Shorter R/D Longbow

[JgRg1215]

This season was my 1st hunting with a stickbow after many years with a compound. I carried a 60" recurve and while I have gotten to shoot it well, I'm still not completely used to the "longer" bow. I wouldn't mind trying a shorter bow to see how it would work for hunting. My draw length is around 27.5". I've been looking at several of the shorter R/D longbows as this is the route I think I'd prefer to go. I've looked at the Thunderchild, Elkheart and Elkheart Magnum, Centaur, Toelke and a couple others. Would like to be in the 54" (or shorter) range potentially. Anybody have any thoughts on the shoot ability of the shorter R/D longbow? They all seem to get really good reviews online. I'm going to try to make it to an event next year where I can shoot several, but with the long build times I would like to either go ahead and get on one of the lists or buy something used if it comes up. Thanks for any help and insight.

[the rifleman]

I shoot Toelkes.  I have a 56" Pika that really performs.  It lives up to it's reputation of shooting like a bow several inches longer.  Like all Toelkes it is very smooth, quiet, and dead in the hand.  It has been a great bow in the deer woods.  Always nice to try out different bows before you buy, but being left handed I don't always have many opportunities.  Shows like the Kalamazoo expo are good places to get some range time w different bows.

[Maclean]

There's a current thread started by Sojourn titled Opinions on Short Longbows that has lots of good info and opinions.

 Check it out if you haven't already.

[Jim Wright]

I've had a number of bows from Dan Toelke with the latest being a 56" classic Pika received a few weeks ago. I was at Dan's in August on a fly fishing trip and while there shot a 54" standard Pika a bit. As pointed out already they are smooth drawing, dead in the hand at the shot and very quiet! And further every Toelke bow is beautifully made and my Pika with 12 to 1 Surewood Shafts seems very quick. You wont find a nicer short r/d longbow and since you mentioned it compare Dan's build time with anyone's.

[5deer]

 

[Jegs.mich]

Check out JT Traditional archery. The Storm would be right up your alley. He will be at Kalamazoo and build's a BA bow.