How long does a longbow need to be?

[jerp]

I will soon be ordering my first longbow and I am trying to decide what length to go with. If I understand correctly, there is a trade-off between the maneuverability of a shorter bow the and smoothness/stability/less pinch of a longer bow. (right?) My draw length is almost exactly 28” and I will be hunting with it from both ground blinds and tripods. How short can you go? I can see how a longer bow could be a bit unwieldy in the woods – but that may be because I'm used to hunting with compounds. Your opinion?

[Mike Javi Cooper]

The longer the bow the easier it is to shoot and learn to shoot it.. in years past I used a 64" and nothing I shot seemed to mind that it was that long...

However I just had Bob build me a sweet little 58" that is a dream to shoot... called Ebano..

[bountyhunter]

No set length for a "longbow", I've seen them anywhere between 56 and 72 inches. I personally like the 62 inchers I have been hunting with the last couple of years.

[Bisch]

Jerp - I hunt with 62" bows. I hunt both out of treestands and ground blinds. My ground blinds are homemade and have plenty of room. If your draw is 28" you should have no problems with a 60" bow. IMO if you go any shorter you may be disappointed. some shorter bows can be kind of testy and more difficult to shoot (some are just fine. I just would hate for you to buy a new bow only to decide you don't like it because it is harder to shoot).

Bisch

[Phillip Fields]

What type of longbow? If you go for some of the extreme R&D bows 58 - 60" are good lengths for 28" draw. In a Hill style 66 - 68" would be good. My draw length is 28". I have a 66" mild R&D longbow that is a pleasure to shoot. I have used it out of tripods and ground blinds but it's not at it's best in those situations. My go-to bow is a 62" A&H ACS 3-piece takedown.

[Mike Javi Cooper]

If you want to come down to Waco, you can shoot a 62" and a 58"

[meangene1969]

I like mine to be at least 66" to 68" but my draw is a little longer

[TxAg]

I had a 60" Whip which I liked a lot..the poundage was a bit heavy, though. I recently shot my brother's 64" Whip. Wow!...a little lighter and a little longer makes for a really smooth draw.

[froghunter]

i am 6'2" and use a 62" long bow. longer the bow harder it is to hunt with.

[trad"Doc"53]

Jerp, I feel like it is the luck of the draw with short bows. I have a short draw length (27"s)and have always wanted short recurves. Some were ok drawing but left some to be desired in performance and the ones that zipped an arrow pretty good were lacking in smoothness of draw. I recently traded for a "little" longbow made by Lost Creek Custom Bows. It is 52's tip to tip and 52#s@28"s. Yea, really short for a longbow!! It shoots a little harder performanc wise as well as flatter with the same arrows as my 60" longbow. It draws just as easy and smoothly as my 60" longbow. I love the way this bow shoots and it will be a dream in a groundblind, tripod, hanging stand or stalking as it weighs nothing in the hand! Of course it helps to be out there like I am on this out there type equipment!LOL I do believe your personal heigth as well as your draw length will dictate somewhat the length of bow you need to be comfortable with.

[Van/TX]

I have several from 64 to 69". I like the the 64" the best but don't think I'd have a problem with a 60 incher. A 64 is no problem in a tree stand or on the ground stillhunting. A ground blind (those tent things or plywood boxes) can sometimes be a problem Good luck...Van

[Texas5o]

I have longbows ranging from 56" to 64" and agree that, with all else being equal, the longer bows are "easier" to shoot, but more difficult to maneuver in the field under some conditions. I have hunted out of standard pop-up type blinds with a 62" longbow, but was limited to one window.
I prefer my 58" longbow out of a typical pop-up blind but I can set my tree stands to accommodate any of my bows. I also have about a 28" draw.
Suggestion: shoot as many different bows as you can before you make a final decision.

[bob sarrels]

62" will usually cover most hunting scenerios fairly well. I like my 64" Sierra real well and can shoot it in most situations. Most, but not all. I have a 27" draw and am presently shooting a 58" takedown longbow that I am really startin to like. Kinda cool when you can just go pull one of the wall and say "wonder what this one feels like."

[Restless]

some thought about how tall you are comes into play, if your 6'2" or 3 then you wont have any trouble with a 68" or 70" bow. If your four foot nothing than you should look at a shorter bow. i tend to default to longer bows in my "long bows"

[Restless]

also I think that the bows grip has more importance than lenght.