Draw weight and Kinetic energy (KE)

Does the draw weight African game out-weigh Kinetic Energy (KE)? Does KE out-weigh draw weight African game? Fact of the matter is there are minimum draw weights for bow hunting African game.

Below is a list of the recommended draw weights for bow hunting African game in South Africa. The guide is based on the following:

  • the body mass of the animal
  • the arrow having a minimum mass of 7,5 grains / lb draw mass
  • a minimum two bladed, steel cutting edged broad head of minimum 28 mm width (1,1”).
  • With compound bows delivering more kinetic energy (KE) as they develop, the draw weight table below can be used as a guideline.

 

Bow hunting African dangerous game

Bow hunting African dangerous game has strict legal prescriptions with regards to minimum draw weights. Below is a list of the recommended draw weights for Africa dangerous game. Please use the following as an accurate guideline for bow hunting African game.

Never use a mechanical broad head for bow hunting Cape buffalo. The sheer body mass of a Cape buffalo will limit the penetration of mechanical broad heads to the extent the vitals will not be reached.

You are welcome to use mechanical broad heads for bow hunting lions and leopard. Lions and leopard are considered soft-skinned animals.

Draw weight dangerous game

Draw weight African dangerous game

The following table is an indication of the bow draw weights for bow hunting dangerous game in Africa in South Africa. Please note that it is illegal to bow hunt pachyderms (thick-skinned animals) in South Africa. The pachyderms you may not bow hunt are the African elephant and white- and black rhinos.

 

Kinetic energy

With the advancement and development of technology in the manufacturing of bows average draw weight. With Kinetic Energy (KE) playing an ever increasing important role in the art of

bow hunting, bows with lesser draw weights can inevitably deliver more KE with more killing power. Please do not ignore draw weight completely, but use the following information as a guideline.

Kinetic energy is the energy an object has due to motion.

Below is a table to see which draw weight for bow hunting the African Big 5 is applicable to which animal.

https://huntinginafricasafaris.com/hunting-south-africa/bow-hunting-in-south-africa/draw-weight-bow-hunting-african-game/