Been shooting 'curves and longbows(mostly 'curves) for most of my life--maybe 35-38yrs now.Hunted with a compound for a few years in the late '80's early '90's but could never get used to the break-over and the hunting sights back then really sucked.

My hunting bows this year will be a 58" Shafer Silvertip t/d recurve,51#@27(back-up curve is a 58" Tip t/d,54#@27"),Carbon Express Heritage 150 tipped with 125gr Magnus Stinger.

My go-to longbow is a 64" Black Widow PLV,50#@27",(back-up longbow is a 64" Shafer 1pc,50#@27")same arrows

My effective range is around 25yds((if all feels right)but my "fangs come out" zone is 15yds and under

Depends on what I am hunting. For deer, I like shots 20 yards and under. But, that is not to say that I would not take a shot at 25 yards if it felt right. Last year I let a 160 class pass at 30. [:@]

Whitetails - 15 to 20 yards, larger game 25 to 30 yards.

That sucks bobco......maybe this year he will come back for another swing at him!

Nahhh, it's just part of hunting..What made my desicion easier was that he was headed straight toward my friend. He heard but didn't see him.

well its better that u let him go instead of taking a risky shot.....

I admire you for that! I know i couldnt have done it.....

Good explanation Steve.

I got a late start--I was in my 20's before I knew anyone still shot anything other than a compound. Been at it now for......15 years or so I reckon, most of that with the same bow. I've owned lots of others, had 35 on hand at one time, but now I only have a half dozen or so that have sentimental value.

Never stepped off my "effective range"--most shots I've taken were under 25 yds. Funny thing is the longest shots I've taken at game were on smaller animals--a small pig, a red fox, and rabbits. Don't think I've shot at a deer more than 15 or so yds away. I just go by how it feels--a close shot may not feel right, so I'll pass. A longer shot may feel good, so I'll take it. A red fox at 20 yds. ain't a short shot, and neither is a 30 lb pig at about 23 yds, but they both felt good and both are dead.

I add a congrats to BobCo--just a few days ago I saw a post on a different site where some jughead was saying that wasn't possible--that anybody would shoot at a big deer if it was just beyond their comfort zone. Just another scenario to prove him wrong.

Chad

My range for this season, 1st with a Longbow, is 18 yards and under! I feel good out to 22/23 yards at the range and practice out to 30 yards but hunting is a different story! Plus I like it close and personal, it not a how far thing for me at this point, its a how close deal! I'm shaking just thinking about it..... I can't wait, come on September!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been using my recurve off and on for 3 years now and not a trad convert just yet. My effective range is 15yards at present, need more practice indeed.