I have been on this site for about 6 months now and I am currently doing some shopping for some of the remaining items that I need before the fall rolls around. My latest question is about range finders and if or how important they are to purchase? We all know about the cost of starting to hunt and it should not surprise anyone that if I can cut some cost here and there I will definately need to as I am buying for myself and my 13 year old son. Thanks in advance.
My thoughts are a ringe finder isn't all that important if you hunt the same stands consistently. Usually I take the time to step off or measure distances to use as references for each stand. Then I know pretty accurately the distance of most everything in my effective range when something shows up. I use my range finder when I set up the stand but after that I am pretty familiar with the yardages. If I am hunting new territory and use a temporary site I need the range finder and use it rather than walk the whole area getting my yardages. I guess I am saying a range finder isn't my most important tool but I like having it when I need it. If I was just getting started I certainly wouldn't compromise on my archery equipment in order to have the range finder.
thanks for the info. I was thinking of doing something similiar when I set up stands later, and that was to walk off yardages and mark them with colored tape on trees and such and also keep a cheat sheet with the information handy. I know this will not work for hunting on public land or when like you said using a new area I have not scouted heavily.
I bowhunted for many years without a rangefinder. Just bought one for the first time last year. As The Old Man stated marking distances from your stand is a great idea. Even better is learning how to accurately judge distance from both the ground and an elevated position. Obviously this takes time. 3D shooting is one way to help train your brain.
Even now with a rangefinder I always like to judge the distance in my head before I range it. Just good practice IMO
I use to have a Leupold Vendetta...but the got a Bushnell Chuck Adams range finder just a short while back. I really like it. It has ARC from 5-99 yards then 100-850 it's just normal. It works really well...I found it on Ebay new for $130 shipped.
I do this same thing. Like said before when I'm in my normal spots I know the distances to certain "landmarks" all around me, rocks, trees, deadfall etc... When I'm in a new spot or less familiar area I will break the rangefinder out just to range certain things then it goes right back into my pack. They are good to have but not a necessity. I got a cheaper Wildgame Innovations for like $80 and its accurate and works fine for how much I actually need it. I've tested its ranging capabilities and accuracy right next to my fathers expensive Nikon rangefinder and its dead accurate with his. Mine was about a quarter of the price of his.
thanks for all the responses. This makes me feel better about not planning on getting one right away. The start up cost are a little steep, and somewhat overwhelming at times. This is one I can put on a christmas or birthday list in the future and not be worried if I get it or not.
If you're looking to cut costs, this is an area you can afford to. Get good at judging yardage, find landmarks, pace off ahead of time and use markers if need be, etc,. In then end, be confident in your abilities, but by no means is a rangefinder a necessity.
I have the Nikon Archer's choice range finder. I'm using it the yard as I shoot squirrels, but plan on using mine during the hunt. I don't plan on using a stand. This guy is all about the stalk
It is not so much about cutting cost as being able to make sure I have every thing that I need, vs items that are nice, helpful, etc but not a requirement. This will be the first year for both my youngest son (13) and myself (older than 13), so I have had to buy virtually every thing x2, which sucks in my opinion. I can't ask him to wait a year as he has been practicing and is excited about it, and doing everything he can to assist in getting things ready. Even though that would spread the cost out a lot.
Yep I would definitely skip over the rangefinder for now then. There's a lot more important and essential things that are a higher priority.
Rangefinder aside Congratulations to you and your son on taking up an amazing sport. I am sure you will both love it. Sounds like a pretty lucky boy ya have there to have a dad hookin him up! My dad did t5he same for me 20 years ago and I've never been the same! LOL Good luck to you both this fall and keep us all posted!
thanks again. I plan on lettign everyone know about our fails and maybe we get "lucky" and score a success or 2 this year. This entire process is funny because I was never into hunting as a child, and only started to get interested after losign my grand-father this past year, and he was a gun hunter not a bow hunter.