Looking at getting a short bow for hunting. I have a 28” draw and have been looking at the Elkhart, Two Tracks, Shrew, and both the Whisper and Pika. Any experience with these or one that I might have missed. If you have a 28” draw what length bow? Thanks

Lots of vintage short bows as well that won't cost near as much and do the same thing. All about what you want. There is no best. There is only what works best for you...or me, or whomever. :)))

I’ve tried several but not all of what you mentioned Out of the ones I’ve shot I settled with the Toelke whistler. Like George said it’s what works for you. Of course trying all can be a problem unless you got access or lots of buddies. Good luck on your quest It’s actually the part I like the best

Define short.

Are you talking about 50", 54", 60"?

Like George said, best is subjective.

I understand that it is subjective but gathering information from lots of people will aid me in picking out what I want. Thinking about 54 or 56. I want a newer bow because most of the short old bows are recurves and I don’t want a recurve I want a hybrid/ longbow. Thanks

All the bows you mentioned are fantastic short RD bows. Stick with any one of them and you will be happy. I cant think of one vintage bow that has the same shape these do. I've never seen a vintage RD 52-56" long.

At that length any bow that has 2 or 3 inches of reflex built in will perform fine. And there won't be a dimes worth of difference in the performance of any of them.

Find one in your price range, and as mentioned above one that fits you well and buy it.

The tough part is the fits you well simply because no 2 people have the same ideas about that.

X2 on the Kanati. I have a 60” that I love. Jason also makes. 56”.

FDP - "At that length any bow that has 2 or 3 inches of reflex built in will perform fine" - - can you explain & give n example of one or two like that, for me to see & search for pictures of? I'm also interested in shorty RD longbows. thanks in advance, Steve Long

58" Whistler is a awesome bow with the classic grip and beavertail.Very smooth, quick and quiet bows..Very high quality..

Just skip over the guys that want to skirt around your question about whats our suggestion..It's that a suggestion.."My" suggestion has been mentioned a JK Kanati..Good Luck on your find.

Sure love my Harvey Archery 56" Mongoose hybrid.

I think the GREAT point Riverwolf mentioned about the 'grip' or 'fit' should be heeded. Case in point, I just had 2 lefty r/d longbows, one < $300 new and the other > $900 new, albeit that one was used (but still looked new). Both shot the same FPS for the same arrow, as they pulled the same weight at my draw, and for other factors, e.g., smooth draw or noise - they were equal.

But the less expensive bow just dropped into my hand - no fuss, fidgiting or anything. Tried as I could, and I went through multiple range sessions, I just could not get it to 'feel right' or to hit where aiming; the grip placement or my hand on the grip, was just not consistent - 'for me'. Believe me I tried ...

But rather than fight it, in the end I kept the less expensive bow as it just fits me perfectly and works for me without thinking!

Don't forget the 7 Lakes Nightshade!

Don't ignore anyone's suggestion....they are all valid in one way or another. The shorter the bow, the more the recurve will allow for a smoother draw as well. Hybrids are actually recurves for the most part anyway but that "fit" thing seems to be the last thing people pay attention to, and it's the most important. Cost never has been and never will be the best indicator of quality.

I agree completely with fit and the grip is so important. I would like to narrow it down then shoot the one that I think I will like to make sure the fit is right. I have had nice bows that just didn’t fit me so I understand just getting feed back from guys with experience with these. Thanks

For me Dan has a great grip that locates your hand consistently shot after shot. Whistler pictured.

I think the Javaman and Shrews are hard to beat.

PM me

Omega native, I think he is bringing it back, Omega longbows

Also got the short hybrid bug, after doing some reading and looking around I found a good deal on a Javaman Elkheart 56” long. I draw just shy of 28” and am really happy with it, especially when I put a tag on a doe two days after getting the bow. Another to consider is a Big Jim Thunderstick.

Ive only shot a couple of those but the one I personaly regret not buying was a Big Jim Thunderchild 56in and at my 31in draw smootha as silk.

Just as said above it's what fits. I've been shooting Java man's Elkheart for years an love them. Here's the problem just got a Toleke pika 56" an Toleke Chinook 58".Now I love them all three are in my rotation. You won't be disappointed with any of these bows. Great bows an bowyer's to work with. Good luck. God bless.

Another admirer of Jason Kendall's (JK Traditions) Kanati. My first was a 56", and it disspelled everything I had heard about short bows. It is one of the few that will never go away.

I will put in another vote for the Toelke Whistler. I have a 60" and a 29" draw and I love it. My dad has a 30" draw and never had any interest in bows shorter that 64". I let him shoot my whistler and he now has one on order.

I really like my bodnik slick stick the price is fair and it has a 30 yr warranty to boot . It might be a tad longer than what your looking for as it is 58inches . And it kills..

Of the bows you mention, I've had a Javaman Falcon (58", longer version of the Elkheart), test drove a Whistler, and currently have a Pika (56").

I only sold the Falcon because I had to at the time, or I'd have kept it. Gregg's standard grip fit me better than anything else I've had. Absolutely beautiful bow, in a simple version... no finger grooves, or fancy overlays. He's a pleasure to deal with.

Between the Whistler and the Pika, it's really a toss up, they shoot very similarly, and the grip is also very close. I went with the Pika, but it was just a flip of the coin. I talked to Dan about what I liked for woods, and grip, and he nailed it... it fits really well. Again, a great bowyer to deal with.

As for length, depends on the model, and what you like. Personally, I like a little extra length bow for my 27" draw, because I have issues with my release.

I have no doubt that a Kanati or Thunderchild would also be sweet, and I would trust Jason or Big Jim's advice and service.

Here is a Kanati and a Dwyer Endeavor.

Here is a Thunderchild and a Helmsdeep that is very similar to his Elkheart. There are many quality short R/D bows around.

Don’t leave Centaur off your list. Those bows look fantastic.

Don’t forget Maddog..he has a coupla designs for short longbow. Another good bowyer, a little less known is Don Yearout. He specializes in shorties. I’ve been looking for a good while. I probably won’t be able to by used, I need a lower draw weight than 40#.

Shrew or Centaur

guess I had not thought of Centaur for shorties, Jim makes some?

Any of the bowyers you named are top self. Forget the vintage bows because there not what your looking for.

I have kanati 60 lbs shoots great.

I’ll stick to hybrids which is what you asked about. Like Riverwolf said, look for fit, mine is Bodnik slick stick. A friend had a Kanati and we compared them in camp once and couldn’t tell much difference. We couldn’t shoot each other’s bow as I’m a lefty and he shoots wrong:-) . I have large paws but I like the small 50/60’s recurve grip.

another vote for Jasons Kanati. I have owned a lot of bows, including many hybrids and the kanati will hang with the best of them.

All these bows are great options.Many choices!I can see why guys are in love with any of those options mentoned.Kinda of like a lot of other styles.Like whats your favorite 50s style recurve Etc.You will got a lot of opinions and they are good opinions.

Yes Centaur makes some shorties.I would not pass up looking at the 56 and or 58 inch Centaur.Particularly the dark matter riser with triple carbon limbs.You will pay $ for it though.So budget is a consideration with those options.

His all glass bow is a killer on the lower end of costs.

Contact Ron LaClair/Bodnik Bows, get a Shrew and go hunting...You will never be sorry !!!! My Shrew L'il Favorite is superb !!!!As always,,,be safe....Des

56” Kanati for me...I’ve owned pretty much all of the above and all are very capable, the Kanati just fits and shoots the best for me. Jr.

OK. Since you asked for my opinion, I'll give it.

I have a Toelke Pika and a Toelke Troll, which Dan doesn't make anymore. Just took a buck with the Troll, only 52"s. What a sweet drawing and shooting midget bow. The Pika is the same at 54"s.

All the bows you have mentioned are top of the line and I doubt if you'll go wrong no matter which you choose.

My favorite bow maker whose bows fit me to a T makes a 60” bow and I think I will stick with him. I think a super shot bow would be cool but 60” isn’t to long. Thanks for all the pictures and advice. Got a 60” Yellowstone Hunter ordered.

The best in my book--- Toelke bows. The Elkhart and other Javaman offerings are right there in quality too. Both of these bowyers work very closely with customers to be sure you get the bow that fits, shoots, and looks great. Ive yet to find any other bow i like as well as my Pika.

Somebody's best may not your best, The best short hybrid that I have shot is the Shrew, I don't own one because I have a 62" Sierra Blanca Corsair and 66" Northern Mist Longbows But you never know what the future holds and taste's change.

Don't overlook the Two Tracks Ogemaw.

I don't know the man, only know of The Legend, but am surprised that no one responded to the question with "Paul Brunner".

Widow PSR

I been thru the short bow circuit that started last February I draw 28.5” shot 3 under.This is my opinion on model and length.

54” elkhart , shootable but to short, 56” and 58” unique design, but buy one used 58” was ok 58” and 56” big Jim’s thunder child, I shot the 56” good, but I was still hard on my fingers 54” shew, shootabie but to short 58” centaur amazing sold it and got a lower weight 56” thunder child, that helped 56” toelke pika, not as bad on my fingers, but a bugger to tune takes a really weak arrow

With that said I did shot a buck with the 56” toelke and 56” thunder child. If ur a true 28” and no longer 56” will work, the availability of the pika is hard to beat.

But with that said I’m back to a 58” centaur. Here are the bucks

I been thru the short bow circuit that started last February I draw 28.5” shot 3 under.This is my opinion on model and length.

54” elkhart , shootable but to short,

56” and 58” ogemaw unique design, but buy one used 58” was ok

58” and 56” big Jim’s thunder child, I shot the 56” good, but I was still hard on my fingers

54” shew, shootabie but to short

58” centaur amazing sold it and got a lower weight 56” thunder child, that helped

56” toelke pika, not as bad on my fingers, but a bugger to tune takes a really weak arrow

With that said I did shot a buck with the 56” toelke and 56” thunder child. If ur a true 28” and no longer 56” will work, the availability of the pika is hard to beat.

But with that said I’m back to a 58” centaur. Here are the bucks

56" JK Kanati. I've been at this 40+ years and pretty much shot them all. This is the best imo. Some as good, none better.

The Kanati of course.

54” Super Shrew Classic Hunter II if you want the shortest bow. 56” Super Shrew Classic Hunter II if you want a little more length. These bows being produced by Bodnik bows are fantastic and readily available (custom orders are still short build time compared to most).

This is my 56” Super Shrew Classic Hunter II Autumn Gold all osage model.

Check out Big Stick Archery he makes a model called the Gremlin that’s suppose to be a good bow

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