While I love a looong longbow, where I hunt I'm lucky to be able to handle a 3' yardstick without tangling it in briars and such.  So, I'm considering getting me a 58" or so "long"bow such as a Black Creek Banshee, JK Kanati, etc..  Wondering how that's going to work out with my 29"+ draw length.  Any of you fellow apes have any experience with the shorter bows?

I shoot a 60 inch Shrew and I draw 29.  Sweet bow and a smooth shooter.

Yes.
All of them were painful.

I know there are folks that draw over 29" on sub-58" bows, but at some point, they're gonna fail. It might not be for years, or it might be within a few shots, but it is goingto happen, sooner or later.

I had 3 bows come apart on me in a 6 week period last year. One gave me a goose egg on the head, one left me with a fat eye & a face full of carbon splinters (NOT recommended) & the other gave me bruised ribs for a couple of weeks.

I'll stick to 62"+ & choose my shots more carefully thank you!   :D

Oh, I draw a smidge over 30"

Tom, I have shot 4 Shrews, 54"-58" two of them owned by a friend and a couple by other 3d shooters. My draw length is 29" and as it turned out the three longer ones pretty much left me cold but the 54" bow I really liked, smooth-drawing, fast and stable, go figure. I believe it was the  "Chamelion" camo model. The shrews have been made by more than one bowyer I believe but this may just be a case of the 54" bow being the only one close to being set up properly for me. I know for sure however a lot of guys shoot and like the short r/d bows, some of them will surely chime in.

I shoot a 56" Shrew Classic Hunter and draw it to 29". The bow works well for me but after shooting for 6 or 7 hours at Compton on Saturday I did have a bit of pain in my middle finger. Not bad just a bit sore. When I woke up yesterday it was fine.

I draw 29+", I have a 56" G&L Mantis and I'm trade'n for a 58" Kanati this week,should have it Thursday. I shoot 3-under and so far have not had any problems. I have shot a few Shrews and Griffons with out any issues also. I think it's important not to go to heavy in weight when you go short! I do enjoy shooting long longbows also,64"- 72", but the short ones have their place!

56" Shrew CH is very easy to shoot at just over 29".  I found the Lost Creek 58" even better than the 60".  Other than that I like a 60-62".

I like the shrew classic hunter in 56 inches.I test shot one and was very happy with the smooth draw and shootability.

The super shrew in 58 inches for me was not quite as enjoyable to shoot for me as the super shrew in 60 inches.

I liked the kanati in 60 inches as well but was not as happy with the 58 incher.I draw 30 inches.

A very short riser like that that is in on the shrew Classic Hunter is gonna be a better choice IMO for your longer draw in a shorter bow.I believe that riser is 12 inches from fadeout to fadeout?The original super shrew is more like 16 inches.Limb design comes into play as well.

The 58 inch Dwyer may be worth a look.His new bow with a very short riser and forward set handle.

7 Eyes in CA.A less known bowyer makes a nice short risered,forward set handled longbows.54 inch bow 12 inch riser or 56 inch bow 14 inch riser.I got one of his 60 inch bows with a 16 inch riser that will shoot as well as any other bow in that style for me.

The 58 inch centaur is recommended up to 29 inches I believe.

A clean release is always gonna make the short bows shoot better of course.

Inchs are one thing - consider bow weight in this as well.  There may be a sweat spot that will work for you.  Me - I HATE SHORT BOWS.  H

I have heard a lot of guys love their MOAB's but don't know their draw lengths.

Thanks for the responses so far, guys.

FWIW, I'll be pulling in the low 40's as far as poundage.

Rob - 30"!?  You're classified as a Super-Ape!

My turn.....

56" Classic Hunter, scales 59#@32" - NO THIS IS NOT A TYPO - I draw 32"+.  Folks have seen it, most run away in fear.        The bow is smooth, and gains a flat 2.5#/inch from 27" to 32".

A MASTRPIECE!!!    

Side note:  35" arrows.....

I had a 56" Classic Hunter and drew it to 30.5"-31" and loved it. Wish I could buy it back!!!

Take a look at Big Jim's Thunder Child 56" it is great.

To add a small retraction to my previous post, the 56" Classic Huner is, I believe, the ONLY sub 58" bow specifically designed for folks like us.
I'd really like to get hold of one.

Bob, you're a monster.  :D

QuoteOriginally posted by BobW:
So Tom, where does that put me?      

Side note:  35" arrows..... [/QB]

Bob, I'm pretty certain you've reached an evolutionary status far beyond mankind, for sure!

I have a 29"+ draw and I've shot a lot of 58" - 60" "longbows"... that is a 58" Dakota in my avatar.  

Love my MOABS... have had two 58", but I like the 60" better... 60" - 62" Cougars, and I have a 60" carbon foam Dakota.  As far as the Shawnee goes, I like 62" best (A-riser/E-limbs).

Would love to try a 56" Shrew Classic Hunter with carbon foam...

I'm a tad over 29" draw and shoot a 56" Shrew Classic Hunter (carbon/foam) very easily.

I draw 29" and the only one so far that has felt right to me is my 58" Tomahawk. The rest have gone down the road and I have decided that short "longbows" just are not for me--much prefer my 68-70" Hills and other Hill style longbows.  They just shoot soooo much sweeter.

How about 56" recurves?  Anyone?