For starters, I wouldn't shoot past 25 yards. Preferably 20 and in. There is a pretty big difference between 20 and 30, especially for a first timer, so it would be a real good decision not to go past 25 yards. There are hunters who have been hunting 20 plus years that won't take shots beyond 25. I don't like to take shots beyond 30. I have killed a few past 30, but most of my shots are 25 and in.