shot distance
 

what is the max range you would take a shot at a white tale. i shoot a firestorm lite cf one cam with easton axis 340's at about 68pounds. i can shoot two inch groups at 40 yards but is that to fare to take an ethical shot at a deer. thanks for the help.

RE: shot distance
 

Mate if i had your set up and a white tail popped up upto 50 yards infront of me I'd nail him. (Mind you I'm from Australia and we don't have whitetail over here) Providing he is pretty relaxed that is, as this decreases the chance of him jumpin the string.

I personally think it's up to the capabilities of the hunter. If you can get 2 inch groups at forty yds, thats more then accurate enough. Remember it's more about shot placment rather than distance I think.

Cheers,
Stalkin Steve;)

RE: shot distance
 

I would not shoot further than 50 yards.I can hit a copenhagen snuff can pretty consistant at 50yds.I think whatever you feel comfortable with given the conditions and situation.
Elkshed

RE: shot distance
 

Hitting targets at 50yds is not that hard if your bow is tuned correctly! But bowhunting game is something altogether diffrent! First off an animal is not just a target it`s a living breathing animale that can give a hunter nerve problems to say the least! The animal can jump the " strings" you could "flentch" and ending up with an injured animal. shooting a big game animal at long distances is somthing that takes a little more practice than say just normal shooting, There are hunters that can and do take game ever year from long distance shots. But its not good for every hunter to try to take long distance shots. A hunter should stay within his shooting abilty to make a leathel and ethical kill. Rather than just becouse he thinks he can do it! [&:] RTA47

RE: shot distance
 

35 yards is about all i will take, unless conditions merit otherwise, then its either shorter, or in some cases a little longer. But, very rarely longer.

RE: shot distance
 

Thirty for whitetail
Forty for Elk

RE: shot distance
 

30 yards for Whitetail is the max for me. There are to many variables the further you get out, and you depending on your shooting lanes you don't always see thoses little twigs and limbs that can deflect your shot.

RE: shot distance
 

Right about at 30 yards for a deer standing still and calm. And for a spooky deer, 15-20 yards at most. Like someone had said, shooting at targets is completely different than shooting at live animals and too many variables come into play. Can you also shoot two inch groups at 40 with ALL your hunting clothes on..gloves and head net included, standing in a tree stand 10-20 feet up, most likely shooting at a moving target? That wasn't a shot at you. Just something to think about.

RE: shot distance
 

30 yds max. You'd be surprised at the amount of twigs and branches that are in your arrow's flight.

RE: shot distance
 

its up to you. If you feel comfortable at 40, take the shot.

slayer

RE: shot distance
 

You know people say i shoot 30 yard max or what ever thats great for them but for me i will take longer shots if necessary. as long as you practice at long range its ok. for example i practice at over 100 yards regularly. now i know a 100 yard shot at a whitetail is not ethical but after practicing for a while at 100 yards the groups that you were shooting at 40 will soon be your groups at 60. just this last weekend i was in florida and hunted sika deer i shot one at 70 yards had a complete pass through and the deer made it 40 yards. as long as the animal is still and un aware of your presence and there is little or no wind a shot like that can be very ethical. however i am pulling 80 lbs so i have the neccesary KE at that range.

RE: shot distance
 

Personally I feel there are too many variables when you're in the woods to take more than a 30-35 yard shot at a deer. I know we see people do it in hunting videos all the time, but I guess that doesn't necessarily make it right. But hey - if you can make than shot 100% of the time, more power to ya. I'll be over here in my tree waiting for that big guy to get a liiiiiittle bit closer.

RE: shot distance
 

Only that little voice inside YOU tells YOU what YOUR ethical distance is.

Listen to it.

RE: shot distance
 

I don’t like to get into distance debates.

The only thing I will add – in addition to what Orion said is…..

Be real honest with yourself about your shooting ability at longer ranges. And remember – what you do in your back yard with field points, when not nervous and your comfortable can be a whole lot different when in a real hunting situation.

RE: shot distance
 

Darn good point.

RE: shot distance
 

I practice during the spring and summer months from 10 yards out to 25 yards. I will not shoot more than 25-30 yards as my hunting conditions do not permit anything further than that due to trees, cover, etc. It comes down to the range where you feel confident you can land a good shot and drop a deer effectively. I know 30 yards and closer is my range.

RE: shot distance
 

Don't mean to sound judgemental but I feel 28 to 30 yds. is the limit. That might even be a little to far. I practice out to 40 - 45 yards but it is sort of like shooting pool. After you feel confident about making long shots the shorter ones are much easier. Like many others have said, there are to many variables at distances over 30 yds. By the time (reaction time) you decide to pull the trigger, and the arrow reaches its target, the deer or any other animal could take a step or for that matter even lay down. You may have hit the bulls eye but it just moved. Not for very good shot placement.

RE: shot distance
 

for me i only shoot out to 30 yards. i would shoot farther but i dont think i have the KE for a pass through at that distance.

how do you figure up KE again?

RE: shot distance
 

I will agree with everyone here, I can shoot 2in groups at 55-60 yrds, I also shoot 365 days a year, I feel comfy at taking shots at 70 yrds but I won't, too many things can go the wrong way, wind, a little branch you diddn't see, anything can happen in the woods, it's all about what YOU feel comfy with, I will take shots out to 50yrds, the second deer I got last season was standing at 52 yrds, the wind was calm and he was in an open field nothing in the way but air, nice pass through, he droped 30yrds later, but thats me. You gotta shot at the distance you feel good about, but remember be honest with yourself, noone can tell you what distance you can take a shot at but YOU!!!!!

RE: shot distance
 

30 yards Max! I practice to 40 yards and once in a while to 50 for kicks. For hunting I keep 30 self imposed maximum. And at 30 thats only if everything is perfect! ( broadside, very little wind, standing still, looking the other way, totally unobstructed)

Good Luck!

RE: shot distance
 

I practice out to 50, but while hunting 30 is my max. Where I usually hunt the brush is so thick anything over 30 is impossible.