Has your draw length changed?

rscornutt · June 16, 2015, 11:01:00 PM

I learned to shoot on recurves and long bows. I shot a compound bow for years because it was easier to shoot and required less practice and, with work and everything that went with it, I could still hunt and harvest game. Now I'm back to recurves and long bows. All have been bare bow, off the shelf, shooting fingers, even the compound.

My groups and accuracy have been erratic. Finally, in frustration, I told myself to quit thinking and just shoot. I started hitting. The difference? I shoot three under and have always anchored with my index finger at the corner of my mouth. I noticed that when I just shot, my anchor was past my mouth by almost an inch. I came back four hours later and used the new anchor point. Succes.

I have no idea why what worked well for so many years (I started shooting as a child) changed. Maybe it's the bow, maybe it's me. My new draw length is now close to 29.5".

Anyone ever had to adjust like this?

9 Shocks · June 16, 2015, 11:21:00 PM

Since I started shooting trad 3 years ago until now my form obviously improved and I gained nearly an inch and a quarter of draw so yes it is plausible in your case as well.

Big Lefty · June 17, 2015, 12:58:00 AM

When I finally became so out of touch with the the animals I was taking with my "bow", and made the switch to a bow, my draw length dropped from 30" to 28". When I learned how to engage my back muscles and draw a bow properly, my draw length went from 28" to 30".

old_goat2 · June 17, 2015, 07:52:00 AM

Yes I lengthened two inches over what I shot on compounds, it's probably because you don't have a wall to pull against and by pulling farther your getting your body in mechanical alignment. Draw arm in line with torso which allows your bones to take some of the strain off your muscles.

ed cowden · June 17, 2015, 11:44:00 AM

I just used a Go Pro to video my draw length with a marked arrow. I had no one here to measure me put I did have the camera. If I stand with the target open stance I could see I drawled to 30 and then it moved back to 29.5 when I anchored. I did this with the bow straight up and down and canted with the same results. This has always been my draw length with a compound or recurve type grip. I loose 1" when I shoot Hill type grips with the elbow low and bent. Also videoed with my body facing straight to the target like you were walking toward the target and just stopped and shot. You do twist at the hips but you do not move you feet. The draw was then 28 - 28.5. I picture this as only for hunting ranges and tree stands. It will change you arrows velocity. My chrony says roughly 10 fps or more. If you walk the range on a 3D course with 2 or 3 friends you will see all kinds of different lengths of arrows sticking out the front of the bows on different targets. That is why people say I am having a bad day. You have to know what you are doing and concentrate on your body. I think the old hunters that cut their arrows to the point that the broad head touched their finger were smart and it was like using a clicker. Draw length is very important.

rscornutt · June 17, 2015, 11:11:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by old_goat2:
Yes I lengthened two inches over what I shot on compounds, it's probably because you don't have a wall to pull against and by pulling farther your getting your body in mechanical alignment. Draw arm in line with torso which allows your bones to take some of the strain off your muscles.

After shooting and getting some video, this is exactly the case.

Cyclic-Rivers · June 18, 2015, 07:43:00 AM

After I stopped hunching over and moving my head to the bow.... I stood up straight and gained about an inch. Now that the form is better, shooting is better.

katman · June 18, 2015, 08:08:00 AM

I hunched up and shot that way for years with success(self taught before internet), after Mr. Jenkin's class my form was improved and draw went from 27 3/4 to 29 1/2 and a much stronger shot.

trasher · June 19, 2015, 07:02:00 AM

My went from 29 3/4 to 31 and this happens as I learned to use back tension!

ncheels · June 19, 2015, 07:29:00 AM

Yes, as my form has improved (no leaning and using proper back tension as stated above), I went from 28" to 29.5"

mnbwhtr · June 19, 2015, 11:58:00 AM

Over 40 years my draw has decreased from 32 to 30 3/4 but then I'm not 6 1 1/2 anymore either!

Thumper Dunker · June 20, 2015, 10:29:00 PM

Every time I shot today. Lol

damascusdave · June 20, 2015, 10:33:00 PM

My draw length changes quite a bit depending which of my 20 plus bows I am shooting...something I long ago ceased to give any though to

DDave

damascusdave · June 20, 2015, 10:35:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Thumper Dunker:
Every time I shot today. Lol

If I had read this first I simply would have said:

X2

DDave

June 21, 2015, 04:08:00 AM

When I shot target bows, I had well over a 28" draw. When I went to Hill style bows, I was drawing too long for the Hill style form required. With some very expert advice I shortened that draw by nearly to inches and things came together and my shots went where I wanted them to go. If I find myself shooting with left and right errors it is almost always that I am stretching past the point where the triangulation that my line of sight is over the arrow properly.

Bonebuster · June 21, 2015, 09:03:00 AM

I went back to a recurve back in 1988.

My draw length back then was a standard 28".

About 10 years ago, I realized that my draw length had increased a full 1 1/2" using the same anchor.

I attribute this to my learning how to use my back properly, and not just my arms. It coincided with a great improvement in my shooting ability.

hobgoblin · June 22, 2015, 03:03:00 PM

I used to shoot exclusively longbows, but always liked the compact recurve design. I eventually found on that suited me after purchasing several of the cheaper end bows and selling them on.

From shooting heel down to straight wrist, my draw length changed from 27" to 28 3/4".