The farthest I've ever shot a deer at was 36 yards. I practice out to 60 and would consider myself a decent shot with my bow. But as you can see from the last episode I should've sent one of that buck at 40 yards, but it just didn't feel right. I wanted him to close in a little tighter on that decoy before I really felt comfortable. You know when the distance in right. If you have to think about it too much keep that arrow knocked. The best shots are those that come naturally, where your practice routine takes over and you just lock on and send one without much thought.
My longest archery kill shot was 36 yards but that was when I was young a didn't read distances very well. The longest shot I will take now is 30 yards. I shoot a pendulum sight.
Very well said, for some reason these days having differing views get's people upset, even though they may be learning something in the process.
Discussing and different points of view are fine. It's the bickering and "I'm right and you're wrong" attitudes that make these threads go south.
30 and under for me. I practice out farther of course, but have no reason to shoot further. My setups get me in close so most encounters are 25yds and under. Last 4 archery bucks were under 20yds.
Depends.. Field or woods? Stand or ground? Cold or warm? Weather? Foot placement? I practice from 20 to 100 yards. Consistent hits drop off past 70, but I passed up a 40 yard shot this year on the biggest on the hoof buck I've seen. I don't go out with a set maximum range. I let all the factors set my range for me. The longest shot I've taken was 30 yards and that was in a ground blind. All my other shots were less than 20.
Kinda...lol. I hit him about 4" higher than I wanted. I didn't aim low enough at that distance. He didn't make it far at all. Before that 38 yards has been my farthest shot. If there would have been any wind I wouldn't shot at him. Honestly, probably won't ever shoot that far again. Sent from my SM-S820L
I would shoot out to 40 yards in right conditions for a whitetail. Would have to be a buck. I know people won't like that, but that is the truth. Usually get plenty of shots at does closer. Taking a 40 yard shot and understanding that I might do everything perfect and still not hit the deer. Still hard to get a buck within 40 yards. I wouldn't shoot that distance walking or high alert. I shoot out to 80 yards practicing. Last year I shot my buck at 40 yards. I missed a buck at 35 yards this year, but i had stopped him and he was alert. I either pulled it high or deer jumped the string. A lot can happen at 30 yards too when alert. With all of that said I would have a hard time not taking a 45 yard shot at a buck working away from me that was feeding broadside. I think it is hard to just put one number on your longest shot. I don't think I could pull the trigger on 50 plus for whitetail though. Seems to be pushing it to me. Elk is a whole other conversation.
Pretty much "ditto" to what MGH_PA said here. I practice 40-60 yards quite a bit, but limit myself to 30 yards on deer...I much prefer 15-20 yard shots and try to hang my sets so that is most likely.
Max distance I would shoot a whitetail deer is 30 yards. That's on a calm animal, minimal wind, plenty of shooting light, verified with a rangefinder. My biggest fear as a bowhunter is wounding and losing an animal. Given my setup and abilities as an archer I don't feel comfortable stretching it beyond that. Furthest I have shot a deer is 20 yards. That's my comfort zone, I scout, and set stands to to get deer traveling in that range. That's why I bowhunt, I want it up close and personal. I've had opportunities for further pokes but didn't feel comfortable with the shots, the deers alertness, or the conditions.
