Bow for hunting survival only?

[jimdana1942]

Can anyone recommend a re-curve bow with just enough draw weight for survival hunting only? In a serious SHTF survival mode you probably should not use a firearm for hunting as the noise will give away your position. What would be the minimum draw weight that would throw an arrow fast enough to kill small game or deer at very close range, as close as you can get. Oh, and it will have to be cheap in price, can't afford no high tech stuff. Link maybe?

 

[pntbllr228]

With sharp broad heads and excellent shot placement you could get away with 30 to 35 lbs, but I think 45 would be a little better and it's still not super heavy. Look around pawn shops. I bought an old Bear recurve in stellar condition for 45 bucks once.

 

[3fifty7]

This isnt directed at the OP but 95%+ would starve to death if they had to rely on a recurve to provide food in a survival situation.
That being said my Bear is 48# and sufficient to kill a deer at 25 -30 yards. Razer sharp broadheads are a must for deer size game but a bludgen or judo point will work much much better for small game and will keep you from loseing all your arrows.

 

[LACamper]

Mine is a 60#, wish it was lighter.

 

[rhettro]

It's been said that 50# will kill anything on the North American continent. Killed a deer once with 43lbs. Extremely efficient. Deer didn't go 40 yards. Scary sharp broadheads and arrows tuned to fly like darts are way more important than poundage.

 

[gunguy11]

I purchased a browning micro Midas when I was 16. Has 10" of adjustable draw length. Ranges from 35#-50#.
Was a cheap bow with already a setup and 4 arrows. Can still find these today. I like it be cause anyone from a small kid in te group to a grown man could use it. Also purchased an entire bowfishing setup for it that would cone in great handy too. (the initial reason was all the trips we booked with marshmasters).

 

[762NATO]

You will still hear the loud twang and the arrow quizzing through the air, but it is an option. You may want to learn to make your own arrows and heads, though.

 

[rhettro]

A hunting bow set up right puts out nothing more than a subtle "thump" when shot. Deer will react to a twang and duck the arrow.

 

[rhettro]

And if you hear the arrow, you are in it's path. Jim to get to your question, I would look for an older Bear Grizzly. around 45#. These are just great shooters and proven for decades in the field. The best thing: Ole Mr. Bear put out millions of these back in the day. They can be found everywhere , not collectible, or rare by any means. $100-$150 should fetch one. I turned a friend onto a Grizzly this past year. He killed his first deer with a Trad bow this past season. He says he never wants to even look at his compound again.

 

[rhettro]

...

762 nato, I love that George O. quote you have there!!!!!!!!!

 

[jimdana1942]

And if you hear the arrow, you are in it's path. Jim to get to your question, I would look for an older Bear Grizzly. around 45#. These are just great shooters and proven for decades in the field. The best thing: Ole Mr. Bear put out millions of these back in the day. They can be found everywhere , not collectible, or rare by any means. $100-$150 should fetch one. I turned a friend onto a Grizzly this past year. He killed his first deer with a Trad bow this past season. He says he never wants to even look at his compound again.

I think I'll start browsing the pawn shops and see if I can find something along what you are saying. I am worried that as I have gotten older and my strength has waned that I might have to go for a lesser draw weight, maybe a 35# or so. Back in my college days I was a beast, benching 350#, curling 275# in a set of 10, etc. But now, I'm a 6'3" marshmallow. I like the recurve, I had one in the 50's and 60's, because of their simplicity. Mine was a 60 pounder.

 

[rhettro]

That would work fine. Anything over 30# is legal for deer. Caution Though: extremely addicting!!!!!

 

[jimdana1942]

That would work fine. Anything over 30# is legal for deer. Caution Though: extremely addicting!!!!!

I've got to thinking now that I could target practice in my yard. Might be a new hobby, that would be okay.

 

[CrkdLtr]

Would probably make sense for you to learn how to build your own bow and arrows so you're not SOL when it breaks or has to be left behind. Look for The Traditional Bowyers Bible. I think there are 5 volumes.

 

[rebelfootball73]

the samick sage is a nice bow for cheap. new they run 130 fom lancasterarchery.com i have shot one and its not bad at all.

 

[Ben Segrest]

You will still hear the loud twang and the arrow quizzing through the air, but it is an option. You may want to learn to make your own arrows and heads, though.

I shoot my bow in my yard in the middle of town without rousing the neighbors. You aren't going to do that with any non-suppressed firearm other than CBs.

 

[LACamper]

Just thought about these guys... I saw them at the last renaissance festival I went to. Nice little bows, good prices. You need to finish them though...

http://keeslongbows.com/backedbows.htm

 

[Splat]

Crossbow for survival hunting.

 

[lsu fan]

This isnt directed at the OP but 95%+ would starve to death if they had to rely on a recurve to provide food in a survival situation.
That being said my Bear is 48# and sufficient to kill a deer at 25 -30 yards. Razer sharp broadheads are a must for deer size game but a bludgen or judo point will work much much better for small game and will keep you from loseing all your arrows.

lol don't bother trying the judo points on coons... my buddy has shot at least 3 of them in his backyard in the forehead with his 70# compound bow, and they've all run off!

 

[lsu fan]

This thread makes me want to go shoot my recurve. I wish I could set up a target in the back of the shop!