i think 40lbs is just right not enough kinetic energy thats for deer as for turkey i could care less what poundage you use.

GIG EM AGGIES

Just let someome shoot someone with a bow set at 30lbs with a cut on contact broadhead.  Then let that person be the judge.  I think a lower weight than 40lbs would get more kids and significant others into the sport.  It shot placement more than the weight of bow.  Thats just my opinion of course.

I bought my son a PSE Spider youth bow that went up to 40 pounds when he was about 10. He worked his way up to 40 pounds. Then he bought a Parker Buckhunter that went up to 60. He can now shoot the bow pretty well at 60 pounds.

Folks, before my son could draw the minimum weight, he was not a good enough shot to shoot a deer. It was right that he had to wait.

Now he can draw and shoot my bow. This next year he's probably going to want to take my bow and make me shoot his. Uh, no.

While today's speed bows might make a difference at 30 pounds, I am not certain that the average bow does. I do not like the speed of his Parker Buckhunter for "serious" hunting, although I am absolutely certain that a deer can be killed, and a complete pass through can be achieved. But, that's at 60 pounds. At 40 pounds, it seems like he'd need to be pretty close to achieve the same results. At 30 pounds, I don't think I'd like to see a deer shot with that bow.

i am not sure how a bow that is tuned at 60 pounds, that has cams, will do at 30 pounds, but a bow with offset wheels at 40 pounds is sufficient to kill deer. if the cammed bow, at 30 pounds, will shoot accurately and as fast as the offset wheeled bow at 40 pounds, then it should be as lethal. but i have not tried this experiment and if i knew that it would'nt do the job, then i would be against it. i am all for getting kids out in the field hunting but sometimes it is better to wait so that a deer doesnt get injured and die two weeks later from infection. noone benefits from that. we should put in 100% effort to effectively take game and that includes using the right gear necessary.

This would be a huge mistake. I can just see all the wounded deer with arrows sticking out of their sides suffering because the bow didnt have the energy to get the job done. Oh and the ammo this will give the antihunting groups in photo documentation of how horrible all us hunters must be... I personally think 40 is almost too low.

Gman- Any compound made in the last ten years is far superior in fps and energy to a recurve at the same weight and even that of 10 to 20 more. I watched Ted Nugents wife on TV kill a Kudu in Africa with a bow set at 40lbs.

"It takes 32 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, but only 3 for a proper trigger pull."

I think the current law is sufficient.  The only thing I could see a lower poundage bow being used for is bowfishing,  which currently requires legal 40lb draw bows.  But I think it would be easier to just set a new requirement for bowfishing rather then change the hunting regulations. 

I think a minimum of 30# would be a good start.  This would eliminate most of the el cheapo kids bows from making it to the woods.  It will also let more kids, women, and people with disabilities hunt.  If skill is a concern, perhaps they should implement a bowhunter education class requirement like some other states.  Colorado has a minimum of 35# for all big game; mule deer, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, even moose.  I think 30# is more than adequate for whitetail deer or turkey.  It's already legal for hogs.

Well they took off the 40 lb requirement.  Read it in my LoneStar newspaper.  The way I read it, you could shoot at an elk with a 10lb bow. No restriction at all!!!

Traditionalist

My 2cents ...alot of wounded deers or wild game ...Alot ...that is crazy,but we all know a true bowhunter would never shoot at game with a  #40 Bow ( I think)...Just My 2 cents good luck this year all hunters

IMO, I feel it should be up to the parent to make the final decission whether the kid should hunt or keep practicing for another year or two.  The TPWD knows they are losing hunters by the thousands yearly and want to keep the tradition of hunting alive.  They are willing to do what they can to do this.  We must do the same.  We need to keep the kids involved in the outdoors in everything we do.  If we give them a video game instead of taking them hunting.  They will only become good video game players.  It doesn't matter if they are playing hunting games.  It's not the same.  My son has been hunting w/ me since he was 18 months old and still does today.  He talks about hunting as much as I do.  He can't wait till teal season starts on Saturday.

I think that you go to low on your poundage it isnt going to do very good in some spots. With some younger kids arent the greatest shots yet and less poundage I think that there might be more wounded animals.

THAT WAS A BIG MISTAKE OF TPWD. TO TAKE AWAY THE 40LB. MIN.. YEAH SURE SHEMANE TEDS WIFE CAN PULL IT OFF BUT SHE IS A GREAT HUNTER AND PRACTICES.. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE BEGINNER BOWHUNTER WHO DOESNT KNOW GOOD SHOT PLACEMENT AND ON ANGELING DEER.. YOU NEED TO HAVE GOOD PENETRATION SUPER SHARP BROADHEADS TO CUT THE VITALS WHICH LEAD TO KILLING THE WHITETAIL OR MULEY ETHICALLY..  ANYTHING UNDER 40LBS FOR A WHITETAIL IS JUST TOO LIGHT AND WILL RESULT IN ALOT OF WOUNDED DEER OUT THERE...