[thh058]

i personally think it is unethical to shoot at a deer that you are not 99.9% sure your are going to put the arrow where you want it (within reason of course). the missing 0.1% comes from factors you can't control, such as the deer jumping the string, ect.

when i am shooting every day, i would feel more than comfortable shooting a deer at 30 yards. under perfect conditions (i.e. deer is broadside, completely relaxed, and i have all the time i need to make the shot), i would shoot 40 yards.

i practice out to 50 yards daily (when i'm not in school).

 

[Mark Twain]

That's a good question. I'm no pro by any means but I've been bowhunting for almost 25 years. I don't attempt a shot at any animal unless I'm completely sure I can put the arrow where I want it. Some days that's a standing animal 35 yards out. Other days I won't shoot at anything over 15. Wind, rain, cover, and the situation I'm hunting in all come into play. I lost several animals in my early years by taking chancy shots. I won't do it anymore.

 

[hunter7x]

definately depends on the situation. I've killed deer out to 25 yards and an Elk at 40. I don't see a reason to shoot beyond my means ever.

 

[Vector]

I agree CP. If a person can't hit a softball size at a certain yardage under certain conditions, they should move in.

I practice out to 60 yards, and can hit a softball size at 60 on a good day.

I've never shot at a deer over 41. I've killed a doe at 41. I've killed 2 at 30, and almost all of my other shots have been in the 15-25 yard range, with a few closer.

Under poor conditions (with mostly wind being the factor) I'd like to keep my shots in the 25 yard range.

Parker

 

[woodcarver]

It never fails the years I feel confident to shoot 30 or 35 I will have a deer at 5 yards. The years I dont get enough practice in and limit myself to twenty I will have deer walking by at 35.

 

[hunter7x]

I guess wind isn't an issue with me because I don't shoot the long distance some do. I was more talking about the unseen tree branch deflecting the arrow. How at 20 yards can this happen but someone take a 40 50 60 yard shot and feel comfortable.

 

[hunter7x]

Originally posted by hthrly7
I guess wind isn't an issue with me because I don't shoot the long distance some do. I was more talking about the unseen tree branch deflecting the arrow. How at 20 yards can this happen but someone take a 40 50 60 yard shot and feel comfortable.

And Parker don't be putting no hair line cracks in my new call I'm not pickin on ya !

 

[coyotehunter]

my farthes has been 67 on a mule deer and 54 on a bull,50 on a turk,several on deer in the 40's.i don't make the desciion to let go till i at full draw and if everything feels right i let her go,if not i let down.but i practice a lot at 60 and 70,sometimes i think i can hit better with a bow than i can with my smoke pole.

 

[Mark Twain]

Originally posted by Center Punch
That's what I'm after. :cheers:

If I could consistantly put the arrow into a softball at 30 yds (no wind, calm deer, etc...) then 30yds would be good. Since I can only do that right now at 20ish, then 20ish should be my limit???

It would be for me. :cheers:

 

[67Firebird]

Originally posted by Center Punch
That's what I'm after. :cheers:

If I could consistantly put the arrow into a softball at 30 yds (no wind, calm deer, etc...) then 30yds would be good. Since I can only do that right now at 20ish, then 20ish should be my limit???

I used to base it on what I could do with my first shot, and many times that's all I'd shoot for practice. I'd set the target out, walk 20 to 30 yards away, sit down in the position I'd hunt from, and take a shot. I figure that first shot is a far better indicator of what would happen in a hunting situation than anything I could do after slingin' arrows for a half hour, and it determined what I was comfortable with.

 

[Mathews1cam]

40 is the max that I practice at. And that is the max I will shoot out to in the right conditions.

 

[MoBowman]

As far as my shooting lanes would allow. Most time I only clear a lane (s) out to about 35 yards and wouldn't shoot past my actual shooting lane. If the hunting spot would allow a 40 yard lane then I would feel confortable shooting out to that. But past mistakes have taught me not to shoot out of my lanes anylonger. Now I'll wait em out until they get into one of my lanes. Hope that makes sence



MoBowman ```---------->

 

[OA3D]

With the Parker I wouldn't take a shot over 20. Groups got too far apart.
I took two shots at 30-35 and very badly,but cleanly, thankfully.
When the new bow comes in I hope the changes will allow consistence out to 35 at least.

 

[Gamegetter]

Depends on my confidence. If I am shooting a lot and hitting consistently good out to 40 yards, that would be my max on whitetails. On Elk I usually practice out to 60 but 50 or so would probably be my max. The longest bow shot I've ever taken at a whitetail was 32 yards at a doe, and I drilled her perfect. In other words, even though I may say that I feel comfortable at 40 yards, and had chances to shoot at that distance, I've passed those shots hoping for a better shot.
Your max should be the distance you feel comfortable/confident with.

 

[geezer]

I believe that shots over 40 yds with a bow is a risky shot no matter who shoots it. Shots over 40 yds should be made at the 3d range not at live animals.

 

[Hoytshooter]

This question is definately one of those that a guy should expect differing answers from and be honest with himself when answering. Peoples shooting ability, and particularly experience with actual hunting shots make this one specific to each person.
The longest shot I have ever taken on a deer was 47 yards and it was one of the best shots placement wise I've ever made. I have shot loads of deer between 30 and 40 as well, but the majority of shots I have taken have been at 25 yards and usually less than that.
In my opinion alot of the worry can be relieved by doing your homework before hanging a stand. Of course deer will suprise you and not be on the trail you planned, but I feel that a guy can set himself up for shots at the range he wants to shoot in most cases. I have many more shot opportunities at under 20 yards than I do at distances that push my limits.

 

[Vector]

Originally posted by hthrly7

Originally posted by hthrly7
I guess wind isn't an issue with me because I don't shoot the long distance some do. I was more talking about the unseen tree branch deflecting the arrow. How at 20 yards can this happen but someone take a 40 50 60 yard shot and feel comfortable.

And Parker don't be putting no hair line cracks in my new call I'm not pickin on ya !

Griff,

The way that I solve this tree branch 'problem' is that I do a LOT of clearing prior to hunting. I cut MAJOR shooting lanes for my archery stands, and I only shoot deer if they are standing in one of these lanes.

I've been told that I over do it on clearing shooting lanes by every person that I've ever hung a stand with.

Parker

 

[Vector]

And looking back at my first post, I didn't explain this good enough.....I PRACTICE at 60 yards, I do NOT hunt at 60 yards. The furthest I ever plan on shooting is 40 yards in a hunting situation.

Shooting at 60 yards helps me with the concentration factor of hitting a spot on the target, not just hitting the target.

Parker

 

[coyotehunter]

i guess i better explain myself also.i do shoot that far and will continue to do so.i hunt alot of crp and fencerows,i hunt on the ground 99 percent of time.i carry a range finder and use it alot.i also count the seconds the deer is walking before he stops when he puts his down i count the seconds again.if he keeps the same count each time.i feel real comfortable about taking the shot.a deer at sixty yards is at 180 feet my bow shoots over three hundred fps.he is a dead deer.confident? yes, those animals die the same 20 or 60 makes no difference. i've had one animal jump the string on me and that was bull at 12 yards.go figure.when i shot alot of 3ds i loved the long shoot the most 120 to 30 i was deadly and won a lot of the long shoot trophy's would i shoot that far at a animal no way.but within my range i will.confidence is the key.

 

[Woods]

Coyotehunter makes some good points. Terrain has allot to do with the distance of your shot. If your going to hunt out west, you better be able to shoot 50 yards at least or your going to go home empty handed. I know a archery shop owner who has killed deer at 100 yards with no problem, it depends on you skill level and the terrain. When you pratice shooting long distance, those 20 yard shots are like shooting fish in bucket.

GOGOP, I also take notice of my first shot each time I shoot.

I also practice drawing and bring my bow up to shooting position without taking my eye off the deer. A wisker biscuit helps. Shoot from more than the 'perfect' position. Shoot sitting down, turned to the side, etc.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE