Choosing bow draw weight by game
Draw weight sets the ceiling on arrow kinetic energy, which drives penetration. Under-bowing costs ethical shots; over-bowing costs form and repeatability. The right number is the highest you can pull twice from a sitting treestand position in cold weather without shaking, minus 5 lb.
Scenarios with real numbers
Turkey and small game
40 lb compound at 28 in draw, 400 gr arrow, IBO 335 fps rig will run around 275 fps and 67 ft-lb KE. Legal in every state that allows archery for turkey. The killer is broadhead choice, not weight.
Whitetail and mule deer
50 lb compound at 28 in, 425 gr arrow, IBO 335 fps rig runs around 285 fps and 76 ft-lb KE. Enough for pass-through on any broadside deer inside 40 yards. Minimum legal in most states is 40 lb.
Elk, black bear, moose
60 lb minimum, 65 lb typical, 70 lb if you can pull cleanly. 65 lb at 28 in with a 500 gr arrow at 275 fps produces 84 ft-lb KE. The bigger driver on elk is arrow weight and broadhead sharpness, not draw weight above 60 lb.
African plains game
Most operators require 65 lb minimum and 65 ft-lb KE at impact. A 70 lb rig with a 550 gr arrow at 280 fps delivers 96 ft-lb KE at the bow, still 88 ft-lb at 30 yards.
How to test your working weight
Sit on the floor, cross-legged, cold hands. Draw and hold 8 seconds. If you shake, the sight pin wanders more than 4 in at 20 yd, or you have to sky-draw, drop 5 lb.
What bowhunters are saying
I dropped from 70 to 62 lb three years ago and my groups tightened 40 percent at 40 yards. I still get pass-throughs on elk with a 495 gr arrow. Nobody at the ranch wants to see a hero shoot 80 lb and gut-shoot the biggest bull.
ArcheryTalk, Bowhunting subforum, September 2025