Short draw hunters?
 

How many of you have short draw lengths?...I mean like 24-26 inch draws. What poundage do you shoot for hunting and Max distance you shoot?

I was told by one Bow sales man that my Draw length 25.5 inchs, I should be able to comfortably make shots out to 40-45 yard. Is this what you get?.........arrow speeds around the 250 fps mark (IBO)

Thanks
AL

RE: Short draw hunters?
 

Depends on the bow you shoot and how heavy or light of an arrow you use. I think you were being fibbed to a bit. Not that those speeds wouldn't be possible, but it sure isn't the norm.

With a normal hunting set up I would think more like 230 fps, if that. Like I said, really depends on the bow, the draw weight and how heavy your arrow is.

I shoot a bowtech mighty might with an IBO speed in the 320's, that is a fairly quick bow. However at 26 inches and 60 lbs of draw you can chop about 100 fps off that figure. These are the speeds I got out of my bow with different set ups.

60 lbs, 25 inches of draw and a 397 grn arrow = 230 ish. This was with the factory hush kit and a brass nock, no peep or anything like that.

53 lbs, 26 inches of draw and a 406 grn arrow = 211. This was with a brass nock, limb savers, puff ball string silencers, the NV system and the hush kit, still no peep sight. Doesn't sound impressive, but when you do the math it is.

60 lbs, 26 inches of draw and a 315 grn arrow = 260. This was with everything listed above and a peep sight.

So my guess would be with a 25.5 inch draw and 60 lbs with a 350 grn arrow you might come close to 250 fps, I doubt you would hit it. It would depend on the bow most likely. My Darton Yukon with that exact set up is closer to 220-230 fps. It has an IBO of 298.

I limit myself to 25-30 yards for whitetail hunting out of a tree. And I use a range finder to set a perimeter around my stand. I also hunt with a heavier arrow, like 400 to 450 grns.

The problem with shooting a lower powered set up is that you have limitations either way. If you use a light arrow to pick up speed, you really lose momentum at longer distances and speed and energy drops off really fast. If you use a heavy arrow you retain a bit more momentum, but because of the weight the trajectory suffers.

I suppose there are people that have shot elk at 40 some yards with lighter set ups and had success. However I haven't. I wouldn't expect a pass thru. But don't fret over your set up. Remember this, people have been hunting with stick bows for ever (still do) with less power then your set up will have. So it will work, you just need to know it's limitations is all.

If you are new to archery and hunting I would surely not suggest shooting a deer at 40 yards. Try to get them within 20 yards and pick the proper place to shoot. We had another thread simular to this not to long ago, I will bump it up or link to it if I can find it.

My personal opinion is that the shop you went to is being a bit overly optimistic with you in order to make a sale. But that is just my opinion.

Paul

RE: Short draw hunters?
 

Nicholal------whats your wing span?
with a 25.5 inch draw my guess would be around 65-66 inches

RE: Short draw hunters?
 

Like Paul, I have a short draw length--26". At 5'6" my wingspan is 65". Right now I'm shooting a PSE Nova at about 60lbs draw, and I have no idea what my arrow speed is...if I were to guess I'd say just over 200 fps (with some heavy XX75 2117's).

I'm hoping to have a Mighty Mite here this week as well, and I will have it maxed out at 70+ lbs to pick up all the arrow speed possible with my short draw. Like Paul said though, you should'nt have any trouble harvesting deer with a 25.5 draw at 60lbs. It's a matter of getting them withing a reasonable distance and making a good clean shot, and having a properly tuned bow.

RE: Short draw hunters?
 

Your right on the tape Extreme 65.5 inches

RE: Short draw hunters?
 

Thanks Paul

No I'm not going to try any 40 yad shots in the near future. The reason I was asking was I'm weighting out the options of buy a new bow to hunt with, but not going to lay out big cash if I was restricted to only 15-25 yard shots. I say that because I dont like heights so getting me in a tree stand is next to slim to never.

you say heavy arrows what about carbon I know there light are they not practical for me? Our should i look at heavier arrows for kenetic energy Since i may be so slow?

Thanks AL

RE: Short draw hunters?
 

Unless you are shooting a bow with high poundage(70 lbs) plus with nothing on the string except your nock point or string loop I dought you will be getting 250 fps plus.Some of todays "fast"bows might yield you this like the patriot,mighty mite,outback,switchback etc but dont get to excited over it,speed isnt everything,accuracy is.
40 yard shots are possible though if you are set up correctly,tuned to perfection and SHARP broadheads.If you hit where you aim you shouldent have any problems with a 40 yard shot if you are completly confident in yourself and your equipment.Try to shoot the highest poundage confortable and it will definately help with the speed factor which makes things easier in the yardage department,and will also give you the most K.E possible.
Like paul said,use light arrows,go with a min of 6 grains per inch to be comfy,try not to load the string up to much,if using a peep then dont be bothered with a kisser for example.The no-peep will be a definate plus but only if prefered.Stay away from peep sites with the rubber tubing,can loose up to 8 fps with it.
Just practice,tune your bow,use good sharp broadheads and any whitetail that walks buy at 35-40 yards is yours.
Remember though that deer will " jump the string " .Most deer are shot within 25 yards anyways

RE: Short draw hunters?
 

If you are looking to get a new bow, search this forum for some suggestions. The topic comes up quite frequently.

My top picks for good bows for the money would be Hoyt Ultrasport or Ultramag, Parker hunter mag, one of the lower end Dartons, any reflex, among others. PSE also makes some good entry level bows.

I would also suggest going to a good pro shop to get it, that way you know everything fits you well. All the bows I listed can be had for around 400 dollars or so bare. Keep in mind once you start setting them up it could cost you almost twice that depending on what you want.

I too am afraid of heights, it's my largest challenge with hunting whitetails. That and the fact that the deer weigh more then I do and I can't to anything but shoot them on my own. I would do what ever is possible to get into a tree, it is a HUGE advantage. My personal preference is a ladder stand with a nice platform. Once you are up there and have a safety harness on it's not that big of a deal. After that I would say a good climber and practice with it. They can be pretty expensive though, where ladder stands are not that bad. Although I have heard of people having good luck with some of the newer blinds.

You can carbons in just about any weight you want right now. Most of the time the camo ones are even heavier. Several good ones on the market right now. I personally use aluminum myself, but there is nothing wrong with carbons either.

Here is link to another thread you might find interesting.

http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.as...1&key=&#888463

Good luck,
Paul

RE: Short draw hunters?
 

I draw 26", 67lbs and the last run through the crono had me at 262 fps.... I think. I shoot Beman ICS 400 Hunters and 100gr tip.

RE: Short draw hunters?
 

Nicholal,

My draw is at 26.5" and I'm using 25" arrows. I use Goldtip Camo Hunters 5575 @ 375gr = 270fps @ 72#. I also use PSE Carbon Extreme 200 @ 315gr = 304fps @ 72#. Both with Bowtech Extreme VFT. I've shot 200# deer without any problems within 35 yds. Just make sure you have a bow that suits YOU!