I recently , thru a trade, picked up a Black Swan 1 piece Carbon Classic longbow. I love everything about this bow except it's length. It's 66 ins. I'm only 5'6". Kind of worried about being able to shoot it from a blind. I really like the bow & would like to hunt with it. Anybody have any experience hunting with a bow that is as tall as yourself?
In the open, bow length is no hindrance. But 66 inches is pretty long for a blind. There are a few that will accommodate that length though, the Double Bull recurve model, for example.Or,make your own blind out of surrounding brush.
I have the DB recurve model blind and have shot bows 68'' long without any problems......stabow
You will loose some performance due to your shorter draw length, but it will be forgiving!
Hey Butch. I have a 66" Montana that i hunted with part of last year. In the blind I had, it was definitely too big. My new bow is 60" and it makes a huge difference. I am 5'7". Now keep in mind that my blind was from Dick's and was only about 70" tall and about 5' square. I say 'was' because the wind decided that he needed it more than I did.
Have you ever seen Maters of the Barebow? Larry Yien, 3-time IFAA World Longbow Champion hunts and competes with a bow his height.
Masters not maters
Sorry folks.When I said blind, I meant natural blinds. Sorry for the confusion.
Thats no blind bow sir. Build a natural blind with no roof and your good to go
Well you should be good then. Just drop do your knees and do some back yard practice. Just remember that its only 3" longer on the bottom than a 60" bow.
If you like how the bow shoots that is what counts-shoot lots and in different situations.
68" is my perfect
QuoteOriginally posted by dragonheart:
You will loose some performance due to your shorter draw length, but it will be forgiving!
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: I just got that.
The only fixed stuation that you may run into is how far you can cant the bow without pulling the string into your chest. As an example, when I have a 70" bow canted to 45 degrees the string bites hard into my left chest. For me shooting the bow straight up and down does not put my eye over the arrow and it seems that when I shoot deer or turkey they never let me choose how I will be canting my bow unless it is a longer shot across open terrain. Perhaps your arms and your body shape will not have this problem, everyone is built a little different, but I enjoy hunting with 66 and 68" bows myself at times.
i draw 27" and prefer 66" and 68" longbows . Mind you i stalk rather than hunt from blinds stands etc . shoot what your comfortable shooting and just and practice with your bow and you'll be fine . you'll find quite a few people whom are both fine hunters and great shots that prefer the longer bow .
ben
Ameristep Penthouse 7' tall.
Edit : Sorry, wrong post ^^
I'm 5'8" and draw 27" I use natural blinds and love 68" longbows.
Thanks cahaba. I really like my Black Swan. would like to give it a go.
I'm 5'9" and my Longhorn hybrid longbow is 68". I can shoot it on one knee.
Butch,
Let me know if things don't work out. I have a super shorty longbow that I just can't seem to get along with...
I shoot a 68" English longbows were often taller than the man shooting them. I would spend time shooting it in different positions and get used to it. I love how forgiving my longer bow is and it is a dream to shoot. No stacking, and a smooth draw all the way to anchor.
Dont hunt Blind! :biglaugh:
Make your own natural blinds and they will be perfect size for your own needs. IMHO it would be more gratifying to shoot game out of a home made blind than a store bought one.
No worry about it getting stolen and you can leave it there when you leave. If you have no intention on ever coming back to it. Kick it down, it'll help releave the disapointment from a hunt! 66" bows are only 6 inches longer than 60" bows and 3" on one end. So really, there is only the difference in length of your finger. If you are in a space where it makes a huge difference you are probably in too tight of a blind.
Good luck!
Butch,
Paven mentions a very real problem. You don't mention your draw length? 66" is a very forgiving length, is easy on the fingers and allows for an excellent release. I am 6' 1" and draw a LB nearly 29", I shoot a 66" bow and would not go longer for hunting. I did shoot a 68" Hill for one whole season though. You may find in time, that will want to shoot a shorter bow, you'll be excited and refreshed by the maneuverability of it. At your height, I'd probably opt for a shorter hunting bow. Personal preference for sure. Few of us own one bow and no one bow is perfect for every situation, but eventually we settle on one that works best for us, for most circumstances.
Kris
Clay,
That's kind of what I've been doing. It sure does shoot nice.
Charlie,
Can't help it! Even my glasses don't help much!! I do hunt from natural blinds Or a blind made from fence panels zip tied back together & camo material on the front. Got that from Mudd. Appreciate all the good advice & encouragement.
Jeff,
What kind of bow have you got there?
Butch, once you get use to the length its no big deal. I only hunt from the ground - and only from natural materials from the area. I shoot "long" longbows. I mostly sit directly on the ground. It takes a little thought when you set up - but that's what you're supose to do any way. Think. Practice how you hunt - hunt how you practice. Get GFA's book on still hunting - it will get you up to speed quickly. We don't have any real trees out here, I don't count telephone poles. I had to learn how to hunt on the ground - now you could not get me in a tree!! The longbow on the ground - rocks!! H
Thanks Ground Hunter. Love the bow. Was just concerned. I've got a 64in. Montana that's been put thru a mod. Extra long tips, cut off & the shelf radiused. Feels like I'm shooting a real shorty when I use it now!
Butch,
It's a very nice Thunderstik mag that Jim built for me. For the life of me, I can't get comfortable with that short a bow.
Going to the festival? I'll throw it in the truck.
Jeff,
I'll be there with Mudd. I'd love to see it.