Why short bow instead of long bow?

[Gollum]

Originally Posted by ericbsmith

Realistically a shorter bow would be easier to use from horseback, in dense woodland, in a Dungeon, or any other place where a longer bow is likely to bump into the scenery.

Yes. And the game master is free to give any appropriate penalty to any roll...

So, there are times where longbows are more crippling than effective.