On average, my guess for a recurve would be 58"-60" (minimum, IMO), but again it depends on bow design and personal preferances. I hunt from a blind a lot and use a 68" longbow (Ameristep Penthouse blind). I have big hands and a longer draw, and I don't like to shoot short bows--I get a lot of finger pinch. The shortest bow I shoot is a 62" recurve, and I don't shoot it much. I guessfinger pinch issimilar to hand shock in that it depends on how much you notice it/how sensitive you are to it. There's no doubt you have a more extreme string angle with a shorter bow, and that's the cause of finger pinch.

'Course the average hunting shot is well under 20 yds, and you can get away with a lot more at close range than you can at longer distances. You are usually in a tighter spot when hunting also, which makes shorter bows more desireable. I rather just get a bigger blind.[8D]

Chad