When I take both a range finder and a bow out with me I use a combo of practice techniques. Some days I just go out and judge with a range finder and do not shoot. Some days I shoot almost a known distance type shoot (I judge, then I range it to see how close I was and then I shoot). Some days I judge, then shoot unkown distance and then range it to see how I did. Practice with variety. Don' t always do the same thing.

I have asked anyone that will talk to me how they judge. Here are some other methods people use once they get on the range.

- start with 5 yards, double it to 10, double it to 20, double it to 40. now is it more or less than 40.

-start with 10 yards, flip a 10 yard pole to find 20, 30, 40, 50.

-find 20 and then go to 30, 40 etc

-find 20 from the stake and 20 from the target then determine how far apart they are to determine how far the target is. If they overlap, obviously it is less than 40.

-find half way and double it

These are just the ones that popped into my head immediately. As you can see there are a bunch of different ways to judge on the range and with your range finder.

Here is what I do when I walk up to the target right now (this may very well change next week).

I look at the target just to get an idea if it is a gimmee or LFW (long friggin way).
Then I find 20 and work out in 10 yard increments.
Then if it is 35ish or more I come from the target back to me in 10 yard increments.

I have found with my ranging and note taking that I do very well out to 35 just by going to the target. Once I get past there I make some whopping mistakes occasionally (5&6 yarders). Going and coming helps me catch some of those mistakes.

Hope this helps