How to measure draw length on a long bow, recurve, or self bow.

[@labtrainer09]

Hi, Clay. I needed a refresher on how to measure draw length, so naturally I turned to you. As always, your advice was clear, detailed, and very helpful. One suggestion: Anyone who doesn't have a camera or doesn't want to use one to "read" the numbers off the arrow can simply ask a friend or spouse to stand nearby and do so. Works like a charm. Best, Chris (in Maine)

[@DanielReyes-hz1qk]

This was perfect, thank you. Not only helped me determine my draw length with my recurve bow but also to help dial in the consistency of my draw and anchor point

[@chrissolomon4251]

This is a very helpful and thorough explanation of draw length, how to calculate it, and what all this measurement impacts when shooting. Thanks again Clay.

[@wayneashby5030]

Another method I came up with and use when I'm by myself (no arrow or camera required): Tie about a 3-foot length of string to the bowstring at the nock point. Stick a piece of tape on the side of the riser and over the string, in the area where the arrow would normally be. The reference EDGE of the tape should be at the place to which you want to measure the draw length. Pull the excess slack out of the string by sliding the string through the tape. Draw the bow to your normal anchor point. The string will slide through the tape but will still be loosely stuck to the tape. Let down, then pull the tape off the bow WITH THE STRING STILL STUCK TO THE TAPE. Measure the string length to the reference edge of the tape -- that's the draw length.

[@miketurner6118]

thanks ..very good explanation ..I'm just getting into shooting a recurve after 40 years of compound. luckily I was always a finger shooter and instinctive sighter for a long time so that won't be a hurdle for me. glad I found your channel!1

[@davewebster6945]

Fully agree with the videoing yourself method 👍. As they say, the camera never lies and for this purpose it is the perfect tool for the job ☺👍.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yes it is!

[@tagewright6714]

Clay Hayes, thanks for the tips on aiming and back tension! Tried it out and I have already seen an increase in accuracy immediately! Thanks so much Clay!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad to hear it helped! keep it up.

[@thegravityrebel]

Great video. Just beginning to get into archery with my wife and daughters. This video was very helpful!

[@clayhayeshunter]

excellent. It's a great activity for the family.

[@ArcherADK]

Looking forward to the series on tuning! Thanks as always, Clay.

[@mikebroyles5721]

Thanks for the info from a new recurve/long bow shooter

[@clayhayeshunter]

You’re welcome Mike

[@rainingfaithmassage]

You just can't beat the rooster crowing in the background during this video!! And great info on measuring draw length.

[@clayhayeshunter]

thanks

[@nearlynativenursery8638]

great technique Clay.

[@Honkers48]

I'm new to traditional bows,but was given handmade recurve bow,I'm a 29 inch. Draw..the bows is marked 45lbs at 27 inch draw..total length of bow unstrung is 67.5 inches...strung it's alittle over 62 inches.Im not sure what arrows to start with..bur my buddy did give me some xx75 camo 2018s,but I'm not sure where to start.Thankyou Rusty

[@waynepatton689]

Great stuff as always Clay!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Wayne

[@sashastinghe4984]

Your video help me very much! Good job!

[@rickymathis7971]

Clay I shoot my selfbow with my achor point right under my eye I my words I aim looking down my arrow I shoot much better then shooting spilt finger .I've caught slot of slack over shooting this way .I would thankful for your feedback .I really enjoy your videos.

[@michaelbolen2118]

very helpful - appreciate your videos

[@robertbrunston5406]

Thank you Clay.

[@elmoreglidingclub3030]

Good stuff; excellent idea to use masking tape and a camera. Figuring my draw length with various methods, as you suggest, yields various results. And I can tell that I have an inconsistent DL shooting my 25# Sage in the backyard at 20 meters as arrows land high or low as I properly or improperly engage back tension. Yeah, I’m a beginner. I’m thinking of adding a clicker (odd on a Sage, but…) to try to train myself to get a consistent draw based on back tension. Again, excellent video!!

[@clayhayeshunter]

A clicker is a huge help

[@elmoreglidingclub3030]

@@clayhayeshunter Thanks, Clay. I ordered the clicker this morning. Really enjoying learning archery. I am envious, seeing that you and your family live in Idaho. I live in Alabama, a little north of where you grew up. I've visited Idaho a few times on business and love it! Took my fly rod one time and drove north from Boise stopping and fishing along the way. Caught the coolest rainbow ever in a great stream right by the road. Incredible place.

[@shawnpendleton8358]

Very helpful keep up the good work and good luck.

[@clayhayeshunter]

thanks

[@robertblack8352]

Hi Mr. Hayes. I am building a hickory board long bow .I’ve added a small maple riser. Got the cuts on the limbs but I don’t find a thickness of the limbs. I have the width next to the riser at 3/4 in. The fade in the middle is 5/8 s and at the nocks is 1/2 Is that a good starting point to start to tiller. Also the length of the bow at the knocks is 70 inches . Would the string then be 64 or 65 inches. If you get this it would be much appreciated for a answer. Thank you.Bob Black.

[@peterjohnporrata4866]

Where shouild I grab the string on a recurve bow, just before releasing it... thanks for the advice.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Look at the shooting and tuning playlist

[@peterjohnporrata4866]

@@clayhayeshunter thank you so much...

[@simonhuber6859]

Love it, thanks so much!

[@jackmorrison4382]

I’m looking to get into traditional archery after years of compound experience. My first question is I’m assuming draw length is different from my compound because of a different anchor point? Also when ordering arrows would you recommend buying uncut arrows, using your video measurement method and then bringing them to a bow shop to be cut?

[@jeremylong6229]

Everything Outdoors you need to cut them to the length where they are properly spined

[@davetoth9767]

Very helpful. THANKS!

[@brioncurren6499]

Off topic of this video, I kept hearing a rooster crow, and just wanted to say thank God its in the video. I live in town where we can have hens but no roosters and thought my rooster who had always been silent was crowing

[@gearheadhuff7853]

What pound bow weight do you use for hunting

[@scourneene]

Hi Clay! New to the bow world and was sold a 58" long recurve...my draw length is 27...I'm having trouble even getting on target close in! The sales person never asked what my draw length was just wanted the sale me thinks. Can this length of bow work with my draw length? It's a beautiful bow otherwise. Thank you!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yes, absolutely. But if the bow's draw weight is too heavy for you, it can make things difficult.

[@scourneene]

@@clayhayeshunter Thanks Clay!! I talked to a local guru up here in Soo Ontario...says the bow is fine for my frame and draw weight at 40 should be ok! Love your vids and great seeing the family involvement. From the Northshore of Lake Superior I'm over and out!

[@the_Novelist]

Hey Clay, if you don't mind, could you tell me the name/model of the bow you're using in this video? Looking for something for my son to start with and the one you're holding seems to have a pretty slim riser. As an aside, been wanting to purchase one of your bow's but they sell so fast on IG I keep missing out when you post!

[@deltafour1212]

Is there a draw length to bow length formula for the long bow? Seems like for the masses its 28" but I'm 6"1" and my draw length is 30".

[@tradron]

Camera is definitely the best method. No camera ?Just have another person observe the length marks. Like you,I definitely do not like the other methods. My midchest measurement is 24 3/4 inches and my camera draw length is 26 inches ! Yeah, I know I'm a shortie ! Thanks, Clay

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep, and the camera will tell on you!

[@bjoernhoegsdal]

I really love your videos and i´ve learned so much from them for my own flat-bows and the making of them. But just out of curiosity: Did you ever make a classic medieval english longbow out of yew?

[@clayhayeshunter]

I have but it’s been a while.

[@DeathByPurpleLongbow]

Hey Clay do you close your left eye when you aim?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep

[@DeathByPurpleLongbow]

@@clayhayeshunter I’ve been experimenting with different techniques so I’ll give it a try.

[@seanmiller5253]

thank,clay butt what if your 6'4' like myself with arangatame arms?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Just make a longer bow!

[@kevinroberts9580]

I shoot Black Eagle vintage arrows, because it's the only ones that I can shoot. They are 34 inches long and my draw length is 32 in. So I don't have much choice. And I anchor in the corner of my mouth and shoot split finger. Great videos sir

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Kevin

[@kevinjack5184]

I don't have a bow, so how do I get my draw length so I can buy one

[@rustbeltmachine]

Hey Clay, what kind of camera do you use to film your hunting videos and high-speed videos? Thanks

[@clayhayeshunter]

The high speed stuff is mostly done with an iphone. Most of my filming is done on a canon 80D

[@centralnervoussystems3979]

Clay. I also have a long draw length, anchoring behind my jaw. I find that I can't get proper eye alignment down the arrow for aiming. It's a much different sight picture from the more common anchor point (corner of mouth / tooth). What are you doing - canting the bow? I've been told to reduce my draw length to get the proper sight picture, but I don't want to loose power or change where I lock in my back tension. Any advice would be appreciated.

[@TheJonny2200]

Central Nervous Systems longer arrow??

[@tradbowyer1975]

I have a question, once you have your draw length and you measured that to the back of the bow, how long do you make your arrows like do you cut them 2 inches farther than your draw length or is that something you just have to play with, when I started down this path of traditional archery the only way I thought I knew how to shoot was instinctive but as I get farther down the hole I am thinking I want to move my method to gap shooting. I can shoot ok with instinctive but I have never been great, so just trying to figure some things out.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Check out the video I did on tuning a traditional bow. It’ll help answer your questions.

[@MagnusWendt]

AMO standards for draw length actually specifies a standard riser thickness. You AMO draw length is measured to the deepest point on your grip and then add 1.75”.

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’m aware of that but standards don’t help much when shooting bows that deviate from it.

[@MagnusWendt]

Clay Hayes well.. if you have a bow with a 1.5” thick riser you could always measure your draw length for that bow and add 0.25” to get the AMO standard draw length... but I wish we could all just agree to use the actual draw length (to deepest part of the grip) witch makes much more sense imo.. and of course use metric units. Anyway, love your videos!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Metric units! Ha, good luck with that...

[@lukebonagurio4503]

@@MagnusWendt metric system is gay I agree with the drew draw from deepest to nock

[@davidhall8874]

I have no arrows! How do I know what length of arrow to buy if I don't know my draw length??????

[@dougdunlap6638]

Great Info

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Doug

[@johnnyb2799]

Clay, I’m wanting to start shooting a traditional bow. I don’t even own a bow yet. I want to eventually make bows because I’ve been inspired by watching your videos. Can you recommend a bow I should start with?

[@latorgator23]

Is he measuring to the front of the shelf?

[@clayhayeshunter]

yes

[@carolkmc2855]

With the 3 tp 5 different methods of measuring draw length and the same difference in measurements, I am beginning to wonder at the importance of it???? One measurement put me at 31.5" and one has me at 27.5" Wow, what a mess??

[@elementalape]

Clay! hello!

[@Koivumaa94]

Hi could you cover target panic a little more in detail and how to beat it. I have it myself and dont know how to deal with it. Thanks for awsome vids :) Greetings from sweden. :)

[@clayhayeshunter]

The best instructor I’ve found for this is Joel Turner with Shot IQ.

[@Thestripper1]

This is great If you have a bow...

[@juanantonioespinosa8816]

Thank you for this video. Sorry, but I don´t agree about to take the measurement from the front of the riser. It makes no sense for me. As I understand it, my real draw length is determinated by my body. How much I separate my arrow arm fingers from the palm of my grip hand. has nothing to do with kind of bow if we are not using any sort of trigger. And, of course, our arrow has to be longer than our draw length in a common traditional bow, depending on the caracteristics of the bow.

[@clayhayeshunter]

This is the standard method for determining draw length. It has nothing to do with how long your arrows should be.

[@juanantonioespinosa8816]

@@clayhayeshunter thank you. What I was trying to say is that if we measure from the outside of the handle and not from the throught of it, our draw length will be different in every bow depending on how deep their handles are. Of course for a bow maker this parameter is better to be measured from the back side of handle to control how much bending and stress are you setting on the bow you're building.

[@megatrolltrollington]

great, so i gotta ruin a whole deck of cards to find my draw length?

[@benjedi1000]

Why not just grab a tape measure in your forwards hand facing towards you and draw the tape to your anchor point.. Walla

[@crosisofborg5524]

The “most accurate” method doesn’t work for people that don’t currently have a traditional bow.

[@TheConservativeCanadian]

And so then, why would you want to know your draw length on a bow you don't own nor shoot? Good God, boy.