RE: First buck pic !!
 

Can everyone see the pic now?

RE: First buck pic !!
 

Reno what do you call a tight group at 70 yards?

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog

RE: First buck pic !!
 

I shoot about a 5 in group a 70 yards. But I have seen better.

RE: First buck pic !!
 

Let us assume that the deer at 71 yards simply takes a step or turns just as you release, where does the arrow hit?

Sorry reno, I bow hunt, and I do not care if I could shoot a 1" group at 100 yards every time, there is no way that I would take a chance at taking a 70 yard shot, from the time you release and the arrow arrives exactly where you aimed, you could wind up with anything from a clean miss to a gut shot deer.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog

RE: First buck pic !!
 

Well thats your opinion. I am a very ethical hunter. So if I didnt know that the shot was high percentage then I wouldnt have taken it. The buck had been standing there for some time eating. Also in nevada you dont get many chances to shoot at 20 yards. It happens , but not to often.

RE: First buck pic !!
 

Reno is this your first deer with the bow? How about rifle?

RE: First buck pic !!
 

I hunt the desert in Arizona so I know what you mean about not having a lot of cover. But, I don't use that as an excuse to take a 70 yard shot. I have pins out to 50 for practice only, but I will wait to get within 30 yards before I even consider a shot. Even if it means I might not get a shot at all. Like many people have said, way too much can happen between the time you release the arrow and it hits the deer. No deer is better then a wounded deer.

RE: First buck pic !!
 

Congrats on the deer. 70 yards shots are cool on the range, but you really should could the negatives that are involved at shooting at this yardage at an animal, and think think to yourself, do I owe this deer a better percentage shot that this? So many more things can go wrong at this range versus a maximum 40yard shot.
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RE: First buck pic !!
 

Reno,
I don't want to argue here but I've been following this on both forums. So far I've learned: 1)This was your first buck taken with a bow. 2) You shot him at 71yds. 3) The wind was blowing 25mph. over your back. 4) Then you justify it to other hunters by saying you practice and can do this consistently on a target. Chuck Adams has never shot an animal at 70+ yds. and one of the best shooters ever Randy Ulmer has never taken an animal over 70+ yds. I'm not saying it can't be done I'm saying along with KShunter, Titleist, Tazman, and Azhunter that it shouldn't be done! You owe that to the animal and to our sport. The whole beauty of bowhunting is getting up close and personal. But still, Congratulations on the deer.

RE: First buck pic !!
 

Bigameny,

No offense taken but, This is my first archery buck. I have killed alot of deer with rifle. I believe that the bottom line is this,...if you feal the shot is high percentage then thats your own choice. When that deer steped out in front of me I knew he was dead. With the help of a range finder and a 300fps bow. Not to mention all the time I spent tuneing my arrows and heads. There was no question in my mind that was a dead deer. I agree though....that is an abnormaly long shot. Perhaps its just the people I shoot with? One fella here at my bow shop here in reno took the new #2 bull elk in the books at 65yards. Another guy holds the #7 buck in the books with 82 yard shot.So maybe im just used to thinking its ok. Have to do some research and take advice. My idea of efective range my be wrong.