saltflyz

I recall reviewing some posts recently and seeing a fair amount of various responses talking about shooting comfortably up to 50, 60 even 70 yds. I'm not doubting anyone, but I wouldn't shoot a whitetail with buckshot at 60-70 yds! I feel confident that I can shoot 4" groups out to 30 maybe even 40 yds. Would you guys really let an arrow fly on a deer at 60-70 yds???

Rick James

I would never shoot at a whitetail past 50 yards, and don't think there are many scenarios I would take a 50 yard shot at even. I suppose if I stalked up on one with its head down feeding in an open field and I had time to use the range finder, I might take a 50 yard shot, but otherwise I try to keep them within 35 yards or so. My furthest to date was a 42 yard doe I took in Vermont 2 years ago, she had her head down and I had time to range her. Every other animal I have killed with a bow was less than 30 yards.

jag-mag

I only practice out to 40yrds and will only shoot at deer at 30 yrds or closer. I saw a hunting show were 2 guys shot caribou at 70yrds and 60yrds and drilled them both. These guys worked for mathews[ must of been luck] the caribou were standing still granted, still some good
shooting.

OhiobowHunter56

for target...but not hunting... i'm not comfortable past 30. unless a monster is at 40 or so

Greg / MO

I think the reason why you'll find most people practicing out to those distances is: 1) It's fun, and (2) It makes 20-yard shots seem like "slam-dunks".

I would have to question anyone that would consider shooting at any live big-game animal in North America much past 45 yards or so... and maybe even a touch closer than that. My reasoning is simple: Even if the animal is calm and undisturbed, an animal can take at least one if not two steps at an alarmingly quick rate when it decides to simply walk a bit forward -- even when unaware ofan arrow speeding its way. A couple feet later, and that for-sure heart shot has just become a marginal hit at best, and may lead to hours and hours of tracking.

Even though I'm sure there are many here who are confident in nailing a grapefruit at 50 or 60 yards, I like the way I heard it put this way best: Bowhunting isn't about seeing from how far away you can take an animal, but from how close.

Paul L Mohr

I regularly shoot at 20,30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 yards. I am confident and lethal out to 50 yards. If my game is on I can shoot well at 70, if not I can't shoot worth a darn at that distance.

That being said I will not shoot deer past 30 yards, and I prefere them to be 20 and in. The rest is simply for fun and to challenge myself. If want to shoot them at longer distances I will wait for gun season to start and use my slug gun or ML.

Paul

JLmoore1956

Well personally, dont have the area to practice seriously at much beyond 35 yards. I can consistently group at 30, which for me would probably be the max I ever shoot at a deer from. If I can find the space I will practice at 40 and 50, but with military excercises and deployments can't consistently shoot the yardages so I can say I probably suck at grouping beyond 30 yards.

mobow

Admitedly, I don't always agree w/ Greg here ([8D]) but in this case he's exactly right. It challenges you to be the best you can be. Tuning and form problems are more evident from that far and it breaks the routine of the 20 and 30 yarders. You want challenging and fun, step back to 70 or 80 yards and fling arrows at your deer target. Oh, I would have some hay bales or something behind it. Then, step up to 20 yards......man alive, does that seem easy.

tsoc

I am in agreement with most all of you.I regularly practice at 50 and 60 yards to hone skills and make the 40 yard and in shots a gimme.I try very hard to keep my shots within 30 yards.I only hunt whitetails and bears with the bow.I have shot two bucks at distances of 37 and 39 yards.I would be perfectly content if I never had a shot beyond 30 yards again,and this has nothing to do with competence.

Greg / MO

C'mon... what have we ever disagreed about?