2 seasons ago I was shooting the UltraTec, a 36 inch ATA bow. I shot several deer from my Viper, and it was NEVER an issue. I also shot a doe out of a Matrix blind that year as well. No problems AT ALL.
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When I shot compounds, my preference was 36 and longer... I never had a problem...
I now use a 64"recurve and still have no problems from a treestand... Grounb blinds do cause a bit of a problem with a bow that long.
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" If he smells you its over. If he gets in your wind stream its over, If he smells where you walked, he probably aint coming back... Your talking about an animal that can smell a fingerprint. Any amount over 0% is to much." Dan Infalt
Is it EVER a hinderance in the treestand or in the blind ("perceived" x-tra length ATA)?
I do and in NO WAY does it hinder anything.
I could use a longer bow and might with my next bow purchase.
I can sit flat on my but and shoot a bow longer than 36".
My personal opinion on the short bow advantages is pure marketing.
IMO,the disadvantages of a short bowFAR outway any POSSIBLE advantage they MAY have.
I got a 32" ATA bow this fall, mostly as a backup to my 38" Hoyt Protec; but also thinking of treestand manueverability. I didn't have any issues with the 38" bow in a ground blind, though. And the longer bow is more forgiving. I'm thinking if you carry some pruning shears up there with you, the 36" bow is never going to be a problem in the treestand.
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A man has got to know his limitations . . . . .
I'm gonna show my inexperience......but....wouldn't a longer ATA bow be more forgiving?
Why the push from the bow mfr's to go shorter and shorter (ATA)?
I'm waiting on my 82nd Airborne to get here.....and I honestly see me NOT putting this thing down when deer season rolls around.
You are correct,the longer bow in most instance SHOULD be more forgiving but that doesn't mean it always will be.Reflex and brace will play into that as well.
The short bow thing is a result of needing new and improved products from year to year so the manufactuers started listening to a FEW and started getting shorter and shorter and now they push them as the new and improved design.Of course,that is just 1 man's opinion.
BUT,all things are relative,it wasn't that long ago that 36" was considered extremely short.
My bow is 36" and no problems. I look at it this way, it's only 2 more inches on each end than a 32". I wouldn't be surprized if you tried one at that length, that you like it better than a shorter one.