots can be bad, no matter what the weight you're pulling.
 
With most of the bows that have come out in the last couple of years you can shoot well under 60lbs of pull and get plenty of speed and even down to around 40-45 lbs with the right weight arrow and good broad head take any hog, deer, etc. Here is a example: 2 days ago shot a high country extreme set at just a hair over 57lbs and a bow tech experience set at 58 1/2 with the same arrow at 7.4 GPI 29+/- inches long and got 296 out of the high country and 299 out of the bow tech.
 
What's interesting about that is you are shooting a bow with a 58 lb draw 299 FPS. Just to demonstrate relativity Lakota Compound bows have the option of a 90 lb draw @ 315 FPS...food for thought.
 
I agree, but I shoot 70lbs and can draw that easy in any situation. That has nothing to do with natural strength either.. I have friends much stronger than I am that struggle to draw it. When I first got it I set it to 60lbs and drew it three times every night and would hold it until I couldn't hold steady. I was drawing 70 no problem after a month or so. If you struggle to draw a bow at 60 pounds, unless injured, try the method I mentioned.
 
I bow hunt all season in the Midwest , and temps get in the single digits in late fall into winter , making drawing back from a stand much harder than practicing in the backyard .
I got injured drawing a macho 80lb. Bow on a cold morning hunt back in he early 80's , and I still suffer from that njury , even though I lift weights and shoot frequently . It's not necessary with today's more efficient bows to shoot that much draw weight . I like 60-65 lbs , but broadhead design should be consideration when shooting lower draw weights .
 
The bow I started hunting with was a 40# High Country with about 25" draw. I killed several deer with it...shooting Easton 2213s with 125 grn Thunderhead broadheads. Pass through every deer I shot with it. My wife done the same thing with her bow @ 38 lbs and 26.5" draw. If you put an arrow in the rib cage of a Tennessee size deer, 40# will do it every time and stick in the ground on the other side. The only thing higher poundage helps on, is if you make direct shoulder hits and or pushing 2"+ cut mechanical broadheads through. Otherwise, a double lung hit with it just means it will drive up in the dirt further with 70+ lbs. I'm shooting 60 and might back it down more.
 
Crow Terminator said:
...38 lbs and 26.5" draw.., 40# will do it every time and stick in the ground on the other side...
Click to expand...

That is the lowest I've heard, and good to know. My little girl and wife want in on this deal. My daughter wants to hunt with the bow but I've not read about anything less than 48lbs. What bow does she shoot?
 
I started in my twenties a long time ago.

I shot 75 pounds and heavy arrows.
My bow speed MIGHT have been 240 fps.

Every deer I shot was a pass through unless I hit leg, humerus (sometimes incorrectly referred to as shoulder).

Not only have bows, cams, strings and cables evolved, but arrows as well.

Now, at 57 pounds of draw weight, my arrow shoots 310 fps.

I will add much heavier arrows for hunting and slow the speed down considerably but my KE and thus pass through potential will increase.

I agree with Ted on this topic.

No matter how good of shape you are in, or how young, repetitive shooting takes its toll on rotator cuffs over the years.
 
I'll agree. I dropped down to 60lb limbs last season and will never look back. Still plenty of KE to zip through a rib cage. I did shoot 2 kinds of mechanicals last season and only had one pass through with 4 deer. Halfway through I switched back to a fixed blade and had 2 pass-throughs no problem. I'll be shooting a magnus stinger this year. The lighter weight draw is more fun to shoot and easier to draw on a cold morning or in an akward position.
 
Another thing to think about other than drawing back is having to let down. There will be several times throughout an archery career when you have are at full draw and you have to let down. Letting down a 60lbs bow is a lot easier and can be done with a lot less movement than a 70lbs bow.
 
TNDeerGuy said:
Another thing to think about other than drawing back is having to let down. There will be several times throughout an archery career when you have are at full draw and you have to let down. Letting down a 60lbs bow is a lot easier and can be done with a lot less movement than a 70lbs bow.
Click to expand...

Very true. Had to do it several times last season.
 
Here is a test to see if you are drawing too much weight .
Sit down on the ground with your legs straight out in front of you , now draw your bow straight back Off to the side of your body without sky drawing it . This is not a practical shooting position , but will determine if you can draw back under awkward shooting positions or are over bowed . When I'm hunting , I like to be able to draw back , slowly and smoothly , while aiming downward to minimize movement .
I know guys who shoot heavier weights all summer , but struggle in the stand in cold weather with heavy clothes on .
 
I just bought my son a Mission Riot. He is shooting 225 fps @ 50 pounds. I killed several deer with my old PSE shooting 218 fps @ 65 pounds and got a complete pass through every time. Are you wanting to hunt and kill or impress the guys at the bow shop with your speed and strength? That is the question.
 
eweisner said:
Crow Terminator said:
...38 lbs and 26.5" draw.., 40# will do it every time and stick in the ground on the other side...
Click to expand...

That is the lowest I've heard, and good to know. My little girl and wife want in on this deal. My daughter wants to hunt with the bow but I've not read about anything less than 48lbs. What bow does she shoot?
Click to expand...

Check out the Mission Craze. 15 to 70 lbs, 19" to 30" draw length. Bought my wife one and she loves it. Your daughter can grow up with this bow and as she grows so can the bow.
 
My wife kills em at 35 lbs and a 23.5 inch dl. I just make sure the head is hair shaving sharp and its no biggie. Im going to colorado in a few weeks so my Insanity is at 70 lbs. I can draw it upside down and inside out from any position, BUT on whitetail the only difference between 60 lbs and 70 lbs is the arrow will be deeper in the dirt after the shot. I appreciate the shoulders GOD gave me and will never shoot at 70 lbs around here. Honestly if these bows had bigger limb adjustments say from 55 to 70 Id go 55 for deer, but like 70 for elk.
 
Interesting input from everyone. I wouldn't have figured so many people would be shooting under 60lbs, something to consider for sure. I used to pull 70 like it was a weed eater, but have lost some strength and notice when I practice around shot 4 or 5 I start sky drawing and shaking after 5-6 seconds of aiming. Time to crank her down I'm afraid.
 
I have hunted with my bow set at 52lbs for years.....have killed hogs, deer, and black bear at that dw....haven't got a pass through on hogs but the deer and bears have been pass thru's....i just make sure my muzzys are frog hair splitting sharp and i have never had an issue......
 
Urban_Hunter said:
Interesting input from everyone. I wouldn't have figured so many people would be shooting under 60lbs, something to consider for sure. I used to pull 70 like it was a weed eater, but have lost some strength and notice when I practice around shot 4 or 5 I start sky drawing and shaking after 5-6 seconds of aiming. Time to crank her down I'm afraid.
Click to expand...

Anytime you have to sky draw , you are over bowed .
 

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