Q.Archery & Equipment
What draw weight do I need for deer hunting?
A.
Most states set 40 lbs minimum draw weight for deer; 45-60 lbs is the practical range for most adult bowhunters. The right weight is whatever you can shoot accurately and pull cold while sitting in a stand. A 50-lb bow that you can shoot tight groups at 30 yards beats a 70-lb bow you can't pull on a freezing November morning.
Draw weight matters most for arrow penetration and energy retention at distance. 50-60 lbs is plenty for clean pass-through shots on whitetail at typical bow ranges. Higher draw weights help with quartering shots and longer ranges but introduce form issues if not pulled comfortably.
Pair with state archery rules on the regulations pages — minimum draw weights vary by state.