52@27 too light for moose?

[bbassi]

May sound like a dumb question, but I'd like to hear from those who have actually shot moose with a stickbow. I just sold my heavier bow and now it looks like I've got a chance to go moose hunting this fall. Out to 25 yards using a 2 blade head, am I asking for trouble?

[Shawn Leonard]

I have not, but I know plenty of people who have. I think if ya keep your shots close 20yds. and in and shoot 11-12 gpp. ya will be fine. Quatering shots are the ones to take as well, as I have seen muzzleloader round balls bounce off a rib. How much #age can ya shoot? I would lend ya a bow. MY KS is 60#s at that draw. Shawn

[SERGIO VENNERI]

Brent,thats plenty, keep your arrow weight above 500 gr. and yu'll be just fine!

[Pete W]

It is lots. No matter how much bow that you have you will not get thru the big bone in the shoulders. I have seen rifle bullets stoped by a moose shoulder.

[huntwisely]

Here in NS, 50 pounds in the legal minimum for moose. There have been lots taken with 50 pound bows and 550 - 650 gran arrows. Shot placement is the key as usual

[vermonster13]

Check the local regs. NH has a 60# at your draw minimum.

[Steve H.]

"Am I asking for trouble?"

Yes you are asking.  You might kill one clean and you might hit a rib and get crappy penetration.  Borrow a heavier bow, I'll bet you someone here will even LEND you a heavier bow!

I assume since its a "group" that it would be the mid-sized Canada or heavy weight Alaska-Yukon moose.  Not all moose are created equal.

[Tony Phillips]

Copied from another site:  

Have taken 3 moose in 5 years with my custom bamboo longbow, 52 pounds shooting 30" woods, about 530 grains. All 3 were pass troughs.
For my money 145 gr zwickey eskimos did the trick,(2 bladed). If you can shoot a heavy bow, great but don't be drawn into the ugly vortex of heavy is always better. YOU have to put it in the right spot, and a too heavy bow won't help.

[bjk]

Not trying to start a pi&&ing match, but it might need to be said just for discussion purposes...52# @ 27" is different than 52# @ 29" (making some assumptions, I know)

I agree with all of it, though...although if it were me going, I would head right out the door with my 50#r, but would try to get my arrow up closer to 600 (I'm doing that now with a spring bear hunt I'm going on...shoulder crapped out and have to shoot lower poundage...changed BH idea and arrow to get a HEAVY rig)...if for nothing else my own piece of mind.

[Stephen_D]

vermonster13,

I've searched the NH RSA's at   http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/indexes/default.html   and the only minimums mentioned are 40 pounds at 28 inches or less for black bear, turkey, and deer.

A moose is a deer.

This could be moot; bbassi is from NY.

[bbassi]

Actually I'm talking about New Brunswick. I was guessing it was minimal, but there are worse things than having to buy a new bow, right? I do have a #60 Shakespere, but for a once in a lifetime chance it doesn't seem right to take that one. It's kinda like taking an ugly girl to the prom. You don't get do overs. Know what I mean? LOL

[vermonster13]

Stephen the law for Moose is 60# at your draw in NH. Call the F&G and ask if you don't believe me. Moose is a draw hunt and has special regulations.

[Ray Hammond]

Bbassi,

Just pull it back 30 inches..shouldn't be a problem then, you think???????????      

[bbassi]

LOL Ray, If I actually do get something that big in front of me at 20 yards I probably will draw it to 30.  

[Mike Bolin]

Brent, hopefully the one you have on the way will bring you some luck!  

[EASTERNARCHER]

Hey Brent...I dunno, I'd go abit more wt. if you could. These critters can be big! Of course good shot placement is everything.

I'll back you up with the rifle if need be.

[Ray Hammond]

In all seriousness, BBASSI, I would definitely go heavier on ARROW weight to the point of diminishing returns at least...if you cannot go higher in bow weight also.

I've seen moose ribs...thats some big bone my friend. Those things are built like tanks.

[Tony Phillips]

Brent,

   Check out Pete Ward's site and go to the Traditional Gear Reviews, look up Rodney Wright Stalker recurve. You will see a couple of pictures of a nice moose killed with a 41# bow.

[Steve H.]

I pretty much guarantee that a 41# bow that killed a moose didn't have an arrow hit a rib.  Can YOU pickout and shoot between moose ribs?

[EASTERNARCHER]

Steve, I agree...why chance a bad hit, and likely a lost moose when your hunt is limited.

Use the most wt. you can comfortably and heavy arrows. They don't wait around for ya either!