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.

RE: Whats too far
 

I will take a shot out to about 35 yards and thats it.

RE: Whats too far
 

the furthest i would go is 40 yards

RE: Whats too far
 

30 yds max

RE: Whats too far
 

I'm confident I can shoot one at 40 yards. My father shot one at 62 with his bow, and my brother was there to witness it so it's not BS. It wasa complete pass through. She ran 50 yards shot through the heart. I shot my doe at 33 yards this past season. The arrow went through and stuck about 6 inches in the ground about 5 yards behind her. If you're only willing to shoot out to 25 or 30 yards personally I think you oughta buckle down and extend the range a bit. Them darn deer don't always come in at 25 yards. Give yourself a better chance. If I had the time I'd put a couple more pins on there and practice to 50 and 60. I hope like heck they come in at 25 yards but if they don't I'll be ready. Think about how the indians killed animals then think about the technology we have today. Todays bows would smoke them whitetails out to 100 yards. If you can shoot that far, more power to ya. With all that said I understand some folks shooting certain equipment are limited. Anyways, that's my 2 cents, too bad all that's probably not worth 2 cents.

RE: Whats too far
 

30yards under normal conditions. 35 if the deer is calm and feeding.

RE: Whats too far
 

40 yards is my max.

RE: Whats too far
 

I've got 20,30,40,50,60 yard pins,I feel more than confident at 60 on deer or antelope.I practice daily out to 60 yd,so thats me.
BBJ

RE: Whats too far
 

35 Yards for me.............

RE: Whats too far
 

I'm glad to see somebody else has the balls to post how they feel, even when it's against the grain.

Hat off to you.:)

RE: Whats too far
 

for me, i would not hesitate for a clear shot out to 50-55 yards. I took 2 pronghorn at 45-50 yards, and nailed them. For deer, I don't treestand hunt, so my level of hunting is comfortable at 55 yards. Turkeys, on the other hand, is 30 yards and under.

RE: Whats too far
 

my 80 yard pin is just as good as my 40 the only prob is you might have to aim a bit low if the deer ducks cause he sees it coming, but it works

RE: Whats too far
 

I practice mainly to 35 but try to keep my actual hunting shots 25 and less. I practice some at 40 but not enough to shoot under hunting conditions. I'm sure if one practiced enough at longer distances it shouldn't be a problem. For myself, I know the distances in different directions around my stands and don't ever note anything past 25. Obviously the farther out the more chance of off target and knowing yardage becomes more critical. Me, I'd pass on that one. Dang it.

RE: Whats too far
 

lets see I think I would have to draw the limit at right around 1/4 mile :eek:

RE: Whats too far
 

Hey if the wind is right, you may be able to pull off a 1/2 mile shot.:D

RE: Whats too far
 

Basically 3 yards is my max on a 160 class buck. Three yards is nine feet and if you can't get a 160 class buck within 9 feet, you need to seriously work on your hunting skills. I have had them as close as 4 feet but there was so much kenetic energy from the shot the buck craped on my boot on impact.

RE: Whats too far
 

62 yds from my back patio to my McKenzie buck. I shoot this shot a lot.....but I honestly couldn't commit to a shot over 35-40 yds unless it was right in front of me.....and I was in THAT moment. I'll know it when I see it ........I guess, but it would likely NOT be near my target limit (60 yds). It would have to be near PERFECT for me to go to 40 yds.

Jeff

RE: Whats too far
 

I don't like shooting at animals less than 10 yards or more than 40.

Bobby

RE: Whats too far
 

I'd take a 55 yd shot. I practice at that distance regularly and feel confident.

RE: Whats too far
 

If I were practicing every day like normal, and there was no wind, I'd take one out to 60....

RE: Whats too far
 

I like to stay 20 and closer 12 being the best shot, but if it was a buck of a life time i would try a 30 yrd but no more. Youknow that there are some monsters in the area so even though it would be tempting i would only try a 30yrd.

RE: Whats too far
 

I can shoot out to 60 yds and feel pretty comfortable sooting at that range. Everyone is different and have their own range.

RE: Whats too far
 

Wow very interesting range of opinions thanks guys Mike

RE: Whats too far
 

40 yards...trophy buckor doe, it wouldn't make a difference!

RE: Whats too far
 

I am positive I could take one at 45 yards but I don't like to lose deer so I kinda don't want to take the chance. I would say 30-35 and 40 ifit was last day or week of season and he was huge.... i know its wrong to only take that shot if he's big but I am gonna tell you the truth I would take it.

RE: Whats too far
 

Whew with that many pins I don't think I could even make a shot. Hats off to ya.

RE: Whats too far
 

45-60 AT THE MOST

RE: Whats too far
 

if you feel you can shoot the shot and make it, take it

no one else can tell you what is and isn't an ethical shot. There are no laws stating what is and isn't ethical shooting. Only YOU can make it or not

Fred Bear took amazing shots. Howard Hill did. There are many modern compound shooters taking 75-100 yard shots.

Its not for any of us to question them really.