How far is too far when it comes to shot distance on whitetail deer? Here's a few facts to consider when determining your personal shot distance max.... Read more... The post Shot Distance: How Far is Too Far? appeared first on Bowhunting.com. Continue reading...
I'm not the greatest archer...I practice farther than I shoot deer. I don't shoot deer past 20. With a rifle my longest kill shot was 150 but even when rifle hunting, many of my shots are within bow range Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I have a 3 pin sight. I practice 20, 30 and 40 yards. I have shot at 7 deer and recovered 6 of them. All at 30 yards or less. Hit one buck in shoulder and he survived. I'll say 30 yards is perfect for me.
I listened to a podcast one time where they were talking about taking 80+ yard shots using 85 lb draw weight bows. Successfully I might add. My thoughts on the topic are that each person should know and respect their own limitations, play to their own strengths and not try to impose the same on anybody else. If you like to shoot long distance, practice hard, learn to read and anticipate the animal's potential movement and can hit your target reliably then by all means go for it and take pride in being a good hunter and great archer. If you like to or need to get close, out smart the animal's natural defenses, draw without getting busted, and spend your time figuring out how to get into that position then hunt that way and take pride in being a good archer and great hunter. One style is not arbitrarily better than the other. Both present their own unique challenges.
I agree with BB4tw. Depends on the individual and his or her strengths and weaknesses and of course each scenario as well. Well said.
Each situation is different. There are shots at 50 that are cake and shots at 20 I shouldn’t take. Gaining enough experience in a variety of situations and locations that gives you a base to draw upon in knowing the difference isnt all that common.
When your not confident it will be a clean kill........too far. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
30yrds on a doe last Friday. Drew on a doe this Friday at 67yrds, but she wasn’t as calm as I wanted her to be. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Shot my last buck at 37 yards. Used a one pin moveable sight and I practiced consistently out to 50. I shot him using 46 pounds. It's about how comfortable you are with it and how much you practice it. A lot of variables come into play even such as how calm the deer is, angle, etc. Kinetic energy is important, but so much more comes way before LBs in terms of distance. Now that I've upped my bow to 60, I will shoot farther. I feel comfortable out to 45 pretty easily, but not after that. It's really a personal thing, as nothing is more situational.
All I know is the discussion @Justin had with folks on Facebook left me with little to zero faith in some bowhunters out there being qualified to carry a bow........ JZ I raise a glass to you attempting to educate many....
Oh and for all you forum vets...we all remember the tool that claimed the only challenge he had was all the tennis balls he goes through shooting them at 100 yards for practice..... ROFL
The truth is that with modern equipment, most 70lb bows using the correct weight arrows, bh etc. 80 yards, it will cut through a bucks rib cage without any issue. Ultimately we would need math and calculators to figure out how many inches the arrow would be embedded in the dirt after going through the deer. So ignore equipment in this conversation if that what is being asked. (can not count how many times I read on my gun forums, can a 308,30-06,300win etc kill at "X" yards) The real questions that should be asked both with bow or rifle. Is the shooter capable of this shot and do the circumstances allow for it. Immediately I will say 95% of guys on here are not capable of taking 80 yard shots. And of that 5% of folks who could, 90% of the time in the field, conditions wouldn't allow for this shot. Either wind, or the animals behavior.
