Cougar Mag

I am going to lay it out here for you, and remember this is MY personal opinon. First I will admit to not ever have shot anything less than a 36" ata bow. I have pulled them back. 2nd, I see how advantageous a short bow can be in a treestand but, I in no way can figure out how a short bow could ever be as smooth, forgiving, and recoil free as a longer ata bow. No way. These short bows might gain some speed because of more flex in the limbs and be lighter to carry. But no one can convince me they are more accurate and maybe not as accurate. Oh, maybe for that one crucial shot out of a stand, but shooting all day long? I currently shoot a 36 1/4" ata bow and it darn near took an act of God to get me to buy one that short! Ok, rip me apart and give me some facts why anyone would shoot a bow shorter than 36". Convince me such bows are better than longer ata bows!

halcon

I shoot a 36" ata bow also ,to old to change now .

hoytusa10

Cougar whats an ata bow?? I shoot a 36" mt sport by hoyt. My dad, my 2 uncles and I were at this little archery shop and we each triend to pull back the mq 32 from mathews and my dad was the only one to get it back!!! I hate bows that go under 35"

razorhunter

Hey Cougar,
I will let you in on my current findings on the matter. First off, plain and simple, let me say that 9 times out of 10, I believe that the longer bows are more accurate. Contrary to what most people think, it is NOT the shorter axle to axle length that makes the shorties less forgiving. It IS the lighter mass weight. This has been my experience.
I have shot a Hoyt Vortec (ATA 36&quot for the last year and a half. I shoot about 4" groups out to 40 yards with it.
Now, I just recently purchased a Hoyt HavocTec (ATA 32&quot. I simply CANNOT maintain my normal (Vortec)groups with this bow. Let me add that I was NOT having left and right problems only. I was hitting low, high, left and right at times. After thinking that I was canting the shorter HavocTec, I did some experimenting to find out just what the problem was.
I proceeded to cant my Vortec AND HavocTec on purpose, and then release the shot. Amazingly, I found that I can cant the bow and unbelievable amount, and still hit dead on. I would cant the bows shot after shot, and I could still hit the X easily. The Vortec still grouped much better. All along, I have felt that I just wasn't as stable while at full draw with the shorter, LIGHTER bow. The HavocTec only weighs a mere 3lbs 4oz. The Vortec is heavier, not by much, but enough to make a huge difference. I then added a good bit of weight to the HavocTec with a 9.5" Vibracheck Isolator stabilizer. My groups soon improved, to that of the Vortec's.
As a result, I really don't like having to shoot such a big stabilizer on the HavocTec, to make up for the mass weight difference. It just isn't balanced to my likings.
I have a new CyberTec on the way, that I should recieve soon, and we will see how it does. My prediction is that it will shoot just like the Vortec, but a little more recoil-free. I think the CyberTec will be the greatest bow I have EVER owned. All in all, if I had a huge buck in front of me, YES, I would rather have my Vortec in my hands, instead of the HavocTec. This does not mean the HavocTec isn't accurate enough for hunting, it just means that it doesn't have the accuracy of my Vortec. Actually, this REALLY means that I (the archer), am not as accurate with a lighter mass weight bow. Let me end in saying, that the above stated information has been my personal experience, because I know someone is going to go crazy defending short bows. Hope this helps.

davidmil

Darton Maverick.... 37 1/4 or something like that. Doesn't need to be any shorter.

Hillhntr

What tickles me is seeing these hunters useing a 32" (or shorter) bow with a 2 piece quiver and the arrows extending down past the bottom cam about 4" looks awkward to me. Personaly I am also now shooting a 36" Vortec tried a 34" Jennings we just didnt get along very well.

Sagittarius

Cougar,

You will not get ripped from me.
My Bowman is 43.5" ata and my PSE Mach bows are 39" ata.
I agree with Razor. The longer bows are smoother, heavier, and more stable. Translates to better accuracy.
I can't see why anyone would have any trouble in a treestand with a 40" ata compound.
Heck, I just bought a 68" Sley Recurve and plan on using it next year, from time to time, out of a tree stand.
The secret is...
Get the correct tree stand!


Sag.

OHarcher

Hey Coug!!!!!!
You'll get no ripping from me either.IMHO 38"ATA and up are the true smooth shooters.
Razor and SAG have covered it.And I'll agree with them as well as you.

Matt / PA

Coug,
That's exactly why I went to the "Pro38" this year for 3D......If I wanted to get as much as I could out of my ability on the course I needed a longer bow for stability.

The short ATA hunting bow I used last season wasn't bad, but it just wasn't as stable in my hands for an all day course and long range shooting (40+ yards).......for hunting it was a dream come true......for the highest scores possible on a 3D course or indoor spots ....it's just not the "Right Tool for the Job".
I think that's what it really comes down to......a longer bow can do it all more easily than a shorter bow. Even though the shorter bow has advantages in certain situations like blinds , stalking, or in a stand.

Yep.....use "The Right Tool for the Job". I'm stickin' to that.
At the very least it's an excuse to buy more bows!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

frizzellr

My Pro40 is 39.9&quot; ATA. Steady as a rock. I don't think I could shoot one of those short ATA length bows.