RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not
 

I shoot one pin out to 30 yards. I don't like to shoot at anything further than 25 yards from my treestand. Most of my stands are setup for 15 yard shots. I don't need a rangefinder at these distances. The only decision I need to make is if it's it bow range or not. For me that's 25 yards max and it's just one pin so it's pretty simple. If it's so far away that I need a rangefinder, it's too far to shoot.

By the way I shoot 4 inch groups at 60 yards in my yard with broadheads. Also, I've never wounded an animal yet with my bow (5 for 5).

RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not
 

I hunt many game animals, in different states. I'm not in a tree stand, most of the time. I will take longer shots, if the situation is right, and if I know the exact yardage. SO, I use the range finder often. Shot my spring turkey at 35 yards, my doe antelope this fall at 47 yards, my bull elk at 22 yards although I didn't use it before I shot him[8D]

RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not
 

Varying terrain and longer than typical shots: uphill, downhill, wide open, trees, brush, cross-canyon all make a rangefinder a very nice accessory up here. Oh and there's the fact that wounding a brown bear has drastically different consequences than wounding a whitetail!

RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not
 

always

RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not
 

I also have shot 3-d at the state and national level thus becomming proficient at estimating yardage. However, I bought a range finder last year and love it. My biggest reason for liking it is because I can get the yardages without scenting up my stand site by pacing everything off. On a cautionary note, be careful when ranging from your tree with the older rangefinders. You will be ranging the hypotinuse (long side of the triangle) from there. I've found that when I'm 25' in the air, a True 20 yard shot will range at 23 yards. Practice with it and know what is happening. Try ranging a tree at eyeball level then range the same tree at its base. You'll then see the difference. The true distance to shoot is the eyeball level distance. Some of the newer models make the correction for you. I hope this info is useful to somebody. Good luck.

RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not
 

KodiakArcher nailed it. I too am pretty good at estimating range, but distances on those downhill shots can be deceiving, especially when 20' up in a tree on the side of a hill. I take my rangefinder with me all the time and like others have said, I use it to determine distance to known landmarks so I am certain of the range. Also, I hunt from climbing stands about 90% of the time and move around frequntly, so the rangefinder really helps from the many new perches I find myself in.

RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not
 

Here is my motto - it has served me well:

If you aren't sure how far it is, then it's too far to shoot with a bow.

This has worked well for deer hunting in the thick woods where I hunt. I go for 15 to 20 yard shots. 25 yards is a long shot for me. If I need a range finder, then it's too far and I shouldn't be shooting it with a bow anyway.

Guys that need range finders are guys that take 30, 40, and 50 yard shots with their bows. To me that's not bowhunting - that's gun hunting.

It aint how far you can shoot em, it's how close you can shoot em.

There's alot of people who have no business shooting past 25 yards at an animal. The rangefinder can give mediocre archers a false sense of confidence to take shots beyond their effective range resulting in wounded animals.

I say most of us should save the range finder for rifle season and stick to 20 - 25 yard shots. Therewould be alot less wounded animal threads.

RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not
 

I said no because I pace off 20 yards and make a mark. (I also do this while siting in so it is the same distance even if I am off on my measurments) From that 20 yards I can judge the distance back toward my tree or out to 40 yards and thats as far as I will shoot and even that has to be perfect conditions (enought light and no wind)

RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not
 

I use my rangefinder to get a range on nearby trees. That gives me visual markers if/when a deer should come by.

RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not
 

Yes and so I know how far away the animal is :D:D:D

Seriously, I always carry my rangefinder. It is hard for meto accurately judge distance from a tree, and when I am spot & stalking it helps me with my confidence.