Treestand hunting w/68" longbow????

[Jerry Bellmyer]

I'm having problems just getting use to shooting trad with recurve and longbow from treestands since changing from wheels.....it is totally different thats for sure..

[bobman]

I hunt out of lock-ons and I never had a single problem with it.

Some of these climbing stands that have the bar around them seem like they would be hard to shoot out of.

[59Alaskan]

I am new at this and haven't taken game yet, but I practice from stands with 62-66" bows with no issues (as long as I don't have an arm rest on the stand).  I even took practice shots sitting with a 66" bow in a stand and was very effective.  I figure you never know what situation you'll find yourself in.

I do feel more confident with my accuracy using a longer bow and that is most important to me in a hunting situation.

[traditional beagle]

I definitely have problems with a 64" in a climber with wrap around bars. I'm 6'3" and can't get clearance if not set up right.

[frank bullitt]

Problems, no, challenges, maybe!

The length of my bow, never was a consideration!

The set-up is more the issue! If you ain't where the action is, it don't make a Hill of difference, what length bow your shootin!

I have, many animals, with 66" & 68" bows. And many friends with alot of success, too!

I believe, shooting a short, mechanical device, has created, this Fear!

[Michigan Mark]

With a hanging tree stands have used 66" and 72" HH longbows taking game while sitting (Trees have been hard maples mostly with conifer cover) without any problems. However climbing stands do not have the openness thusly not viable for less movement. After all the years of tree stand hunting the game still never poses for the shot. Your stand placement is critical (Funnel).

[BowHuntingFool]

I hunt out of my Lone Wolf hang on with no problem using a 66" Longbow!

[raghorns]

It's tough when they get really close.

[oldbohntr]

Frank Bullitt, I like how you think! Sometimes we just overthink a situation and see a problem where one ain't!  

Many years ago, I decided a 56" recurve was my salvation, not because of tree stands, but because I had been busted by critters too many times out here in the wide open west....and somehow I thought a bow you could shoot from the lowest profile was the ticket. Bought a good one by a fine bowyer friend.  I actually spent quite a lot of practice sessions that summer jogging the local outdoor range and then dropping into a sitting position to shoot, while still a bit breathless.  Got pretty darned good at it too...I thought.  

But, when the season came along- you know what happened-I had a standing shot(me standing, I mean) at very dim first light, at a fantastic mulie, hit him and lost him!!!!!! Looked for days, of course.  Shortly after, a friend loaned me a 60" recurve to try for a while.....well, lo and behold, I was more consistent with it!  Have reinforced this lesson many times since.   It's easier to be consistent with a longer bow than a short one.  Not the bow's performance, but mine.

There's a whole lot to this,and it's more in our head than our equipment.

[heydeerman]

Frank Bullitt nailed it up there.

"I believe shooting a short mechanical device has created this fear"

When I gave up the wheels, I realized I also had to give up my way of hunting and adapt. This meant changing the way I scout and hang my stands. I carry a good set of clippers when ever I go to the woods. When I hang stands I have a cordless sawzall with trimming blades in the truck and anything that I think will cause problems hits the ground.

I have 2 climbers. My favorite is the Summit Viper with the bar wrapped around. I cannot shoot from every single angle out of it. I have learned to accept that. BUT! If a deer comes in on a bad angle there is a chance it will move to where I can shoot it. Most likely it will.

When you hang a stand take a half dozed judos with you and shoot them from the bad angles so you know what you can get away with.

This year I shot a doe with a 64" recurve and a buck with a 62" longbow. No problems with either because I put the necessary preparation in.

[Cootling]

It all depends on your shooting style and the types of trees you climb.  If you hunt from little gnarly trees, and particularly if you cant your bow, a bow of moderate length is REALLY nice to have!

[longbow fanatic 1]

Great advice everyone!!! Thanks so much.