Using a longbow in a stand

[shaanar]

First, I am a long time lurker and this is my first post.  Have to say thanks for all of the info you all have already given a guy with no mentor to learn from.  MUCH APPRECIATED!!!

Anyway, I currently shoot a 68" longbow and I am 6'4".  When I hunt from a treestand it is very hard to get to full draw unless the target is straight ahead of me.  Also, in a stand I am seated and I always practice standing up.  Do I need to quit hunting from the stand?  I would hate that because I feel I see a lot more game when elevated.  How can I practice and find ways to achieve full draw at more shot angles while remaining SAFELY in my stand?  

Thanks again so much for all of the tips!

[rastaman]

Get a full body harness and practice shooting out of a stand standing up.  If you aren't comfortable standing, you should be able to shoot anything on your lefthand side to slightly to your right (assuming you are right handed) according to what kind of stand you have.  Why can you only get to full draw if the target is straight ahead?
Welcome to tradgang!  

[shaanar]

I definitely am not comfortable standing up even with my harness.  There just isn't room.  You are correct in that I can get more on my left side, but I would like to get a full 180 degrees in front of me.  Is there a stand that is made to stand up in?  I use a ladder stand now.  Thanks again!

[gobblegrunter]

I'm 6'3" and have a difficult time getting to full draw straight ahead because either I'm hittin the tree behind me with my elbow or am held back by the tree strap on the harness while bending at the waist.

[Longbowz]

Lean out and/or cant the bow more.  

I can't (pun intended) say I've ever had much trouble shooting a longbow from a stand.  Where there's a will, there's a way.    

[rastaman]

Ok Andy...either you are a really big guy or you aren't real comfortable being off the ground.  If the latter, i suggest learning how to make some natural ground blinds in areas where you can see further (that's why i don't like groundblinds as a general rule).  For a non climbing stand that will give you lots of room and a sense of security, try the API outdoors deluxe magnum baby grand (what a mouthful)!  The ameristep rapid rails give you more room to climb than regular climbing sticks and that is what i would recommend to climb up with.  The baby grand will allow you more room to maneuver while sitting.  i have a couple and they might be just the ticket.  There are some guys here that use climbing stands for big folks that would work also if you like climbers (i don't). Maybe this will help a little. Good luck!    

[Wapiti4]

Take some time and PRACTICE shooting from your stand.  I found many years ago that early on the platform of the stand seems small.  by the time October is half over I'm thinking about making the platform smaller.  Practice as always is the key to comfort aloft.

[shaanar]

I think that might be the answer.  I can sling arrows all day long at the range but it is totally different from the stand.  Thanks!

[Shedrock]

Have you tried a shorter bow? I love my 56" "short" longbow for hunting out of a tree.

[metsastaja]

I have a tree stand that is only 5' up to the platform I would stand on.  It is in my back yard and I practice shooting using my harness (seat o pants). It will build your confidence re the platform and what the harness will allow you to do.  All of my stands have flip up seats and with practice I have learned to stand and flip the seat up in one motion.

[frassettor]

I am the same height as you and I shoot a 64" bow out of my stand. I can understand you dilema. I tried to set my stand up so I would be able to shoot at 10 oclock and 2oclock. It hasnt ben that bad, but 10-12 oclock really is what is comfortable for me seeing how Im right handed.,

[ishoot4thrills]

That is precisely why I use bows 60"(AMO) and less in length. I also like to hunt from pop-up blinds as well. Actually, I would prefer my bow to be 58" or less but I like it too much to not use it so I'll find a way, whatever the situation.

[shaanar]

My next bow will definitely be shorter.  How in the world am I supposed to pick one though?

[vernon]

I shoot a 62 inch and 64 inch bows out of a treestand.  With my stand setup there is only a couple windows I can shoot through so I set my stand up accordingly.  I also trimmed the limbs around me to give my bow enough room.  I do shoot a lot sitting down and just have to rotate ever so slightly, cant my bow, and get her done.  Like mentioned before where theres a will theres a way.  I like my longbows and doubt I will shoot anything shorter than 60 inches.

good luck

[kbetts]

I'm only about 5'7" and just switched to a 62" longbow.  I was told to lay it over if need be.  I see my draw shortens slightly, but at the close ranges I'd be shooting (<10 yds) out of a tree, I'm fine.  Once the distance increases, it does get more comfortable to draw.  I always shoot standing out of a tree.

[Bowwild]

Shanaar,
Lot's of good advice here from folks that share your disability (too tall -- I'm 5'6").  Being able to stand in the tree is pretty important. Without standing your mobility in the tree stand is much more limited than it needs to be. Of course they make large tree stands. My 6'2" son uses a buddy stand as his solo stand. He is a bit antsy when going up the first time or two.  Get those ants under control by trying the stand out, especially moving and standing before hunting from it. You should be tied in when getting in the stand, out of the stand and while in it.  A good harness system adjusted so you can feel it holding you when you are standing will do wonders. The key is to adjust it so you can feel it holding you. You can loosen it a bit as you get more comfortable. I really need to be able to turn 45 degrees right or left in my stand to access more shooting windows.  Some of us to hang 20-25' in Baker climbing stands in the 70's without safety straps, belts, etc. It was always a bit spooky that first few moments in the stand on opening day! I feel fortunate I survived those days.

[BRITTMAN]

I like a lock on stand for bow hunting or a climber that the climbing aid is moved out of the way like you would be in a lock on  , that helps out alot so i dont have to worrie that my limbs going to hit anything . I shoot seated 95% of the time from the stand so I do alot of pratice sitting in a chair or drag out my 8 foot step ladder and pratice from that.

[Stone Knife]

You need to lay that longbow down when shooting out of a stand, I cant the heck out of my " Hill when I shoot out of a treestand.

[Bill Turner]

Practice! Practice! Practice! You'll never learn to shoot from a elevated stand while doing all of your practice standing on the ground. I hunt from a 16ft.ladder stand without one of the sections. Makes for ease of handling and puts me at about 10 to 12ft up. I'm just more comfortable at 10 to 12 ft. Most of my shots are taken sitting down, cause I hunted in Texas for many years off tri-pods and learned to do it that way. Where I hunted, there were no trees, just tall bushes(mesquites). Tri-pods are a great way to learn to shoot sitting down. My favories are aluminum, about 7ft tall, and no longer made by Strong, Inc. I'm 6ft., 270 and hunt with Hill bows ranging from 64" to 68" in length without problems from elevated stands or from the ground. If you can't get comfortable shooting from stands, get a "Guille" suit and have at it. You'll enjoy it more and feel a lot more comfortable doing what you love to do, and in the end you'll spend far less money as well. I promise you, safe, comfortable stands for big guys are not cheap. Good luck, be safe, have fun, and enjoy God's gifts.  

[term]

Great thread,a lot of info. Thanks. TERM