I prefer to use groundhogs for this type of thing. Hadn't touched the bow in a month, crawled to 28 yards, came to my knees and shot.
It's only achieved as a result of chasing the awesomeness that has come and gone before me. I'm not much of a hunter, so I have to ride the small victories as best I can.
I'm just gonna try it on a 4" target. No offense to your challenge, I think it's cool, but I don't have money to be throwing broadheads and arrows in the trash. I probably won't get a chance to try this till the weekend though.
No offense taken but, guys (not you) will take the "chance" on a deer, a big buck, but when it comes taking a chance on themselves, their skills, then there are second thoughts. Which is the whole point of the challenge. Maybe have folks get second thoughts on their max range before they chance it on a deer.
If a person is so sure that their max range is good then there should be no hesitation to shoot through wood or metal. If there is reluctance then you have to wonder why that is their max range. The consequences to making a bad shot on wood or metal, the loss of an arrow, are a whole lot less than the consequences of a bad shot on a deer.
You know Bruce, with my fixed blade broadheads, my bow is tuned to group 2"@ 20. 3"@ 30 and 4"@ 40. Therefore, with your 4" circle (diameter), I'd start at 30 yards. Probably a 50/50 chance to ruin a good hunting arrow at 40 for me. I believe that a 6" diameter circle is more realistic and would still surprise a lot of people. At 6" I would go for it at 50 first arrow. I don't know if it matters, but this will be my 15th year with the same bow and arrows. All I shoot now days are my broadheads, it's all I've got time for.
I can hit a 4" circle at 30 yards. I don't shoot at deer that far away tho'. Deer do stuff ---- like move --- and my bow is just too slow and too light.
My max is 40 because I consistantly shoot well to that point no matter the circumstances. I was trying to say that I don't shoot all that well at the distances the OP stated... 50 or 60 yards. I can hit an 8" dia target pretty consistant at those ranges but not 4". But yes, I will be trying it at all distances. No need to limit my practicing to 40.
Greg, nice post. I think a 6" circle would surprise a lot of folks also and, if they did not want to do the 4" challenge, I would encourage them to try the 6" circle. One of the reasons I picked 4" is lets say a deer is facing to my left, broadside. If I were to shoot and hit the right of of the 4" circle I am still good. If the deer were to move a bit to my left and I hit the right edge of the circle, I am likely still good but it is starting to get iffy. The 4" circle gives a little forgiveness at the max range. The shot I missed today would have been a very dead deer in short order but my miss put me at the edge of shot forgiveness, anything else goes wrong and that shot would have been iffy at best. This challenge was not really put out there with guys like you in mind, Greg. You've been killing deer for a long, long time. You know very well your limitations and the limitations of your equipment.
I love the idea and I see what you are trying to get across, but believe me I am going to have fun with it! My max is definitely based on perfect conditions. I am not taking that shot if it is windy or my target isn't broadside. Still can't get over your "fun" comment. I can't help but have fun when I am out shooting!!
Good stuff Bruce, good stuff!! My max yardage Is usually 20 yards, sometimes even shorter. What I don't get from bowhunters Is why Is It ok to have 5 Inch groups at 40 yards but not ok to have 5 Inch groups at 10 yards? I'd be upset with myself If I had 5 Inch groups at 10 yards as I think most people would be but why the grace at longer distances? At 20 yards my grouping Is In that 3 Inch range when I'm shooting good. I practice every time before I go on a hunt and If my shooting Is off anymore then that the animal walks at 20 yards. I've wrecked a few arrows doing this test on metal targets so I'll pass on this one Bruce (probably just saved myself an arrow).
This is a great test and one I plan on doing soon. My shot will likely be either 25 or 30 yards. I will try and film it. Problem is... it probably won't be till next weekend. doa!
SO let me get this straight before I submit it wrong and look like an idiot. lol -First shot of a session -Max hunting distance, not practice range distance -broadhead of choice for this season. Could we use a FITA paper target? I have a ton of them I need to get rid of and have been thinking of starting to play around with them a little again. My practice yardages with broadheads is 45yd. My max this season hunting will be 30yd.
-First shot of a session - YES, even if the sessions are only and hour apart or a day apart -Max hunting distance, not practice range distance - YES, your maximum hunting range, 30 yds -broadhead of choice for this season. - YES You can use any target you want but the 4" circle is to be comprised of wood or metal.
Passed this but failed in my opinion as the next 4 arrows can KMA. I know its the first arrow that counts and for some reason my first one is always right on but after that I fall off on my shots. Back to the drawing board! T
Welp, I did it. Bear in mind, this is the first time I've screwed a broadhead onto my arrow this year, AND I have a new rest that had never had a broadhead shot out of it, so I was a little nervous. And if we wanna be nit-picky I cheated a little because I used a 4" square, not a circle, my jigsaw bit the dust a while back. But here it is, First shot with a broadhead this year, new rest, 50 yards.... twice. :D I was even more nervous the second time, and it what close both times... I encourage everyone to try this, find out what your made of, and use the obstruction, it puts the "big buck" pressure on you. My wife's camera doesn't record sound, and it takes a while for me to shoot, so be patient. :D First Shot: http://youtu.be/kiE7cKa0OBU Second Shot: http://youtu.be/88XV-vaIlMk
