If you practice at 20 yards or less, then that ought to be your limit. If you practice longer range shots, then those could be your limit.

In fact, longer range shots are less likely to disturb the game than close range shots so the chances of missing either are comparable. For that and a few other reasons, I don't think there's an easy answer to what ought to be an "ethical" range. That puts a lot of responsibility on the individual but then that's where the responsibility should be in any event.

I Could,nt imagine hunting with a compound, recurves & longbows lend themselves to a more harmonious outcome in 99% of hunting situations. Ive shot a recurve since 1975 at the age of 12, I'll stick with it till the end, to much fun and ive killed a pile of deer with them too.

I've hunted before there were compounds allowed in the field and I've actually taken a few deer with wheels but I've taken more than 50 big game animals with longbows and recurves and it really never enters my mind about there being a difference in the equipment when it comes to shooting game. When an animal crosses that "mental line" I know I'm going to kill it and the equipment doesn't really factor in.