I got a late start--I was in my 20's before I knew anyone still shot anything other than a compound. Been at it now for......15 years or so I reckon, most of that with the same bow. I've owned lots of others, had 35 on hand at one time, but now I only have a half dozen or so that have sentimental value.

Never stepped off my "effective range"--most shots I've taken were under 25 yds. Funny thing is the longest shots I've taken at game were on smaller animals--a small pig, a red fox, and rabbits. Don't think I've shot at a deer more than 15 or so yds away. I just go by how it feels--a close shot may not feel right, so I'll pass. A longer shot may feel good, so I'll take it. A red fox at 20 yds. ain't a short shot, and neither is a 30 lb pig at about 23 yds, but they both felt good and both are dead.

I add a congrats to BobCo--just a few days ago I saw a post on a different site where some jughead was saying that wasn't possible--that anybody would shoot at a big deer if it was just beyond their comfort zone. Just another scenario to prove him wrong.

Chad