Do you take this shot?
06-20-2008, 06:00 PM
#41
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location:
Posts: 7,367
RE: Do you take this shot?
ORIGINAL: Schultzy
Never!!!!!!!
Right on BHF! Bow hunting is up and close hunting, not a shooting sport!!
ORIGINAL: BowHuntingFool
Its bowhunting and about getting them in close.
Its bowhunting and about getting them in close.
Right on BHF! Bow hunting is up and close hunting, not a shooting sport!!
What Bowhunting is to one does not mean that's what is to all. There are areas I have hunted if you are not willing/able to shoot at least 40 yards then you might as well stay home. I am a Bowhunter exclusively. I never havegun hunted for big game.
My 2 biggest Trophies were taken at 84 yards and 3 yards respectively.
I was not flinging the arrow when I took the 84 yard shot at my Elk. I had shot out to 90 yards everyday in preparation for that hunt on advice of the outfitter.
The Elk ran only 60+ yards. I wouldn't take that shot today, but more because my eyes are not assharp as they used to bethan for any other reason.
The thing you have to realize is there are right and wrong times to take a 20 yard shot, but if you are capable there are also right and wrong times to take a 50 yard shot. Last year I passed up an 8 yard shot at a real bruiser Whitetail because the percentages for success were not good.
I have shot close to 30 animals at ranges of at least 40 yards or more,and I have yet to see one react to the shot at those distances.
Dan
06-20-2008, 07:02 PM
#42
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Jefferson County, Missouri
Posts: 7,684
RE: Do you take this shot?
ORIGINAL: MeanV2
I have killed Elk and Deer with a bow at 80+ yards, but I would never just fling an arrow by aiming high and hoping I got lucky.
Being prepared for a certain shot and being able to make it is an entirely different thing than flinging an arrow and hoping for Luck.
That said I pretty much impose a 50 yard limit on myself anymore. The eyes are not what they used to be
Dan
I have killed Elk and Deer with a bow at 80+ yards, but I would never just fling an arrow by aiming high and hoping I got lucky.
Being prepared for a certain shot and being able to make it is an entirely different thing than flinging an arrow and hoping for Luck.
That said I pretty much impose a 50 yard limit on myself anymore. The eyes are not what they used to be
Dan
06-20-2008, 07:05 PM
#43
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Blossvale, New York
Posts: 21,199
RE: Do you take this shot?
ORIGINAL: Justin
You saved up your money fora "once in a lifetime" trip to somewhere that you've always wanted to hunt. A place where the bucks are bigger and the hunters are fewer then they are back home. Your dreams have been consumed with visions of frost covered mornings and swollen-neck giants chasing does. The time has arrived and this is it, you're going to come home with a new trophy for the wall.
On the last morning of your hunt you still haven't put your tag on that buck you've always dreamed of. You've seen some good bucks and had a few encounters with smaller bucks, maybe even shot a doe or two but your vision of that big rack sticking up over your pickup bed are slowly fading. Then out of nowhere appears a giant buck. We're talking 170" plus. Possible the largest deer that you've ever seen on the hoof while hunting. He's 100 yards and closing. You get ready for the shot, but he never comes closer than 70 yards. You grunt, bleat, snort-wheeze, growl, rattle, and pray but he wont' come any closer. A hot doe has his attention now and you're done for.
The terrain in front of you is as wide open as open can be. There's not a limb between you and this deer for 100 yards on either side. He's standing still - hasn't moved a muscle other than his ears in what seems like an eternity. You've practiced out to 50 yards just because you had an extra pin and know you can hit a pie plate 7 out of 10 times - but he's at 70 yards. The wind is calm and he's not spooked.
Do you sit back and smile that this magnificant animal will live to see another day? Or is a smile and a memory not good enough for you? Do you aim high and let one fly? Hoping that you catch a break and fulfill your dreams.
You saved up your money fora "once in a lifetime" trip to somewhere that you've always wanted to hunt. A place where the bucks are bigger and the hunters are fewer then they are back home. Your dreams have been consumed with visions of frost covered mornings and swollen-neck giants chasing does. The time has arrived and this is it, you're going to come home with a new trophy for the wall.
On the last morning of your hunt you still haven't put your tag on that buck you've always dreamed of. You've seen some good bucks and had a few encounters with smaller bucks, maybe even shot a doe or two but your vision of that big rack sticking up over your pickup bed are slowly fading. Then out of nowhere appears a giant buck. We're talking 170" plus. Possible the largest deer that you've ever seen on the hoof while hunting. He's 100 yards and closing. You get ready for the shot, but he never comes closer than 70 yards. You grunt, bleat, snort-wheeze, growl, rattle, and pray but he wont' come any closer. A hot doe has his attention now and you're done for.
The terrain in front of you is as wide open as open can be. There's not a limb between you and this deer for 100 yards on either side. He's standing still - hasn't moved a muscle other than his ears in what seems like an eternity. You've practiced out to 50 yards just because you had an extra pin and know you can hit a pie plate 7 out of 10 times - but he's at 70 yards. The wind is calm and he's not spooked.
Do you sit back and smile that this magnificant animal will live to see another day? Or is a smile and a memory not good enough for you? Do you aim high and let one fly? Hoping that you catch a break and fulfill your dreams.
I'll wait, it's still daylight and there's time for the Gods to make it right and send him my way.
06-20-2008, 08:07 PM
#46
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,076
RE: Do you take this shot?
I'd put that 50 yard pin about a couple ofinchiesor so above it's back and pray for all it's worth.
Yea ... I would take the shot , at least I would be able to say that I tried to hit him if I missed.
Yea ... I would take the shot , at least I would be able to say that I tried to hit him if I missed.
06-20-2008, 08:11 PM
#47
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Where the ducks don't come no more
Posts: 4,420
RE: Do you take this shot?
ORIGINAL: MeanV2
Steve, No offense bro, but tell Chuck Adams that or Phil Phillips.
What Bowhunting is to one does not mean that's what is to all. There are areas I have hunted if you are not willing/able to shoot at least 40 yards then you might as well stay home. I am a Bowhunter exclusively. I never have gun hunted for big game.
My 2 biggest Trophies were taken at 84 yards and 3 yards respectively.
I was not flinging the arrow when I took the 84 yard shot at my Elk. I had shot out to 90 yards everyday in preparation for that hunt on advice of the outfitter.
The Elk ran only 60+ yards. I wouldn't take that shot today, but more because my eyes are not as sharp as they used to be than for any other reason.
The thing you have to realize is there are right and wrong times to take a 20 yard shot, but if you are capable there are also right and wrong times to take a 50 yard shot. Last year I passed up an 8 yard shot at a real bruiser Whitetail because the percentages for success were not good.
I have shot close to 30 animals at ranges of at least 40 yards or more, and I have yet to see one react to the shot at those distances.
Dan
ORIGINAL: Schultzy
Never!!!!!!!
Right on BHF! Bow hunting is up and close hunting, not a shooting sport!!
ORIGINAL: BowHuntingFool
Its bowhunting and about getting them in close.
Its bowhunting and about getting them in close.
Right on BHF! Bow hunting is up and close hunting, not a shooting sport!!
What Bowhunting is to one does not mean that's what is to all. There are areas I have hunted if you are not willing/able to shoot at least 40 yards then you might as well stay home. I am a Bowhunter exclusively. I never have gun hunted for big game.
My 2 biggest Trophies were taken at 84 yards and 3 yards respectively.
I was not flinging the arrow when I took the 84 yard shot at my Elk. I had shot out to 90 yards everyday in preparation for that hunt on advice of the outfitter.
The Elk ran only 60+ yards. I wouldn't take that shot today, but more because my eyes are not as sharp as they used to be than for any other reason.
The thing you have to realize is there are right and wrong times to take a 20 yard shot, but if you are capable there are also right and wrong times to take a 50 yard shot. Last year I passed up an 8 yard shot at a real bruiser Whitetail because the percentages for success were not good.
I have shot close to 30 animals at ranges of at least 40 yards or more, and I have yet to see one react to the shot at those distances.
Dan
No offense here Dan, but you know as well as I do that an elk is not a deer.... at least not in a target sense... you've got a whole lot more target in an elk than you do even a very large whitetail. Plus, as you mentioned, you were ready for an extended range shot. And no doubt in the type of terrain you were in, (likely very open) getting to within 80 yards (and for a flatlander like me getting UP to where the terrain is open) is a feat worth mention in itself. But comparing a long shot on elk and a long shot on a whitetail is like the difference between hitting the green from the tee and a hole in one.
The whole point of the initial post is really not "would you take a 70 yard shot" but more "would you take a shot that you know is further than you ought to be taking in the given situation." For you I suppose the range should have been 125
The example you gave about passing on the deer at 8 yards plays to the heart of the whole matter.... abilities and circumstances are looked at subjectively... and its up to us the hunters to make the call when the time comes whether we can make an ethical shot or not.
06-20-2008, 08:15 PM
#48
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: North Lima Ohio & Clarion Pa
Posts: 6,453
RE: Do you take this shot?
Well this scenerio could never happen to me as I shoot regularlyto70 yards and even as far as100 yards in practice so by the "rules" of the post I can't comment. [8D]
But as was mentioned before there are days when a 20 yard shot is pushing the boundries due to conditions or even mental preparedness..so nothings a given.
But as was mentioned before there are days when a 20 yard shot is pushing the boundries due to conditions or even mental preparedness..so nothings a given.
06-20-2008, 08:19 PM
#49
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central Minnesota
Posts: 9,445
RE: Do you take this shot?
ORIGINAL: MeanV2
Steve, No offense bro, but tell Chuck Adams that or Phil Phillips.
What Bowhunting is to one does not mean that's what is to all. There are areas I have hunted if you are not willing/able to shoot at least 40 yards then you might as well stay home. I am a Bowhunter exclusively. I never havegun hunted for big game.
My 2 biggest Trophies were taken at 84 yards and 3 yards respectively.
I was not flinging the arrow when I took the 84 yard shot at my Elk. I had shot out to 90 yards everyday in preparation for that hunt on advice of the outfitter.
The Elk ran only 60+ yards. I wouldn't take that shot today, but more because my eyes are not assharp as they used to bethan for any other reason.
The thing you have to realize is there are right and wrong times to take a 20 yard shot, but if you are capable there are also right and wrong times to take a 50 yard shot. Last year I passed up an 8 yard shot at a real bruiser Whitetail because the percentages for success were not good.
I have shot close to 30 animals at ranges of at least 40 yards or more,and I have yet to see one react to the shot at those distances.
Dan
ORIGINAL: Schultzy
Never!!!!!!!
Right on BHF! Bow hunting is up and close hunting, not a shooting sport!!
ORIGINAL: BowHuntingFool
Its bowhunting and about getting them in close.
Its bowhunting and about getting them in close.
Right on BHF! Bow hunting is up and close hunting, not a shooting sport!!
What Bowhunting is to one does not mean that's what is to all. There are areas I have hunted if you are not willing/able to shoot at least 40 yards then you might as well stay home. I am a Bowhunter exclusively. I never havegun hunted for big game.
My 2 biggest Trophies were taken at 84 yards and 3 yards respectively.
I was not flinging the arrow when I took the 84 yard shot at my Elk. I had shot out to 90 yards everyday in preparation for that hunt on advice of the outfitter.
The Elk ran only 60+ yards. I wouldn't take that shot today, but more because my eyes are not assharp as they used to bethan for any other reason.
The thing you have to realize is there are right and wrong times to take a 20 yard shot, but if you are capable there are also right and wrong times to take a 50 yard shot. Last year I passed up an 8 yard shot at a real bruiser Whitetail because the percentages for success were not good.
I have shot close to 30 animals at ranges of at least 40 yards or more,and I have yet to see one react to the shot at those distances.
Dan
No offense Dan!
06-20-2008, 08:26 PM
#50
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 21,043
RE: Do you take this shot?
Give me a LITTLE credit, David.
"I" would have AT LEAST given you a 60 yd pin
Only man that can answer this question is the man with the shot opportunity (or lack thereof) in front of him.
If you can make that shot.....and you know you can.....ROCK ON!
"I" would have AT LEAST given you a 60 yd pin
Only man that can answer this question is the man with the shot opportunity (or lack thereof) in front of him.
If you can make that shot.....and you know you can.....ROCK ON!