I am new to traditional archery and would like to know, on average, what is the maximum range that everyone feels that they could harvest an animal? I have heard people say that unless you are extremely proficient, 20 yards is considered a fairly long shot with traditional equipment. I just want to know what some of you think and what your experience says. Thanks!!

No "one size fits all" answer to this one. It depends on what you are hunting, the situation, your skill level, how you feel about the shot, etc. I've had days that I wouldn't have been comfortable taking a shot over 15 yds at a deer, and others that I've shot a rabbit at 20 yds. I have a self-imposed limit of approximately 25 yds, but I can't say that I wouldn't go beyond that if everything felt right, and I might not take nearly that far a shot if everything didn't. Deer can move faster than any arrow--trad, compound, whatever--and at long distances there is a lot more time for something to go wrong. The animal could turn, take a step, etc. and turn what would have been a double lung into a gut shot. Just have to use your best judgement and go with your instincts.

Chad

I hate to repeat the already stated, but he is right. My best advice is to practice your butt off and with a resonable amount of shooting at various distances you will start to see where you are capable of making "solid" shots and you will also start to see at what distance your "chancey" shots start to develop. The two most important words I can give you are Consistency in your practice and Confidence when taking a shot. If neither of these exist you will never feel comfortable at making ANY shot whether it be near or far.

Personally, I try my best to get the desired animal within 15yds just because I am not as experienced (been doing this for 2yrs) as others may be. BUT, if everything felt good, I may be tempted to stretch it to 20yds, that is my personal limit. Like I said, go practice from every possible positin and distance imaginable and you will start to see your limitations become clear.

Yep. Most guys talk about 20 yards being their limit. Some more, some less. It's different for everybody. You've got to find your own comfort zone, and the only way to do that is to get out and shoot.

Probably the very best practice you can get is to stick some judo points on a couple of arrows and go stump shooting and/or rabbit/squirrel hunting. It's one thing to be able to stuff a bunch of arrows into a neat little wad on a target range, it's quite another to get that ONE arrow to hit where you want it, under field conditions. Only way to practice that is to put yourself into field conditions when you hunt.

After a summer of stump shooting, there won't be any questions about what you're comfortable calling your maximum effective range.

Thanks for the information. I think it is sound advice.

I have not killed a deer over 15 yards from my stand. Then again I've not killed many deer. A hunter should always maintain to the ESR rule. That's "effective shooting range". Stay within your ability and you won't go wrong!

I'm terrible at putting numbers on distances ("judging yardage"), & so I've developed my shooting style so that it isn't required. Call it instinctive, subconscious gap, or whatever ya want, it works good for me on 3D & even better in the hunting fields.

I can't put a number on my effective range, & I'm sure it varies according to the situation, but I know a dead deer walking when I see one.

jeffh, I don't suppose my post has been much help, but the crux is that experience has taught me to always wait for that 'can't miss' opportunity when bowhunting. Even if you don't heed advice well, if you stay in this long enuff I bet it (experience) will teach you the same thing.

I'm pretty much in line with Vic. I couldn't tell you how far away they are and if I stopped to figure it out, I'd just mess up my shot. I have taken game (ground squirrel) out to about 40 paces (my brain don't work in yards) and my closest shot was danged near point blank on a hog.

I agree that you might want to go do some stump shooing, although I wouldn't recommend actually shooting hardwood stumps. Cedar gooood, Oak BAAAD!!! This will help you to sharpen up your shooting eye under hunting/field situations. Like, hmmm, if I shoot at that clump of grass, will my arrow hit that branch that's hangin down between me and the target? Good question, lets try it and see. (note: use old arrows)

The important part in all of this is that you have a good time while you're shooting.