Darton Maverick shooting a 398 gr arrow at 292 fps. Shot my first 2 bucks this year in archery. One my first was 35 yards second was 15 yards. I have no problem shooting out to 45 yards. MY pins are set for 15 25 35 45 yards and they are not there for decoration either.

Brian

Billygoat,
Why force a shot at a big one, that is stupid. A shot is either acceptable or it isn't. A shame that people would lessen their standards as the rack grows.

PSE Nova 70#
aluminum with thunderhead 125's
hunt exclusively from a tree stand using a keller sight
Ave distance = 13 yds
Max I have taken is 20 yds
I would shoot to 25 but have never had to

Oregon,

I hunt mainly public land. For anyone to suggest that whitetails don't change their patterns from summer/early fall fedding to rut behavior is simply ludicrous!

I'm going to get into a personal battle of senselessness with you over ethics. I made a 37 yard shot on a buck from my treestand. I'm comfortable at that range. It was on the edge of shooting light, and the second to last day of the season. I felt good about the shot, so I took it.

I really don't have to justify my actions to you...or anyone else. I did my homework...I got my deer. Just because it wasn't broadside at 15 yards doesn't make it unacceptable.

i practice most around 25 yds, and my max is about 45, but i don't think i would shoot that far in the woods.

High Country Ultra Force w/goldtips and 100gr wasp Jak-Hammers

I practice at about 20 to 25 yards....My max shot would be about 45 yards.....

I'm was talking about average hunting shot.Guess I wasn't clear on that sorry.

Maybe you should read my second post again Jason....THEN respond. I will reiterate for you yet again. Generally (this term means most, but not all) deer will hold the same patterns and routines from day to day, changing very little. Now I'm not a rocket scientist, but maybe, just maybe your 37 yarder wasn't one of the "most" used previously, and the remainder of your other deer would fall into that category.

IF you read through the posts, you would also noticed that I took my elk this year at 42...obviuosly I don't have a problem with shooting longer distances if you are a capable archer. Simply stated, in MOST cases (there is that word again...remember, that means a higher % do, rather than don't) there is no need to even draw at anything over 20-25 yards if your homework (this would be scouting/treestand placement/etc.) is done properly.



Nothing like stating the obvious.

I bowhunt for elk only. My average shot is about 20 yards. The longest shot I will take is 40 yards.

I currently shoot a Shakespeare Necedah recurve 55#@28". My max with this bow is 20 yards.

I used to shoot a Pro-Line Force II (Thus, the name). It was 74 pounds pull, with overdraw etc. I was comfortable to 40yds with this bow and shot 2 deer pretty close to that. My average was probably just a tad over 20yds.

As far as not having to shoot over 20-25 yards due to homework....That's rediculous.

Deer are patternable. They are creatures of habit...but to say that if you do your homework they will come down the same exact trail time and time again is foolish.

To say that if you do your homework it is not possible for a deer to show up 10 yds past where you thought is amazing to me. Here I was thinking I was a pretty good hunter...I must be an idiot! LOL <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

I've been a bowhunter all my life, but I don't claim to be the worlds best. I see lots of deer and even kill my fair share. But for somebody to call any deer &quot;LETHARGIC&quot; is an absolute joke.

Lazy, sluggish, dopey, heavy and stupid are all synonyms for lethargic. Doesn't sound anything like the deer I hunt.<font size=6></font id=size6><font color=red></font id=red>

I shoot a Darton Excel 55# XX75 2013 arrows, thunderhead 100's. The longest shot was around 35 yards but I will probably not take that risk again unless I have to. Most are within 10-15yards. I hunt out of a treestand usually around 20-30ft up full camo, scent blocking clothing, attracting scents scattered about, and game calls. Some may see this as cheating I see it as fun. Nothing like that big broad beamed 10 walking over to your stand angry as all hell because he hears a challenger and smells a little lady that is ready. God I love whitetails in rut late November.