Altitude ajustment?

Straightarrow · 03-02-2002, 06:18 AM

I'm going to be going to Colorado for an Elk hunt this fall. We'll be at about 11,000 feet. Cargo's post about temperature adjustments, got me thinking that altitude may be a problem. (I know it will be for me, but I'm referring to the arrow flight).

Does anyone know what effect, if any, that 10,000 feet in elevation will cause on arrow flight? I know that the atmosphere is less dense, therefore less drag, but is it significant. Gravity would even be affected some, but once again, how much?

Unit5A · 03-02-2002, 07:32 AM

I've never hunted at that altitude myself. I've read articles that if you don't adjust your sight pins before hunting that your shots will be high. The articles highly suggested to do some practicing in the area prior to actually hunting. I would imagine the difference would vary from bow to bow depending on your set-up.

"Hunt smart, know your target and beyond"

Unit5A · 03-02-2002, 07:33 AM

I've never hunted at that altitude myself. I've read articles that if you don't adjust your sight pins before hunting that your shots will be high. The articles highly suggested to do some practicing in the area prior to actually hunting. I would imagine the difference would vary from bow to bow depending on your set-up.

"Hunt smart, know your target and beyond"

Howler · 03-02-2002, 08:41 AM

Hey Straightarrow, I recently read an article in the "Bowhunter" mag. about this very topic and will break it down for you. A guy by the name of Randy Ulmer wrote this piece. He says that if you hunt more than 2000' above elevation where your bow was sighted in, you will begin to notice a higher arrow impact point, especially if your arrows have feather fletchings. He suggests, that bow hunters set up like this, by focusing on your longest pin setting, wether it be 40 or 50 yrds., set out a target and shoot until you're comfortable that you are executing good shots, then simply turn your limb bolts (reducing draw weight) in small increments until you are hitting dead on at this range. He notes, to be sure to turn both bolts equally to preserve the tiller setting. After making these adjustments, move up and check your short yardage pins, and he notes that you may actually have a slightly lower impact point, but that it should be insignificant.
Hope this helps ya. It does make sense to me, but I've never hunted high enough that I would have to make these adjustments myself, so I'm pretty much giving ya info. that I've read. GOOD LUCK!

Straightarrow · 03-02-2002, 11:52 AM

I will definitely take a target with me to practice with in camp.

Last year my brother hunted in the exact same place and missed a huge bull at 30 yards, shooting over it's back. He said it jumped the string, but still couldn't believe it completely ducked the arrow. He's a very good shot and has taken over 60 big game animals with his bow, but never at high altitude. I'm willing to bet that this contributed to his miss. I know that they did not resight their bows in camp. When I relay this info to him, I'll bet he gets pretty angry with himself. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>