Is this good enough Shooting?
 

I've been placing broadheads in a 6x6 target at 40 yrds everytime. Is that consistent enough to shoot at a deer from that distance? What do you think?

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

Are you saying the entire taget is a 6" cube? If so I would say that pretty good.

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

It's good enough for me... I'm sure some will say no way. You make the call. If you can keep all arrows in the kill zone of a Mckenzie target, you will be fine.

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

I dont really practice over 30 yards but ya id say thats pretty good.

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

Ditto

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

Good enough I think,, If you feel comfortable at that distance, Then I would say go for it...

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

Sure just don't shoot a dink and leave my momma out of this.

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

The recommendation I see allthe time is set your maximum range to the distance that you can hit a 4 inch target (circle) 100% of the time. The idea is that if you are this good on the range you will be able to hit an animal in the larger kill zone even when nerves, bugs, etc are distracting you. Personally, I think these hard rules based on marksmanship on the range aren't worth much. Wind, angle, deer behavior, nerves, stance, cover, etc etc are just as important when determining whether or not you should take the shot.

So... I would say you can defineately take a 40yd shot if both you and the deer are standing in a flatopen field, on a windless day, broadside shot, you are not shaking, and the deer has no idea you are there.

Good luck this season!

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

Shooting a target at 40 yds in your back yard and shooting at a deer at 40 yrds is quite different. You have to take the adrenaline factor into consideration. Not to mention, the deer's reaction to the release of the arrow. I saw something very interesting on the Dream Season last night. The participants ran a sprint before shooting at a target. By doing so, they simulated the adrenaline rush you get frombeing in the moment of shooting a deer. Try it and see how well you group at 40yds. It may or may not make a difference.

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

I would agree with the others, I practice in the same manner with 3", 6" and 9" targets up to 35 yards.

Had to qualify on Fort Belvoir bow only hunting at 20 yds, and 30 yds at a 9" plate for me my practice habits made that 9" seem huge..lol:D4 of 6 arrows had to be placed within it. Always room for improvement IMO

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

:DYep...............if your hunting 6x6 targets;).

I'd live with it:)

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

Other have mentioned that shooting at a target at 40 is not the same as shooting at a live animal. When I shot compound, I could easily shoot a 5" group at 50 yards, however, I would never shoot past 30 at a live deer, or 40 at an elk.

Here is what I can shoot at 25 yards (longbow), but I my effective range on whitetail is 20.

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

I pretty much subscribe to the idea of whatever distance I can shoot 4" groups, that is my absolute maximum. As some others have siad, with wind, edgy animals, adrenaline, and other factors possible group size in hunting situations is likely to double---or more. That being said, I often shoot 2" groups at 40 yards with sub-4" groups the norm. I set my maximum in the woods at 30 yards. There are enough things to go wrong without me adding poor judgement to the equation.

One thing I would say though. Practicing at even longer distances out to 70 yards sure does help with the concentration, making shorter shots seem easier.

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

By the looks of target, I'd say your effective range in 25yds!!! ;) Looks pretty darn effective to me :D

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

I believe that is pretty good. However, you should be a bit better/tighter grouping at 30 yards and closer. There are times I take shots for practice in excess of 30 yards, but 95% of my practice is typically from within 20 yards. I do this because most often I am only presented with shots at 20 yards when in the woods.

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

6" area is pretty good. I know a lot of people don't shoot that far in the woods. I do, but practice daily at the distance with my hunting heads.

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

Hi there, in order for you to take that shot you must be 100% confident in your shooting ability. A 6 inch spread at 40 yards to me is a bit wide. I practice out to 60 yards and consistantly hit within a 4 inch or smaller circle. But, that takes alot of shooting proctice. You must also take into consideration, time, place, conditions (weather), topography and the ability to shoot perfect everytime. Now the trick to bringing down your grouping is to be completely calm, breathe, set, anchor point set, shoot and follow through. The main reason I see people shooting poorly at long distances is they drop their bow arm or push it to one side in order to watch the arrow fly. This is bad, too many variables. Proper follow through, which means after you release your arrow, do not move until your arrow hits its mark. Good luck.

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

I would say yes.You are inside the kill zone one a mature deer.I might add that you may want to shoot at the bottom of the kill zone though at that distance he will have time to react to the sound and he will duck some.But if you are shooting a fast enough bow then you will still hit him where it counts.

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

I think you should go hunting.

RE: Is this good enough Shooting?
 

If you have to ask if it's too far then it is probabely toooooooo faaaaaar:(