Gentlemen of the bow, I just measured my draw length and was totally shocked, I measured it about two years ago at 27" now it is a shocking 25.5.

I do have an injured arm that naturally makes my draw length short to start with, but where did that extra 1.5 inch go.

I was 6'3" now I am 6'1" 198lbs.

I am standing up and opening up, I am not bent over the arrow, if I bend over the arrow like Howard Hill did my draw length is 24.75.

I will send a photo tomorrow to have you folks look it over, I know I am getting older and probably losing body mass, but this shocked me.

I am 74 years old, but never expected this, no wonder I feel like I am getting stronger.

To get my poundage back up I will have to replace my bows with the same weight at less draw, won't that mess up the consistent accuracy due to a shorter stroke.

Thank you for any help, maybe I am thinking wrong on this.

The length of the power stroke has nothing to do with accuracy. The consistency of the length of the power stroke has everything to do with accuracy.

Have you had to go down in spine with the arrows you're using?

I have measured true draw length on people who have been shooting for a long time and yet it's usually shorter than they think. Put some masking tape at their assumed draw length, stand on the side and watch them draw and shoot. The tape rarely reaches the front of the riser. Just my experience.

What's the poundage of your bow, that might have something to do with it.

First question - How’s your shooting? (and here I will refer you to what Frank said)

Second question - do you think you NEED higher poundage?

Guess I'm not sure what your objective might be... Maybe no need to mess with what ain’t broke.

It's a guy thing. They all say they are taller than they are, have bigger chests than they do, and draw farther than they really can. Found myself guilty of it too until it finally sunk in after alot of years.

LOL..... “long & lovely”

We are Stupid, Stupid Men.

It is what it is. Yeah, I’m gonna brag about something I have zero control over.... LOL.

About the only reason I care, is so that I can cut my arrows to the correct length.

Draw length can shorten with age.Its more important that your form is good.

Nearly everyone I check has a shorter draw lenght than what they told me...

I generally check dynamic draw.. meaning while they are shooting and preferably without them knowing. Part of the problem is that most people only check static measurement and then assume a completely different posture and stance when they start to aim and shoot. Of course then there's that ego thing.

BigJim

I came across the opposite problem, with my draw increasing by 1/4 inch at some point in the last 10 to 12 years. Never would have noticed if they would still make arrow shafts 33+ inches long like in the early 90's. When making arrows for my heavy bow , all I could find were shafts only 32" long. I'm a monkey. 5'8" 160 lbs and my arm span is 6'4" ( your height is not important , what matters is your arm span) , my draw length was 31" , now is 31 1/4".

I guess it’s no wonder that people have so much trouble tuning, if they are assuming that they’re drawing #10 more than they actually do....

I keep one arrow in my quiver and my sons quiver thats marked at half inch intervals from the point back 2 inches with different color sharpies. I watch him when he shoots n he watches me and we write it down. So no worries about not knowing your draw with any particular bow. I've found when I had my shop that very few stickbow shooters reach their draw because they hunch up or lean into the arrow trying to shoot "trad".

My way is accurate enough that I know that after my last few hospital stays I've lost a half inch across the board but I dunno if my bodys still weak or if this in my new draw length.

Like Jim said, I have checked many people over the years and very few draw what the say or think they do, 25 to 27 is really common, 28 and above is rare when you check them as they really shoot and remind them as you are checking to not try and be macho , just draw like they shoot. Pappy

5'8" tall and a 5'4" arm spread/span isn't disproportionate to average at all.

I am 6'1" and 250# and I pull 25.5 with 65 to 70 inch longbows. I know its that because I have worked hard to cut my arrows so when all is right the No Mercy touches my index for my draw check. I do feel a little less then a man because of it until I see 4 inches of arrow hanging out on some shooters arrows myself included till I used a draw check. Ordered a Silvertip in 1983 70# at 29 inches. Who was I fooling? LOL. Everyone is different.The reality is to know your individual draw.

I’m a hair under 6’ 5’11” and 3/4 I draw 29.5” on a compound. I always thought and said I draw 28” with traditional gear. It’s actually 27”

good thread here. When you guys are checking draw, is that measured from the throat of the nock to the throat of the grip or the front of the riser? thanks!

AMO Standard, I believe, is to the deepest point in the grip +1.5”, for a recurve.

jmorgan, the throat of the grip is for a manufacturing measure for draw length standardization during manufacture. It's not a real world measure. Most people should measure to the back of the bow because that is where a broadhead arrow has to clear. That's how it was before AMO was rewritten after compound bows came into the fray. It is a way of verifying your draw weight from the maker if that maker follow AMO guidelines, otherwise it is meaningless out here in the country or in a brick fight. :)

I think it would depend on how you anchor. I go back to what Tom Clum calls your natural anchor. Elbow straight back, everything in a line. That puts me at 31" and I have to watch it because if I have a 31-1/2" arrow with a broadhead, the back of the BH hits the riser. So, I have to shoot at least a 32" arrow to play it safe. You could be short drawing, anchoring forward more, bow arm bending back more.

I believe Matt is correct.

I appreciate the replies fellas, I just panicked when I read the numbers. for the questions My bow I have been using is 60# @ 27 and I have been pulling it 24.5. My yew selfbow that I made forty years ago is 50 lbs @ 27 and I have been pulling it 25.5.

my arrows have been flying erratic except for one. Ha!Ha!

I will have another cup of coffee and take a deep breath and succumb to my fate.

I am really glad that some of you have posted actual draw lengths, I have read so many times that most peoples draw lengths are shorter than they thought, but not how much shorter, so 25 is alright as long as I get the poundage I want at that draw and the arrows to match. I don't hunt anymore, but hate to aim above the target to reach it with an under powered bow.

Well, my Borders Bow just took a dump, the top limb twisted, my yew bow broke in two a couple years ago, but I glued it back together, but am nervous about using it much longer and my Hickory selfbow took a set and is so weak it can't throw an arrow very far so I am in the market for a new bow and arrows.

Mr. Tubbs Thank you for being so honest, these folks are correct about drawing length, even Howard Hill had a short draw, but made up for it with his 85 to 195 lb bows...Ha!Ha!

New arrows by Suzanne St. Charles.

Bow will be a problem, nothing expensive just a good shooting longbow possibly a Bear Montana to hold me over until I can get my work shop built. There is a bow shop near, but strictly compounds, I will have to estimate the poundage. Suggestions appreciated, I know I can only be the one to make the decision, but some may have bows that I haven't looked at or seen.

Thanks again folks

I got thinking, I will take my yew bow down to the shop and have them check the poundage at 25.5" and that will be what I order. Gee whiz my brain still works a little.

Thank you again fellas, now I feel better.

Ron, Hill had a short draw length by design and necessity. And he don't hang out here, nor does anyone else with his ability, so he isn't a good example.

While I wouldn't be worried about the draw length for the sake of the draw length, I would be curious why it changed that much.

The picture I'd like to see is from behind and 3 feet above.

I've only seen 2 people that I couldn't add to their draw length. Alignment is a big part of it. Most aren't.

Bowmania

Ron -

As we age shoulder compression has a very real affect on draw length. At 6'1", while not impossible, I would have to seriously question a 25.5" draw length. Likewise at 6'3", a 27" draw doesn't past the smell test.

Obviously, seeing you shoot in person might reveal a few things, but without that, the first thing I'd do is have your DL measured on a stupid light bow, like 20# or less, and see if your DL changes. It wouldn't be the first time I've seen that make a difference.

And despite a number of previous post, shooting a DL shorter than you actual/optimal DL, DOES do more harm than good to your shoulders. Now, if you've been short drawing all your life, the odds on you being able to fix it, while possible, the odds are in your favor.

Viper out.

Gentlemen, I took my draw length late last night and it was 25.5 I took it this morning and it was 26.25. I stretched it out to 26.75, but my actual draw length when shooting is 26.25 3/4's of an inch longer than what it was late last night which should be normal, you shrink during the day. I am taller in the morning than the evening.

As I mentioned I was in an accident forty years ago and have a bow arm that I can't straighten explaining the lesser draw. I was shocked at how much less.

I really appreciate the efforts and replies, but I am satisfied with the results, I just have to readjust everything to what it really is.

Frank Thank you for the support, I am 74 and my bod ain't muscular like it used to be so I creak and snap and make all kinds of noises, everything is loose. By taking the measurement again in the morning I actually only lost 3/4 of an inch in the last two years. Last night I was exhausted from the day plus my day started at 4 am until 10pm, I wasn't standing up straight actually I wasn't doing anything right. I know Howard's draw length was modified to fit his dominant eye, I just used that as a example of shorter draw lengths.

Todd, if I can get the misses to climb a ladder I will get that shot for you, here in Florida you have to use a ladder to get anything above sea level. I am satisfied with the 26.25 draw length, now to find the right bow and get back to shooting.

Overbow = short draw, underbow = long draw, your bow #age should match your true draw length, no matter your age or strength. I can draw a 45# bow 32", or a 65# bow 26". Should be checked every 3 years or so. I am 74, and have lost 1 full inch in draw length, from 29" to 28". dropped to 55-60# from 60-55# about 3 years ago. Lost yardage in my golf game as well, about 20 yds w/ driver, but technology has kinda helped w/ that. Gettin' old is not good in most, if not all things physical!

My draw length was 26 5/8" a year ago before shoulder surgery. The surgery was mid February and now it is 25 1/4". That's a 1 3/8" loss. Last night I measured the arm span and the left side span is 1 1/2" less than the right side.

I'm shooting right handed (bow held in the left hand) this shortened my draw. Now my bow string rides on my side at full draw and not worth a flip on close shots in a tree stand. If it was the other shoulder I don't believe it would have affected the draw length period. Not a good thing.

I'm 6'4" and have had a 32" draw since I reach about 18 or 19. Old picture show when shooting for real I overdrew slightly to about 32 and a quarter. George or someone even mentioned it once when I posted an old pic of my BW crown jewell at full draw. Longbows were 31 or slightly over. Anyhow recently I broke out the marked arrows and both were a half inch shorter. So either body weakness or age got to me. One of my sons is 6'3" and shoots 30 to 31 depending on the grip. My other son is 6'3 and shoots 29 1/2. Everyone different.

I got an idea and checked it. I'm still drawing the same but with my long draw the string angles steep. I soh t split finger most of my life. I'm now shooting 3under and my arrow is almost 1/2 inch farther forward than it is split finger since the nock is on the string slightly ahead if the fingers. At least I know old age hasn't shrunk me......YET.

I (RE)measured my draw length about three weeks ago. I had a surprise too. My problem, unknown to me at the time, the first time I had it measured I was drawn back as far as I could go, with no room for expansion. Now that I have that straightened out, I'm definitely shooting better.

Thumper, yes it was, but my Borders Griffon got too dangerous to shoot and when I went back to my lesser poundage bows the difference was drastic so I measured my draw length and I have an appointment with my shrink...Ha!Ha!

I am going in tomorrow to get the bow poundage of my yew bow at that draw and get a bow that is a little more powerful at the same draw.

Popester, it takes less than an 1/8" to afford proper expansion.

If you're ordering a bow tell them what you used for draw length measurment. That measuring to the inside of the grip could get you a heavier bow than you want since hardly anyone uses that. And surely don' measure there to cut arrows.

No problem, the measurement goes from the back of the bow to the deepest part of the nock

I'm average size. 5'11. 72" wingspan. My draw is only 26.5. I'm attaching videos of me shooting. My form isnt perfect but pretty good. Just because your draw is less than 28 doesn't mean you're doing g something wrong.

https://youtu.be/iQVdI1048i0

https://youtu.be/x9jRHayCmUU

What is right and what is wrong in form is merely a matter of what you believe. There are people in the archery industry that have made a living out of coaching people and they use certain form aspects that are tried and true to obtain consistent results. This is too much work for most people and if I had a dollar for every time I heard "I'm in to archery for the fun of it. I don't want to turn it in to work" I would buy a plane ticket with it.

To me, consistency is accuracy and accuracy is fun. It's hard to be accurate past 15 yards if your draw length keeps going back and forth.

I had a 30.5" draw before doing the Rod Jenkins clinic. After making many changes, I ended up with a 32" draw. I know this because my 32.5" bop arrows come to the back of the riser. I'm watching it to confirm full draw before averting my attention to burning a hole. If I drop down to my 57lb bow, I have to be careful as I will pull the point up on to the rest.

When I look at the point and realize that I have 1.5" of arrow sticking out, I know that I am tipping my head forward... 1.5" of loss just by tipping my head. I also stand perpendicular to the target and don't hunch forward like I'm getting ready to stop someone sliding in to home plate.

I am kinda big, but not enormous... ignoramus maybe. At 6'3" tall and a 79" wingspan, 32" is my max draw. I'm not trying to see how much draw length I can obtain, it's just that max draw is the most consistent...so says the experts.

BigJim

Then there is the pose draw and the actual shooting draw. :) Jawge

I used to be almost 5'11" tall and my draw was 28.5. A few years ago I noticed my arrows were acting stiff so I rechecked my draw length and it was 26. My height is now 5'9" so combined with a bad back from a past injury it is what it is. My longbow draw length is 25.5. So your not alone.

Big Jim, thank you for that great advice, you are correct, it doesn't matter as long as your equipment is tuned to what you have and you are consistent.

I am fixing to get a longbow to shoot for the first shot and some arrows tuned to it, like yours that come to the back of the riser so I can have a visual to check the draw length.

I have been all these years using arrows that are too stiff and having the point hang over two or three inches in order to tune them to the bow.

Great advice here fellas, it is advice we all know, but forget over time and need to be reminded every now and then.

Jawge, I am well aware of that one and know enough to not let that happen. Thank you

Good for you, RonG. That was a general caveat. :) Jawge

I know you can't help but draw more than you use when being measured and letting everyone know your draw length ..Ha!Ha!

My wife helped me over several hours to make sure I was drawing correctly and I was shooting with accuracy and know that this was my consistent draw length I actually pulled well past that measurement to verify I wasn't overdrawing.

I could pull almost 28 by overdrawing.

We came up with a 26.25 draw length, my bow measures 40lbs at that draw length, I made the bow over forty years ago and it is getting pretty spongy like me...Ha!Ha! I believe I could handle a forty pound bow at that draw maybe a little bit higher, but I am not hunting anymore so I don't need the big power just an efficient longbow for target.

Big Jim’s words are intriguing, as my draw length has increased after 20 years- out of changing my anchor. Struggling to achieve consistent alignment, i anchor my thumb knuckle behind my ear/jaw pocket. I did have to drop 5 lbs in weight to ensure I reach fully without tiring out, but it is working well.

Big Jims last post x2 except the Jenkins part but I did get help from Vic Berger when he had a shop near me in the 70's.

Ron -

What's "hurting" performance isn't draw weight, it's the power stroke (draw length). Since you're not hunting, you don't need to follow the heavy arrow myths. 40# even at 26" can and will throw a pretty fast arrow, as long as it's the right arrow.

Right now, my "heavy" limbs are 40#, but granted I'm drawing a little more than 2" more than you are. Arrow speeds range from 190 to about 210 fps, depending on arrow weight. And that's not bragging, it's actually pretty common - if you know how to choose the right equipment and set it up optimally for your draw. I also have students with your draw length and holding less than 30# easily (and accurately) reaching 70 meters.

Like I said, while there's never a reason to give up free horsepower, you can do pretty well with the cards you've been dealt.

Viper out.

Viper x2 also. Y'all keppin my posts short, lol.

Big Jim X3. Id take Bowmania up on his offer to critique your form through pictures. He really knows his stuff!!

op google, back tension and trust, on here its about shooting left but it talks about draw lenth too.,

Thanks fellas, I can't get a photo because my wife has dizzy spells constantly my neighbor across the way cant stand my other neighbor leaves for work at dark and comes home after dark.

It's tough gettin old folks.

Thanks fellas, I can't get a photo because my wife has dizzy spells constantly my neighbor across the way cant stand my other neighbor leaves for work at dark and comes home after dark.

It's tough gettin old folks.

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