Ambidextrous Bows

[YosemiteSam]

New member here.  I restarted this archery hobby after a 20-year hiatus.  I've been shooting anew for about a year and and have gone out for turkey and deer this year (no luck getting a shot but it's sure fun to try).  I'm a right handed shooter and feel just fine pulling about 42 pounds at my draw length.

However, I've developed some low back issues.  This may be caused by muscle imbalances but may also just be coincidence. I bought a left-handed riser and shooting left-handed seems to be helping the back issues a little. But swapping the limbs is a bit of a pain.

I'm wondering if anybody out there knows of bows currently being produced that are cut with dual shelves or otherwise setup for ambidextrous shooters.  It would be nice to be able to learn both sides of one bow rather than one side of 2 bows.

I also noticed that my draw length is about 3/4" longer left handed (shorter left arm or functionally shorter).  Are there any padded bow-arm gloves or other devices that can lengthen a draw length so that my draw could be even?  Fishing for some solutions that may or may not exist.  But any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Pine]

Welcome .
There are some ambidextrous bows out there .
I have an old Bear Cub that I shot as a kid .
You might find one on one of the auction sites .

[4runr]

I don't know of anything current, but Bear made an awesome bow called "Alaskan", that is one of the best shooting bows ever. Shelf on both sides and can be bought at very reasonable prices.

[ChuckC]

There are a few Hill style bows that have no shelf cut out, so it is ambidextrous.  The type called a Heritage comes to mind, not sure if that is the correct one.

They are gaining popularity among a small subgroup of trad folks.
ChuckC

[Bladepeek]

Do a search on here. I know Ron W. had Chad Holm make him one and there were some nice pics on here.

[LB_hntr]

Steve Turay of northern mist longbows makes a dual shelf longbow.

[elkken]

Check out Jay St Charles and the Thunderbird bow, I believe it has a shelf both sides ... at least they used to

[Bodork]

bowlovingman, barry loving recently made a nice one

[centaur]

JD Berry's Heritage is shelfless and is a great bow. It isn't shown on his website, but give him a call (and prepare to be entertained).

[damascusdave]

Mike Mecredy from Maddog made me a very nice dual shelf bow...not a big deal for a true custom bowyer

DDave

[damascusdave]

HHA will surely make you a dual shelf bow...I have a Robin Hood Special Edition that is a dual shelf

DDave

[bow loving man]

I can tell you having a dual shelf at home or iat a 3D shoot is extremely handy.... In the field , stand , or ground blind.... it can create a whole new set of scenarios that work sometimes but most  times, so far, one would be just as well off with a single shelf! ....

[ron w]

Chad Holm makes longbows and recurves with dual shelves......I have both and another on order. I have a Northern Mist and McBroom longbows as well, both with dual shelves.

[Jerry Jeffer]

 

Had this double shelf made. I don't stay in practice lefty very much, but it is fun to switch up.

[slowbowjoe]

Got me thinking. Been leaning toward learning to shoot left handed to balance my muscles, and in case my right shoulder wears out... 40# and dual shelf would work very nicely, I think.

[maxwell]

Leon Stewart makes a double shelf slammer great bow I have two. Each shelf is on the same side all you do is roll the bow over in your hand, tiller-ed even- good for split or three under.

I shot 21 various things to eat last year with a dually shooter.  8 of them right handed the rest left handed.  Remember the two arrows that you see, if you have your head slightly tilted, the one up and left when shooting right handed is the arrow your right eye sees, the one that is up and right when shooting left handed is the one your left eye sees.   Don't stare at the arrow, but just being aware of it, will keep your  dominant eye from taking over the shot.  if you have spine injuries, try to not spend much time at full draw and keep things as ergonomic as possible.  The form and rhythm may try to be a little different on your off side, it is not that difficult to correct that.

[ron w]

Originally posted by maxwell:
Leon Stewart makes a double shelf slammer great bow I have two. Each shelf is on the same side all you do is roll the bow over in your hand, tiller-ed even- good for split or three under.

My Northern Mist Whisper is built the same way.

[Oregon Okie]

I ordered a 7 lakes blank and had it roughed out for dual shelf. Finished it up and shoot it to keep things evened out. Fun bow if you like to DIY part way.

[RJonesRCRV]

I think Tom Parsons at KIMSHA (sponsor here) might have some ambidextrous bow designs.  Im not sure about in stock bows though.