I would think that regardless of equipment used, the most ethical shot is 25 yards and in (less chance of things going wrong). I don't usually talk about such things and as the saying goes - if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand... but here goes anyway...

I've hunted whitetail with a recurve for 15 years and have taken somewhere around 20 deer. My longest shot to date is around 18 yds. My average shot has been in the 12-15 yd range. You can be a shooter or you can be a hunter. In most cases, when it comes to trad equipment, the hunter part plays a larger role.

My apologies for spouting off, but I have much respect for the animal I hunt and strongly believe it is my responsibilty as a hunter to be as confident as possible before releasing my arrow that the animal WILL go down.