bow length

[jayman448]

hey guys. i haven't pestered you with a question in a long time so i figure its time i throw one at you. i am starting to wonder about a longer bow. currently im shooting a 58 inch bow and was wondering if there is any truth to the notion that a longer bow is easier to shoot. more forgiving or whatever the case may be. if so im thinking of trying out a bow thats maybe 64-66 inches long and seeing how that goes regarding accuracy

[loon]

I wonder if it makes sense to practice mostly with a shorter bow or not.. and practice less and hunt with a longer one?
there's a pretty big consensus that longer is more forgiving...

[PEARL DRUMS]

Bow length is relative to draw length. I draw 28" plus and a "long" bow for me is 68". How far do you draw? 

[Pat B]

A longer bow is more stable than a shorter one. IMO, that would make it easier to shoot accurately.
 I would suggest that you practice with the bow you plan to hunt with.

[Pappy]

I prefer a 62/64 at my 26 inch draw, I don't shoot shorter as consistent for some reason. Some folks do, just not me.
  Pappy

[Urufu_Shinjiro]

I prefer a short bow with a long draw (anyone remember that song by Cake, Short Skirt and a Long Jacket, but I digress) cause I'm a glutton for punishment, lol.

[BowEd]

My hunting long bow friends of quite a few years and me all believe longer bows are more stable and accurate,but that does'nt mean a person can't learn to shoot shorter bows accurately.

[bradsmith2010]

Ok I got this one,,   
well I hunted with a 66 inch self bow this year,, I usually shoot a shorter bow,, and with practice can be very accurate with the shorter bow,,
what I found this year is after stump shooting for weeks and getting my form really tuned up,
the 66 inch bow will out shoot my shorter bow,, I have a 56 inch bow I really want to shoot deer with,
but when I shoot it  compared to the 66 inch bow, the pin point accuracy on the longer bow is a little better,, sooo
I am thinking of just sticking with my longer bow for the oct deer season,,
I hate to admit it,, but I feel like the shorter bow just stacks a little bit more than the longer bow,,
the draw is just a bit smoother on the longer bow,, and that has translated to a little more consistant release and shot,,
dont get me wrong , I love the short bows and go crazy when people say they are not accurate, they are,,
but I am about convinced the longer bows are just a bit more accurate,, for all the obvious reasons,,
after shooting alot this year and out to 60 yards,, thats how I feel today,, but just let me make a new short sinew bow I am in love with ,, and things could change,, 

[Pat B]

All bows are accurate. It's the nut behind the string that makes the difference. I shoot bows from 68" to 47" and do pretty well with both but when I started building and shooting short(60") sinew backed recurves, etc. it took me a while to be accurate with them. Once I worked that out they are like shooting any other bow...but a longer bow is more stable in hand and that should translate to more accurate.

[loon]

I hate to admit it,, but I feel like the shorter bow just stacks a little bit more than the longer bow,,

recurve and reflex :p

[jayman448]

so my draw length is about 27"... i say about because i short draw to 26 or out to 27.5 depending on my stance. im  shooting 58" bow. i mean im well enought that i trust myself out to 20 yards or so but if the general consensus is that longer is better than im considering trading out the shorty for something a little more beefy in the hand... ( i also wonder if weight has much to do with it too. my shorty is so darned light. was considering putting a quiver on it and seeing how that changes things)

[bradsmith2010]

Jayman, thats were it gets tricky,, if you are used to that bow, then a longer one may not be more accurate,, just because it is longer,,
the bow has to fit you,, and be a design that works for you,, handle etc etc etc,,
it really depends on the bow and how it shoots for you,,
I hunted alot with a short 25 inch draw bow,,and shot it well,,for hunting,,, but if you are talking accuracy past 30 yards it would not hurt to try a longer bow,, but I would not trade the shorter one,,cause you are going to need it to hunt a blind or tight brush,,

yes Loon you are right bout that,,

[StickMark]

Love this topic.
Hunt southern Arizona.  Up close, but relatively open terrain.
Shot last deer on my rear side, 60 inch hickory bow.
Played with longer bows, trying both a more vertical hold/lower anchor, with a sight (nail taped on), and a then a considerable slant while holding.

Right now, bow is yellow birch pyramid bow, 66 or so inches.  Had a coues jumped the string at 22 yards, but was able to release from my haunches with does within 10 yards of me.

I keep the longer bows with rigid handles, as this helps with spine. I draw 25 inches, and think a lot about simple d-bows.  But my bow woods in the pipeline are juniper, some Az Ash???, and boards that I will get on sale next saturday.  I trust board bows more with handles and wide wtdth.  So I need to live with length.  Plus, I am seriously learning to shoot over the proverbial 20 yards.  Coues jump strings. THe longer bows seem more accurate.

[loon]

Thinking I'd like to hunt with a 66" asymmetric by a foot pyramid bow with flipped tips, 50#@29", heard asymmetric bows store more energy...

[jayman448]

that asimetrical idea is kind of a neat concept. your thinking of lower limb clearance for kneeling shots right?