Shooting distance?

[CritterGitter]

What is the farthest you have ever taken a shot with a bow or crossbow at a live deer? Also, what is the farthest you would allow yourself to shoot at a live deer?

For me, the farthest hit was about 28 yards. The farthest I would allow myself to shoot would be 32 to 33 yards.

CG

[countyroad]

The farthest shot I took was 25 yards. I connected with a nice clean kill. The farthest I would allow myself is 20 yards at this point. As the the season nears I should be comfortable shooting at a deer out to 30 yards, maybe 35. It depends on how I'm doing. Five years ago I had practiced alot and would've felt comfortable shooting out to maybe 40 yards. I was shooting everyday after school though too.

[Q2XL]

the farthest i have shot a deer was 32 yards.he went down within 100 yards.i would shoot 30 yard shot but i like the 20 and under shots the best

[countyroad]

I just go done shooting my bow. It got me thinking. I was shooting at a pie plate and had consistant groups of 6" at 30 yards. I'm happy with that at this point in my pre-season shooting. As I practice more that group will tighten up some. How tight of a group do you want to shoot in practice at a specific distance before you feel comfortable taking the shot at a live deer?
I'd like to get out and shoot some 3d.

[ncboman]

I've killed a few deer at what some would consider long ranges. Two at 63yds, one at 60, and another at 58yds are the longest shots I remember off the top.

60yds is about my limit and that's only when I have my stuff together and have been shooting recently. In the fall, it's easy to get to huntin all the time and neglect practice and when I do my comfortable ranges drop down inside 30yds. How many times I've set up in stand thinking, 'I need to shoot my bow.'

Since the advent of these portable block type broadhead targets I practice much more and wouldn't think of making a trip without one.

.
:rolleyes:

oh, to answer the inevitable question, 'How many have you wounded at those ranges?'

0, nada, not even one.

I think I tend to really concentrate on form and making a good shot on those long ones a lot more than the gimme shots I usually get. I've bowkilled 151 deer so far and learned a few things along the way, from my own experiences and also from the experiences of many other hunters I've shared camps with over the years.

The number one reason bad shots are made is rushing to shoot a deer at close range 'before it gets away'. That's a fact. :cool:

[DLC]

Farthest shot was 20 yards, farthest I will shot would be 30-35 yrds. Way too much can go wrong if you shoot out past that, at least that's my thoughts.

[ncboman]

Nothing more can go wrong past 30 than can go wrong at 15yds.

[dbowers]

Originally posted by ncboman
How many times I've set up in stand thinking, 'I need to shoot my bow.'

The number one reason bad shots are made is rushing to shoot a deer at close range 'before it gets away'. That's a fact. :cool:

This is good advice that NC has posted fellas, dont forget to practice and don't forget to practice during the season.

As for the question on distance 30 has been my farthest shot. But I would comfortable with shots out to 50+ as long as conditions were right.

[ncboman]

gee thanks DB :)

usually I get stoned, set on fire, and pelted with hail when I post honestly about this stuff. :D

Knowing the habits of the deer is very important in bowhunting. Not just that they come out before dark usually on this trail but moreso their specific and subtle behaviors moving around and feeding.

Do you know that unless alarmed, a deer with it's head down feeding will ALWAYS wag it's tail before picking it's head up?;)

[Spitfire]

The farthest shot I have taken on a deer is 48yds. With four days remaining in the season I sent that XX78 thru both lungs and she never even knew what hit her.
I practice long shots all the time so for me 48yds is a chip shot. Normally though, my shots are under 30yds, but I won't hesitate on shots that are longer. It boils down to being confident in yourself and knowing that you can do it.

[countyroad]

The last four years I wouldn't have been comfortable shooting past 30 yards because I was away at college and only shot my bow while home on the weekends. The farthest I can shoot at home is 30 yards indoors. I would get home friday night and shoot my bow and head out SAturday morning.

Now that I'm done with school I can shoot alot more and further. Next week I'll probably start going to the archery club and work on shooting out to 40-50 yards. Shooting at 40-50 yards makes 30 yards seem simple.

As far as still shooting once the season starts, that is very important. I think I posted a thread about that last season. I know many people quit shooting once the season rolls around. I always take a target along as well.

[CatDaddy]

I would never shoot beyond 40yrds. There are too many things that can go wrong. I guess it would bother me too much to wound a deer.

[countyroad]

You'd be surprised how good you can get with some practice. Also you have to cut shooting lanes and take the shots when they're open and clear. Sure the odds go down some, but the hunter should know his/her limits.
I think the hardest thing is judging the distance, not connecting. Sure I know the distances around my stand, but I've had oppertunities between the stand and truck.

[slunger1]

I shot my biggest deer walking to my truck on 11-23-03 at 11:30 in the morning. I was in a big weed field and a 160" ten point came chasing 2 does right at me. I got down and nocked an arrow. The deer went past me at 20 yards, but I could not get a shot. The buck finally got in an open area and I stopped him. He was looking away from me and I let him have it at 52 yards.

Slunger1
www.slungerhollow.com

scout hard, hunt harder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Michael Courtney]

I usually shoot 'em at 25 yards. But on one occasion, it was the the end of legal shooting and a buck as in a clearing at a laser ranged 50 yards west of me. I'd practiced at that range, so I knew the drop, and the wind had calmed down, so I let one fly. It was a good hit, the buck ran about 70 yards to the north and was easily recovered.

Michael Courtney

[CritterGitter]

Originally posted by ncboman

oh, to answer the inevitable question, 'How many have you wounded at those ranges?'

0, nada, not even one.

I think I tend to really concentrate on form and making a good shot on those long ones a lot more than the gimme shots I usually get. I've bowkilled 151 deer so far and learned a few things along the way, from my own experiences and also from the experiences of many other hunters I've shared camps with over the years.

The number one reason bad shots are made is rushing to shoot a deer at close range 'before it gets away'. That's a fact. :cool:

Congrats to you. That is a very impressive accomplishment to have harvested 151 deer with a bow and never wounded one. That's some great hunting!

CG

[Buckmaster]

Longest kill, 28 yards. My comfort level is out to 30.

[chopiq]

151 deer with a bow and none wounded is an accomplishment. That would be hard enough to do with a rifle.

[ncboman]

whoa, hold on.

I never wounded one at the long ranges but I have lost a few at close range. Sorry to give the wrong impression.

One buck down in Texas I got all shook up and shot low and shot thru the front leg. About a month later he came by again and I missed him completely. Next day I went back and couldn't believe it when he came down the same trail again.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/ncboman/Forum%20pics/ncboman_San_Antonio.jpg

[New Guy]

I try to limit my shots to 25 yrds or less...However if one of those giant 160" bucks that you guys see was standing perfectly still, 40 yards out and there was no wind or brush in the way I most likely would take a shot...the longest shot I've made so far is 22 yards...I hit one in the hip once a couple of years ago, while hunting in woods that I own, and had to watch her all winter dragging her back leg...I always, always, always take the time to collect myself and let the deer get as close as possible before I shoot...watching that lame doe was a harsh lesson. She did have a fawn that spring but I didn't see her after that...most of the places I hunt are thick enough that 25 yards is as far as you could shoot anyway....Again, just my opinion...New Guy

[CritterGitter]

I really try my best to opt for those close shots. I recall seeing a motto under a member of another site that said something like, "gettem up in yo face or don't fool with em." I always kind of thought that was kind of a cool little motto. Most places that I set up there is a lot of cover and seeing a deer beyond 30 yards might be tricky let alone a shot. I would shoot to 30 or maybe 32 but I couldn't ever shoot past that.

CG

[ncboman]

I think 18yds is the perfect range to shoot a deer with a bow.

Close enuff to make the shot but far enough away so's he don't hear my heart pounding. :D

[bowtech777]

I dont like a shot over 30 yards, too many things can happen in an uncontrolled environment.
The deer could take a step at the moment of the shot, arrow could deflect off an unseen limb and hit the deer in a bad place, shooter error and hit the deer wrong, I can place a arrow in the 10 ring at 40 yards 9 out of 10 times but that target isnt going to move or jump when the shot goes off.
The worst thing that could happen with a target is a bad hit and you end up with a 5 or a 0 for the shot.
In real hunting, you wounded an animal that is either going to die and be unrecovered or a lame animal that will suffer through the rest of its life.
long shots are real tempting and some times they can be pulled off if you make a GREAT shot and everything goes as it should you might end up taking home a nice trophy home.

But you gotta weigh the chances or odds of a good clean hit with each individual sittuation or opportunity that comes your way.

I guess it comes down to... know your range limit and be ethical and truthful with yourself when it comes time to decide to shoot or dont shoot.

good luck this season

[It's Not A Passion..]

I can hit good groups at 45 or 50 yards on 3-D, but in hunting conditions, I doubt I'd shoot more than 35.