Bow Draw Weight Chart by State
Legal minimum draw weight for bow hunting by state, plus KE requirements where applicable. Confirm all values against your current-year state wildlife handbook before hunting.
📊 Legal Minimum Draw Weight by State
These are the well-documented minimum legal draw weights for deer and similar-sized game. Requirements for elk, bear, and other species may differ. Some states also set minimum arrow weight or kinetic energy requirements in addition to draw weight.
| State | Deer Min | Elk / Large Game | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 35 lb | 35 lb | None |
| Alaska | 40 lb | 40 lb (moose 50 lb) | Broadhead min 7/8" |
| Arizona | 40 lb | 40 lb | Arrow min 300 gr, 20" |
| Arkansas | 40 lb | 40 lb | Broadhead min 7/8" |
| California | 40 lb | 40 lb | Broadhead min 7/8" |
| Colorado | 35 lb | 50 lb (elk) | Min 70% let-off or less |
| Connecticut | 40 lb | 40 lb | None |
| Delaware | 40 lb | 40 lb | None |
| Florida | None | None | Only broadhead required |
| Georgia | None | None | Broadhead min 7/8" |
| Hawaii | 40 lb | 40 lb | Broadhead min 7/8" |
| Idaho | 40 lb | 50 lb (elk, moose) | None |
| Illinois | 40 lb | 40 lb | Min 400 gr arrow |
| Indiana | 35 lb | 35 lb | None |
| Iowa | 40 lb | 40 lb | None |
| Kansas | 40 lb | 40 lb | None |
| Kentucky | 40 lb | 40 lb | None |
| Louisiana | 40 lb | 40 lb | Broadhead min 7/8" |
| Maine | 40 lb | 40 lb (moose 50 lb) | None |
| Maryland | 40 lb | 40 lb | None |
| Massachusetts | 40 lb | 40 lb | Broadhead min 7/8" |
| Michigan | 40 lb | 40 lb (elk 45 lb) | None |
| Minnesota | 40 lb | 50 lb (moose) | None |
| Mississippi | None | None | Broadhead min 7/8" |
| Missouri | 40 lb | 40 lb | None |
| Montana | 40 lb | 50 lb (elk, moose, sheep, goat) | None |
| Nebraska | 40 lb | 40 lb (elk 50 lb) | None |
| Nevada | 40 lb | 50 lb (elk) | None |
| New Hampshire | 40 lb | 40 lb (moose 45 lb) | None |
| New Jersey | 35 lb | 35 lb | Arrow min 20" |
| New Mexico | 40 lb | 45 lb (elk) | None |
| New York | 40 lb | 40 lb | None |
| North Carolina | None | None | Broadhead min 7/8" |
| North Dakota | 40 lb | 50 lb (elk, moose) | None |
| Ohio | 40 lb | 40 lb | Arrow min 20" |
| Oklahoma | 40 lb | 40 lb | None |
| Oregon | 40 lb | 50 lb (elk, goat, sheep) | Arrow min 20" |
| Pennsylvania | 43 lb | 43 lb (bear) | Arrow min 20" |
| Rhode Island | 40 lb | 40 lb | None |
| South Carolina | 40 lb | 40 lb | None |
| South Dakota | 40 lb | 50 lb (elk) | None |
| Tennessee | 40 lb | 40 lb | None |
| Texas | 40 lb | 40 lb | Broadhead min 7/8" |
| Utah | 40 lb | 50 lb (elk, moose, goat) | Arrow min 20" |
| Vermont | 40 lb | 40 lb | None |
| Virginia | 40 lb | 40 lb (elk 50 lb) | None |
| Washington | 40 lb | 50 lb (elk, moose, goat, sheep) | Arrow min 20" |
| West Virginia | 40 lb | 40 lb (bear 45 lb) | None |
| Wisconsin | 40 lb | 40 lb (elk 50 lb) | None |
| Wyoming | 40 lb | 50 lb (elk, moose, goat, sheep) | None |
🎯 Should You Hunt at the Minimum Legal Weight?
Legal minimum is not the same as ethical minimum. A 40 lb bow with a light arrow can be legal but marginal for deer at longer distances. Real-world ethical minimums usually sit higher:
- Deer: 40–45 lb with 400+ grain arrow (7 GPP+) delivering 40+ ft-lb KE.
- Elk: 50–60 lb with 450+ grain arrow delivering 65+ ft-lb KE.
- Black bear: 45–55 lb with 425+ grain arrow.
- Moose / brown bear / dangerous game: 60–70 lb with 500–650 grain arrow.
⚖️ Legal KE and Arrow Requirements Beyond Draw Weight
Some states specify kinetic energy, arrow weight, or arrow length instead of, or in addition to, draw weight:
- Illinois: minimum 400 gr arrow weight.
- Colorado: bows must have 70% or less let-off for some tags.
- Arizona, Oregon, Utah, Washington: minimum arrow length of 20 inches.
- Most states: broadhead minimum width typically 7/8 inch.
Use our kinetic energy calculator to verify your setup meets state KE thresholds where applicable.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the legal draw weight for bow hunting?
Most U.S. states require a minimum of 35–45 lb for deer, with 40 lb being the most common. Elk and large-game states often require 50 lb or more. A few states (Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina) have no minimum draw weight requirement.
What is the minimum draw weight in Colorado?
Colorado requires 35 lb minimum for deer and antelope and 50 lb for elk. Bows used for some big-game tags must have 70% or less let-off.
What is Pennsylvania's draw weight requirement?
Pennsylvania requires 43 lb minimum for deer and bear. Arrows must be at least 20 inches long with a broadhead of at least 7/8 inch cutting width.
Which states have no minimum draw weight?
Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina do not set a specific minimum draw weight for bow hunting. They rely on broadhead standards and arrow requirements instead. Verify with the current-year handbook — these rules can change.
What draw weight is best for elk?
Most elk hunters use 60–70 lb with 450–500 grain arrows delivering 65+ ft-lb of KE. Some states require a minimum of 50 lb for elk. See our 60 lb draw weight guide for a deeper look.
Does higher draw weight mean I can shoot farther?
Higher draw weight produces flatter trajectory, which makes longer-distance shots easier. But ethical shot distance is determined more by your accuracy and form than by poundage. Most bow hunters limit shots to 40 yards regardless of draw weight.
Is a 35 lb bow enough for deer?
Legally in some states yes, but ethically it's marginal. 35 lb with a 350-grain arrow typically delivers 25–35 ft-lb of KE — below the 40 ft-lb Pope & Young recommendation for deer. Only use a 35 lb bow on deer at close range (under 20 yards) with a well-tuned heavy arrow.
What about crossbows — are they different?
Yes. Crossbows have their own draw weight requirements, usually much higher (100–200 lb). Some states specifically regulate crossbow draw weight separately from vertical bows. See our crossbow ballistic calculator for setup modeling.