Using a 25 lb Longbow.

[jim]

A neighbor kid asked me if a 25 lb Ben Pearson would kill a smallish deer (about 50-60 lbs) at a close range. Ten to fifteen feet perhaps. Is this possible? What would be the limit?

jim

[scanr]

Maybe, shot placement is a must.

[OzarkMtnDaredevil]

A neighbor kid asked me if a 25 lb Ben Pearson would kill a smallish deer (about 50-60 lbs) at a close range. Ten to fifteen feet perhaps. Is this possible? What would be the limit?

jim
Jim - I'm sure that you're making a funny but, I'll answer as if it were a real question posed to me...

How old is the kid and, is this an opportunity to turn them on to hunting and self-sufficiancy?!!

Yes, a bow with 25 lbs of pull will easily take a 50 pound animal (about the size of a 9 month old Lab) from that distance. I suspect, though, that you meant Yards instead of Feet? Jim - I've never shot a turkey at 10 feet. I shot one at 10 YARDS though, after he snuck up on me and scared me to death. :D I had not been drinking, either.

Keep in mind, especially if you're dealing with new Archers, use the Lightest arrow that you can for a given length at draw...
Oh, Heck. You know what I mean...

[Theyeti]

I wouldn't recommend anything less than 40# @28-29" for serious game. Rabbits, and other small for sure but following the advice about shot placement.

[RangerRick]

Of course, just as it would be possible to kill with a rock & sling. That being said I would only consider it under survival conditions. To do so under any other circumstances would be paramount to irresponsiblity on a grand scale and the lowest form of poor sportsmanship. The game we hunt are deserving of our best efforts and abilities. There is no worst thing to do than to wound or cripple.

Rick

[plowman]

some states have a min. draw weight
ala is 35lb

[gwhilikerz]

IMO 40 lbs at 28"is the absolute minimum for a longbow to take deer sized game. And that needs a heavy arrow broadhead combo. Lightweight/spined arrows may fly faster but 40 needs all the energy it can muster. 25 lbs would be irresponsible. again, imo

[swampyankee]

True it's possible, but like was brought up might be illeagle. Here you need 40# pull minimum. Don't want the kid starting out on the wrong foot.

[jim]

That's pretty much what I told the kid, and to get a good compound if he wanted to kill anything larger than a possum or coon. He's new to everything and VERY eager.

Where I live, they do in fact get within feet of you if you don't make eye contact. The wife gets them to take bread up close.

jim

[madmac]

Check your game laws Jim. It would do it but He would be better off to practic and build the muscles to shoot a 40 or 45 pound bow. I have a few friends that shoot 45 lb recurves and longbows and hunt everything, encluding elk. Shot placement and a sharp broadhead are a must.

[jim]

Right you are Sir!

[flatwater]

Jim then it's settled the kid can borrow your wife. while she grabs them by the lip he can run up and shoot it with his little long bow ;)

[jim]

She would consider that cannibalism. :D