I have the 3 matching Fred Bear Commemorative bows. One of them is the Kodiak Super Mag 48". My friend has a 48 and I was not a fan of it at all. So after I had those 3 bows for a spell, I thought I might as well really give it a try. So I started shooting it. After I I practiced with it for several weeks, I started getting really comfortable with it. Now, if I know I am going to be hunting in a corn field, or the thickets, the shorter bow rules for me.

Going to touch on several of the above comments. First, in all honesty, my least favorite way to hunt is from an enclosed blind, large or small. I much prefer some type of well camoflaged natural "blind" or hide position. Then I would probably go with a well positioned tripod. Finally, I will use enclosed blinds, even though I have to admit they tend to be the most effective approach. Injured my hip a few years back that severely limits my ability to hunt from a tree stand without significant risk of breaking my neck while using climbing stakes.

With respect to my current bows & blinds, I have a Bodnik Quick Stick (60") and a Java Man Falcon (60") that I am hunting with in my primary blind which is big enough to even shoot my 66" Northern Mist Sprague if I want to. We also have 2 smaller blinds that my wife hunts from with her compound and my son-in-law uses for his crossbow. We are seeing deer at all 3. When the situation demands it (wind & time of day), I would like to be able to hunt from one of the smaller blinds also. Tried one of them out last night and even with the 56" recurve it is a bit of a tight fit. Have a smaller 3-leg stool coming in the mail today that might help. If not, I might have to abandon this project and just go get another larger blind to replace one of the small ones. Now that the season has actually started, I expect we will start to see big sales. Already seems to be happening around trail cameras.

I started shooting a A handle Bear t/d with #1 limbs this year. I've always been a fan of longer bows 60-66 inch recuves. I have been pleasantly surprised with the 56in bow. I shoot it as good as any other bow. My draw length is roughly 27in. My longer bows may be a touch smoother drawing, but its not that noticeable. I'm very pleased and surprised with the shorter length. It's been my go to this summer. Its what I'm using this fall. All good so far.

So I decided to order a 56", 45# Old Mountain Stygian from 3Rivers to try out the short bow concept. At $299, I considered it a pretty reasonable investment at this stage in the process. All the used "custom" bows I have seen in the past 2 weeks have been 2x-3x that price point. The Stygian came in today and I managed to squeeze in 9 arrows between work calls. Seems to work surprisingly well at the 10-12 yards I was shooting in the driveway. Lots more playing around to do, but at least I have not (yet) abandoned the idea of shooting a shorter hunting bow than my usual 60"-66" ones. Will be especially curious how it feels when I shoot it sitting on a stool in the blind.

My wife, fell and broke her arm, she won't be hunting this year, her favorite bow is a 54" 42@28 Lost Creek NAT. Since her injuries, she never got her strength back to use it.It is a surprisingly powerful and accurate little bow. She shot a couple of deer with it, with original file serrated on the bevel side Grizzlies, she got pass throughs on both deer. Years back i hunted with a 51 pound 50" Browning Cobra, I was good out to 25 yards with it, but I had to be very smooth with my release, Kantpinch tab only. I tried a 48" Bear, was very disappointed, slow, touchy and hated the steep grip. Those days I had a 28" draw I tried 3 under, things like bow sites, 3 under, and various other target like shooting methods do not fit with what and how I hunt. With a shaped grip, I shoot with a slightly straighter bow arm and wrist and now have just under 27" recurve form with a low wrist bow like the NAT. My ASL longbow form gives me 26&1/4" right hand and 26" left hand.

Not to dissuade you from tinkering with shorter bows, but... In my blind hunting days I used a blind designed for bowhunting. It had long shooting windows that gave a better view, had a higher ceiling to accommodate the top limb, and was roomy side to side. I think it was made by ameristep.

I used my 68 inch longbow and never had a problem.

Could be a more affordable solution.

Hi Bob can’t tell you any stories but I can make one up. My experience with short bows are 1- Bear 48 mag 45@28 very short, love the forward pistol grip feel. Shooting characteristics speed nothing special. 2 -RER 56” 46@28 vortex one of the best longbows I’ve owned great cast -speed. Just a great shooting bow but I sold it. It’s one I wish I had back. 3- Crow creek Crow mag. 56” 49@28 3 piece takedown. Nice bow nice grip. shoots good just took some time to figure out what it liked. Bought it for hunting but never took it out. I’ve shoot a few 3D shoots with it and did good but it’s got pushed aside for something new like most do. Thinking of selling a few bows and it might be on my list.

Try a bodnick quick stick or shrew bow. Also Java Man Elkhart

Currently I'm hunting with a 56" RER xr recurve,a 58" ilf rig and my black widow should be shipping soon is a 58". I love them out of a tree

I’m primarily a longbow shooter but I have a 1970’s Kodiak Mag 52” that shoots as good as any bow I own. It’s perfect for a ground blind. Smooth & no finger pinch. Great bow.

I have a nice Kodiak Magnum, RH 50# at 28". I'm a lefty now, so if you're interested let me know.

-Mike

I use 56-inch Bear TD for turkey hunting out of a blind. Works well for me. When not hunting from a blind, I use longer limbs, for less finger pinch, or one of may ASLs.

Have used a 52” recurve on quite a few situations and had no problems but the good ones aren’t made anymore meaning Cascade Goldenhawk Magnums. That said my 56” Bear TD is my go to recurve these days and there are several good vintage recurves out there like the 54” Browning Nomad, 56” Browning Wasp. 56” Bear Grizzly, and of course my favorite the 55” Shakespeare Necedah.

Keep in mind a recurve and longbow of the same length, the recurve will always be shorter tip to tip because of the curves by a couple inches so you may not have to go that short.

I too, would love to try a short longbow like the Shrew or Kanati but never can find one less than 40# for sale. Am having one of my Black Hunter longbows normally 60” shorten to 56” to see how it shoots.

I do all my hunting from the ground with a Waldron Pacseat so the limb tip next to the ground becomes my issue from too long of a bow.