Shorter long bows

[30coupe]

Originally posted by Bowmania:


Olympic bows are 70 inches for a reason.  Compounds are shot with releases for the same reason.  All these guys that are shooting soooooo great with their 56 and 60 inch bow, would shoot better with a 64 or longer.


Bowmania

Hunting bows are shorter than 70 inches for a reason too. Hunting from tree stands, pop-up blinds, and brushy timber bears little resemblance to Olympic archery. Neither the environment nor the target distances are the same.

Very few hunters (hopefully none) would take 70 meter shots at game animals. While it may be possible that one could gain some accuracy with a longer bow, the difference at practical hunting ranges is dubious at best.

I have never felt handicapped with my 58" bows. I have, however, had some difficulties both from tree stands and ground blinds with my 62" bows. More than once I have had to watch deer escape because I could not find an angle with clearance for one limb or the other.  I can only imagine how much more difficult it would be with a bow of 64" or more.

Also, being built rather low to the ground, I find it quite difficult to string a bow longer than 62".    

[Bowmania]

How long of a shot does Byron take when he's shooting something out of his wife hand and what's the length of his bow?  Most of the trick shots are a hunting ranges or shorter.

Did Howard shoot a short bow?

And if the 64 inch bow prevents you from taking the directly underneath shot that's a good thing.  In my opinion, that's a wounding shot.  Too many things can go wrong and not many correct.

Bowmania

[Lost Arra]

Not all "short longbows" are made the same. You cannot just shorten a 62-64" longbow design. Kanatis (or would it be Kanatae?) and Shrews are designed to be "short longbows" and that is why they are such sweet shooters.

Problems with a 62" longbow in a treestand sounds like a problem with the stand. Small platforms work for most bows and are easier to hang (Loc-on Limit, Chippewa Chief,Ghost or Quest)

I agree that 58" works well. I use a bow quiver and a 54" Shrew has arrows extending past the end of the bow which is annoying but that has nothing to do with the shooting qualities of the bow.

This is really all a mute point since carpenter stepped up. Take your stand and go shoot carpenters bow.

[30coupe]

I don't recall saying anything about a directly underneath shot. I've never attempted one nor would I. I heartily agree with you on that point.

I certainly wouldn't compare myself with Byron or Howard. I would wager either of those men could out shoot either of us with a bow of ANY length.

Since you mentioned it, Hill did shoot long bows. Then again, he didn't have access to modern, short R/D bows. If he had, it is possible he would have chosen one of them. That is something we will never know. He also used wooden arrows. Had he had access to carbon arrows, do you think he would have used them?

Howard was Byron's hero, according to Byron, which is why Byron chose the longbow in the first place. His trick shots are taken from 10 to 15 yards. He says so in his book, and I have seen him in person. With his vision and hand-eye coordination, I don't think it would matter much what he shot.

On the other hand, I don't think I could shoot an aspirin out of the air with a bow of any length if my life depended on it. I can and have shot whitetails at ranges of 15 to 22 yards with 58" to 62" longbows. None of them seemed to notice the difference.

[ka]

Shoot 58" Centaur bows at my 28 1/2 draw and find that to be the perfect mix. Tried longer and wasn't as good.60" Toelke Whips and MOABs are nice too.

[Brent Rudolph]

Butch, There are a lot of bows out there. IMHO the short/long bow you are seeking can be had wit h Black Creek. Have Jim send you a Banshee. Fine bow, good man, great value.

[SS Snuffer]

Short bows are just fun to shoot!
This is my go to bow for deer.

[Onewldcat]

Anyone have experience with a Navajo Caddo in say 58" by Roy Hall?

[Butch Speer]

Wow folks. I really didn't want to start a wizzin' contest! I appreciate all the responses& pics of beautiful bows.

[30coupe]

I had a Caddo, but it was 62". I don't think he makes a Caddo 58", but I'm not sure. It was a smooth shooting, accurate bow, but the grip just didn't fit my small hand, so I traded it. They are very well built. Finish is superb. It wasn't as fast as a Kanati or as quiet, but a very nice bow none-the-less. If the grip had been smaller, I might still own it.

[ishoot4thrills]

Let's not forget about Dave Beeler's hybrid longbows. I have a 56" and I LOVE it. Smooth, very quiet, and plenty fast.

 

[amar911]

The trouble with those short Beeler bows is they are only good on short targets, like that groundhog!       Nice shooting.

Allan

[going trad]

I’ve been shooting a Striker Stinger for about a month and I love it!! it’s 56” 51# @ 28” and I shoot it better than my 60” recurve.

[joekeith]

Butch.....I gotta few you can try out.  I got long, 64", med, 58" and short 46".  You can try them if you'd like.  I like all of 'em, they're all good shooters, just different.  

[buckeye_hunter]

Butch,

I think the "long and short" of this story is you have to try some short bows out. I personally will never shoot a short bow again, but that's just my opinion.

-Charlie

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I have a 58" whisperstick 50lbs at 28. Just picked it up and loved it.  It is fast and packs a punch!  I love shooting it, I hunted this year with a 66" bow and have shot several bows in the 60-66" range and think I shoot the longer ones better.

Currently having a Big River built at 45lbs and 64".  I think the longer ones shoot better but the short one will do the trick on any big game.  I think if I keep shooting it I will be a better shot however once my new bow gets in, it will be my go-to.

After shooting the short bow I can keep shots within a 5 inch radius at 20 yards but it took about a month of practice.  

Sorry for the babble but you asked.

[Onewldcat]

How about a Navajo Apache in say a 58", I had this one confused with the Caddo earlier.   Anyone have experience with a short Navajo Apache which has a forward grip design?

[Bjorn]

The trend of the day is 'shorter long bows' and soon it will be 'longer short bows'-lots of marketing out there folks.

[John Kennedy]

I once owned a Roy Hall 58" Caddo,it shot very well.I currently own a 58" Centaur, and it is one of the best longbows I have ever shot.I am considering getting a 54 or 56 inch centaur,anybody have any experiences with those? I have a 26" draw length,and finger pinch is not at issue.I have shot longer bows of the same draw weight,but often find I can not draw them far enough to get the acceptable cast from them, as I can get from shorter model bows.

[Straight Shootin']

I shoot a 56" Thunderstick Mag and I love it for it manueverability plus I also have a short draw length.  But overall bow design I think has alot to do with the finger pinch.  I think that you outta find you some shorter longbows and shoot them and find out for yourself.