While I have killed a bunch of deer with what would be considered "short" bows.....like 56 and 58 inch Shrews, over the last few years I have drifted towards longer limbs.
My current favorite Shrew is actually 60", as is my Black Widow recurve. My Northern Mist Ramers are 62,64, 66 inches.
2 years ago I bought a super short Shrew Scout, and shot it enough, but didn't love it. To describe the experience, it wasn't comfortable to shoot for a long time. I was actually going to sell it, but decided to shoot it a bit one more time.
I took my Waldrop PacSeat to my backyard range, sat in the chair is if I were ground hunting, and holy smokes....I really shot it well.
So yesterday I knew I was going to ground hunt.My son was duck hunting on a lake nearby, and I was going to hunt the swamp adjacent. We have hunted this swamp plenty. And while there is lots of dry ground, it is the absolute thickest area we hunt. Horrible with multi floral rose and Russian olive.
I took my PacSeat and this little Scout, snuck in, and had a great morning. No deer cooperated, but I really did notice a difference in manipulating this tiny bow in the thick stuff, both while walking and sitting. My route OUT of the swamp was a path I had never taken (path as described by ONX, there was no path) and 50inches really made a difference.
So here is my thinking...I think....This tiny bow is NOT a choice for one bow does all. My 60 inch bows are kinda that sweetspot. But because it has the exact same grip as my 60 inch Shrew, I am able to shoot it well, and it REALLY works for tight spaces. I will be messing with this idea for the rest of the year.....the ground is so much more convenient than a tree.
Interesting! Like you I've been around long enough to know some short bows have a reputation for shooting much better than others due to design. The Shrew is certainly no exception. Many have stated they find the longer bows just as good to hunt with from ground or tree and that's great but for those that lean towards shorter builds, it's good to know there are those engineered to behave at longer draws.
Great post Roger give some good insight on using short bows,
Quote from: Possum Head on Today at 10:07:17 AMInteresting! Like you I've been around long enough to know some short bows have a reputation for shooting much better than others due to design. The Shrew is certainly no exception. Many have stated they find the longer bows just as good to hunt with from ground or tree and that's great but for those that lean towards shorter builds, it's good to know there are those engineered to behave at longer draws.
I am one of those guys that have stated "longer bows are no problem" and I still believe that. I have used 66 inch longbows out of a tree with no issues. And I do believe that you can make it work.
I think that for ME, this ultra short Scout is working out to be a specialized tool. And from release to target impact, there is not a compromise. I think it has a LOT to do with form, and how my form must be "smaller" while sitting. Because when I take this same bow out to 30 yards, standing....it doesn't feel right.