For me, for hunting it's 52" to 60", but it's not like I won't shoot anything else. My current hunter is 58". My longbows are varied from 65 to 68. It was the same when I hunted from tree stands.
The movement to shorter bows started in the early 60's as better limb design came along...wider limbs and more deflexed risers. Folks nowadays are just rediscovering the shorter bow. I would hate to just have to pick one length.
My first and only trad bow is a 52" Kodiak Magnum. I shot a buck out of a tree with it this season, no problem. I've had the opportunity to shoot some longer recurves and my next bow (hopefully in a month or two) is gonna be longer. I shoot my K Mag pretty good but want to try something different was even thinking of checking out some take downs or ILF set ups. I have to shoot something before I spend my money on it.
I will prefer a bow that's as short as possible that draws smoothly for my draw length and that I shoot accurratly.Very handy not only for tree stands.But also for ground blinds,stalking,still hunting and ground hunting.
I've got 64, 66, and 70's. Oops, and a couple 62s I'm using to build strength after last hospital stay.my favorite is 66 in recurves and 70 in longbows.
Long draw here (30.5"), so 62" and over in recurve and at least 64" in longbow. I do have 1972 Bear Kodiak Hunter and a Timberhawk Strike in 60" that handle my draw length easily and shoot well for me. A lot of shorter bows can handle a longer draw, but I can feel the stacking somewhere during my draw.
Somewhere between 48 and 72". 48" feels like its too easy to roll my wrist on release, but that could be the high pistol grip. I keep catching the tips of my 72" bow on overhanging limbs. Have more 62" hunting bows than any other length.
I own 3 62”, a 64” and now a 52”... and I’m thinking about another 62”. Number One Son has a 60”.
I had no idea that a 52” recurve could be so nice (and easy!) to shoot as the Thunderbird has turned out to be, but if I had to go with just one... I think 62”.
My favorite recurves are my Red Wing Hunters. They are 58". My 2 longbows are both 68". They are both mild R/d . It is hard to think only of the length itself as something that I might set as a goal in seeking a good bow.Maybe the design of the bow has more inherent importance than how long it is? When I shoot any bow shorter than my RWH's I like to drop my index finger at full draw and anchor to avoid finger pinch. I get a smoother release that way.
I always thought it would be cool if I could be accurate out to 30 yards with a 48" recurve, truth was, I would get terrible fliers when I least expected it and I didn't trust myself. Not trusting your accuracy is a terrible thing, so my bows are 66" and one very special 68" Hill style longbow. It would cool if there was a short bow that was more forgiving and could be shot split finger. Also many short bows have a severe deep grip, I hate that.
Always liked my 52-inch '62 K mag the best when I climbed those big sycamores and larger oaks with comfortable forked limbs. Like an AMF 52-inch Red Wing Hunter on my rack now for sitting. No need for something longer when I have always had short bows for hunting that were separate from my longer bows I used or now use for killing cardboard, foam, or paper plates.
I wouldn't likely shoot 52" bow for a field round in competition, but they sure are nice hunting bows. My draw is just a tad over 27" so I'm not bothered by much pinch..even though my hold is split finger at all ranges. I have a couple of videos in my side yard using a 52" Browning Nomad Stalker, and a Kodiak Magnum by Bear. This one was the Browning at 60 yards and from a 71 year old guy last year.
I've been shooting 68-69" Hill-style longbows for many years, but I just took delivery of a 64" Legend Stick today. Wasn't able to shoot it today but drew it a few times; feels good. I'll post some pics in a day or two when I shoot it.
I've been shooting 68-69" Hill-style longbows for many years, but I just took delivery of a 64" Legend Stick today. Wasn't able to shoot it today but drew it a few times; feels good. I'll post some pics in a day or two when I shoot it.
my go to hunting bow is currently 58" and im loving it. ive got some from 62-66 and generally liked 62 the best but i cant get over how well i shoot this 58". i have a 29.5" draw FWIW
