Slayer I suppose your question could be construed several ways. "How far away would you shoot a deer" isn't necessarily the same thing as "What is the range limit you choose with a bow". Also you said, "If you had never killed a deer" THAT changes everything. For someone that has never "skewered" one I would hesitate to recommend them shooting much past 20-25yds while in the woods. And I say that no matter HOW accurate they are on the range at 30-40+ yds. Slingin an arrow over 30yds while in the woods is a LOOOONG shot and best left too those who have done it before.

My personal "bow limit" used to be 30yds, now it is 35 because my Hoyt shoots the same pin from 0-30yds, plus or minus 3". At 35 yds I have 6" of drop to account for. Past that, forget it IMHO. To many variables and there are ALOT of tiny limbs and leaves that can get in the way over that range!

IMHO even the fastest compounds of today only have 5 MAYBE 10yds advantage on the oldest of wheel bows!
RA