Find the draw weight your bow should be set to for your target game, your draw length, and your arrow build. Includes legal minimum draw weight guidance for deer, elk, and hogs, plus step-by-step instructions for changing draw weight on a compound bow.
Enter your setup details to see the recommended draw weight range plus a legal-minimum check.
Recommended DW ≈ base_for_game × (DL / 28) × arrow_mass_factor
Baseline for deer ≈ 45 lb, hog ≈ 50 lb, black bear ≈ 55 lb, elk ≈ 60 lb at 28 in draw and a 425-grain arrow.
Most states set a legal minimum draw weight for bowhunting. These are the well-known figures for deer; verify against your current state regulations before hunting.
| State | Minimum Draw Weight | Typical Legal Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 40 lb | 40–70 lb | Common legal minimum across species |
| Colorado | 35 lb | 35–70 lb | Also requires 70% let-off or less for some tags |
| Pennsylvania | 43 lb | 43–70 lb | Minimum for deer and bear |
| Wisconsin | 40 lb | 40–70 lb | Long-standing minimum |
| Ohio | 40 lb | 40–70 lb | Deer, turkey, and small game |
| Montana | 40 lb | 40–70 lb | Deer, elk, and antelope |
| Alberta (Canada) | 40 lb | 40–70 lb | Deer and black bear |
Sources: State DNR / wildlife agency handbooks (2024–2025 editions). Always confirm with your current state regulation booklet.
Changing draw weight is a common tune adjustment — but the procedure must be done safely.
No. Exceeding the limb rating risks catastrophic failure and voids your warranty. If you need more poundage, buy a heavier-limb bow.
Most U.S. states require a minimum of 35–45 lb at the shooter's draw length for deer. Elk and large-game states often require 50 lb or more. Always confirm with your state's current wildlife handbook — the table above is a starting reference only.
Yes, 50 lb is legal in nearly all U.S. states and, with a well-tuned arrow above 400 grains delivering 40+ ft-lbs of KE, it is effective on whitetail at ethical distances (typically under 30 yards). Use our kinetic energy calculator to confirm you hit the 40 ft-lb threshold.
60 lb at 28–29 in draw with a 450–500 grain arrow is commonly used on elk, but the Pope and Young Club recommends 65 ft-lbs of KE for elk. Verify your build hits 65+ ft-lbs with our arrow weight to KE calculator.
Yes, but only if your form stays clean at full draw. Many hunters find 60–65 lb lets them hold steadier at distance. Higher poundage is not automatically better — consistency matters more.
Roughly, each inch above 28 in adds ~2–3 lb of stored energy. A 30 in draw length at the same bow setting behaves like a heavier draw weight than a 28 in draw length.
Turn the limb bolts counter-clockwise in ¼-turn increments, alternating sides. Re-check cam timing and re-tune your arrow spine.