Is it common to have a way shorter draw length on a recurve than a compound bow because on a compound my draw length is 31 inches and on my recurves my draw length is 28 1/2

Most guys seem to draw less with trad bows , how much is dependent on the individual.

My draw length has been all over the place with bow styles but I there has been as much as 3” of difference from longest to Shortest

I’ll catch some flack for this but after 20 plus years of shooting a bow, my opinion is forget about the number and just shoot what is comfortable and repeatable.

Fairly common to have a shorter draw length with a trad bow vis-a-vis a compound in part because of the increased holding weight. It tends to scrunch one up a little. But the shooting style is also usually different. Most compounders stand erect and using a release get full extension on the draw. Most trad shooters lean into the shot a little, may also bend their bow arm a bit and hold the string with their fingers which they usually anchor farther forward on their face than a release. Of course, if you are shooting a stgraight gripped bow, that automatically takes about an inch off your draw because of the low wrist position required to shoot it.

A 2 1/2-inch difference is substantial, but not unheard of. Are you sure your draw length was 31 inches with a compound?

31" is a long draw length with any kind of bow. Like the guys said, a change isn't uncommon though.

I dropped around 3 in. Going from compound to recurve. I also dropped an in. going from high wrist recurve to longbow.

I dropped around 3 in. Going from compound to recurve. I also dropped an in. going from high wrist recurve to longbow.

When younger, my draw length was 29.5" w/ a compound, now 28.5". W/ a stikbow, 28.5" DL and now 28", I'm 74.5 and shrinking, but still huntin and fishin!

I shot 28” compound. I still shoot 28” traditional. I think I was just well measured and my arms and form read the textbook to make it all work.

Doesn’t hurt I started shooting fingers with a Black Bear compound. Upgraded to a newer bow and set my release close so it felt like fingers still.

Back in the dark ages (1980) my draw length with the compound was 28". With traditional equipment it is 26".

ah -

Yes, most do loose a little when going from a compound to a stickbow, but 3" does seem like a bit much. Without seeing the differences in your anchor or alignment, hard to say if it's "OK" or not.

My concern is that without the let-off, your might be over bowed and not reaching a full draw, again, can't tell from here.

Viper out.

I went from 32.5 to 31 from compound to traditional. Over the decades it increased ever so slowly , to 31.25 , even with a 100# recurve.

I lost about an inch and a half between compound and trad bow, and I loose about an inch when I switch from high or medium grip recurves to low wrist recurves or longbows.

I'm the same as Dennis. I lose less than a 1/2" with a recurve. A bit more with a straight grip longbow.

If you are losing 2-3", then I would suspect that you aren't getting to full draw and proper alignment with your recurve.

28” with a compound 28” with a RE n LB no differences

Some people lose length because they have a different anchor and the new anchor has a shorter draw - thats just geometry and toy can use common sense to see it.

Change to a low wrist can also lose a little length but it should be less than inch.

But many loose length because the recurve is harder to hold - which actually mean you are over bowed.

Hmm, with a compound I set my draw length to 30-1/2". With a recurve my draw length is 31" to my natural anchor. If you were using a release with your compound your draw will be shorter not longer. You may be overbowed or short drawing.

“ “ Over the decades it increased ever so slowly , to 31.25 , even with a 100# recurve.”

That reminds me of the weight loss program ads were they put up a big asterisk and the note is “results not typical”... LOL

My DL is about the same when I get to full expansion. I give up a chunk in order to shoot string-blur.

GF, I still don't understand why you give up draw length when using the string blur. Something is odd about that.

If you shoot compound with fingers there should be no difference. If you shoot release with a loop your recurve draw should be longer. Back in the 80s releases were illegal for hunting so the oba didn't allow them. Guys lost an inch usually going to recurves because they were overbowed. Usually they gained it back over a couple months or so.

Your draw is not always shorter with a recurve (although that seems to be the case for most people). In my case, my draw length with a recurve is 30", with a compound my draw length is 29" although I could probably make 29.5" work on a compound. I'm 6'3" tall.

Me as well, went from 31” for my wheel bow to 28” for trad bows. I remember stretching out more using a wheel bow. I use to call it “target archer”style.

From what I see most compound shooters have way overly long draw lengths. Most end up with their hands back to their ears and leaning backwards also. Most would be well served with a shorter draw length and a proper anchor.

But by the same token most recurve and longbow shooters use a too short draw length. They leave horsepower on the table.

Fido I agree

not so much if the bow is designed for a shorter draw,, if you short draw a bow designed for a longer draw ,, yes you loose alot,,of horsepower,,

You short draw a bow you're losing 2 3 or maybe even 4 inches which is 10 lbs or so. Yes thats alot of lost HP no matter the bow design.

You have to remember, you set your draw length on a compound. It can be whatever you want it to be within the settings of the bow. If you want a 30" draw to keep your elbow out with heavy clothing on you can set it and have a nice wall to hit to tell you, your there every shot.

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