I agree shooting paper or foam has little to do with what we can or can not due while hunting. I practice long range, but only b/c I have found it has made me a better shooter at my actual hunting range. My setup generates enough speed and energy to kill much further than I limit myself to. However as other have, I have experienced first hand the difference between expectations and real life, as such my max is 40 yards with the perfect conditions. To date the longest shot I have taken is 37 yards, however I usually setup my location to be within 30, with most harvests coming in the 20-25 yard range. I have heard all the stories about 80 yard double lungs and while I can hit the kill zone at that distance, I know how much my group can and sometimes does open up under field time pressures (hunting). I prefer to not even put myself in the position where a decision has to be made that may have a poor outcome on the game end. While I admit I have been faced many times with that long yardage shot, I know my wall/limit and don' t attempt it. Personal satisfication, conviction is all I have to go on and I don' t want to go home knowing that I could have done something differently to turn the events into a positive outcome. I view every opportunity of the close call (the one that was almost in range) as an opportunity to come out to try and even the score and turn the events in my favor. Guess what sometimes it happens and sometimes not, hey I call it hunting not harvesting!!!! I don' t expect things to be easy, sure or even predictable....that is why I love it so much. Thinking back the close calls while bowhunting make up as much of my memories as the perfect double lung shot and harvest.

As stated by others and I agree, only one person can make the call and that is the guy holding the bow. Cause in the end he or she is the one that has to live with the desicion in which they have made.

My views don' t hold to just bow hunting, but all forms of hunting. Ensuring we make a clean. ethical, quick harvest is of utmost importance and to do so we must know our limitations and adhere to them. By following this practice it will lead to more satisfaction, min. game loss, less negative light on the sport and a sense of accomplishment that we can pass on proudly to others. Which in turn will teach those how to responsibly act and think when taking to the field.