I can shoot some 3" groups at 20 yards. I don't feel comfortable using this for deer but I have a way of practicing. If I know that I have to shoot 1" groups then I will be able to. Weird isn't it?[:-] I would like to know the size groups you recommend for deer at 20 yards? I will be using archery equipment of course and a PSE bow.

not really sure what ur asking?? (not sure you are really serious??)

A deers kill zone is some 10" big. Your 3" groups will work just fine. Not to say you don't need to practice. Always can use practice.

I am serious and would like to know how tight my groups should be before I go hunting for deer. I wouldn't make the shot unless I'm sure I can make it.

Don't get so hung up on the size of your groups. Since chances are you will only get one shot at a deer anyway, just make sure you can put the first shot in the kill zone every time.

Thanks Mike that helps a lot.

i try and most of the time can do it, 1-2 inch groups at 20, 2-3 at thirty, 4 at 40, if u want to tighten your groups up at 20 yards, move back to 30-40 yards and work on shooting that. The more you shoot at longer distances with good form, the better your groups will be at 20

I don't shoot for groups at 20 yds, to much of a chance of wrecking an arrow. I try to group at 30 and 40yds. Depending on the amount of practice I am getting and how good I am shooting IN SEASON, I will then decide what my effective range is. Sometimes, I can easily kill at 35yds, sometimes I have to narrow that down to 25yds. One thing many bowhunters make the mistake of is they stop shooting once season begins. This will kill accuracy. All of sudden those pretty summer time groups at 40 yds start spreading all over the target.

To answer your question, 3 inch groups is plenty accurate enough. Always try to get that first arrow right where you want it.

Personally, I would find 3 inch groups at twenty yards acceptable for whitetail hunting...provided you are limiting your shots to that distance.

On a good day I do have arrows smacking at 20 yards but then every day is not a good day...

You do not have to wait until you have a particular size group, in order to hunt. Back when I used a recurve, on my best day I couldn't shoot a 3" group at 20 yards, so I always made sure my shots were closer then that. I've shot many animals with a recurve, but the average distance probably wasn't over 8-10 yards.

All anyone has to do, is make sure they don't shoot until the animal is within their effective range, whatever that distance happens to be. Even a beginner who has only practiced a couple weeks should hunt, if they limit their shots to what they know they can make.

That has a much different meaning than "I do shoot 3" groups"

I would be much more concerned with your worst groups at 20 than your best. Most decent shooters "can shoot 3" groups" and those are the ones they talk about. But what about the groups inbetween, or before you get into a groove???

A consistant 95% of the time, 5 arrow 3" goup is excellent and above most bowhunters ability. Well above any criteria for taking out a deer.

But if you shoot a few 3" ers than a few 6"ers, be honest with all arrows you shoot and work on getting those that miss by "more" than the others to tighten up.

Remember a 60 arrow 3" group is the magic 300 score on five spot - do a few in a row and it will get you into the playoffs of ANY national tournament