I'm just wondering if a 50lb draw weight on a compound bow is enough/ethically enough to hunt with? Mainly hogs, but might use for deer also. Asking mainly for my wife since she's the only one in the house with a bow, for now. Her bow is currently set on only 35lbs until she builds up her strength, but I use her bow more than she does so I was thinking about just having her bow adjusted to 50lbs and get her to 50lbs that way

Yes.

Plenty

so what's too little/not enough draw weight? Just curious

My neighbor bought an old PSE Nova from a friend of his and he had killed many a deer with it set at 43 pounds. Straight clean pass throughs. Just shoot straight and accurate.

Yup it is plenty, have mine set at 52lbs and it works just fine

Some states set a min of 40lbs for deer. I think that is as low as I would want to go but there have been lots of deer killed with 40 to 45lb recurves. Use a good cut on contact broad head and a slim diameter arrow to improve penetration.

For your wife bring bow up in increments not 15lbs at once. have her build up to it then move up. There should be no strain in drawing the bow for most efficient hunting, and to avoid injury.

Texas now has no minimum draw weight. Depending on your knowledge and abilities, 50 is good, heck 30 is good for up close.

Much better to be comfortable and accurate with a lower draw weight than shaky and sloppy with a heavier draw. Shot placement is my foremost concern.

My wife is a pretty good shot right now, I was just curious is all. I too feel that if you can't hit dang near exactly where you were aiming then it's pretty much pointless unless you're just out to toss bullets and arrows at animals. I just didn't know if 35lbs would be effective and ethical enough for say 30-40 yards I guess.

for 30-40 yards no 35 lbs is not enough, at 35 lbs keep it within 20 yards. and use a good cut on contact broadhead

Fonzo, I would not shoot that far with 35 pounds, although I'm sure it can be done. With today's technology, it's not impossible. Heck I shoot ye pounds and all my set ups are 20 yards are less. Of course this is for WTs and pa over a feeder. I'm sure if I were doing other hunting I would do things differently.

To me bowing is a close up game. The closetr the better.

X2. Simple two blade like mangus buzzcut

They say Uncle Teds wife shoots at 40lbs and there is footage of her dropping plains game, so,,,,

TP&W used to say 45# was legal minimum

Yes. My wife shoots 53lbs and has no problems including a nice Gemsbok in SA.

Sorry forgot the photo.

Really that is the wrong question. It is really about Kenetic Energy and penetration. The short answer is at the proper distance , yes.

nice gemsbok!

yes

Heck I think ole Nuge only shoots 50lbs!

It's all about the placement of the arrow.

My wifes first bow hunt of her life. Small Axis doe at 25 yrds with a 38 lb PSE Chaos