Hunting longbow selection

[Fisherking73]

How do you select length and what does it do for you as far as hunting goes on recurves and long bows? (besides just clearance of tree stands and such) my draw length is exactly 28" so I am assuming I should not get the so called stacking effect on either bow. So what are the pros and cons of length?

[bucksbuouy]

Longer bows draw smoother and feel lighter when you hold them at full draw, which in turn can mean better accuracy. Shorter bows have more finger pinch and "can" have more vibration. Its a comfort thing really but here are numerous other factors that can affect bow performance, like handle and arrow shelf design. I swear I shake just as much with my 60# recurve as I do with my 105# longbow.

[Jerry Jeffer]

I am in love with a 70" longbow. I hunt the ground and have to be able to shoot in many positions. I have go shoot with an extreme cant to the bow. Though I hunt some tigh brush, I don't have any trouble with the length. The draw and control are sooo smooth. I won't hunt with anything else. Just my choice.      

[Fisherking73]

How does grip change things? I read as option standard grip, high grip, and low grip. What are the differences or is it just a feel thing. Right now on my recurve I like choking up tight against the top of the grip on the riser, not sure if that helps identify which custom grip would be best or good for me.

[DannyBows]

I started my Trad journey with recurves, and still shoot them on occasion. Then I tried a hybrid longbow, very nice bows. Last year I got a straight-limbed (D-Bow) from BamaBows and have fallen in love with them to the point that I seldom shoot the others now. I draw 27" and prefer 66" and 68" straight-limbed or mild R/D limbs (Reflex/Deflex).

Bucksbuouy is spot-on. I just enjoy the smooth easy draw of those long limbs and they do feel much lighter than their actual weight.

Grips, like everything else about bows are subjective. You will have to try them all to see what feels best for you. Different grip styles change the angle of your wrist. Most recurves have fairly high wrist grips and will cause you to shoot with a straight wrist. Hold yours and see how your wrist lines-up.

Now, hold a broom handle out as if it was a bow, with your palm down against it. You can see how the angle of your wrist has changed compared to your recurve grip. That would be a low wrist grip. A standard grip would be a compromise between those two. This is my understanding of different grip styles and if I'm off on it better minds than mine will be along to correct me.

Most folks that convert to Trad bows from compounds, as I did, find recurves the easiest to get used to since the grips are similar.

The best way to find what you like best is to find a club near you that has other trad shooters. Next spring there will be shoots where you can try everything out there. Keep an eye on the Trad Events forum, and there is a State by State forum also.

[jhg]

Originally posted by bucksbuouy:
Longer bows draw smoother and feel lighter when you hold them at full draw,...

With todays bowyers understanding as much as they do about bow design, this is often untrue now. Yes it is true sometimes, but there are many shorter longbows that have all the same characteristics as a longer longbow- except being long. Thes bows are smooth all the way to anchor, feel light when you hold them etc.

It depends on how the bow was designed, not how long it is.

Joshua

[straitera]

Pure personal preference. Like JJ, give me a 70" heavy straight handled lb everytime.

[Bjorn]

Shoot as many as you can, lots of subjective measures. I like a 64" longbow for my hunting.

[30coupe]

Well, I am short of stature, so I don't get along well with really long bows. My 58" Kanati is a hybrid bow that fits me just perfect. It is smooth and has no hand shock. The design is everything. True, it is only 46# at my 28" draw, but it shoots hard and fast, so I don't need anything more. It puts arrows where I want them to go, which is the most important thing. I can easily push/pull string it. Anything over  62" and I need a stringer.

I have shot Kanatis at 52# and they too were smooth and shock free. My 62" Mahaska is also smooth, but it will thump you pretty good unless you use a skinny string.

Find something that fits your hand, draws smoothly, has no hand shock, and hits where you point it. Then don't worry about the length.