I am new to bowhunting and have this question: how accurate does one need to be?
I have heard that..."Ïf you can hit a 5" circle at 20 yards then you are ok."
This seems like CRAP accuracy to me. In my gun hunting days I worshiped sub MOA at 100+ yards, i.e. exteme accuracy for sub100yard shots. Am I trying for too much accuracy?
I can hang around 3" groups at 20yards and around 4" at 30yards (occasional flyer but I am considering dumping my whisker buiscuits for hopefully more accuracy...Am I being too anal?

THANKS in advance

Oh yeah, the other reason for the question is that I'm starting to practice with a lighter weight bow (Renegade Tominator2 vs. Bowtech Patriot)that is opening up my groups about and inch. I like the lighter bow better to hunt with but is convenience worth the drop in accuracy???

I dont think you are being to anal when it comes to accuracy.
I try to maintain groups of 1 inch per 10 yards.
Plus I dont think the convience of a lighter bow to be worth the loss of accuracy.
I also shoot the Patriot and yes it is a little on the heavy side but thats one of the reasons I like it so much.

We owe it to the animals we are hunting to be the best shot we can be and to make a clean and ethical shot.

I've always heard that one should be able to hit a pie plate at varius hunting distances. A pie plate is what, about 8" across? Seems somewhat reasonable since a pie plate would be about the size of the broadside killzone of a deer correct? Obviously we should strive for better groupings than pie plate sized ones. I'm sure the vast majority of bowhunters will work towards hitting much smaller areas.

-Mike

I'd say wherever you can group 3" or less ,and then limmit your yardage according to your downrange ke .A lightweight arrow out of a light draw weight bow will not be worth much past 30 yards ,and if you are shooting that tpye equipment it should be with a sharp 2 blade broadhead not last years 4 blade muzzy .

If information provided by the members of this board have helped you please let us know .

You should see what range will allow you to consistently place all of your arrows in the kill zone. Practice out to that range and beyond. HOWEVER, when you are hunting, many other factors can come into play (nerves, moving deer, concern that you'll be discovered by the deer to name a few) and you should consider your maximum kill range to be significantly <u>less</u> than your practice limits.

Your concern for accuracy is commendable. I hope others strive for the same goals.

JWhite, I think you've got the right idea about your group size. You'll find most of the guys here are just as, if not more, anal than you when it comes to this. My feeling on it is this; if I am shooting two inch groups at 20 yards and the vitals of a deer are 8 inches in diameter I'm in good shape. Since my groups are 2 inches, if I slip up and miss my mark by 2 inches I'm still in the kill zone easily. If my groups are 5 inches and I slip up by 2 inches where does that put me? A missed or worse, wounded deer.

Hey JWhite its only normal to be anal when it comes to tight groups. The tighter your groups the more confidence you will have in your equipment. If you can do anything more to tighten up your groups than I would highly reccomend it. Practicing, practicing and more practice this will always tighten up your groups as well.

A lighter bow is just as accurate, You just need to get used to it. Your body/mind is used to the bow you've been shooting. You can never be too anal about accuracy.IMO <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

My perception is to be as accurate as possible. I like to stack arrows. Then if you are a little off, you are still in good shape. I have also heard hitting a pie plate is the preferred accuracy.

A bad day of hunting beats a good day of work!