ORIGINAL: GMMAT
Well....there ARE valid reasons NOT to use one....and this thread is riddled with them ....and they were cited by people who are well-known for their hunting conquests. the statement, as put forth, is false.
Reasons cited (for not using one) were:
1 - unnecessary movement
2 - not needed for short range situations
3 - somehting else to carry into the woods
4 - etc...
Those aren't good reasons IMO.........I range everything the minute I get in my stand so movement is no concern. If you are gonna wait until the animal walks by to try and range him you may as well leave it home. I think it's needed for all ranges........yea it's great when they walk past at 10 yards but that's not always the case. I would never want to go into the woods knowing I have to guess at anything farther then a slam dunk. Take the range finder and you never have to guess........ever. Rangefinders are about the size of a thick wallet and are not heavy, bulky, or cumbersome in any way..........they fit in almost any bowhunting jacket pocket and I put mine in my Summit side bag with my calls and pull up rope.