I just read the post about taking shots out to 60 yards, which I definitely won't do although I have hit plenty of bulls eyes out that far 10 years ago while primarily target shooting. The differences are all to obvious to me. When I am about to shoot at a deer I will likely be standing on a small platform 20'-30' feet above the ground with my adrenaline racing and shooting around branches and such with bulky clothes on. I do practice under these conditions also, but the adrenaline part is hard to overcome, regardless.

Anyway, it got me to thinking about marking distances with some sort of marker (a pile of rocks, a stick stuck in the ground, etc.) a known distance from your tree. Of course, natural markers would also work, such as a stump, a tree, a scrape, etc. What I was thinking was to actually go out to the stand that you know you're going to using, and use a 100' tape (33 yards) to measure the distance off. Maybe even mark enough spots where you begin to form a 20 yd and a 30 yard radius ring, more or less.

Has anyone else done this, or do you see it as being unsporting, that we should be able to judge the distance? Just wondering.

-Brad
Eastern Nebraska Bowhunter

After I have settled into my tree stand or ground blind one of the first things I do when light enough is get the range finder out and range everything from trees to rocks.

I really dont want to be second guessing when there is a live animal in front of me.

by23856,
That is perfectly sporting of you...and being responsible to the deer. I know a lot of hunters who do exactly that. My brother will set out scent wicks at the distances he's marked from his stand. Me, I just take a field point or two everytime I go and shoot at a yellow leaf or a stick on the ground. If I hit or am off by an inch or two I'm golden. I like this better because it gets me better at judgeing yardage in case I'm in a different stand or don't have a chance to put up yardage markers.

But to answer your original question, it's a good idea and a good thing to practice.

Once you get in your stand and using a range finder to mark distances is a great idea. Going in earlier to use a tape may put added unnecesarry scent to your hunting area possibly spooking deer. Regardless haveing the distance marked in some way is a very sportsman like thing to do, for the hunter and especially for the deer.

I would suggest the same, I wouldn't recommend the tape thing. Use a decent range finder, I have one that I bought on sale at Bass Pro for around $25. Its only good to 40 yards and is the focusing type, but it works well for what I use it for.

The last thing I am going to do is walk around my stand marking trees before I hunt. If you can mark them weeks before the season then do it. Otherwise use a range finder and keep your smelly feet of the trails <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Bushnell Yardage Pro 500! And I range anything that might be useful.

An added benefit of having a rangefinder is that when you practice judging distances, it gives you feedback.

Bowhunter