BCBubba, What you want to do is go to a shop or to someone who has several different bows, or a shoot like Denton hill in July. A trad. bow will draw as far as you pull it, but you shouldn't pull one much past it's intended length. The average of 28" draw is used for the "average archer" if there is one. I draw 29" with my fingers. If you shaot a compound with a release, your draw may change a lot when you go to fingers. Each person has a weight they like a t their personal draw length. Thats up to you. Start about 20 pounds lighter than your compound and have someone measure your draw. You can then tell how many pounds ant what length you are shooting. The bow that feels the best to you is the right one.