Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Hillbilly on February 08, 2009, 10:25:38 am

Title: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Hillbilly on February 08, 2009, 10:25:38 am
Dana's thread about draw length made me curious. We always see 28" listed as a "standard" draw length, but most people I shoot with draw less that that. I know a few people who draw more than 28". What's yours? I'm talking about what feels natural to you in the shooting style that you normally use that allows you the best form and accuracy?
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: cracker on February 08, 2009, 10:32:01 am
Mine is between 27and28. Ron
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: shamus on February 08, 2009, 10:59:07 am
30"

Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: JustAim on February 08, 2009, 11:04:58 am
l have a 25'' draw
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Pat B on February 08, 2009, 11:09:43 am
On a good day when I'm feeling my best I draw 26". I'd be willing to bet that isn't my "every draw" draw length.
   I think shooting style is where the difference is. My loose instinctive style won't allow me to draw farther than 26". If I stand straight and draw straight back in a target archers stance and draw I would probably hit 28" but it is not conducive to my hunting style so I don't practice or shoot that way.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: knightd on February 08, 2009, 11:19:58 am
Im like pat. my instinctive style wich is the only way I can shoot is just a bit over 26".
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Keenan on February 08, 2009, 11:48:54 am
 Gee thanks Hillbilly, Talk about an ego slam. Seems I'm the first to post in the (Less Then 25") category. ::)  As though there couldn't possibly be someone drawing shorter then that. :'(  I'll have you know that my true comfortable draw is 24. 1/2 inches  ;D  If I stand on my tiptoes I can stretch it to 25"   :D    If I shoot with my feet I can hit war bow length  >:D
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Little John on February 08, 2009, 11:58:23 am
I think my draw length, or anyone else is determined a lot by the draw weight of the bow. Probably my normal draw length is 28" I can go to 29 or 30 for flight shooting. On a cold morning in the woods with a stout bow I can see my self drawing 26-27" at game. A lighter bow drawn full draw will do better than a heavy one short drawn. To me a full draw is when the back muscles are used to get that extra bit of length.    Kenneth
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: sailordad on February 08, 2009, 12:00:33 pm
keenan  thats funny man :D ;D

my most comfortable draw and acurate draw with trad styl equipment is 26",can shoo at 28,but always thinkg of my shot when i do.
i think about the string draging across my face and throwing my shots off,at 26" i anchor at my mouth and the string doesnt drag across my face.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: El Destructo on February 08, 2009, 12:06:35 pm
31 with the Dreaded Mechanical Monstrosities....but with all Traditional and Primitive Bows....my comfortable Draw Length is 29 inches....OK....Ok.....So I have arms like an Orangutan!!!!
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: sailordad on February 08, 2009, 12:07:56 pm
31 with the Dreaded Mechanical Monstrosities....but with all Traditional and Primitive Bows....my comfortable Draw Length is 29 inches....OK....Ok.....So I have arms like an Orangutan!!!!


 :D :D ;D :D :D
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: DanaM on February 08, 2009, 12:09:58 pm
Steve glad you set this Poll up I was thinking of doing it myself, now I don't have to.

25" is my absolute max draw length, probably more like 24" when I'm not thinking about it.
See Keenan yer not alone ;)
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: OldBow on February 08, 2009, 12:39:32 pm
I broke my upper humurus on my right arm into 6 pieces about 10 years ago. Between some weakness there and being freaky about cranking a bow way back, I rarely pull a bow back more than 26" as my full draw pictures always show.  I actually have been more successful at 27" after letting someone else pull it back.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Badger on February 08, 2009, 01:38:53 pm
  About 5 years ago myself and another gentleman conducted a draw length survey at a local 3 d shoot. We didn't tell the people whose draw length we were measuring that we were measuring it. I can't remember the exact statistics but the better shooters tended to be more accurate about their draw length. I think something like 80% reported at least 1" longer than we measured. 25" draws were not that uncommon when measured by just viewing the spot on the arrow they were drawing back to. A lot of shooters draw back and then let up about 1" when settling into anchor also. 28" is not all that common for an average size guy. Steve
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Kenny H on February 08, 2009, 02:05:07 pm
I draw a wheel bow back 32 inches and my f/g and self bows 30. I think I have freakishly long arms though. I really wish I didn't draw that long it makes it harder I think for me to get a short bow with alot of poundage.(limbs bend so far). I have had almost every bow Ive made blow on me either while tillering or shortly after. I have just finished one that I have been working on for awhile. Lets see if it holds up. I pulled it to 32 on my tree. Only 40 pounds at 30 inches though.I checked my draw on a recurve by pulling the bow with an arrow and having my daughter mark the arrow with a sharpie. :) If I'm doing this wrong then please let me know.    Thanks for the poll,I was wondering an average myself.               Kenny
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: aruge on February 08, 2009, 02:36:22 pm
When I was younger, ( about 40 tears ago), I was measured at 28" with a recurve. Recently I measured between 25"and 26". I still tiller to 28"just for safety sake. (Safety for the bow). Seems to work for me. Al
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: JackCrafty on February 08, 2009, 02:48:41 pm
I answered 26" before I read the line: I'm talking about what feels natural to you in the shooting style that you normally use that allows you the best form and accuracy?

My latest shooting style has been with NA reproductions (in order to learn as much as I can from them) and my draw length, in this case, is 20"-21".  I had to re-learn how to shoot at this draw length, though.

My natural draw length is 26" when I'm shooting for long range accuracy and when I want to feel "comfortable".
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: nickf on February 08, 2009, 02:57:45 pm
if concentrated I draw 28-29" with my normal bows, but when just shooting around it's a little less. I prefer the longer draw, and for heavy bows I prefer over30"...
as you see, I don't have a drawlength :p

Nick
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Kegan on February 08, 2009, 04:33:50 pm
I did alot of fiddling around a while ago to find what my draw length really was, which is 27". Even with my long arms, I found I was short drawing with 28" and even 27 1/2", and before was much too open with just 26". No matter what poundage, 27" is what I come to drawing naturally now. Though on occasion I do short draw on my heavy bows at the beginning of practice a little.

My brother, however, just found the that he has a natural draw of 28". I asked him if he saw this thread, and how it seemed so few people had a real 28" draw, and he replied pittyingly, "so I'm an anomoly again?"  :D
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Scowler on February 08, 2009, 09:18:32 pm
25" draw and proud of it!
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: adb on February 08, 2009, 09:28:59 pm
Depends on which bow I'm shooting. Normally, my draw is 27", but when I'm shooting my yew warbow, it's 30".
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: PeteC on February 08, 2009, 10:20:38 pm
I'm just like a lot of y'all.If I'm feelin' good,and shootin' less than 55#,I draw 26".If tired,I may start off at 26",but tend to "creep down"to 25".If shootin' over 55#,I tend to" compress ", somewhat,and can still" feel "full draw at 24".
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: ricktrojanowski on February 08, 2009, 10:51:29 pm
If I was shooting with sights and really coming to a stopped complete draw it would be about 28"  But I find that shooting instinctively I draw about 26".  The shorter draw just feels right. 
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Denham Archer on February 08, 2009, 11:00:12 pm
28 inches.  No matter what style bow I'm shootin'.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: roofus on February 08, 2009, 11:40:47 pm
When shooting instinctively I'm 26" because of my anchor point. When shooting a compound I'm 28" with fingers but only 26" with a release.
But I build to 28"
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on February 09, 2009, 12:40:07 am
26" is my draw. Jawge
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: hawkbow on February 09, 2009, 10:24:14 am
my draw is 28 most of the time... when i have a big bull elk in front of me I have been known to draw 36... ;D ;D ;) Hawk 
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: TRACY on February 09, 2009, 10:47:27 am
I cut my arrows to 28 and go from there. I draw 27.5 mostly depending on the bow/weight I'm shooting at the time.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Stoker on February 09, 2009, 11:19:35 am
26 inchs on a normal day, but after 27 years of drywall some days to 24. I have to agree with Hawkbow something in front of me I might get to mid 30's. depending on heart rate.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Justin Snyder on February 09, 2009, 11:52:13 am
Im curious if everyone is measuring to the same spot.  Are you measuring to the back of the bow or something else? I have seen a lot of different meathods.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Hillbilly on February 09, 2009, 11:59:58 am
Justin, I measure mine to the back of the bow, I thought that was the usual method.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: DanaM on February 09, 2009, 12:00:56 pm
Justin, I measure mine to the back of the bow, I thought that was the usual method.

Same here
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: JackCrafty on February 09, 2009, 12:03:28 pm
Yep, to the back of the bow.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Jesse on February 09, 2009, 12:04:07 pm
I draw 27- 27 1/2 but I can draw 32 with the same anchor point. 27 is just were it feels the most comfortable. I also measure from the string to the back of the bow.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Kegan on February 09, 2009, 02:11:11 pm
Back of the bow, little onto the knuckle.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Pat B on February 09, 2009, 02:38:31 pm
From the arrow nock to the back of the bow, at full draw, is the draw length...less the point.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Justin Snyder on February 09, 2009, 02:52:44 pm
Justin, I measure mine to the back of the bow, I thought that was the usual method.
You are right Steve. In fact, I thought that it was the written standard. However, I have seen a lot measure to the grip.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Ryano on February 09, 2009, 05:52:39 pm
27"  :)
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: david w. on February 09, 2009, 05:57:28 pm
depends on bow 26-28  some bows I can draw alot longer.  Wieght and l;ength of the bow have alot to do with it for me.

I can draw a 70" ntn bow farther than a 66" ntn bow because the draw is smoother
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: youngbowyer on February 09, 2009, 06:01:51 pm
I'm a warbow archer so i draw to the ear which is 27 in for me. And I am also 11 so my arm ain't that long ;)
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: backgardenbowyer on February 09, 2009, 07:12:41 pm
I make my arrows 27.5" from the inside of the nock to the begining of the pile - but when shooting without a rest I am drawing the arrow until I feel the edge of the pile on my bow hand first finger which is of course in front of the bow so 27" max measured to the bow back.  With a recurve and arrow rest I draw a bit more.  If I draw any further it leads to straightening my bow arm too much or my string hand being pushed outwards away from my face on loosing and then it all goes wrong!  For roving marks and flight shooting I can draw 29.5" but this is a wholly different technique.

Thanks for the survey I agree with the findings - most of us don't draw 28" with a primitive bow.

Stan
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Kyle on February 09, 2009, 07:45:11 pm
I fall into the "magical 28" category it used to be 27" but I just had to hunch up  too much to be comfortable shooting
-Kyle
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Marc St Louis on February 09, 2009, 08:04:58 pm
my draw is 28 most of the time... when i have a big bull elk in front of me I have been known to draw 36... ;D ;D ;) Hawk 

Ah, so that is what happened to that Rosewood bow  ;D

I draw 28"
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: ricktrojanowski on February 09, 2009, 09:33:10 pm
I measure from the back of the bow to the nock of the arrow.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Hickoryswitch on February 09, 2009, 10:29:36 pm
I draw 26 to 26 and a half. Which is kinda odd considerin I'm almost six two. I step into the shot alot and keep my bow arm rather bent. I don't help my accuracy any but it feels comfortable. I'm sure I look like the hunch back of notre dame when I shoot. ;D
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: AKAPK on February 09, 2009, 11:46:49 pm
I did the yard stick Measurment  and got 28 But I think that did not work Cause the arrow I marked says 26,Back of the bow. Must have a sink hole in my chest.PK
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: dragonman on February 10, 2009, 06:04:14 pm
I draw 27"
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Hillbilly on February 11, 2009, 07:22:08 pm
Well, looks like out of 95 responses to the poll so far, only 21 actually draw 28"- a little over 20% of random archers.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Susquehannock on February 12, 2009, 01:55:00 pm
I tiller my bows to 26", but I honestly know that I usually draw more like 25". I suspect many of us draw slightly shorter than what we think.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: robbsbass on February 13, 2009, 03:26:18 pm
I have been measured for 28 inches, thats beacuse I bend my elbow.If I keep my arm straight I'm 29 inches.

          Robb
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Newen on February 13, 2009, 07:32:25 pm
   
Hello my opening is 31.5 and the majority of my friends to whom they made their bow and are between 29 and 30 opening

Gabriel

www.arcosnewen.com.ar
www.arquerosdeamerica.foroactivo.com
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Pat B on February 13, 2009, 08:28:29 pm
I think it has to do with the type of archery you participate in...hunting, flight or target. When I post a full draw pic it is not the stance or draw I use when shooting and especially when hunting. I can make my draw length increase by at least 2" by taking a target shooting stance and I generally shoot better that way. When I'm at a 3D shoot or hunting(I practice the same as I hunt) my stance and style are fluid, limber and flexible, my draw length is 26" at best. This is something we all need to think about...or at least us hunters. Thinking that you draw 29"(you probably do at home) might be an underestimation when crunch time comes and Bucky is standing 12yds broadside and looking the other direction! It is hard to practice for this but it is foolish to not think about it.
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Sidewinder on February 14, 2009, 12:36:30 pm
I'm definitely 26". Measuered, remeasured and remeasured. Its 26" . I have recentely figured out a consistent comfortable draw thats accurate and its 26"   Danny
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: medievalhamster on March 10, 2009, 04:08:15 pm
I draw 30" easily for some odd reason. I'm only 5' 8" but have monkey arms and a wide back that helps me pull those last few inches. It's weird how that stuff works ain't it?
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: 1/2primitive on March 10, 2009, 06:25:11 pm
As with Pat, I draw 26" on a good day.
Most of the shots that I make are at about 24-25".
    Sean
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: ahawi stick on March 11, 2009, 09:43:54 am
I consistently draw 26'' bow arm slightly bent, leaning into the bow, this is most comfortable and natural to me. With a classic target archers stance, I draw very near 28".
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Pappy on March 11, 2009, 12:02:53 pm
26 on a good day,25 most of the time. :) With a recurve I shoot high wrist and shoot 27. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Kitsu on March 11, 2009, 01:45:58 pm
im comfortable with 25-26 and can shoot that accurately but my longbow can be pulled back over 36 inches >.> lol
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: mullet on March 11, 2009, 10:48:30 pm
  I'm 29"- 30". Really, people on here have seen me shoot. :)
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Pennhawk on March 12, 2009, 01:36:22 am
29" for sure.

    Pennhawk
Title: Re: Draw Length Poll?
Post by: Postman on March 12, 2009, 10:02:09 am
27" under the chin anchor - good point Pat B.  - measured more carefully after reading that - thought I was 28.....