When I check my draw length on my recurve or longbow I come up with 28 1/2". I've checked using someone to mark the arrow at the back of the riser and the paper square method. This is a half inch longer than my compound draw length, I feel comfortable locked in and not over extended. I'm just wondering if this is semi normal considering almost everything I read says it should be shorter. Thanks.
If you are drawing the bow correctly, using your back muscles instead of just hauling back using your arm muscles, it should be okay. If you are just getting started in traditional archery, your draw length may change. Even later on, if you change your form, it may change again. Because of that, I would cut my arrows no shorter than 29 1/2" at this point.
I don't know why it would be longer than your compound draw length. Maybe something to do with the length of your mechanical release or a different anchor.
In my experience folks who were properly set up on their compound and transition without overbowing will usually gain half an inch or so of draw length on single string bows because there's no D-loop or release.
Thanks, that was kind of my thinking a lot of people shooting compound are over drawing.