Importance of Draw Length?

Question

If my bow is set 1/2 an inch over what it should be, will that effect my shooting very significantly or what? My draw length was measured to be 27.5 but my bow is set at 28".

Answer 1

It shouldnt be a problem unless you are having a harder time pulling back that extra half inch. it wont change your accuracy, well shouldnt rightly so. It MAY even help the velocity a touch

Answer 2

You could have a problem when you go hunting in cold weather....the extra clothes you wear could make it difficult for you to come to full draw or your bow string could contact your sleeve on release.

Answer 3

It would be far better to have a draw length 1/2 inch shorter, but if you are target shooting it will not make a lot of difference, but on a cold weather deer hunt with extra clothes on, it make cost you a deer, due to the string slapping your forearm. The extra draw length will cause you to extend your left arm all the way out and lock it in, instead of having a slight bend in your elbow that will provide the extra clearance needed for your bow arm- I hunted with a bow for several years that had a draw length one inch too long- I killed several deer with it and had a few get away because of the draw length being too long, but I thought no big deal. Then 3 years ago, I had what I just knew would be the new state record bow killed deer walk within 25 yards broadside and stared straight ahead- a bush covered his vitals, but I took a neck shot- dead hit- square in the neck- 73 lb pull bow-the string slapped my forearm-took all the penetration away from the arrow, and the arrow fell out as the deer ran off- it stopped at the bone-just a little meat on the arrow and years of hunting for a record book buck went down the drain- a lesson well learned. Don't do as I did. If you hunt, make sure everything is correct!