Longbow draw weight?

A long bow has the greatest strain when fully drawn. You would be OK with a 45# bow. However a compound bow is far more efficient.

It's all in conditioning. Pulling a #40-#45 bow isn't the same as a #65'#70.

Personally, I started with a #65 Recurve and have never looked back. The bow I started with and still use was a "Bear Bow #65 Take Down". Bear Bow Inc. doesn't make my particular bow any more but they have many many very nice bows on their website. Bearbow.com.

And be aware...I know of no state that allows hunting with anything less than a #45.

That depends on what you plan to do with the bow. 35lbs draw eights while on the light side, it is commonly used for indoor archery ranges. You use it to practice good form because the higher the draw weight the more "magnified" your mistakes will be. It's like how you train with .22lr firearms to learn good marksmanship habits that is carried forward to other guns and caliber.

If you are going to use the bow for hunting, the legal minimum draw weight is 40lbs. If you are shooting outdoors on long range, the higher draw weight means a higher velocity and so a flatter trajectory butthat does not mean you cannot use a lower draw weight.

Go big! (55 or 60 at least) you'll be glad.

I can draw a 60 lb. bow and I am 9 years old.

Sure thing Mary, and when your period is over you might even be able to draw a 60 or 70 pound bow.

ENJOY HANGING IT OVER THE FIRE PLACE AS YOUR NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO USE IT!

My wife has never lifts weights (other than children and groceries) and can shoot a #45 draw bow just fine.