How do you define "effective range?"
 

Not an uncommon question here discusses how far would we shoot an animal w/ our archery tackle. This answer varies greatly, of course, and IMO there is no wrong answer.

But, what we don't do is DEFINE "effective range." I have no right to tell anyone else what that exact distance is, but we CAN define it. Is it "comfort level?" Does it change from archer to archer and day to day?

All I bowhunt are deer. So, I've defined "effective range" as the maximum distance I can hit an 8" circle 100% of the time. There's no doubt in my mind that today's archery gear is more than capable of killing a deer @ distances in excess of 100 yards, but just because my bow is capable doesn't mean I'm going to.

So, does that sound like a fair definition? How do you personally define "effective range?" I'm not so much interested in what that distance is as I am it's definition.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

I am not sure it can be defined, there are too many variables involved. I feel that this will change with every opportunity that is presented in the woods.

Edit: I re-read it....:D I would say that your def. is close but for me I would tighten the group to say 4"......Just my thought on it...

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Honestly, NO. If it was 100%, you would never miss. I know accomplished hunters who've whiffed from inside 10yds. Now....that being said.....did they "miss" their intended spot? Probably not. The spot just moved;) If that's the caveat....I'll buy in.

I defineit as beingthe distance I have complete confidence I can kill the deer I'm shooting at from.

That was well stated.;)

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

I setup all my stands for 20 yds shots, I call it the kill zone. Ones a deer is in the zone, he or she is in range.;)

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Effective range to me is when you can put that arrow exactly or very close to where you want every time you shoot. My effective range is 10 to 12 yards with my recurve. I can almost guarantee that when I let that arrow go Its going exactly where I'm looking on that animal.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

I think that's what mobow meant by his post? Maybe not, but the way I interpreted it it was, thus meaning I agree with both you, esp. your post- word word as a matter of fact.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Although I feel the 100% mentioned was on the target range, Jeff does have a point, that in the heat of the moment, 100% doesn't always hold true. For me, it's a matter of COMFORT, but more or less CONFIDENCE. A range (for me about 25yds and in), that I'm very comfortable and CONFIDENT in my abilities. Even though you can't guarantee 100% accuracy in the field, you better be thinking you're 100% accurate at that range when you draw back. You know, it's a mental thing;)

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Effective range changes for me according to conditions of the hunt as well. I *might* take a shot out to 40 yards - or even 42 or 43 yards - if the conditions are close to perfect. There have been times I have been in a tree and knew there was no way I would take a shot over 25 yards because it was so windy and my tree was swaying so much.

I think my definition of effective range would be the distance I can confidently make the type of lethal shot I want, taking into account hunting conditions, about 98% of the time. Why not 100%? I think there are just too many variable to say "I can get the same results from this situation 100 times out of 100 times."

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Can I see the deer? :D;)

Seriously, my true effective range is probably a bit farther than the range at which I choose to shoot at a deer.
On paper I know I am perfectly capable of killing a deer at 40-45 yds with no wind, open shot, known yardage, relaxed deer and good light. However I just choose not to shoot at one that far. Typically the max range that I will attempt a shot is 25 yds. That is not to say if faced with a perfect condition 30-32 yds shot that I won’t 100% not take it. I’ve made that shot before, but I’ve also passed on many more like it. It’ll be a game time decision.

I don’t worry about specific group sizes or % of shots within the bull, I just know if I am aiming for something and I always hit it, that’s good. If I miss my mark on more than just a rare occurrence, then maybe I need more work at that range.

I am hunting elk this year and with a bigger & traditionally less jumpy target, I will not hesitate on a 45 yds shot with optimal conditions.

Longbow confidence range is around 20-22 yds at targets but likely only to be 15-18 yds at a deer.

Recurve 15 yds at a live critter.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Thats a very good point - you put it very well.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

100% true. It also depends on the caliber of shooter you're talking about. What you shoot consitently is not what I shoot. What you consider a safe distance I do not. Different for every person in every situation.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Fellas, we can "what if" this to absolute death. My point is......Don't we have to have a distance that we have predetermined we won't shoot beyond? Obviously if the woods you are in won't accomodate a 30 yard shot you can't do it......But that's got nothing to do with your abilities. I know, without question, that I CAN double lung a deer at 80 yards. But that doesn't mean I'm going to. Why? Because I can't hit that circle under "controlled" conditions 100% of the time. Jeff, you're absolutely right about things going wrong in the heat of the moment, which is why we need to have that distance determined before we ever step foot in the woods.

Doesn't there have to be a predetermined number? And to determine that number, don't we have to define it?

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Exactly. Which is why I can't tell you what you're range is, YOU have to have that defined before you go out. Right?

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

i think it varies archer to archer and plays more on ability than anything. like you said, we all know an arrow is still going to be deadly at some pretty LONG ranges. if the archer KNOWS his/her own shooting abilities, and confidently can say THEY CAN put that arrow where they want it to go, thats their decision.

myself, last season, i know i could have easily put an arrow through the lungs of a deer out to atleast 40yds.

i wont shoot much past 20 90% of the time. why? i can shoot well within the vital area of a deer VERY consistantly much past 20 yards or so...why limit myself??? other factors...deer can and will move, the areas i hunt are generally very thick...anything 20yds and your going to have a hard time finding a clear lane. i dont hunt with a range finder and i know i stink at estimating range within a few yards once im up in a tree...on the ground im fine...i can range a groundhog within 25-50yds nearly every time out to about 500yds...farther i can still usually get close regularly...i just stumble when im 20ft off the ground and have slopes up and down and left and right and everything else...environmental factors like wind and such...

just right now, in my neck of the woods, under my circumstances, it will be a very odd day if i shoot at a deer past 25yds with my bow. not because i cant shoot well past 25yds...but everything else that plays in on the shot for me....

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

mobow, I edited my first post earlier.... MY effective range is where I can keep a consistant 4" group.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

I wasn't aware that's what you were asking....but I can't put a number on it. I've killed deer fromas far as33yds....and I'd take THAT shot, again.

But I keep going back to this....

That's not a cop-out....as I've said before that I'm probably comfortable inside 25yds.....with the closer (to a point) the better."Inside 20 yds"means less, to me, than the situation. I might take a longer shot at a calm deer....and not take a shorter shot at a deer on alert.

I've screwed a few up.[X(]

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Mobow,
I think the bottom line definition for everyone, is all about acceptance of risk. If no one was worried about any risk what so ever, they’d take a shot as far as they could see.
BUT, you start whittling that range down by adding risk. Some risk ruining an arrow without getting meat in return. Some risk a long night on a wild goose chase blood trail. Some risk the fear of having their ego knocked down a peg with a miss. Throw in a HUGE buck and some loose all fear of risk for that one shot that MIGHT find its mark.

People can give groups & what ifs till they are blue in the face, but the bottom line is risk. Do I want to risk a wounded animal, that I may or may not find and a lost/trashed arrow that costs me $20 to replace. That is why some people will fling at any distance, while others who may be more capable of a shot, choose to shoot at a closer range.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

I don't think there can be a one size fits all definition for something that obviously varies so much. Up until last season, for me...I wouldn't shoot out past 30yds. That was my effective range. This year, I could extend it given the proper conditions, but I won't. There's simply to many variables in the woods that can affect me that I don't feel CONFIDENT about my shooting. I'm CONFIDENT I can shoot 2" groups at 40yds in my backyard 90% of the time. I'm NOT confident I can do the same in the woods. Not because I'm any less better of a shot in the woods than I am in the yard, but simply because there's other factors involved. Maybe it's even something in the back of my head letting my know the implications of the risk I'm taking by stretching my effective range. If I miss at 40yds in my backyard, all that results is some frustration. If I miss that same 40yd shot in the field, we're talking about a miss, or even worse, a wounded animal.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

After reading the question several times, I feel mobow was wanting to know how do you determine your effective range, in other words your shooting abilities. We all know that with these weary animals your shot opportunities will differ with each shot.

You know, you have been practicing all year and you feel comfortable that (on the range)(non hunting situation)your abilities will allow you to take a shot X amount of yds. Ok what are your requirments for deciding that number right there for you.

For me if I can keep a 4" group consistantly, that is my effective range. (not in the woods obviously)
but before entering the woods I know I can shoot that far b/c I can keep 4" group at that yardage.

I think thats what he was getting at...Thats whatI got out of it!!!

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Yes, YOU have to define it for yourself. For me, it's my first real year bow hunting. I'll do 20 yards tops. I don't havea shot from my stand that would be further. Come Oct 4th I would probably feel comfortable at 30 yards, but I wouldn't take itunless it's 100% the most prime opportunity. So for me year 1, effective range is 20 yards. Defined.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Don I promise I wasn't being argumentative. I just feel like there's times whenmy effective range "floats". I can tell you it's gotten shorter rather than longer .....the more I do this. That's for certain.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Effective Range: The distance your bow can shoot an arrow with enough force to penetrate into the game you are hunting.

that would be the effective range......what ever Ethical Range you have will just shorten the distance.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Get your hunting clothes on.

Screw on your broadeads.

Climb your treestand, and place a 3d target at 30 yards.

You get ONE arrow.

If you hitBOTH lungs I'll give you $100.

If you MISS the lungs, YOU give ME $1,000.

Would you take that bet? If not, 30 yards is beyond your "effective range".

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Well I am a fairly good shot out to 50 yards but I do not practice at that distance too often. I guess it would depend on you and your equipment? I have a 27.5 inch draw at 65 pounds at 264 fps. I am not sure about the KE but I am guessing that it is in the 60's. So I am going to say that my max effective range is 35 yards, personally. Although, I see guys at the range with a 32 inch draw at 70 pounds shooting lasers out to 60 yards all day long.

I guess dirty Harry was right, a man's got to know his limitations.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Interesting way of putting it. I'm not even sure I would take that bet at 20yds (although I'm almost positive I could hit it). Not to say the risk of a monetary loss is greater than wounding a live animal, but your scenario (in my case) wouldn't be a true measurement of my effective range. I'm not a gambling man, or much of a risk taker for that matter;)

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

If I can see them, im slinging an arrow at them. Just remember, when the deer looks like a dot in the back ground, hold reallllllllllll high.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Me, me me, Ill take that offer anyday.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

To me "effective range" is the range that I am VERY confident in making a good clean killing shot on an animial.

Currently I would say my effective range is 30 yards even though I have killed a couple at longer distances.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Cooter,

Would you take the bet I mentioned above, since your effective range is 30 yards?

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

for me, my Effective range is 35 yards, but i am the most comfortable at 25 and under, but unless i am having a bad day at 35, i can keep it in i would say 4 or 5" circle which to me is fine

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

You really wouldn't take that bet even at 20 yards? Really all the bet is asking is whether or not you believe that you can hit your mark, under hunting conditions, 90% of the time or better.

If you can't do that, I'd say that distance is beyond your effective range.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Your bet has little to do with hunting situations.

I will tell you that I have taken 30+ animals at ranges from 10-35 yards and have only lost one (hit the shoulder blade on a twenty yard shot where the deer was on a slow walk).

Nobody is perfect and a bad shot can happen at any range.

I could sit in a tree stand and shoot some pretty tight groups from thirty yards and the kill zone on a 3d target is pretty big...so hmm...maybe I would be willing to steal your $100.;)

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

It's not so much about the fact of whether or not I can or can't hit it. I can hit the 2" Morrell dots pretty much everytime at 20yds. My comment was more about placing a monetary bet on the shot. Pressure like that can do a lot to people that don't handle it well. I doubt I would be pressured enough to miss a lung shot at that distance, but you never know. I'm not risking $1,000 over it, and that's the point:D

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Isn't there also alot of pressure when you're shooting at a live animal? To me, this bet is the best way to simulate a live hunting situation: one shot (no practice), from a treestand, with broadheads, at a 3d target, AND the added element of pressure. At least you know the target isn't doing to duck the string!

Personally I'd rather lose $1,000 on a bet than wound an animal. My maximum effective range is that maximum range that I'd be willing to accept this bet. For me, that's about 25 yards.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

You must have more money or ethics than me. No offense, but I can only imagine the brow beating my wife would give me if I lost a grand.:( I won't shoot past 30 in the best case scenario, most of my stands are set up for 20 yard and closer shots.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

I love that analogy, and wouldn't mind making a quick $100. :D

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Can I double the wager?;)

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

See my original post to you...

I see what you're saying, but I don't think the pressure put on me by the risk of losing $1,000, is the same as that of missing/wounding an animal in the woods. Let me rephrase that, they both put pressure on you, but the way I (and that's the key word)...the way I would handle a situation when in the back of my mind I'm putting $1000 on the line compared to being in the woods with the adrenalin pumping through me with a deer at 30yds. You certainly have a point, and I'm not here to prove anyone wrong, I'm just telling you right now that I would not handle a situation where I was shooting for $1000 the same as I would if a deer was in my "effective" range. How you handle situations like that varies with each person just as much as everyone's effective range does.

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

Just thought about it some more after shooting all these months...20yds, I think I would take the $1000 risk:D 30yds...who knows. So maybe 20 is truly my effective range;)

RE: How do you define "effective range?"
 

I think that is a great way to determine your "effective range". Mine is 25 yards also and I'll take that bet all day :D.