...when it comes to bow stabilizers. Focus, fellas.

Sorry if this has been recently discussed - didn't find it in a search. Been reading a lot of articles about the merits of even having a bow stabilizer, and if so, whether to go long or short. Here are a few examples:

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/hunting/do-you-really-need-stabilizer-your-hunting-bow

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/whitetail-365/2013/07/does-short-stabilizer-really-add-stability

Thoughts?

IMO if that stabilizer is not at lease 8" long with weight forward it will not help you much. For most hunters a stabilizer only gives you an advantage in your head. You should be able to shoot well enough without one to kill a critter. Most guys loose sight of the fact that all deer become a moving target once you release the arrow. You are not going to hit a "spot" so if you are shooting two inch groups without one and one inch with one, it does not matter in the field. I use a 10" Bee Stinger and it helps but at the end of the day, I don't think it matters on live critters.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Not really required for hunting distances and just extra weight. With that said though if having one does reduce noise ie. make your bow quieter then it is worth it. I use one that is only about 3 inches long and heavy (mercury) but it does quieten the bow for the shot so it does get used.

Depends on the bow... Shoot it and see how it reacts. Does it just sit there, does it jump backwards or forwards? A stabilizer should help in bow shock, balance and help with the follow through. If it works correctly it should gently fall forward after the shot if you didn't hold on to it.
For hunting I always used a Sim's Mod, you can add modules to suit that bow. I used three worked fine on most of the hunting bows I used..

Competition bows is another complete difference story, I had my stabilizers and balance bars custom built for me. Just depends on the class and level you shoot at, whether you compete in 3D, five spot or Las Vegas. I had stabilizer and bars for each venue.