The comfortable range will be different for each shooter. I was just wondering what most considered to be "too far" I practice out to 80 yds most of the time, this really helps me at closer ranges. In reality, I probably wouldn't shoot at an animal much past 50, if any. It would greatly depend on the situation for me to shoot that distance. All the deer I've killed but one have been less than 30. I know there are old videos of Fred Bear shooting past 100 ... I am no Fred Bear ). If a shooter can consistently shoot a 5" group at 70 yds, is this still considered to be ethical.
For me personally, I consider 40 yards to be the max with a bow on whitetail deer regardless of the setup or skill set of the shooter. The reason for this is the flight time of the arrow beyond 40 yards and the potential for the deer to react and move prior to the arrow arriving causing a bad hit. I know that there are plenty of guys on here who have killed deer beyond 40 yards and it can be done, but the chance that the deer will move during the time that it takes an arrow to travel that far will result in an unacceptable percentage of wounded and not recovered deer in my opinion. Unlike targets, deer don't always just stand there motionless waiting for the arrow to arrive.
Normally I prefer not to shoot over 30 yards, but that's not to say that I won't. Every shot opportunity is different. I've passed on 25 yard shots because it was "iffy". I've taken 40 yard shots because it "felt" right. I guess what I'm saying is that it is situation dependent. I may take a 50 or 60 yard shot in the future if everything feels right. I don't like to let what others think dictate how I hunt.
My personal limit is 40 yards. The longest I've ever shot a deer was about 30. I have practiced this summer out to 60 and had decent groups, but I can't see myself shooting a deer that far.
Well i practice out to 100yards and shoot well at that range i also killed my biggest whitetail to date last week at 77.8 yards it wasnt windy and i felt comfortable i was also on the ground spot and stalk not a treestand so you have to make the call. Btw my deer piled up in less than 40yards Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I took my elk right under 50 yards this year, but I practice out to 100 and felt very comfortable with the shot.
I won't shoot at another deer past 40, no need to. I've shot deer past 65 in years past and recovered the animals okay so it can be done without a doubt. Is it wise..meh...someone else can decide that. If I want to shoot a deer long range I'll take a rifle and hunt during firearms. To me, archery is more about the up close and personal element to start with and the challenges of outperforming an animal that has senses sharp enough to survive most anything else (including other people) in the woods. Getting past those senses and getting within 40 just does it for me personally. I'm not into spot and stalk (still hunting) type of hunting, just doesn't do it for me. If I were I can see guys arguing in favor of longer shots but that's it's own set of challenges and problems.
