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

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Old 10-10-2006 | 02:49 PM
  #1  
Tbyrnzy82's Avatar
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From: Madison County, IL
Default Do you use a range finder why... why not

Well do you... I am wondering becuase my step system failed me this morning and I was considering breaking down. I don;t mind missing cleanly ona doe but if over shoot a nice buck it may be a diffenrt story
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Old 10-10-2006 | 02:53 PM
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From: El Dorado, Arkansas
Default RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not

I do to know the distance to the game.

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Old 10-10-2006 | 02:55 PM
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From: Dover, PA USA
Default RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not

Nikon 440 Everytime.......I range obvious landmarks, and keep it on my belt at all times if I need it in a pinch.

Confidence is a big part of shooting a bow accurately let alone accurately under pressure, from heights, weird angles etc......if you know an exact yardage rather than just adding another component to worry about or make a mistake with it will help your confidence immensely.

I use mine religiously and I am a pretty serious 3D shooter who has LOTS of practice judging yardage.

I would rather know......than guess.
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Old 10-10-2006 | 02:57 PM
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From: Hughesville, PA USA
Default RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not

Yes I do. After shooting 3D for many years I still use one. I trust my yardage judgements however I want to be positive. I have my rangefinder on the Crooked Horn bino system on my chest. I range several areas around my stand and I can even range quickly when necessary.
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Old 10-10-2006 | 03:14 PM
  #5  
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Wright, WY
Default RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not

When I hang my stand I mark distances and never use a range finder.
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Old 10-10-2006 | 03:16 PM
  #6  
Rick James's Avatar
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From: Albany, NY
Default RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not

As these guys said above, yes I have one. I also am pretty competitive in 3D on the state and regional level as well however the range finder is critical IMHO for hunting. Last season I had a doe come in and I guessed her at 35 yards from my tree and I let fly and she was only at 30. I ended up clipping her in the backstraps.............[:@]. If I had been patient and used my nikon she would have ended up in my freezer.
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Old 10-10-2006 | 03:19 PM
  #7  
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From: land of the Lilliputians, In the state of insanity
Default RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not

I use to years ago. Ive got to where I can jugde distance pretty well. I also use my sights to calculate distance. You can use the distance between your last pin and first pin to estimate the distance due to the size of the deer as it appears between the two pins. With a little practice it is pretty easy to do. I also practice all over my yard with out ranging the distance. I put up my 3 d and practice judging distance and making shots. Like I said, with a little practice it is easy to do.
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Old 10-10-2006 | 03:21 PM
  #8  
Giant Nontypical
 
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Default RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not

I don't use a rangefinder. All my hunting is done on the ground, so I don't have to worry about how differenteverything looks from a treestand. With many, many years of practice behind me,I'm very good at judging distances within 30 yards.And I never take a hunting shot beyond 30 yards.

But I highly recommend using a rangefinder to anyone who can't (or won't) dedicate themselves to learning how to judge yardage and practicing it whenever they have the opportunity.
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Old 10-10-2006 | 04:01 PM
  #9  
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Michigan
Default RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not

I use one when I set up a stand to distance mark surrounding trees. At 20yds I wrap two orange strips at 30 yds 3 strips etc...

Tom
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Old 10-10-2006 | 04:18 PM
  #10  
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From: Howard PA USA
Default RE: Do you use a range finder why... why not

Yes I do, I always range certain landmarks around my stand just after getting there so I know in a pinch an approximate distance the the game i'm hunting. in some stands I also hang some ribbon to specific distances in my shooting lanes.
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