Ag, like early says whatever you are comfortable with. I practice out to 50 yet would never shoot that distance my first shot at an animal because i am usually shaking like a blind fagget at a weiner roast. This year i arrowed my cow twice, once at 20 and once at 50 yards and got total pass thrus both times so it is definately lethal at 50 yards but that was just an insurance shot. Once the range gets out wind etc becomes a factor. My limit is 40 i tell myself but have actually never shot past 30. Also elk have a bigger kill zone so there is more margin for error. I have never pulled the trigger on a deer yet though so i don't have any experience with them. I have had lots of chances but i will only shoot a buck that i would shoot with the rifle soalways my bow season for deer ends up fruitless. You will be the best judge at what distance u can shoot when u draw, if it don't feel confident don't shoot. U will be fine.