Hunting with 64in. bow

[Rob W.]

Pretty soon I have to make a decision on bow length for a new longbow. Up until this point The longest bow I have hunted with is a 58" recurve. My current longbow is 54".

I plan on keeping the 54" but kept thinking I need to try a longer bow. My hunting shots and 3d shooting with the short bow are pretty good but it is a bit critical of form and release.

My options are 60" to 66" in a mild r/d D shaped bow. I don't think I will have problems in a tree but my favorite ground setups usually have me shooting from my knees.

What are your thoughts? Play it safe with the 60" or dive in and go longer?


Rob

[Breakfast Boy]

I say dive in and go longer.  I shoot a 64" Great Northern Critter Gitter and love it.  Shooting out of my Double Bull Dark Horse blind requires canting the bow, but I do fine.  Out of a treestand, I don't have any problems, but I use pretty big, homemade, wooden ladder stands.

In my opinion, longbows are meant to be long.  But that's just my opinion.

 

[awbowman]

Just about in the same boat Rob.  I just bought a 64" Toelke Super D.  Up to now I have hunted with a 56" recurve and a 58" hybrid.

I think it's all about the setup in terms of hunting with a longer bow, but man is that 64" SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTH and way more forgiving!

In terms of ground hunting, I don't do much, but to me it's more important what's in back of you than in front of you.  That's what keeps you hidden.

Anyway good luck

[Whip]

I really like the smoothness of a longer bow.  In my opinion, they are also much more forgiving to shoot.  A bit of a bad release or sloppy form on my part will cause more problems on a short bow than my longer ones.  

Once you get used to it I don't think that you would find the longer bow to be much of an issue.  I can shoot my 64" bow while sitting on my heels from the ground with no problems at all.  Granted, I am fairly tall at 6'3", so it could be different with a smaller torso.  

Remember that increasing a bow by 4" overall is only adding 2" on either end.  That really isn't a huge issue as far as clearance for the limbs goes.

[3Feathers]

I have been practicing shooting sitting down and kneeling with my 66in. Hill no problem.

[Bjorn]

You are gonna' love the longer bow-kneeling or standing. The longer bow will be smoother, easier to shoot accurately, and most likely faster.

[BOHO]

I draw 28 1/2. on recurves I shoot for 60-62" and longbows 60-66" but 66" being the absolute longest. I think you'd love the 64" unless you have a really short draw

[Rob W.]

I draw 28" and I'm 6'2".

[kbetts]

I'm 5'7", and 62" is good for me and my 28" draw.  At over 6', I think you'll end up drawing over 28" in time with a longer bow.  Since it won't stack as bad I'm almost positive you'll get a new appreciation for the length.  Use that powerstroke!

[ron w]

Go long my friend, go long!! 64-66" you won't be sorry!!

[RC]

I always though the shorter bows were best till I shot 64-66" bows. Will never go back.RC

[wooddamon1]

I've had a 60" and a 66" longbow and I shot the 66" a lot better, even from treestands. My draw is 27.5"...

[Ben Maher]

Going long you'll never be wrong !

I love the look of short bows but I have learned to accept the fact that I just don't shoot them that well compared to my longer bows ... 60 minimium in a recurve and 66" in a longbow at my 27 draw .

[Zradix]

I'm 6'2"

I shoot a 62" bow all the time from my knees.
I practice that way a large percentage of the time as I mostly hunt from ground blinds and that's how I'll be shooting at game.

I've thought about going to a 64" just for some added forgiveness.

Sooo I taped on a couple pieces of wood scraps to the tips of my bow just to see what it would be like ( didn't shoot of course)

That extra inch on the bottom limb made a big difference for me.
I did NOT like it.

Just took my bow from " hardly have to worry about it" to " if I hold it normally my tip hits the ground"

The extra inch took it right out of my comfort zone.

[S C Mercer]

I have gone the other way. I used 66" and 64" longbows and they are smooth shooters for sure.  However, on steep angles out of tree stands I have found them a hindrance. I am currently shooting a 60" Schafer Silvertip recurve and find it give a nice blend of stability & compactness but not so short as to be so critical to form errors.  ~Steve

[Ground Hunter]

I've never found a 70 inch bow a handicap.  I only hunt from the ground.  Longer - better.  Unless you drive a sub-compact.

[Gordon Jabben]

I have used 68" r/d bows for years without any problems but practice canting my bow different amounts.  A couple of years ago, I took a turkey out of a regular size Double Bull blind with a 70" Howard Hill longbow but I have to admit, a 66" would have been better.  Go with the 66".  You won't be sorry.

[legends1]

Go 64" you wont be disappointed.

[JDunlap]

Rob, I have always shot 60 to 62" bows and I do fine with them. However, I did shoot a 64" recurve when I was ordering my scorpion and it was really smooth. I thought i wouldnt't like the length but now wish I would have tried it. At your height, I would go for the longer.
Joe

[Night Wing]

I hunt from ground level. With that said, I'm 5'9" and I can shoot both of my 66" bows held vertically, without canting, while shooting on one knee. The lower limb never touches the ground upon arrow release.