Hunting from elevated stand. Length of bow?

[DeltaBowHunter]

I'm in the market for a reflex/deflex longbow but I'm interested in what you guys think about the length of a bow when shooting from an elevated stand? I'm 6' 2" but I want to have enough clearance when standing without sacrificing cover with pruning, etc. I would think that a longer bow would be more forgiving, but should I sacrifice forgiveness for ease of use? Specifically, a 64 inch bow is what I had in mind. Do I need to reevaluate?

[Fishnhunt]

I have a 66 AMO recurve and cannot shoot directly beneath my elevated stands when sitting b/c bow is too long, even when bow is slightly canted during the shot process.

I am 6 ft 1 inch and when hunting on the ground and shooting from the ground w/ that bow I have to kneel upright (w/ butt off the ground and back straight) as opposed to kneeling w/ back slouched and resting butt on ankles.  When kneeling and slouching I'm not high enough to shoot w/o limb interference from ground.

Sorry, just noticed you are talking about STANDING while shooting from elevated stand. Around here I rarely do that.  Even if its a treestand that offers a choice to stand or sit,  I just sit on it.  Where I hunt, when we're hunting elevated we are only 9-14 feet of ground max and we just sit and shoot from sitting position. I've tried standing but it seems way too dicey.

[lpcjon2]

I to have an issue with the sitting shot 6'3" and shoot a longbow but I do sit side saddle in my stand and that gives me the room to shoot sitting.

[30coupe]

I have shot with my 62" longbows from both ladder stands and lock-on stands. With some care and planning it can be done. I did hit my knee with the lower limb on a close (6-7 yard) shot, which caused the arrow to miss high on one this year. But from 10-20 yards out, it shouldn't be much of an issue.

My first deer was shot from a ladder stand with my 62" Mahaska longbow. I was sitting at the time and the shot was to my left front. No problem with the bow.

BTW: I am only 5'9" tall, so you may have better luck at your height.

All-in-all, I prefer my 58" bows from both stands and pop-up blinds.

[Jack Whitmire Jr]

That's why I remove the seat from my stands, that plus a deer will walk in on you sometimes and catch you off guard .

But to answer your question even standing a deer close tot he stand is tough, plus the shot angle is not the best.

Jack

[DeltaBowHunter]

thanks guys.

[vtmtnman]

I'm 5'8" and have no trouble with 58-60" recurves in my stands.

[ChuckC]

I'm guessing that as long as it doesn't hit the ground, you can make it work.
ChuckC

[Orion]

My hunting partner is about 6'3" and he uses a 64-inch recurve.  I'm 5'11 and I use a 64-inch longbow.  It's just a matter of setting up for the shot you most expect to get (which doesn't always happen, of course) and canting the bow if you have to for the real close shots.

[amar911]

I like my Shrew Classic Hunters and Lil Favorites and my 56" Morrison ILF that allow me to take shots from tight quarters without having to deal with all the issues that come with longer bows. I have many bows from 60" to 66", and they all do well in the conditions favorable to their lengths. I was just thinking last week how nice it was to be able to shoot my Shrew out of a treestand that would make using my longer bows nearly impossible. For other styles of hunting, the longer, heavier bows have advantages. My advise for shooting from tight spots is to go with a shorter bow that is designed to perform well in a short length, like the ones I mentioned. It will be so much easier to shoot from a comfortable position that you will gain a lot more stability than you would lose from trying to make the longer bow fit into the tight spaces.

Allan

[**DONOTDELETE**]

72" tip 2 tip 70" N2N I shoot a nice DOE with it out of a stand

[Roy Steele]

I've built and shot selfbows for 20 years and long bows and recurves for another 7 or 8 years.And up untill 5 years ago I hunted mostly from hang on's.And each spring I gobbler hunted either off a stool or setting flat on the ground.Then

[Roy Steele]

Sorry about that.Then I'd have to cant my bow some.But from a stand I can't ever remember ever haveing any trouble.
 I you want to use your bow this way you will find a way.

I used to use an 89 pounder that was 70 inches, I could only shoot standing and I put a lot of faith in the safety straps. Always wished i had faith a 48 inch recurve, but i can't hit the broadside of anything with them.

[reddogge]

I prefer 58" and 60" recurves for tree stands myself.

[Shooty1]

I've been using a 70" lb this year, standing on the stand. I wouldn't be able to, though, if it weren't for the safety belt that allows me to lean out or hover near the edge without fear.

[Coach]

I shoot sitting from my stands.  Have used nothing but 64" and 66" bows.  Find spots that work.  Coach

[RC]

I shoot a 62" longbow and usually shoot a 64" and have no trouble shooting from stands. I`m 5`11.I can shoot in some areas around the stand sitting but usually stand when deer are coming. I`ve killed directly behind the stand and as close a 7 yards this year. I climb usually around 14-18 feet.How high you climb will have a lot to do with how much trouble it is to shoot deer close to you.
 I believe the reason some people have trouble from treestands is they don`t practice from treestands. If you use one you should be able to shoot from most any position and have already practiced that shot enough to not have to think about it.We tend to practice leaning and bending and kneeling from the ground then shoot about a dozen arrows from the tree and go hunting.RC

[Jeff Strubberg]

Bow length isn't a big deal.   Stick your index out.  That's the difference in limb length (bottom and top) between a 62 inch and a 70 inch bow.

[DeltaBowHunter]

Good points all. I'm going with the 64" r/d longbow. I plan on doing a lot of practicing from elevation.