Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

Is it worth spending the money on a rangefinder? Is it just a toy that is cool or does it really help out a lot?

RE: Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

Matter of opinion, but I rarely will leave the house without mine!!!! I've killed deer at various ranges, and am quite confident to shoot out to 40-50yds, but there's a big difference between 33 and 38 yds, especially with a slower bow. I'd rather know what I should be aiming for rather than GUESS!!! Nikon has some nice stuff IMO, if I were to buy a new one right now, it would be the Nikon 550.

RE: Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

I never go into the woods without mine. Next to my bow, it's the most important piece of equipment in my pockets. It just gives me that extra confidence boost to know EXACTLY what yardage my shot is. Plus it makes putting the shot right where it needs to be much easier. Making the tracking jobs much shorter.

Just imagine how much better you score on a 3D course if you took a range finder along and ranged every animal before you shot.;)

RE: Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

Its always with me, but not always out or around my neck.. Most times I range the trees at various distaces and try to memorize them.

RE: Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

I use mine for the first time at a site, to range trees, rocks, and stumps and establish a "perimeter" to know my outer ranges. After that, it is in the pack unless I forget a certain tree later on in season.

Out west, I kept mine on my belt as it was always being used. Ill rank it as my #2 most important piece of equipment hunting wise for my upcoming trip way up north in Alaska. Im not very good at guessing ranges when you can see for miles.

RE: Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

With gun...A MUST

With bow ..A MUST for me too...

I look for precision acc. from 26 - 40 yards and the range finder allows me to make precision shots when bow hunting...I use it to range trees and I always use it at ranges when I know my arrow is falling off..

Keep your range finder close to your neck in order to minimize movement..

When you by one don't go cheap...I would recommend a Nikon or a Leoupold. Stay small..and don't buy a bulky bushnell...regardless of name brand...keep it small in size.

RE: Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

Needed? No. I don't care for them. It takes to much of the hunt out of It to me. JMHO.

RE: Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

I agree with Steve in his case...he's telling you that it can take away from the art of hunting...and that judging the animals distance is part of the hunt..and part of your inner self....

Am I on track Steve??. Thank you for keeping me down to those BASICS..I getoff sometimes:D

I need to call you buddy. You're Larry, and I'm MO...and Curly is in Wisc. following the tracks of the big one in the snow.

RE: Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

Just so everyone knows I'm not ripping anyone who uses one, It's just not the type of hunting I would be doing. Anyone else can do as they please, It's there time In the woods and whatever works for them/you. Yes Brian, your right on!:D

Give me a ring one of these days, you still have my number?

RE: Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

Other than my Bow, arrows, & broadheads it is my most important piece of equipment.

If I still shot a recurve I doubt I would even want one though.;)

Dan

RE: Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

I bought one years ago, it was great to sight in my bow to exactly 20, 30 and 40 yards but after that, I never used it .....or my 30 and 40 yard pins!:D:D

RE: Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

I will never carry one unless I am hunting in the open plains. It would take too much out of the hunt. If I cannot figure out if a deer is at 20 or 30 yards then I need to hang up my bow.

RE: Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

We use it. Buteveryone should get to the point that they do not HAVE to rely on them to make that vital shot. Get out and three D during thee off season and it will help you with that critical necessaty of range identification.

RE: Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

i am not confident, even with lots of practice, to field judge animal distances. My rifle i am not worried about because of the way i have it set up, but for archery i always have it with me. last thing i need to be doing is trying to estimate a bucks distance as he is walking around me..

RE: Rangefinder....... Needed? Or just something else to carry.
 

To me a rangefinder is a tool that helps in making a quick clean kill.

I guess it would be better if more people guessed the yardage and wounded deer because they don't want the advantage:eek:

I was unable to actually rangeeither Buck (Whitetail & Mule Deer) I shot this year, but I ranged landmarks before the shot ever presented itself. I was then able to guess the yardage within a yard on both counts to make a quick clean kill.

After all is not a Quick Clean Kill all our goal?

If I wanted a real challenge I would hunt with a spear;)When I shot a recurve I could effectively shootat a form in the dark if I wanted to, but how many Trad shooters today whine about compound shooters using lighted/fiber opticsights and gaining an advantage. I think not![8D]

Use what you want and support your Bowhunting brother. We are all in this together regardless of what equipment we use.

Dan