# Bow Draw Weight Chart by State

> Chart of minimum draw weight rules for bowhunting by U.S. state, with notes on arrow and broadhead rules. Always confirm current state regulations.

Canonical page: https://archeryprotools.com/calculators/bow-draw-weight-chart-by-state (the interactive calculator runs on that page)

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 |

**Important:** State regulations change annually. Always verify with your current-year state hunting handbook or the official state wildlife agency website before hunting. This chart is a starting reference only and does not constitute legal advice.

## 🎯 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](https://archeryprotools.com/calculators/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](https://archeryprotools.com/guides/60-lb-draw-weight-bow-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](https://archeryprotools.com/calculators/crossbow-ballistic-calculator) for setup modeling.

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