Why do you use a rangefinder?
04-18-2007, 04:41 AM
#1
Dominant Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 21,043
Why do you use a rangefinder?
I didn't want to ask on the other thread.....so I thought I'd ask here.
First off....if you're hunting out west (elk, mulies, pronghorn, etc...)...I FULLY understand why you would use one....and commend you for doing so.
My question is really for the whitetail hunter that hunts wooded areas. If your bow has a big drop from 20 to 30 yds......I can see it being utilized for "peace of mind". I, again, comend you for your forethought. But it "seems" (based on all the 'how fast is your bow' threads) that most of us are shooting rigs that have little 'drop' in 30 yds. I know I shoot top pin to that distance....and I'm sure some of you do, too.
If I have to guess as to whether a shot is too far to take......I've learned that it IS. If I can't tell they're inside 30 yds or not.....I'm not shooting (PERSONAL choice.....NOT saying YOU shouldn't).
I know it's an unpopular stance, "probably".....but I think the range finder for MY purposes is overrated.
Am I wrong?
First off....if you're hunting out west (elk, mulies, pronghorn, etc...)...I FULLY understand why you would use one....and commend you for doing so.
My question is really for the whitetail hunter that hunts wooded areas. If your bow has a big drop from 20 to 30 yds......I can see it being utilized for "peace of mind". I, again, comend you for your forethought. But it "seems" (based on all the 'how fast is your bow' threads) that most of us are shooting rigs that have little 'drop' in 30 yds. I know I shoot top pin to that distance....and I'm sure some of you do, too.
If I have to guess as to whether a shot is too far to take......I've learned that it IS. If I can't tell they're inside 30 yds or not.....I'm not shooting (PERSONAL choice.....NOT saying YOU shouldn't).
I know it's an unpopular stance, "probably".....but I think the range finder for MY purposes is overrated.
Am I wrong?
04-18-2007, 04:55 AM
#2
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mont County, Pa
Posts: 7,368
RE: Why do you use a rangefinder?
Jeff, I agree. I have a Nikon 440 and I only use it to pre check certain marks (trees usually)for referance at some stand sites on occasion. It basicly goes unused. It was a present to me, I wouldn't have bought one on my own for whitetail hunting.
04-18-2007, 05:16 AM
#5
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 7,208
RE: Why do you use a rangefinder?
This could get interesting.
I only took and used a rangefinder out west and that was just hitting some markers when I set up.
Back home I know what my killing radius is and a rangefinder is pointless for me in 99% of my setups.
I only took and used a rangefinder out west and that was just hitting some markers when I set up.
Back home I know what my killing radius is and a rangefinder is pointless for me in 99% of my setups.
04-18-2007, 05:22 AM
#6
Dominant Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 21,043
RE: Why do you use a rangefinder?
Ladies and gentlemen......
I'm not singling rybo out for ANY other reason than to prove 2 points:
1 - rybo is a good example of why we ALL pose questions like this. "I" want to know what the people who are SUCCESSFUL are doing. "I" hope I can learn from their example(s).
2 - If I'm not mistaken........rybo's in the high 20's in kills.....and he's NEVER missed OR wounded an animal he didn't recover. THAT THERE is something I keep thinking about all the time.....it's commendable.....and it's the most prolific claim to fame I've ever heard in hunting. period.
Thanks for your input, Rybo. Your reulsts speak for themselves....and your methods work, FOR YOU.
I agree.....this "could" get interesting, though.
I'm not singling rybo out for ANY other reason than to prove 2 points:
1 - rybo is a good example of why we ALL pose questions like this. "I" want to know what the people who are SUCCESSFUL are doing. "I" hope I can learn from their example(s).
2 - If I'm not mistaken........rybo's in the high 20's in kills.....and he's NEVER missed OR wounded an animal he didn't recover. THAT THERE is something I keep thinking about all the time.....it's commendable.....and it's the most prolific claim to fame I've ever heard in hunting. period.
Thanks for your input, Rybo. Your reulsts speak for themselves....and your methods work, FOR YOU.
I agree.....this "could" get interesting, though.
04-18-2007, 05:30 AM
#7
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location:
Posts: 484
RE: Why do you use a rangefinder?
I don't like to guess.
In certain instances I will shoot out to 50 yds. There is simply to much room for error with such shots NOT to be spot on with the yardage.
I have learned this the hard way . The difference of where my arrow hits at 35 yds. opposed to 42 yds. is the difference between a killing shot and a miss.
In certain instances I will shoot out to 50 yds. There is simply to much room for error with such shots NOT to be spot on with the yardage.
I have learned this the hard way . The difference of where my arrow hits at 35 yds. opposed to 42 yds. is the difference between a killing shot and a miss.
04-18-2007, 05:34 AM
#9
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: North Lima Ohio & Clarion Pa
Posts: 6,453
RE: Why do you use a rangefinder?
I have my rangefinder EVERYTIME I go into the woods. My deer last year was exactly 18 yards when I shot it. I ranged it and then shot. Hitting right where I should have. Could I have estimated and still made a good hit. Probably, but with technology, why even enter "chance" into the equation.
Perhaps if you hunt the same stand you can becoome comfortable with known distances. But if you move or set-up differently with a climber, why not take the few seconds to hit a few lanes with the rangefinder? Jeff as a golfer you know that as a rule, people are not that good at estimating yardages.
Now the seaon has progressed and the leaves are falling, suddenly everything "opens up" and looks closer. That rutting bruiser is heading your way. Is he 28 yards oris he 35 yards?? You are gonna aim a touch low in case he ducks the string. Which pin you shooting? 1 may result in a miss.
Perhaps if you hunt the same stand you can becoome comfortable with known distances. But if you move or set-up differently with a climber, why not take the few seconds to hit a few lanes with the rangefinder? Jeff as a golfer you know that as a rule, people are not that good at estimating yardages.
Now the seaon has progressed and the leaves are falling, suddenly everything "opens up" and looks closer. That rutting bruiser is heading your way. Is he 28 yards oris he 35 yards?? You are gonna aim a touch low in case he ducks the string. Which pin you shooting? 1 may result in a miss.
04-18-2007, 05:50 AM
#10
Dominant Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 21,043
RE: Why do you use a rangefinder?
You know GR8.....you make valid points.
I made a BIG mistake on a buck, last year, that had nothing to do with yardage perception, though. At that time....I'd never taken a whitetail deer. I carried my rangefinder in with me EVERY TIME, then. I STILL use it sometimes, now.....if I'm going into an area that I haven't hunted much.
But....I recovered from that incident to shoot 5. The last buck I took.....I ESTIMATED at 24-27 yds. I felt confient in my equipment for that to STILL be a top-pin shot.....and I loosed my arrow. Several weeks later.....I stepped it off to 33 yds from the base of my tree. The shot was pefect, though. A HAIR low......but he didn't make it 40 yds.
I'm not suggesting ANYONE do ANYTHING they're not comfortable with.
I made a BIG mistake on a buck, last year, that had nothing to do with yardage perception, though. At that time....I'd never taken a whitetail deer. I carried my rangefinder in with me EVERY TIME, then. I STILL use it sometimes, now.....if I'm going into an area that I haven't hunted much.
But....I recovered from that incident to shoot 5. The last buck I took.....I ESTIMATED at 24-27 yds. I felt confient in my equipment for that to STILL be a top-pin shot.....and I loosed my arrow. Several weeks later.....I stepped it off to 33 yds from the base of my tree. The shot was pefect, though. A HAIR low......but he didn't make it 40 yds.
I'm not suggesting ANYONE do ANYTHING they're not comfortable with.