A 40 lb recurve bow is a great hunting bow, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re new to archery and want to hunt with your recurve, there’s a few things you need to know.
The first thing is that shooting at 40 lbs is not easy. It will take many months (or years) of practice before you can shoot accurately at this weight. The second thing is that shooting at 40 lbs will quickly break most arrows. You’ll need to invest in good quality arrows and protect them with a good quality arrow rest system (the string stop). And finally, if you’re using a bow like this for hunting, then you’ll also want to invest in a sight and stabilizer system for accuracy when shooting from the tree stand or ground blind.
40 lbs is considered fine for hunting deer sized animals
The most important thing to remember about bow hunting is that it is essentially a game of inches. If you are going to be successful at taking big game with a bow, you need to be able to shoot accurately and consistently.
A compound bow is a great tool for this because it provides an adjustable draw length and draw weight. The draw weight refers to the amount of force needed to pull back the string on your bow. The higher the draw weight, the more difficult it will be for you to pull back the string, but also the more power will be generated when you do release it.
The ideal draw weight for a deer sized animal is between 40-60 pounds of force. This means that if your compound bow has an advertised maximum draw weight of 100 pounds, then 40 pounds is considered fine for hunting deer sized animals
And many people do hunt with such bows without issues
Many people do hunt with such bows without issues. The problem is that there are more and more reports of injuries that have resulted from the use of these bows.
I’ve been shooting a recurve for about 25 years, and I can tell you from experience that it’s easier to shoot a compound than a recurve. That’s why so many people who know nothing about archery get started with compounds and never even consider recurves.
But if you’re willing to put in the time and practice needed to learn how to shoot a recurve, they’re great bows. They’re quieter than compounds and don’t kick as much when released. They also tend to be lighter than compounds, which makes it easier for smaller people (like me) to hold steady while aiming at long distances.
Getting the right gear would be helpful too though
It’s hard to say what gear is best, since it depends on your budget as well as the specific tasks you need to accomplish. But here are some guidelines:
Get a good pair of binoculars if you’re going to be birding or wildlife watching. You can get them for less than $100 and they’ll last for years. I have a pair of Nikon 8×42 HD Binoculars that cost about $130, but they’re great for birding because they can magnify things up to eight times. That makes it easy to see birds’ colors and fine details like eyes and feathers.
If you’re going to be hiking or backpacking in areas where bears are common, get bear spray instead of pepper spray. Bear spray contains capsaicin oil, which irritates an animal’s nose and eyes more than pepper spray does. It also has a longer range than pepper spray does.
For photography, get a tripod and use natural light whenever possible (e.g., sunrise and sunset). A tripod lets you keep your camera steady so that when you press the shutter button the picture will come out crisp instead of blurry (because hands shake).
Choosing a sturdy fixed blade broadhead that weighs around 100 grains is a good choice for hunting deer with a recurve bow
Deer hunters with recurve bows should choose a sturdy fixed blade broadhead that weighs around 100 grains. A good example of this type of broadhead is the Rage Hypodermic 100 Grain Fixed Blade Broadhead. This broadhead has a 1.25″ cutting diameter and comes with a 100 grain weight, which makes it ideal for hunting deer with a recurve bow.
A heavier broadhead will give you better penetration on your target, but it will also make your arrows fly slower than they would with a lighter one. If you want to increase your arrow speed, use a lighter head.
And arrows speed over 200 fps is recommended for optimal penetration
There have been many articles written on this subject and there is no consensus. The problem is that there are so many variables. Arrow weight, bow draw weight, bow length, arrow spine, arrow type, target material, etc.. all play a part in penetration.
The best bet is to experiment with different speeds and see what works best for you.
I shoot a Hoyt Carbon Element at 49# with a 340 grain arrow. My arrows leave the bow at between 245-250 fps and penetrate 12 sheets of 1/8″ plywood at 25 yards with very little deformation!
Shooting accuracy also matters a lot when it comes to hunting with a bow
You may be able to hit the target if you are far away from it, but if you are not accurate enough, then you will have to shoot multiple arrows before you get it right. That can be really frustrating and time-consuming.
You should always make sure that your bow is accurate enough before using it for hunting. At the same time, you need to practice shooting with your bow as much as possible so that your accuracy level becomes better and better with each passing day.
A good bow can be very expensive and it also requires regular maintenance in order to keep it working properly. Therefore, if you want to acquire one for yourself, then you should make sure that you are ready for such expenses as well as all of the hard work involved in keeping your bow in good working condition at all times.
You can hunt with a 40 lb recurve if you put in the effort to get good gear and practice your shot.
I’ve killed animals from rabbits to deer with my 40 lb recurve, but I have been practicing for years.
The most important thing is to find a bow that fits you well, shoot often and practice shooting from different angles.
I have also found that using a quality rest helps tremendously in keeping arrows on target and makes bow tuning much easier.
In fact you can hunt with a 40-pound recurve bow. It will be slower than a ten pound bow. But, it will be more accurate than anything you’ve ever shot before. Also because of the lack of energy you’ll use less. With so little energy being used you can not only hunt you can stay out longer and enjoy the woods longer.