Hunting with a 66” bow

[Bruce M]

I’m coming from compound hunting so I’m used to a short nimble bow for spot and stalk / ground blind Hunting.

This will be my first year with a trad bow and I started to get a Kodiak mag ready because of its short length. I’m finding that because of my draw length (30.5-31”) it’s really not a good choice.
So I just started to get a Kodiak special dialed in and it’s 66” long.
This just seems way long for this type of hunting, am I wrong about this, are any of you using This length of bow for spot and stalk.
I’m in the northeast woods(NYS) it’s fairly dense forest but not terrible unless I get mixed up in the mountain laurels, in that case no bow is short enough.

[Orion]

Been hunting with 64-68-inch longbows for the past 30 years or so without problems, and 30 years or so before that with recurves. Longbows are actually easier to move through brush than recurves.  Much less likely to get brush caught between the string and bow limb tip.   

[hvyhitter]

Just a bit of a learning curve at first like anything else, but Ive never said in 30 yrs "gee I wish my bow was shorter".................YMMV

[Bruce M]

Thank you both with your replies, just wanted a little reassurance from those who have been there done that.

[Justin Falon]

This is a really good question. I feel compelled to reply.
A 66" bow is accurate. A 68" bow is more accurate in my experience but there is a bit more consideration that needs to be taken.
I've moved to ground blinds pretty exclusively. I can fairly easily handle my 68" longbow from the ground blind but when I switch to a 66" recurve  I need to be more aware of my surroundings. Maybe it's just me. 

Using a shorter bow because I think they are easier to manueaver, it all in my mind. My shortest bow is 52" but I never shoot it because the longer bow is so much more accurate.

[Bruce M]

Can you elaborate on what you mean when you say you have to be more aware of your surroundings when using a 66” recurve as opposed to a 68” (I’ll assume) straight stick bow.

Do mean be aware of brush and such with the working recurve limbs possibly?

on edit ; I re-read your post and for some reason I glanced over the part that you state "longbow", so it is as I thought you meant and that is to be mindful of the recurves catching brush.

[M60gunner]

I have hunted with a 68” LB, 66” Lb and didn’t give my bow length to much thought. Maybe if I had been “brush busting” but that’s not a smart or quite way of hunting IMO. Ground blinds built with a roof maybe an issue but there agian I tend to use what’s already there to hide behind or sit against. But that’s me, I travel as light as possible.

[Bruce M]

No brush busting here, I'd never see one single living creature trying to do that around here.

[Tim Finley]

I hunted with a 66" recurve for 3 years, I did good with it  but transporting it in and out of the truck  ,the string catching on my clothes and now hunting from ground blinds it wouldn't work . I hunt with 60 and 62" bows .

[Petrichor]

66” longbow for 5 years till I Just switched to a shorter bow. I really prefer longer bows despite my short draw. It’s all in how you adapt. I did it out of a tree stand and only being 5’6” never had an issue.

[stagetek]

I hunted with a 66" Asbell Bighorn for many years. Best bow I've ever owned. Most of what I use now are 62 and 64" bows. I do have a 66" Blacktail on order, can't wait to shoot that.

[Keefer]

Bruce does your Kodiak Special look like this one by chance?

[Bruce M]

Mine is a little older model, doesn't have the "bat wings". It's a 1959 model year.

[Keefer]

Like this one then ?

[Keefer]

The one above was a 1959 very mint Kodiak Special I traded about 2 years ago for a fairly new Thunderhorn Heartstopper and I wouldn’t hesitate to hunt with it especially hunting on the ground .Mine was a64” length but measure it tip to tip while strung and see what you have as far as overall measurement.
   If you sit with the bow canted or stalking I would just use camo limb sleeves to help keep the glare down while stalking.
   As mentioned just be aware of limbs when drawing .

[Bruce M]

LOL, Yep that's my bow. After all the replies it seems my concerns are all about nothing. This bow will hunt.

[Petrichor]

LOL, Yep that's my bow. After all the replies it seems my concerns are all about nothing. This bow will hunt.

Good deal and good luck!

[TSP]

What bow works can be affected by terrain.  Those hunting in open hardwoods or prairie/mountain habitat likely have very different needs than those spending time in a Northeast cedar or alder swamp.  I've tried many bows over the years and still shoot a variety from 58" to 68".  Overall I have to say that bows on the shorter side (say 58"-62") have been better fits for my type of hunting...they simply handle better in tight or brushy quarters where drawing and shooting with branches pushing at you and your bow are the norm.  Longer bows are great and I luv'em, but when the time comes using a tool of appropriate length simply works better ( ). 

[Ron LaClair]

This is my first deer with a bow 66" Bear Kodiak Special 60#@ 28". I was sitting my butt on the ground, held the bow horizontal to shoot.

This fall will be 65 years hunting with a bow and now I hunt with 52 and 54" Shrew bows