Was a fella, I think his name was Kiki Kovar, who made very short recurves. Can't remember what they were called, and I'm pretty sure they're not made anymore. Saw another short bow made by someone on this or another trad site, but I don't think it was under 50 inches. I believe the Bear Super mag is 48 inches. Can probably find one of those on the big auction site.
Of course, you don't need a bow as short as you're considering for tree stand hunting. I (and a lot of other people) have taken deer out of tree stands with 68-inch longbows.
Finger pinch would be severe with a 44- or 46-inch recurve.