My wife has gotten interested in archery recently but is very short. She is a about 5'3" and when drawing a long bow say 60" or 62" the string actually hits her body because of the angle of the string. Her draw length is 25". My thoughts are that a much shorter bow more suited to her height and draw length would eliminate this issue. Anyone else have any experience with this problem? So, who makes bows in the 48"-52" range?
Oh and I guess I should mention that I shoot with my bow pretty heavily canted as does she. I know if she were to shoot with an upright olympic for that would eliminate the issue. She wouldn't be able to shoot from an elevated stand though because most bows are as tall or taller than she is. This is my reasoning for wanting to go the route of a super short bow.
Hill country bobcat - longbow or recurve. Best short bow I have found.
well i have a horse bow 48'' long made by samick and hell it is fast and easy to shoot canted or upright and is as light a feather to carry so light ya can hunt and walk all day and not get tired you should have a look at one. oh forgot something they draw real easy as in ya have a #50 and it feels like #40-45 and you can take that puppy anywhere :thumbsup:
Actually there are quite a few in the 52 in range. Cascade,Bigfoot, EagleWing Talon 11 Static, I believe Bob Morrison has one but need to check that, Hill Country, Check out most of the sponser bowyers and just about all of them have short model bows , Chuck Dresslers Ambush just came to mind. There are a bunch of them though.
God bless and good luck, Steve
Another short bow I would recommend for short draw is an eagle wing. Talk to Steve he hooked up a kid I ran into looking for a bow that was for short draw shooters. The kid is VERY happy with that bow. And it was absolutely gorgeous!!!
This model is called the "Yeti" I build these in 52", 54" & 56"
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Bows%202013/Ryans%20Yeti/SANY0023.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/Bows%202013/Ryans%20Yeti/SANY0023.jpg.html)
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/Bows%202013/Ryans%20Yeti/SANY0026.jpg) (http://s171.photobucket.com/user/kirkll/media/Bows%202013/Ryans%20Yeti/SANY0026.jpg.html)
X2 JeffB ............. Kaya has one now available to North America, Wind Fighter. $275.00 available on the auction web site.
Toelke, Two Tracks, Bigfoot, Hoots, Kanati, Shrew, Leon Stewart
Lots of them out there, but Check out Hoots and Toelke. I sold a Lil Hoot and kick myself in the butt now.
Hummingbird is making a short recurve check out their web site.LCH
The Toelke Kestrel is a beautiful and great performing little recurve. I bet Dan could easily tiller one to 24-26" for her. A used short 52-54" Shrew would prolly be great too. Or a Two Tracks Ambush, or the Bigfoot Yeti. So many choices!
two tracks ambush recurve
Hoots lil hoots recurve
cascade night hawk
Good stuff! Thanks for the info guys. So far I haven't had much luck except with Bodnik Kiowa and the Black Mountain Sheepeater. This will be her first bow so I am price conscious but she shows a lot of promise! She and I are both pretty excited about this.
bob lee
How about an old Bear Kodiak Magnum? I think they're 52"amo. Should be able to get one for less than $300 I would say.
You don't want a short bow built that is adequate for a long draw archer (most short bows fall in this category). You want a bow that is proportional to the stature of your wife. In other words, you need a short bow that shoots well for a short shooter.
I would buy a good 13" ILF riser and a set of medium ILF limbs.
I'll post pix of a couple of choices, but need to change to another computer first.
Left-hand riser is a Dryad. Right-hand riser is a Morrison.
(http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag19/cootling1/IMG_6327_zpsd445d2df.jpg) (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/cootling1/media/IMG_6327_zpsd445d2df.jpg.html)
(http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag19/cootling1/IMG_6314_zps36d2b1d1.jpg) (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/cootling1/media/IMG_6314_zps36d2b1d1.jpg.html)
(http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag19/cootling1/IMG_6311_zpsa1e9b899.jpg) (http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/cootling1/media/IMG_6311_zpsa1e9b899.jpg.html)
Javaman makes an excellent 52" Elkheart, and 52" Inferno. Also, depending on her draw weight, you might want to check out some youth bows. A lot of them are designed to be drawn 24-25".
I shoot a roughly 48" horse bow as well, and I'm 6' 4". My best friend is 5' 6", and he can shoot it just fine as well. It will accommodate just about anyone, so long as you match the draw weight to where you can pull it to. Mine is of a light enough weight that 25" would be nothing, but at my 36" draw it gets pretty fearsome. All you would need would be a heavier starting weight, I think.
rodney wright makes a very short recurve.
This all good stuff guys! Thanks a lot. The problem is it being her first bow, we just can't spend top dollar for a new custom. Definitely looking at the ILF set ups or a used Bear Supermag.
Think about the KAYA KTB 48" (Korean Traditional Bow).
I have a Hwarang which is very similar and it is my fastest bow @ my 25" draw length. Unbelievable cast even with heavy arrows. Can be shot right or left handed, Mediterranean or with thumb glove/ring. Light to carry and affordable!!!
Thanks tecum-tha I was just checking out the Kaya Kahn because it has a shelf and is designed for finger shooting. I think that one of these cool little horesbows might be the ticket. Very affordable. What poundage is your bow?
I would get her a super nice used custom. It seems like people think the first bow should be a bow that is cheaper. I got my wife the best I could afford when I started her in archery. She ended up winning Western division of the IBOs in 1990, and is a lifetime bowhunter.
God bless, Steve
My philosophy is to put the money into a good riser (which I consider the heart and soul of a bow) and start with inexpensive limbs that will be outgrown before long.
The Axiom limbs shown on my daughters' bows in my previous post are about $80. They look nice, shoot well, and are easy to resell.
I sure hear a lot of good things about the Hoyt Excel riser and Black Max limb combos. I guess they shoot lights out.
God bless, Steve
I am thinking it is not just lenght but string angle that is a factor.
Maddog.
Ragim taiga is a winner for a wife first bow. I got my wife hers in 30lb. They are a 48" horse bow, actually they are a heavily reflex/ deflex longbow because the string only touches the limb at the nock groove so they are quiet too. Put a 6 strand string on, get some really light arrows and they are a blast! Made in Italy and about 250
Call Dan Toelke about one of his 52 inch bows with black glass. That will cut the cost for you.
QuoteOriginally posted by VictoryHunter:
Good stuff! Thanks for the info guys. So far I haven't had much luck except with Bodnik Kiowa and the Black Mountain Sheepeater. This will be her first bow so I am price conscious but she shows a lot of promise! She and I are both pretty excited about this.
I shot a Kiowa for the first time a couple weeks ago and was quite surprised at how well that thing shot for a lower-priced bow. If I needed a short bow and didn't want to spend megabucks, I'd be looking at a Kiowa or a used bow.
Give Kent Roberts at TIMBERGHOST Archery a look. I love short bows, and he builds some of the best. He has a nice 56 inch hybrid longbow and a super sweet 52 inch static tip.
Lots of good choices available.
Hill Country Bobcat
Bear K-Mag
Bear Super Mag
Hill Country Cree
Big Jim's Thunderchild
Toelke Kestrel
56" Kanati
I am built like your wife - at least in height and draw length and shoot up to 66" bows fine but prefer 60" and below. She should be fine with 56" or less and if she is RH there is a lot of used stuff out there. Fortunately most of the shoties are also built for shorter draw lengths so the option should be available to get a really nice used bow at a reasonable price due to a limited market. If I were not a lefty I would have so many more bows.
I have a 54" Shrew Lil' Favorite recurve I'd be willing to part with. It would draw around 45# @ 25". No waiting time :)
It is small in the handle and would work really well for a young shooter or woman.
(http://i.imgur.com/yUVz0Tw.jpg)
Let me know if interested...good luck!
Kris Herman
hrmkris@aol.com
Maddog x2
Exactly what your looking for to get started
Black Widow has the PSR which is an awesome little bow!
I have a beautiful Morrison ILF with carbon foam limbs (shorts) 49#@26 (when cranked all the way down/tight) Could probably get the draw weight to 41/42 pounds. Bow is about 48" when strung. Would give you a real deal-if interested.
Will
Treadway.
Victoryhunter I know you have a South Cox bow. He will be delighted to make one for your lady.
Another vote for Bigjim and his Thunderchild
F-Manny
FWIW I'm 5'3" and shoot bows typically in the range of 54"-64" and dont ave any problem shooting from a blind or elevated stand. It just takes a little practice.
I prefer 60" ntn for most bows.
Thanks guys! Bjorn I thought about it but we would rather not spend so much until she is really certain of what she likes and doesn't like. I called Mike at Mad Dog and had a nice long talk with him. I ordered her a 54" Kaliska recurve 40lbs at her draw. It is cocobolo with black glass!
Maddog archery...Mike makes AWESOME bows specifically for short draw archers!
I am just a little taller than your wife and I have a 26". I don't own a bow over 54". I have a bunch of Maddog longbows from 48" to 54". They are all great. I also have several recurves from Mike from 46" to 52". Awsome performance . If you want a take down I would suggest Sierra Blanca bows. I have a 50" and 52" from Jess, based off of the old Rocky Mtn recurve .
You want a bow w/ a low brace height if you have a short draw length so you don't lose power stroke. Any bow with more than a 7 1/2" brace is off my list.