Trad Gang

I'm looking to get a short bow ( under 56" ) recurve or longbow and looking for advice and imput from you guys. I have always shot longer bows but am looking for a ground blind bow for Turkey. Any help would be appreciated.

You are going to get a lot of different answers on this one, and none of them would be wrong. There has been a few of these topics recently. Try using the search feature for short recurves.

Jeff

I like the Tunderstick mag.

A lot will depend on your draw length.  If not over 28" check out one of Rodney Wright's Stalker's.  They're only 46", about 42" ntn strung, but hits a wall at 28".  I love mine...

Then there are SHREWS.  :bigsmyl:  They'll take a longer draw, weigh next to nothing, and are fun to shoot.  Great bows.  :thumbsup:

There's more out there but these are what I have the most experience with.  OKAY fellows, what's your favorites?  Can't wait to hear about 'em all, I love short bows too.....   :archer2:

good question but how long is your draw?

Makes a big difference with what you can shoot safely.

Mike

I draw right at 28" and shoot a 64" TD longbow right now. The shortest bow I've owned is a 60" recurve.

:thumbsup:

My 56 in onepiece Talon has no stack at 28 inches. God Bless and good luck , Steve

Shrew or Thunderchild, both are great short bows.

Hey, be sure to check out Lost Creek, he specializes in short longbows. They are smooth and perform great!

how about a good 'ole red wing hunter??

Cascade! The best short bows I have ever shot by far and Ive shot most out there. He is also in Washington.

Don't forget about Beelers! Mine's going to be here later this week! Dave makes great bows and they're 56"

Jack Kempf Kwyk Styk or Lucas Novotny Saluki Ibex

Matt

Many choices. Getting your hands on a few to ascertain compatabilty may be a challenge, but well worth it.

Hoots, Anneewakee, Stalker...56" and shorter on some. TwoTracks-50" Ambush. Good luck, lots of great choices.

My favorite short bows are  (longbows) Treadway black forest , shrew and Kanati for (recurves) hands down its the Black Widow PSA or PCH .

can't go wrong with a Kanati and Jason is a great guy to deal with!

Dan Toelke makes a great 52" recurve. Read Pete Ward's review of the bow. I was able to shoot a couple for an hour or so this past fall and was amazed at how well a properly designed 52" recurve shoots. I draw 29" and over drew a bit with no stacking. Finger pinch I find on older commercially produced 52" bows is just not there and she is dead in the hand, quiet and very, very quick even with a b50 string. Again, read Pete Ward's review and you can see a couple at  www.montanabows.com (http://www.montanabows.com)  under "current inventory" then scroll down to "traditional recurves".

ALL GREAT BOWS,GOOD LUCK,,,,

Check out Don Dow's Stik bows at stikbowsbydondow.com He makes a 52" recurve and a 54" longbow. They are supposed to be good to 28". I have heard good things about how smooth and stack free they are and you can buy two for what you can by most customs.

I am not a short bow fan but shot a friends Shrew a while back and was very surprised. Smooth pulling, Nice cast! Must mention the owner has a 31" draw and shoots this bow very well.

The 56" Beeler hybrid worked very well for me.

Like many have stated this is a loaded question. I will throw in my favorite bowyers plug also--HOOTS 52" recurve. I draw 27" and it works great for me. I know he has had some long draw shooters use his bows also so that means alot to me if they are shooting them good and holding up. The real question is-whats gonna feel good to you and shoot like you want? There are a ton of great short bows out there and many just named. I would suggest you now go to a shoot and maybe try someones out and get a feel for what you want. Good luck.

Here is a 54" Hoots recurve just finished for a 30 1/2" draw!
 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=102190

Try a 52" Lone Wolf Banshee,I bought a used one a few years ago for Turkey hunting but I like it so much its my main hunting bow now.

Shrew Classic Hunter!!!

Check out Lost Creek Bows. Chad makes a sweet shooting short longbow. The Black Widow PCHX is also hard to beat.

I have a 30" draw and I'm shooting 58" bows in both brands. They are very smooth drawing and quick.

Glen

I have to say again (& again, & again - LOL) I love my Anneewakee Addiction 54" Recurve, "Blackie". I've had her over a year now and still enjoy it more and more every time I use it. (I guess it is pretty well known now that the Anneewakee Addiction Recurves are made by Hoots Bows.) Try 'em, you'll most likely fall for 'em!

I'll put in my 56" Treadway Black Forest from Mike Treadway.

Qucik and quiet ad ver smooth. (Longbow)

Recurve: 56" Kwyk Styk Static tips, very nice.

I have found 58" to be perfect for me.  I traded for a Bighorn and couldn't be happier.  Blacked it out with some bed liner and off we go.  Very interested in trying a t/d longbow of the same length.

I think you would be happier to stay with a 56 - 58 inch bow. A bow in the 56-58 inch length will still shoot just fine out of many different types of  blinds.

For a short long bow; my personal list would include Lostcreek, JK Traditions Kanati and Shrew. Lostcreek currently has the shortest turnaround I believe.

Just my opinions,

i have a 56" beeler tracker and like it.  very easy to shoot and just hits where you aim. the draw is extremely smooth, almost like you can go up a few more pounds then normal

my next bow is going to be a 58"  i like them a tad bit longer and 2" isnt a huge size difference

Thanks for all the input.

This is the one place where opions aren't like a-holes.

Of all the bows listed here the only one I have shot is a 56" Thunderchild and it was a pretty darn nice shooting bow. I have shot some older bows, Wing, Browning etc.

Thanks again for all the input. Half the fun is trying and buying  :)

So Tina is going with the used canopy and a new bow ...   :clapper:

58" Zipper SXT.  Smooth and stable.

She's watching me close Ken, she's looking over my shoulder as I type  :biglaugh:

I got to play with a 54 inch St. Joe recurve for a while. It was SMOOTH!!!

 (http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff369/arwin29/019.jpg)

Here is a short video of me shooting it. Pretty fast for a little guy!!  :D  

 (http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff369/arwin29/videos/th_025.jpg) (http://s1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff369/arwin29/videos/?action=view¤t=025.mp4)

Black Mountain Sheepeater Spirit is a 50" bow that does very nicely with my 29" draw length.

I've got 2 of them and they are both performers.

Easy to shoot even when you are sittin' on the ground.

Shoot straight, Shinken

I owned a Fedora 52" Stalker. That little bow
was no joke. It shot flat and fast.

Thunder Child 56", Hoots or Addiction 54", and Shrew 56" just to name a few.  I love short bows because they're perfect for my hunting style and the 3 listed above all drew smooth and stack free at my 28" draw, were dead in the hand, quiet, and fast.

QuoteOriginally posted by Kenneth:
Thunder Child 56", Hoots or Addiction 54", and Shrew 56" just to name a few.  I love short bows because they're perfect for my hunting style and the 3 listed above all drew smooth and stack free at my 28" draw, were dead in the hand, quiet, and fast.

The Thunderchild and Hoots bows look very nice, but the only one of these three that I have personal experience with is the Shrew. I can't imagine either of the others being better than a Shrew. Any bow that Gregg Coffey makes is going to be exceptional. Of course, many people who have shot Big Jim's and Lee Hoots' bows praise them, and I'm sure they shoot very nice. There is a very good reason that there is a year and a half waiting list for a new Shrew! I just sent Ron LaClair a check today for my latest Classic Hunter that will be ready early next week. I ordered it in the fall of 2009.

Allan

I like the Thunderchild and Shrew Classic Hunter.

I draw 30 inches and these 2 bows are the best I have had for my longer draw.In general I dont like short bows much and I have tried quite a few looking for a good fit.

These 2 designs work very well.Mine are 56 inches.Both are truelly unique designs!

I like the Kanati quite a bit but have never had a short one.Mine was 60 inches.It was excellant.I would guess with a 28 inch draw you could possibbly shoot that in a 56" and definatly 58"

There is a 54" Windstorm with Ultimate Camo in the classifieds. Good to 28-29" draw. Check it out!  :thumbsup:

I just bought a 1968 Bear Super Mag 48, 46#@28".  I bought it for several reasons one of which was length.  It shoots like a "Haint".....  No draw problems at 28"

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/Huntschool/SM482-1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v673/Huntschool/SM483.jpg)

Granted, this is not a "NEW" bow.....

the best short bow i've had experience with is the hoots.smooth out to my 29+ draw.
(http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww3/jdc62768/bowslevijesse010.jpg)

RER Arroyo 54"s, very quick,very quiet, and no pinch or stacking out to 30"s and probably beyond! Also very quiet! I have shot a bunch of bows under 56"s and this by far is the best. My go to bow for the last 4.5 years! Shawn

I love the short bows and I don't have many problems to shoot them at my 29"DL.
48" and 50" Rocky Mountain
54"         Bighorn
52"         Bear KMags
48"         Bear SMagnum
54"         York Thunderbolt
Plus some 56"ers.
I like them all.

I agree with Jesse. The Cascade Brush Hawk is the smoothest most accurate one I have ever shot.

I am REALLY enjoying a 70's Bear Super Mag 48" in Factory Camo I just recently bought.

A Maddog mid-size would get you into something to try without alot of excess cost involved. Imo in the long run, you will probably be more satisfied with something 56"-58", but that's just me. In general, as far as shorter bows go, the sky is the limit.

How bout' one of Ed Holcombs "Drake Hunter Flite" bows?? Only 54" and smooth and fast! Just like Harry Drake designed them 40 years ago...and Eds bows are finished 2nd to none!!!!!!!! Absolutely great short hunting bows......

My 56" Morrison ILF longbow shoots way to sweet.

I've got a Gene Sanders Evolution 52" Recurve that shoots awesome. I draw about 29inches and the bow does not stack at all.  This bow really thumps an arrow also. He also makes a 48inch bow that will draw out to 28inches I hear.  Rick J

No thread about short bows would be complete without some mention of Little Suckling Recurves ...

I had an original Kiko built KT-44" Magnum 65# @ 28

(http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/Tulku/Archery/0041.jpg)

John still makes the KT-44 mag and his own JT-44 variation as well as the even smaller 38" special ...

Great shooters and ultra compact T/D's

Shawn and i are in the same boat. I also have a 54" Rivers Edge Arroyo. Cascade also makes short great shooting bows.

check out Chuck's (two tracks) 50" Ambush ,have'nt shot one yet, but have one on order . apparently you can draw them out to 30"

TULKU, I would love to find a used JT-44

Sounds like there are a ton of great shorter bows, I just bought a 52" Winstorm but am going to spend a lot of effort this year finding the one short bow for me.

Thanks to all for the replys

I prefer my two tracks ambush to my dad's shrew

(http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae317/tradsean/Archery/clays.jpg)

I had just bought the bow from chuck then walked over to the turkey shoot at comptons last year.

Another vote for Toelke's 52" recurve. I bought one in January. It's gorgeous and shoots great. I'm really, really pleased with it.

Here are a couple of pics of my ground blind turkey hunting bow.  It is a 52" Cascade Golden Hawk Mag.  That bow is also made in a 48" length. This is a Washington state made bow and if you live anywhere near Arlington, you should drive there and shoot a couple.  It is pretty impressive.

 (http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j456/jalariso/Cascade2.jpg)  (http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j456/jalariso/Cascade1.jpg)

Are you wanting to stay with a short longbow or are you also considering a recurve? The most difficult part of the selection is the fact that all the bows previously mentioned are excellent prospects.   :archer:

I have shot a Goldenhawk Mag before a little slow but very accurate. I am open to longbows or Recurves. Just like everything else now days, too many great choices.

Ambush Recurve,awesome bow ...

i'll also vote for a cascade bow or the 56" chekmate td hunter2.

I shoot an old bear kodiak magnum 52". works well for me. Never shot another short bow. Gotta dance with who brought ya.

Dryad makes an ILF recurve that I believe is 50" nock to nock strung.  And it's a three piece!!  OH MY!!!

In my opinion for a longbow I would say SHREW.I just picked up a used Shrew Classic Hunter and I love it.It is 57 lbs at 29,56 inches longer and a great shooting bow

So many suggestions
(Dryad ILF - 54" by Dryad)(Lil favorite - 54" or Shrew Classic - 54" by Shrew)(Talon 3 piece - 56" by Eaglwing)(Thunderchild - 52" by Big Jim)(Goldenhawk Mag - 52" or Ambush - 56" by Cascade)(Quick Stik - 56" by Jack Kempf)(Thunderstick Mag - 56" by Jim Reynolds)(Ambush - 50" by Two Tracks)(Evolution 52" by Gene Sanders)(Kanati-56" by jason Kendle)(Beeler Hybrid - 56" by Dave Beeler)(Black Forest - 56" by Treadway)(Arroyo 54" by RER)(Chinook 52" by Dan Toelke)(Lil Suckling 44" by Kiko)(Dow Stik - 52" by Don Dow)(Thunderbird - 54" by Wing)(Lil Hoot - 52" by Lee Hoots)(Cheyenne ILF - 54" by Bob Morrison)(Lone Wolf Banshee - 52")(Stalker - 52" by fedora)(Windstorm - 54" by Windstorm)(NAT - 54" by Lost Creek)(PSA11 - 56" by Black widow)(Stalker - 46" by Rodnet Wright)(54" recurve by St Joe River)(Super Mag 48" by Bear)(Sheep Eater - 50" by Black Mt.)(Yeti Longbow 54" by Sasquatch)

Whew,
that took a while

Thanks All

I have a 56" PSR Widow. I pull 28" with it very easy to shoot.

A & H has introduced a short bow series in one and three piece takedown designs.  Haven't shot one yet, but have been impressed with their other bows.

George, I would bet they are good also. My main shooter is a 64" ACS. Great bows.

As some others here, I too am not a big fan of short bows...but if one must have a short bow, I would suggest talking to Big Jim. He is good person to deal with, is generous, and is also an excellent craftsman.

My new to me Silvertip Wolverine by Dave Windauer. This is a 56" Wolverine, absolutely unbelievable! I am amazed by the smoothness and cast of this little bow. I sure wish Dave still made them because I would order another one tomorrow.
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/Limbow/DSC_0259.jpg)
 (http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/Limbow/DSC_0262.jpg)
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/Limbow/DSC_0264.jpg)
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/Limbow/DSC_0260.jpg)
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/Limbow/DSC_0261.jpg)

Nice bow Kevin

Thanks David!!! I couldn't be happier with it.

Zwickeyman, I will have my KT44 and a Cascade 52" at Moses Lake if you want to give them a try.
Chris.

QuoteOriginally posted by LONGSTYKES:
Shrew or Thunderchild, both are great short bows.

I agree. I've got both. My Shrew is 56" and my Thunderchild is 54"

Both excellent bows at my 28" draw length.

I shot Shawn Leonards RER Arroyo and can' believe how smooth it shoots for a 54" bow at my 29" draw.  I'm actually going to give them a call and order me one tonight!

If you can find a nice old K-Mag, ('61,or '62) you won't find a smoother drawing short recurve...Period!

Chris, thanks for the offer but I'll be in Idaho hunting Turkey. I'll shoot you an email before the next local 3-D and maybe I'll get lucky and have you bring them because I would really like to shoot both of them.

Thanks, Dave

Dave, Good luck with the turkey's.

Anneewakee addiction recurve! im a short recurve guy, and have shot my share including the bears but my favorite is by far the anneewakee. smooth, no stack, fast, light. nuff said.  :archer2:

I draw 29.5 inches and have shot the St. Joe River 56 inch recurves with not problem what so ever!!  Smooth to draw and FAST!!  Another thing I like about them is they will make the bow how you like it with woods and all like most but they will custom the handle to your specs!! A grip just how you like it!! Great shooting little bows!!!

Up to 28", a used 52" Wing Red Wing Hunter is a great bow; but it does hit a major wall right at 28" and stacks like a deck of cards after that.

Two Tracks 50" Ambush, shoots great and worked great at Ray Hammonds Hog Heaven it was all I could use in the thick stuff.

I had the opportunity to shoot an Aspen Elite once made by Byron Shurg.  Should of bought it, great shooting, beautiful bow.

I was surprised at how smooth Bruin Bows were. I have a 31" draw, and was pulling some of there 56"ers. Doubt that at my draw length I'd own one. But, if your draw is shorter you might check them out.

Has anyone shot Don Dow's 52" recurve? If the 52" recurve is anything like his longbows, it would be an excellent choice for a short bow. His 60" longbow is a great bow and very inexpensive.

Ive shot the thunderstick, shrew, and St joe River Bow.  did not like the thunderstick or the shrew  loved the st joe with the wider limb design!!

Was wanting a Kanati, but tripped over a little 56", 52@28, G&L Viper BAB that is going to have to do for a while. Maybe a long while. Can't say it's the best, but it shoots better than me.

Shrew!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like my 52" Cascade Magnum. I draw 27" and it is very smooth. No finger pinch. Jim

I shoot  BW PCH at 58" and love it.

I just picked up a Kaya KTB which I am very pleased w/.