So I've been looking for some shorter bow options for use in tent blinds. I'm really liking the bruin woodmaster 2, and the lone wolf banshee. Also looking at a few ilf bows and the bodnik kiowa. I've had too many bad breaks (literally) with the florida bears so unless I come across and old grayling one I'm not too interested in bears. So anybody got some personal experience I can glean from?

I have found that Browning made some of the easier shooting short models out there. Explorer, Explorer1, Wasp are 56". The Nomad Stalker is 52". The Safari 54" I believe. Then the little Cobra is 50". as a rule, I am not a short bow fan, but if I was gonna shoot one it would likely be a Browning.

I also prefer 56" and under bows myself, as I'm primarily a treestand hunter. Plenty of good options in bows 56" and under out there to choose from. As was already mentioned Browning has several to choose from. There are LOADS of Grayling Bears out there for the taking. A couple I own and wouldn't part with for anything are: 52" Fedora Stalker, Whisperstik 56" Mojostik, 56" Jeffery Royal Mag Hunter, just to name a few. Most of the Bowyer's I've mentioned have been around for quite some time. But, there are a number of fine Bowyer's that are fairly new, relatively speaking, who are producing excellent bows that would meet your criteria, they are not hard to find and research their products. I'd start with the Sponsor's Classifieds here if looking for a new custom.

Take your time and do a little research, plenty to choose from.

Just my 2 Yen.

YB

Shrew!!!

I had a LW Banshee, that was a fast, smooth bow!! AND ACCURATE!!!! I also had a few Lil Hoots, same fast hard hitting bows! The Banshee stacked on me after 28" Lee Hoots makes his bows to draw out to 30"

Look at a Toelke "Kestral" 52" Recurve. They easily accommodate a 29" draw and are extremely well-mannered like all of Dan's bows and quite fast as well. Pete Ward did a review of one on his site a few years ago and gave it very high marks, it can still be found.

Fox archery (Breed) or Black widow (PSR) short 50's style

Black Widow KB (short full size riser recurve)

Javaman Elkheart, Toelke kestrel/chinook, Two tracks ambush are the best short bows I've tried.

Try http://www.sierrablancabows.com/page1.php

I used a Ben Pearson BPH-52 in a blind a few years back.

Like this one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ben-Pearson-BP-H52-7329-Right-Hand-Recurve-Bow-/351170760705?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51c3689001

Bigfoot Yeti is a smooth shooting, extremely quick little bow, and very forgiving.

Browning Cobra I & II, Wasp. And my favorite, Shakespeare Cascade.

I have a Martin mx350 52'' that I have had since 1977 smooth shooter, no stacking many bows have come and gone over the years but that one stays.

Treadway black swamp

I am with woodshavins on this one.

I have a Morrison ILF with suoer shorts Max2 limbs 54". Smooth as butter at my 28" draw. My 47# limbs are faster than my buddy's Stalker 52# and it super quiet.

I like the Toelke Kestral,Big Jim Thunderchild,Shrew Classic Hunter and Javaman Elkheart in bows 56" or under.

Really, in a short bow, you can't get the workmanship of a Drake Hunter-Flite in any of the more modern bows. They probably fall short in performance too.

Joe

There is no such thing as a best bow ever!

Yes there is. The Deathmaster is the best all-around hunting bow ever made. Cat, you'll never get your hands on mine unless I'm dead. Now, the Drake Hunter-Flite is the best short bow of all-time. AND- My particular bows are the greatest specimens of these greatest bows! I figured everyone knows that. Check out the birdseye maple wedge in the sight window of the Drake! Check out that beautiful glass! It's actually sky blue. Yellowing of the finish gives it the turquoise look.

Joe

I bowhunt turkeys with a 50" Browning Cobra. I draw 27" so short bows don't bother me. Fedora makes a 52" recurve and check out Jeffrey Archery. I believe they still make a 52" recurve, quite similar to the Kodiak Magnum.

RER makes a nice 56" bow at a very good price. Plenty of bowyers out there that will build to your needs.

I draw 26.5" and have been shooting a Shakespeare Super Necedah. Great little bow at 54". I had a Browning Explorer 1 for a bit as well that was awesome but the draw weight was a bit too heavy.

I had a toelke kestrel and could vouch for it. I would recommend it as a very good short bow. I draw 28".

I found that 58" is my personal minimum length. Anything under that gets too touchy in my hands. I shoot 58" out of blinds with no issues. In terms of short bows try before you buy!

Black Widow PSR i love mine.

Bear A riser with #1 limbs...

My absolute all time favorite 56" bow is the Browning Wasp, but anything a Browning made is fantastic as well.

BigJim Thunderchild!

Centaur

When looking at ""shorter"" bows, there are many more good ones than not good ones. Usually it takes a period of getting to know each other to make them work well. And, some just don't fit...and fit is the number one criteria for most archers who are seeking a pleasant shooting, accurate bow.

Bear made thousands of short bows every year and it certainly is no issue to find one....there are many everyday on the big auction site. Prices, also, have moderated some and the venerable Kodiak Magnum usually goes for under the $200.00 mark...save for the very early ones (61/62)..or ones with special meaning to a buyer. I have submitted a video that shows this bow is plenty accurate for most hunting situations.

The Brownings are great bows as well and there are many in the short bow category. If you search Browning here you will find all of them stated and shown.

Another consideration is the Shakespeare Super Necedah..54". It is a great shooting bow and normally not very expensive...less than the K. Mag most times.

Almost every manufacturer in the 1960's had a short recurve or two, so there is not shortage of good vintage models. Plenty of new ones also, and I would recommend a look at Mike Fedora's offerings in that line as well.

Fedora "Stalker" 52" or the Banshee both are excellent!

Another note on bow measurements. If you look at Herter's, keep in mind their stated lengths are two inches longer than AMO, so a Herter's marked 56" is actually closer to 54".

I thought Black Widow had an outstanding 56" inch Recurve called the KB Model that guys with 28 inch draw could shoot well; I think the bow was named after(Ken Beck). Love to see a few of those pictures)

Shrew Lil' Favorite

Here is a pic of a couple of Sierra Blanca bows, 48" and 52"

Wild Horse Creek Mariah. Mike makes a great little 54" bow.

Norm Johnson - Blacktail Bows - is also making a 56" recurve . . .

Michael

54" Shrew Classic Hunter simply the best short bow I have ever owned!

I forgot to mention the Herter's bows.

If you can find a Groves Spitfire Magnum...like mine, it's a great bow. 56" and shoots wood, aluminum and carbon like darts. Groves on the left...Browning on the right.

Dont forget about the Sheepeater.I heard Brents son is starting production again.

THUNDERCHILD!!

Lots of goodens ,,, check out Holm-Made custom bows ....

Anyone reconize this bow? You recon Frisky?

Desert Big Horn / Snakewood and Mango 56"

Close up DBH

Yep Cat. I see a Drake Hunter-Flite.

If I ever buy another recurve it will be a 54" Timberhawk "Strike". There is a nice 56" Timberhawk takedown recurve for sale in the classifieds right now as we speak.

Speaking of short bows, is Cascade Archery no longer selling bows?

I believe Chek-Mate was building the "Cascade" line of bows. I think Chek-mate bows is no more, because I can't get replacement limbs for my Chek-mate.

Been shooting a 52" ILF for several years.No limit on types of limbs to be used.Great for ground blinds, tree stands or still hunting.

Been shooting a 52" ILF for several years.No limit on types of limbs to be used.Great for ground blinds, tree stands or still hunting.

52" Fedora Stalker and I also have two 54" Lee Hoots "Lil Hoots" bows and they are ALL GREAT bows."OL P"

Great bows all.My pic is the 56 inch Bighorn.Ugly as hell but drives a heavy arrow with authority.Don't abuse them but if one gets scuffed i don't shed any tears as i would with some of the fine bows in this thread.

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