Whats too far
 

Sitting here bored and started thinking I wonder whats the furthest shot you would take at an animal? Lets not complicate it you have a clear shot all the way out on a massive Buck you know without a question he will score at least 160 and he is as close as he is ever going to get. You have been hunting this piece of property for years and you have never seen him before so you know he is a transit buck and you may never see him again. I won't shoot an arrow at an animal over 30 yards, but boy this would be tempting. What about you? Just for fun. Only you know your limitations so come on tell the truth!!!!!! Mike

RE: Whats too far
 

For me, 25 is the max I'll launch a stick at a deer. I've been guilty of it myself, but have now changed my views, but to me, the "well, if it's big, I'll shoot farther" line is not good practice. I've lost 2 deer in my life, and have been called in to help people unsuccessfully track others,( I've also been called in to help and found deer that probably wouldn't have been found)and to shoot at an animal outside of a comfort range just isn't worth it. It'll just make a guy feel worse if it's a monster, knowing he probably shouldn't have shot anyway.

The ones that get away without taking a shot make better stories than wounded deer not found, anyway.

RE: Whats too far
 

In the perfect situation I'd try him at 40 yards. I have made shots at this distance a couple of times. Normally try to keep it around 30 though. Let me go ahead and say this before some other holier than thou does "the antler size should not dictate the type of shotor distance";)

RE: Whats too far
 

I fully agree with IL on this one. Why does is it have to be different if it's a huge buck or just a doe?? Does knowing your effective range change just because the type of animal does? With a lot of people it does.

Turtle...that outlook isn't having a houlier than thou outlook or stance...That's just being responsible.

RE: Whats too far
 

I was shooting 65 yds accuratly when I was planning on going Elk hunting. I would shoot 50 yds if everything was right. Off course assuming I had a 50 yd pin.

RE: Whats too far
 

I have confidence to 40 yards. I have taken one at 42 yards but would much rather keep them in the 20 to 30 yard range. If he steps out at 40 to 45 yards I'm sending an arrow his way for sure. It's all about practice and being confident in your abilities.

RE: Whats too far
 

I like to keep my shots at 40 and under if at all possible...even on a big vital area like on an elk.

RE: Whats too far
 

40 yds is my max assuming he is standing broadside. I would prefer 20 yds but you can't always get what you want.

RE: Whats too far
 

i have a 45 yard pin that i feel confident in.

RE: Whats too far
 

Here is how I look at it. I believe every hunter has his own max range based on environmental conditions for that day and time of shot. However, as a general rule this is what I plan to follow: whatever range I can consistently shoot 3-4 inch groups at under perfect conditions would be a good starting point for my max range. The vital area is larger than this, but you need room for error to allow for wind, adrenaline, bulky clothing, heavy breathing, standing on uneven ground, etc. To clarify, if I was shooting 6 inch groups under perfect circumstances, I would not make that my max hunting range since hunting is usually under less than perfect conditions.