Not an uncommon question here discusses how far would we shoot an animal w/ our archery tackle. This answer varies greatly, of course, and IMO there is no wrong answer.

But, what we don't do is DEFINE "effective range." I have no right to tell anyone else what that exact distance is, but we CAN define it. Is it "comfort level?" Does it change from archer to archer and day to day?

All I bowhunt are deer. So, I've defined "effective range" as the maximum distance I can hit an 8" circle 100% of the time. There's no doubt in my mind that today's archery gear is more than capable of killing a deer @ distances in excess of 100 yards, but just because my bow is capable doesn't mean I'm going to.

So, does that sound like a fair definition? How do you personally define "effective range?" I'm not so much interested in what that distance is as I am it's definition.