Slugman,
I did respond to your post in the bowhunting forum but I will respond here as well. Yes, a bow with a longer axle to axle length is more forgiving. However if you are going to be hunting in a treestand in dense woods then some people prefer a shorter bow for maneuverability (sp). Dual cam bows are generaly faster but they are also harder to keep tuned then single cam bows. In general I would say that with the technology on the market today I have not seen any new shooter have problems due to the fact that he was shooting a bow with a shorter axle to axle length. My cousin shoots a pse baby-g as his first bow (you could fit it inside mine) but he was just as accurate as I was with my bowtech. I also prefer dual cams personally because I feel they have a smoother draw and I like the faster speeds. I have never had a problem keeping it tuned as I take it to the bowshop a couple times a year for a tuneup. If you take care of your bow it will take care of you. Believe me, when you see the racks and racks of bows at Cabelas you will find something about each one that you really enjoy. Just shoot a couple and the one that fits you best will be sure to stand out above the others. Good luck.

Eric