Maximum shooting distance
 

This will be my second year bowhunting. last year i only had about 4 weeks of practice, althoughI practiced intenselyi was only comfortable shooting at 30 yards because i felt that was my best shot without risk of wounding a deer. I ended up hitting and killing a nice doe at 30 yards with one clean pass through shot.
This year i have continued practicing and i feel very comfortable at 40 yards.Last year I saw two tremendousdeer 16 and 14points and neither would come closer then 55 yards.Iam confident thatthey are still there because I saw them 2 days before the season ended and did not hear of any big deer being taken. Here is my question. Is it worth it or possible for that matter to become deadly at 55 - 65 yards.I guess what I mean is what is the maximum distance that most good hunting archers max out at? I realize everyone is different but there must be apoint where most would draw the line.

I shoot a 65lb Bowtech Tomkat if that helps.

Thanks

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

i consiter myself a pretty good and steady shot, but, i dont feel comfortable shooting at a deer past 45 yards. target shooting i can shoot successfully at 60 but something always holds my back from shooting that far in the feild. not matter how big the animal or trophy

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

If the monster was in a field, head down, broad side you could stretch a 45yd shot maybe 50yds. In the woods forget about it, to much can happen. I would wait for a closer shot myself. I've been shooting for about 30yrs and huntn for 21yrs. Just my opion. Try a decoy with some sents at the correct time.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

Thanks. yeah i saw those two deer 5 different times. They were always on the edge of a tremendous field about 55 yards off the edge where i was posted up. I do plan on trying a decoy this year so hopefully it will payoff.

Thanks again.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

Good luck, Post some pics when hes down.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

Not enough experience to condemn that, but it seems really extreme.
There have been a lot of arguments here about that. A lot of people
who have bowhunted a while said their max was 30 yards, some less and
some more (general range seemed to be 25 yards to 40 yards).

Given your scenario I would move your stand closer. 60 yards is too far, too much chance for error and any errors will be magnified.

This is also my second year and I have been practicing a lot, and I only plan on taking a 30 yard or less shot.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

Hey. LI hunter where do you live, I grew up on LI went to Sachem HS and Suffolk Com. College.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

i have pins out to 60....i shoot my 60 and 50 more then any others and am fairly confident in the shot....if a deer presented itself and the situation was perfect i would shoot out to 60....if there is any doubt (nerves, wind, trees, etc) no way......i hunt mostly open type country so there is no need to worry about loosing him to thick woods or forested area.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

You can never be too close in my opinion. I too practice out to 70 yards, but would never feel comfortable shooting at a deer at that range. Too much chance for movement or miscalculation. Now, i've taken does beyond 40 yards, but perfect conditions and a clear shot. I normally take too long in judging a buck anyhow, so usually they are well within 30 before I'm ready to pull the trigger.

Practice long and it makes those 25 yarders a whole lot easier.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

Well said Kelly.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

My max hunting distance is 40-45 andjust like everyone else said must be under very good conditions. I usually go with my gut or at least try to.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

I have taken deer out to 60 yds, although i'm very comfortable shooting at those distances, given the right situation. Just make sure your able and comfortable to make the shot. whether its 30 yds or 70 yds. I do live in Utah, so I don't get too many within 30 yds. Just practice... practice... practice!

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

I have pins out to 60 and i hope i never have to shoot that far at big game.
I practice at long ranges, the farthest being 100 yards and it makes those 20 and 30 yards shots look like 20
and 30 feet.
It really helps your accuracy to shoot at longer distances even if you dont plan to shoot that far.

just my .02

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

I shoot at 50+ yds practicing quite a bit.....but I don't have a place to hunt that would see me shooting over 40 yds, max.

Longest shot I've taken at a deer was 33 yds (and I thought it was a bit closer). That's about max, for my liking.

If I hunted the wide open spaces....I'd practice from further distances (60, 70, 80yds) and get proficient at the 40 & 50's (VERY proficient).

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

I probably wont try to shoot a deer thats over 35 yards away, maybe 40

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

25 yards but shooting 3 to 4 times aweek and getting better.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

Let em fly, when the arrow is in the air there is hope. Not really,I shoot out to 30 yds. But where I hunt it is odd to be able to shoot over 30 yds.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

You have to answer that question for yourself. I feel that anything over 45 yards at a deer is too far just because of their quickness, the time it will take the arrow to get there, their relative size, etc. 90% of my practice shots are father than 40 yards, but 45 is my personal max. Not because of my ability, but because of the things I mentioned above. You have to ask yourself, "Is it worth it?" If it is to you and you are comfortable with it, then good on you. I wish you luck getting one of those monsters at 10 yards. That is the distance I really like;)

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

If you plan on taking a shot that far make sure you have a range finder. Its harder to judge longer distances atleast for me anyways. I've never taken a shot past 20 yards. I stalked a bruiser last year to 35 yards, but didn't feel comfortable taking the shot. I know a lot of people could have and would have droped him at that range and I might have been able to, but the key word is might. Shoot at whatever range you feel comfortable at.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

I have killed a couple of deer at right around 40 yards and it was in my first few years of bowhunting.While my shooting has gotten progresively better,my shot selection distance continues to shrink.So much depends upon the demeanor of the animal.A lot can happen in 40 plus yards,that deer takes a step and your in it's gut's,it wheels to chase a doe,your in it's ham etc..
I also practice all the while at longer distances,50 and 60 yards,and am very comfortable at those distances on a stationary object.Now when hunting I do my darndest to keep it within 30 yards,A better hunter will take more game than a better shot,one of my hunting mentors used to drill me with those words all the time.I think it was because he couldn't out shoot me.:DHe has taken some awfully big deer though.;)

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

Wow a 16 pt and a 14 pt, were they together. you will have to get some footage of that.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

I also practice quite a bit at 60 and 70 yards. It seems like the 20 yard shots are a lot easier after shooting a bunch of arrows at 70 yards; much more so than the 70 yard shots are after shooting a bunch of arrow at 20 yards. I think the long range shooting improves form - particularly the final follow through of holding the pin on the target as the arrow flys through the air.

Although I never shot any live critter beyond 35 yards, I would probably take a crack at an elk or mule deer out to 70 yards if conditions were optimum - ie. relaxed animal with its head down feeding. no wind, etc.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

So would i but i would have to feel darn comfortable although i am pretty confident that right now i could do it.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

My max is 40 yards. The buck I killed this past year was taken at 35 yards.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

I never shoot beyond 30 yds, I guess if praticed alot at the longer ranges, might try a 40 yd shot. You can shoot a group2" in dia. at 70 yards, but you can not do anything about the way the deer reacts after the arrow leaves the rest.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

Thats defenitely true and thats why i never am gonna shoot and risk wounding it at 60 + yards.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

I have taken 2 shots at deer over 50 yards. One was a mule deer buck and one was a white tail doe. Both were ranged at 52 yards. I am 2 for 2 but that being said I have also passed on deer less than 30 yards away. Conditions have to be right before any shot can be taken.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

I used to practice out to 100 yards, but any more 70 yards is about it. I try to limit my hunting shots to 50 yards (conditions have to be right) even out West. I have taken Game at 80+ yards but wouldn't attempt it anymore mostly due to the fact my eyes aren't as sharp as they once were. I took my Mulie Buck last Fall at 51 yards.

The thing you have to remember is shoot well within your comfort zone, and also remember sometimes a 20 yard shot is a No Go and a 40 yard shot can be a Gim'me;)

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

It would be easier for you to try to move to a place that you can get a closer shot.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

I bet you've hunted a lot out West:DI'll take a shot at anything within 50 yards if the situation is right. Trouble with saying that is most guys don't know the difference.;)

40 yard shot if conditions are right should be a Gimme for any dedicated Bowhunter:D

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

Try moving a stand closer to the area your seeing the deer before season scout it out well in advance run two stands if necessary if your deer continue the sane habit you have closed the gap for a closer shot your confident with and still have your favored stand to fall back on

Sandman835

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

forty yards is my max...you may be able to shoot well at sixty but how well will you be able to shoot with buck fever at sixty yards...thats a whole different story

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

I won't shoot past 30yrds.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

Shoot something first and then decide if you're capable of 30-40 or whatever shots. You aren't ready. Kill me a deer at less than 20 yards and have to watch him come in and plan your move and all that and you'll win. You'll learn a lot more about deer and how they act than you will worrying about shooting at 40 yards. What's my distance???? As far as my license is good... the state line.[8D]

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

30 yards

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

you need to get closer to the deer

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

I have taken a few deer beyond 40 yards, and an antelope at 62 yds. I practice regularly out to 70. I would not hesitate to take a shot at a whitetail out to 50 if the conditions were right. Thats me though, I am confident that I can make that shot because I practice it everyday. Everyone always says that as a bowhunter its our job to get closer, and i agree, but sometimes that 12 pt just doesnt want cooperate.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

40 yds max infield

30 yds max in woods. (generally)

I know my limitations and room for error. That is the key.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

Exactly, and i practice at 50 yards everday too.
But some people still dont believe its possible to shoot something that far.

RE: Maximum shooting distance
 

Yes they were within 15 yards of each other a few times and then i had seen them on their own.I am setting up trail cams in a few weeks so hopefully i will document the monsters as they grow. They are freaking huge!!!! Probably 170 - 180no exagerations.