OK, here's my take on having to pull 70=# to deer hunt. It's a crock! I personally know a fellow in WV who loves trad archery, has had numerous shoulder surgeries and had waited his whole life to elk hunt in Montana. He shot a 6x7, just under Pope&Young requirements, in 2003. His gear? A recurve pulling 49# at his draw length, a 650gr arrow and broadhead combo, with a 2 blade, cut-on-impact head (a Grizzly). Now, keep in mind, he limited himself to a 25yd shot, wouldn't attempt anything further, and it took two trips for him to get his bull. He came back home the first time with some nice pictures and a better understanding of himself.
Maine state law says 35# draw weight and a broadhead with 7/8" cutting diameter. That's it..... And IF you put a good bradhead riding on enough arrow mass in the boiler room at 20yds, that will do the job.
OK, soapbox time again..... I believe it is the hunter's obligation to use the most draw weight they can comfortably shoot. This doesn't mean you can pull it to anchor once or twice at the shop, but that you can draw it fully to anchor, after 5 hours in your stand, at freezing temps with your hunting clothes on. More draw weight allows you to shoot a heavier arrow, and mass, behind a properly constructed head, is what gets the job done.
OK, now I know everybody has a buddy's cousin's brother-in-law, that killed a monster buck at 80yds, with a compound shooting 310fps, or something like that. Those things do occur from time to time. People also win the lottery, beat incurable cancer, and climb Mt. Everest blind. But I prefer to leave as little to chance as possible. You owe it to the game you hunt and the sport you represent, to kill in a clean, sure manner. So, why doesn't everyone just rifle hunt? It's a matter of finding your personal niche. I bowhunt. I hunt with a flintlock. I hunt grouse with a muzzleloader. I flyfish with bamboo flyrods that I make, with flies that I tie. Does this make me morally superior? HELL NO! Just my way of doing things.
Some folks are reduced to hunting with a crossbow, if they want to bowhunt. This may be due to disability or other circumstances. Does this make them less of a bowhunter? In my view, if that's the only way I could still bowhunt, I'd do it. But if, due to health issues later on down the road, I have to go back to a compound, I'd do that before I picked up a crossbow. Bowhunters, either compound or traditional, must discipline themselves and practice to be effective. I think this is one of the factors that drew me to the sport. No more laser rangefinder and .300 Weatherby Mag. Just me, a deer, one stick with a string and another with some feathers. If I miss, spook the deer, whatever, it's my shortcoming. By the same token, if I connect, that's all me. Takes away some of the excuses.
And remember, this is all just my opinion. Nothing more, nothing less. Just mine.
So, to answer your question, yes. Go to a local shop, try some different bows and see what you're capable of. Even if you never hunt with it, archery is a great sport. If, after shooting for a while, you feel comfortable with your abilities, go for it and have a great time. Because if you're not having fun, why do it??
Kevin
