After years of bowhunting I can "guesstimate" fairly well. I normally can judge distance within a couple of yards at shotgun ranges.

I use a range finder and mark a couple of trees or what ever is around. I also range my decoys if I have time to set them up

Edited by - Bo539 on 01/27/2002 21:12:01

This is something that has always been kind of hard for me.I just guesstimate also.I have never bowhunted so I'm just learning as I go.

I use my decoys as a 15-20 yard marker whenever possible, I tell my hunters to wait till the bird is in the dekes or I say shoot.When I am calling for someone else if I have time I will quickly pace out 30 yards and place a stick in the ground for a reference. It just depends on the situation. In the woods here you rarely can see more than 40 yards from the ground so its not a problem. Allot of our birds get taken in fresh plowed fields so yardage estimation can be tough with no real backdrop.Best bet is to pace it out quick, stick a deke and get back into the woods.

Youd be amazed at how many "seasoned"hunters Ive had that shot at birds at 50 plus yards all the while swearing he was within 30. I had one guy shoot when the bird was still at 65 yards .Theres just no telling how your going to see yardage when tom is tripling!For me its worth the risk of being busted in the open to make sure and mark the yardage.

There Are a lot of good Ideas on here to help you out. Me I am a cross between a guesstimater and a pre picking landmarks kind of guy. I usually pick out a few land marks and tell my self not to shot untill the bird is within that place. But mostly by the time the gobbler comes in I am so worked up I forgot all about them landmarks I picked out. and I end Up guessing. Last year I put a Simmons Pro Diamond on my gun it helps a ton. When the bird fills up that rectical he is within 40 yards