Bow for 31-32" draw length?

[jebeckjr]

Good morning everyone!

I have a friend looking to get started in archery, and he is looking for his first bow.  The challenge is that he has about a 31.5" draw length.  He's not looking to invest in anything custom yet.  Would any of you have any recommendations on a longbow or recurve that would work with his draw length?  I'm thinking something in the 68" range, but the other concern is the stacking that will occur with the draw weight being 4" over.

Thanks for the help!

[swampthing]

Relax the draw a little got plenty room to spare.
Or a 72" Hill Tembo.

[lpcjon2]

I would have his draw checked again,and most bows will go to that length. I shoot 30-31 " and I am 6'3" and have pretty long limbs and my bows shoot it fine. Have him check his length on a trad bow to his anchor(dont go by wheel bow lengths if switching over). good luck

[Stumpkiller]

I'm 6'3" as well.  75" tip-to-tip wingspan.  I use a 30-1/2" BOP shaft and my favorite bows are my Browning Explorer (62"), my DH/Martin Dream Cacher (60") and my Browning Cobra (58").

As to stacking: I have never had a problem with any "modern" Bear recurve, and in fact my Kodiak Hunter starts to perform much better once it gets past 28" draw.  The man I bought it from was at a indoor shoting league with me and when I started to shoot it a week later he came over to see why my arrows were so much faster.  Mine were, in fact, longer and heavier than his.  I was drawing 3" more and it made a big difference in how the tips unwound.  When I shot target recurves I drew 31".  My first hunting recurve was a Bear Kodiak (60") and I drew that 31" with no problems.  Still have it.

That would be an excellent bow to start with: a Bear Kodiak Hunter.  They can sill be found for $100.

While I like Damon Howatt/Martin I have had a history of banging my head on them.  I was offerred a Mamba (58") at a good price that I wanted badly but it had the stifffest stack I have ever come up against.  Even the 62" Hunters (Excellent bows) stack rapidly (IMHO).  Though with them it is at 31" and so works like a draw stop for me right where it sould be.  The Dream Catcher is a slightly reshaped Hunter with different riser woods.

Sacking may not be a problem, but I find finger pinch really changes my shooting.  I can draw a Browning Wasp (56") and they spit an arrow, but my release suffers as do the outside edges of the nail-beds of my index and ring fingers.

[manitou1]

He might want to look at the Samick Journey.  It is a 64" recurve and will draw WAYYYY past my 32.5" draw.  I bought one for bow fishing for under $130.00.  It draws pretty darned smooth too.

[Fastltz]

I have a 31.5 dw as well and I shoot a samick sage. I have the 50# bow and at my draw it pulls 62#. I do think I vet some string pinch. But not bad. It was my first/entry bow and really helped me learn the sport. I recommend. I have also killed some deer with it and it seem to shoot fast. 600 grain arrow at 177fps. Now I have shot my buddy's black widow and it is smoother but the sage is a great entry bow.

[ESP]

I have a 31 darw and shoot a 60inch hoyt buffalo.  No stacking at that length, which is hard to find with a draw length that long.

[Precurve]

A 66" Ben Pearson Javalina would be a good call if he wants to try a recurve and doesn't want to spend much money at first.  So would a 68" Northern Mist Shelton in about 68", although that would get up to the $400-450 range.  That Northern Mist Shelton is really a sweet shooting bow.  For sure you want him to have a good experience starting out.  A 66" Brackenbury, Wes Wallace or Blacktail would be nice too.  All are easy to shoot, smooth and very forgiving as he learns how to shoot.  Lot's of choices but he'll enjoy shooting more if he has some success early, so I'd stick with the longer bows as they'll be easier for him.

Dave

[Tall Paul]

I understand Bear Archery is now producing a 64" recurve.

I shoot a 64" Schafer with my 31.5" draw, but starting at a lower price is smart.

[WESTBROOK]

Your right Paul, they are making a 64" green Super-K.

Eric

[Jim Wright]

Bow length is not a sure indicator of what draw length one will accomodate. There are a number of d/r longbows and some recurves that by their design will work for quite long draw lengths.

[Herdbull]

I use 64" recurves for my 31 inch draw including Tall Tines, Wes Wallace, Brachenbury, Black Widow, Bob Lee, Stalker and my own homemade ones. I think he will be fine with most 64" or longer recurves. Mike

[manitou1]

Just keep in mind that there are bows that won't stack badly at his draw, but finger pinch will affect accuracy, as you may well already know.  I really wouldn't get too short, or his release will suffer.  62-64" being the shortest I would recommend in a recurve to avoid the inconsistent release.
I don't shoot longbows, although I like them. ;-)

[NormanDale33]

I have a 31.5" draw and shot a 62" samick sage to start. It stacked at my draw a little but wasn't unbearable. I shot a 64" mohawk and had no issues with it either if you are intertested in a longbow. For the price a samick is hard to beat, just start wiht lighter limbs and work up.

When I switch from wheelies my draw was much shorter to start, but has lenghtened as I have worked on my form. For reference I am 6' 5" and have an honest wing span of 82"...I might be part monkey.

[KentuckyTJ]

I would suggest sticking with foam core limbs instead of wood. They will give you less stack at that length and he will be able to shoot a shorter bow if he would rather.

[LBR]

To get started cheap, the Samick Journey.  Shoots as well as several high-dollar customs I've owned/shot...better than some.  Better than used because new bows have a warranty.

[legends1]

Welcome to tradgang!    I sent you a private message.

[jebeckjr]

Everyone, thank you for all the advice and recommendations, both in this thread and through pm's!

I am passing this all off to my very lanky friend!