short bows
 

How accurate can the average hunter expect to be from shooting a short axel bow like 31 inches?

RE: short bows
 

That depends on the distance you are shooting.

But if it is in a normal hunting situation out to 20 yds then the short bows are ok.

Just remember that it is easy to cant a short AtA bow.;)

RE: short bows
 

It also depends on the shooters size.

A 6'3" shooter may have a much harder time with a short A-A bow than a 5'7" 27" draw shooter.

RE: short bows
 

Their is a small framed lady that shoots leages down here with a parker 31 , and shes pretty darn accurte with it .

RE: short bows
 

It depends on the design of the bow also. With the Bowtech's, you have a longer riser which in turn negates some of the inherent balance issues of other brand's short bows. The Liberty for example feels and balances more like a bow 3" longer than it is. The Hoyt Xtec, though not to the extreme of the Bowtech's is the same way.

But in general, a shorter bow is a good choice for normal hunting situations out to 40 yards. I'm not saying you don't want pin point accuracy, but c'mon, your trying to hit an area about the size of a soccer ball. Spots and 3D are different, you need to have pinpoint accuracy and every little bit counts IMO.

RE: short bows
 

What can I say that has not already been said? :) I agree with everything mentioned above but will also add that it can also come down to the skill and diligence of the individual shooter.

RE: short bows
 

I have to agree with PA ! For me .....it hasn't been a hard transition .....going to a 31.5 " bow (and I'm 6'03" ) !! My accuracy is very good (even out at longer distances = 65-70 yrds) ! But I will agree that they are easier to torque and my Outback weighs a fair amount ! I can't imagine what one of the real light ones would be like ........but I doubt I'd like them ! Good luck !!

RE: short bows
 

One nice thing about the short bows, is that most have longer brace heights, which helps some with the forgiveness factor. For me, the biggest determining factor that determines when a bow is too short, is the string angle. If the angle gets too steep, the string will contact your face in a different area. Also, if it's real steep, string loops become almost a necessity, or you risk an arrow becoming un-nocked if you let down.

RE: short bows
 

Something else that just came to mind as I revisited this post....many times folks walk into a situation with a specific mindset. More often than not that mindset then leads the situation to result in the preconceived notion. This is commonly referred to as a "self-fulfilling prophecy". In this specific instance folks may believe that a short bow is totally incapable of delivering acceptable accuracy levels even before they shoot it. Then when they actually do shoot it they may introduce something into the situation (like torquing the grip, punching the release), etc.. which can lead to poor accuracy problems and thus a negative experience with the short bow.

I am by no means saying that short bows are "easy" to shoot but rather that they can be made more than adequately shootable if a person makes some equipment modifications and keeps an open mind.

RE: short bows
 

I just recently bought a PSE Firestorm Lite (30" ata). This is probably the best thing I have done for my shooting. My old bow was a lot more forgiving and the shorter ata has forced me to work on my form. It's taking time but my groups are coming together and when I shoot my old bow I shoot it better than ever. Besides, I've got plenty of time till the season opened to polish my shooting.

RE: short bows
 

As long as we're adding things....:) I've noticed good shooters aren't affected much by short bows, and poor shooters are greatly affected. Great form equals great results. And why shouldn't it? All bows are inherently accurate. It's the shooter that messes up the shot. Because of this, I definitely don't recommend them to beginners.

RE: short bows
 

I am shooting a Martin short bow 31.5 ata. I would say for "hunting accuracy" it is fine. I have not heard a single complaint from a deer I have killed with this bow that it wasn't accurate enough. The decision for me had several points.....

1) I hunt almost exclusively out of tree stands..Short bows are great because they are manueverable in tight spaces.
2) They are light to carry and haul up and down trees
3) I have never taken a shot of more than 30 yards out of a tree stand....one half of an inch won't matter much

Take the words from the boys...with practice it will probably be good enough to hunt with and probably good enough to be respectful at any competitions you might enter.

RE: short bows
 

am I correct in saying that the shorter bows aren't as forgiving? Each little fault in form is amplified?

RE: short bows
 

38 inches is about the perect length. THe longer the bow the more forgiving it is, however the heavier it is. Brace height is very important also the longer the better (For accuracy) Nuge bow 9 inches WOW

RE: short bows
 

No, I would not say that is a true statement. A short axle to axle length does not produce the same effects that a short brace height or an overdraw would when it comes to shooting form unless that specific shooting form error has something to do with canting the bow.

RE: short bows
 

I will also throw in the string angle problem that can occur with a short bow and a tall archer.

I find it very hard to keep my head in a good position, shooting my normal draw length ,and touchng my nose to the string.

It seems the real short bows want to be more than one inch longer in draw to keep my same anchor. Thats "my" big problem with them.

They can still shoot very well.

RE: short bows
 

"Don't want no short bow man... Don't want no short bow man.....Don't want no short bow man..." Kind of catchy huh? Lets all sing it together.........."Don't want no short bow man... Don't want no short bow man.....Don't want no short bow man..."

RE: short bows
 

Do those toy bows come with a shoulder stock, or do you have to buy your own? Also, do you carry them in a holster or just stick them in your pocket? :D

RE: short bows
 

short bows are ok as long as you have a decent brace height, when you have a brace height of at least 7" or more, that helps greatly

RE: short bows
 

great point, def not for beginners

RE: short bows
 

Actually, you can fill them with water and they will squirt it out the stabilizer....;)