3Rivers Archery: Determining Draw Length

The archery experts at 3Rivers Archery demonstrate how to determine your draw length. A very helpful video for archers and bowhunters.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• 3Rivers
• Archery
• traditional
• bow
• arrow
• arrows
• longbow
• recurve
• draw
• length
• demonstration
• bowhunting
• hunting

[DemonAMVs]

I have a 26 pound laminate longbow that was custom made by a very good bowyer in Australia, I want to sell it as it was made for me when I was younger so the draw length isn't the right length anymore.

What information should I get about the bow to give the buyer accurate and good information?

[3RiversArchery]

@DemonAMVs Any information you can provide the buyer would be useful. But for basics, draw weight, length, age of the bow, materials used in construction of the bow, are you including extras (strings, stringer, rests, etc.), right hand or left hand, color or other distinguishing characteristics. You might also mention the bowyers name, as that could be a selling point. Otherwise, I would just answer questions as the buyer asks them.

[suvivaldude]

i have an aluminum arrow that does not need tapering... my draw length is 30 inches so do i keep it at 30 inches or do i mark an inch over?

[3RiversArchery]

@suvivaldude You'd mark it an inch over.

[tuffy464]

i dont have any arrows atm is there a nother way to know my draw length

[3RiversArchery]

There are other ways, but they aren't as accurate. We would recommend that you ask your local archery shop to help you. If you don't have a shop in your area, feel free to call our Tech Line at 866-587-9501.

[muddog1561]

New subscriber. Good bunch of videos, I hope to learn something.

[earthlyinfodotcom]

@tuffy464 get a small tape measure or string and tape it to the riser on your bow and cut it off flush. Then put the string or tape in between your fingers just like you would an arrow and draw back the string until you are at full draw. Keep the string or w/e pinched with your fingers and release the draw. then just mark it or read the tape. If you use a string you just measure it afterward if all you have is a metal tape measure. Get a small retractable sewers tape measure, youll use it.

[parijata]

Thank you, very nice demonstration.

I've been shooting less than 2 years. As a novice, the local bow shop pushed me hard to go with draw lengths 2-3 inches shorter than were comfortable for me. I refused because a longer draw engages my back muscles and doesn't wear out my shoulder, thus I'm less easily fatigued, and I shoot much more accurately and for longer.

By the 1st technique my recurve draw should be 31", by the second 28.5". I'm happy with 31". Any thoughts?

[EpicWinDugII]

Really Appreciate this tutorial! I am making a traditional hickory bamboo backed flatbow and was over-complicating things! Now it will be 40-45# @29 in! Thanks!

[TheYouuTubeRipper]

Measuring your draw length by using the bow may be an accepted way of doing it but if you think about it logically, it can't be accurate. (awaiting flames after this statement).

Your draw length should never change but using this method, it will always vary, depending on the type of bow you're using.

If you mark the arrow at the point where the arrow meets the front edge of your bow, this distance will vary greatly between a deep riser to a thin piece of hickory.

[Ready2Run1]

you would want to cut your arrow shafts 29 inches long. With my compound my carbon shafts with nocks are cut 27 inches long and when i come to full draw the tip of the point comes about halfway across the riser, something that would be dangerous whit a traditional bow but I am using a drop-away rest with with my compound bow so it is perfectly fine.