Thoughts on a slightly shorter longbow?

Camp Creek · February 06, 2026, 05:19:09 PM

I'm looking to make a slightly shorter longbow as my current one is 68" NTN. I made it over 30 years ago, and it's a bit unwieldy in a tree. I'm looking for 60# at 31" in a reflex deflex design. How short can I reasonably go without stacking, and how much reflex/deflex do I want?
I'm looking for shootability for deer hunting above all else, so I will gladly give up a few fps for something easier to shoot accurately. This should hopefully be a spring project, so I'm trying to get my thoughts together a bit ahead of time and would appreciate any advice y'all have to offer.

Thanks

Crooked Stic · February 06, 2026, 05:31:54 PM

First off you really don't need 60 lbs. 50 would be plenty. Look at something like a Thunderchild. A short riser a lot of deflex and reflex. And a 58 in. Would go 31-2 draw. If Kenny still has plans his FHLB might be just right.

kennym · February 06, 2026, 05:53:23 PM

I'm out of plans but Eric at bendingbranchbows.com is selling my plans and router templates now and the parts to build bows .

Crooked Stic · February 07, 2026, 09:43:37 AM

So Kenny is this who we can order from instead of you. Being your retired?

kennym · February 07, 2026, 10:06:00 AM

Yes, he is still stocking stuff, so doesn't have all of it in yet.

Kirkll · February 08, 2026, 12:47:13 AM

I think for a 31" draw length I wouldn't go less than 60" myself with a 17" riser. Might even go 62". You are going to be most happy with a hybrid long bow design.

.02 cents worth

Camp Creek · February 09, 2026, 01:38:29 PM

Wow, I'm pleasantly surprised I could go that short! I was going to be happy if I could get down to 64". Those plans look pretty intriguing and quite possibly just what I'm looking for.
I'd like to stick with 60lbs as that's what I have now and hopefully I can keep shooting my current set of arrows. We do have some pretty big pigs here, 300 lbs or so, and I'd like to have a bit more thump if shooting one of those guys.

Thanks,

Kirkll · February 09, 2026, 09:41:10 PM

Quote from: Camp Creek on February 09, 2026, 01:38:29 PMWow, I'm pleasantly surprised I could go that short! I was going to be happy if I could get down to 64". Those plans look pretty intriguing and quite possibly just what I'm looking for.
I'd like to stick with 60lbs as that's what I have now and hopefully I can keep shooting my current set of arrows. We do have some pretty big pigs here, 300 lbs or so, and I'd like to have a bit more thump if shooting one of those guys.

Thanks,

Nothing wrong with shooting 60# . i'm 70 years old and my hunting bow is 57#. Its always best to hunt with as much draw weight as you can use comfortably. no such thing as too much power with a 300 pig.

if you don't mind a 64" bow, and want more of a D shape long bow design. check out my flatliner design here. These will easily draw to 31" without stacking in a 64" length. I might even be able to share a template so you can get a form built. Maybe a little horse trading?

Are you wanting a one piece, or a take down model? Here are both.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SQbr4YYnbMGDfy2B7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/YKDN29wyr6SC4S2j7

here is a 2 piece TD model

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7K8g7MdsLpwQmnFV6

and the 3 piece TD model

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fJLXLBcNMzoSD7gq7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6chkz7wRRkjjq8zo9

And here is my Sasquatch Hybrid long bow... this limb design will draw 33" at a 60" length with no stacking or finger pinch.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9xJBNWtvHBFXUJCq5