Short vs. long axle to axle length bow

[cambo0420]

Hey guys I'm shopping around to get a new bow, I haven't archery hunted in almost 5 years so I am shopping around and have found quite a few 28 inch axle to axle length bows but have never used them. Do you guys like shorter axle to axle or longer. And I do mostly spot and stalk run and gun hunting with a little bit of blind hunting here and there. Any help would be awesome. Thanks

 

[Morrid7]

I shoot an Energy 35 (35”) 80# and a Halon 32 70# that shoots like 34” a2a. Personally, I wouldn’t go back to shooting a compact bow for my draw length (31”). I just shoot longer bows better and they fit me. My advice is shoot long and short a2a bows and pick the one that you’re most accurate and comfortable with. I’ve never had a problem shooting in tight spaces, but I don’t hunt in them very much 15 years ago, I wouldn’t have been so discerning about a2a, but I appreciate it now, especially on longer shots. Long stabilizer is good too.


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[Desk Jockey]

Same boat. I shoot a 31 inch draw. Currently shooting a Hoyt 34. I can’t say it is only the axel to axel but it shoots much better than my other bow which is a 29.

I would still say shoot s few and buy what feels and shoots best.

 

[stratofisher]

I don’t care for the string angle on the super short bows. My halon 32 is just about right for me at 29” draw. If you have shorter draw length it may not be an issue to go shorter ATA.

 

[Jbehredt]

You need to shoot whatever feels the best. I like a 34” ATA. All the talk about maneuverability and short ATA making for a better tree stand or ground blind bow is marketing bs in my mind. Hang a 32” bow on a hook next to a 28” bow and see if one strikes you as ultra compact... How it holds and shoots should be the deciding factor. Your draw length will play a role. I’m a hair under 30”.

 

[Wellsdw]

ATA is kinda relative to draw length. But If you hunt out of tree stands or blinds and don’t take longer shots and have a shorter DL then a short ata is fine. I think the short bows were more of a trend then anything. That said I’m sure there is guys shooting them Well all distances. Personally I shoot a 35” with a 30” draw. But like some one said shoot’em all

 

[ddiwd33]

Generally speaking most archers agree that a longer ATA is more forgiving. (what ever that really means)
Shorter bows are faster. So depending on what kind of shooting you are doing different choices may apply. If you are shooting indoor tournaments then a longer ATA would likely be preferred. Who cares how slow the arrow gets there as long as it lands in the middle. Take a look at the videos on YouTube that show the Vegas finals and you'll note that they all shoot longer ATA bows. (that doesn't necessarily mean they are right but rather a pervasive understanding) If you are shooting unmarked distance like 3D shoots exclusively then a shorter faster flatter shooting bow may turn out to be more accurate as distance judging is less critical in those instances. Long distance marked yardages like field archery may warrant something in the middle. If you plan on shooting all of those then perhaps a 34 or 36 in ATA would be a good choice.
Bottom line no matter what you buy your decision to practice every day will mean more to the accuracy than the decision you make in purchasing a bow. Archery is a game of luck the more you practice the luckier you get!
Most archery shops sell primarily to hunters. Hunters prefer short fast bows they are light and easy to haul around and flat shooting make it a lot easier to hit that unknown yardage. So when they tell you buy short it may be because that's what they have in stock.