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Whats your maximum range for hunting?

Coach said:
I've only shot at a deer at 60 yards once...but, to say it's ridiculous is well...ridiculous. A deer browsing that is totally at ease standing broadside in a field while you are in a tree camo'd out 60 yards away is a shot that I would take if I wanted to...In my opinion that deer would not hear my DXT and again in my opinion would be no harder to shoot than a closer shot for an experienced archer. An experienced archer is one that practices year round. Like many on this site, I spent 48 days in the woods last year with my bow like the year before that...I practice shooting while hanging from my safety harness, kneeling, sitting, standing, sideways....so, while it may appear ridiculous to some it feels comfortable to others. Having said that if you are new to my bow camp my rules are you shoot at deer inside the 30 yard limit and you must use a rangefinder or pre-measure certain key points near your treestand...
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See this is what agervates me. It seems as though you are implying that anyone that isn't comfortable with a 60 yd shot is an unexperianced archer. I'd dare to say that you're not the only one that shoots year round most everyday in different positions, elevated ect. I personally do, but I still won't take that long a shot on a living creature. I have no problem with folks taking long shots at deer, but I don't think that in itself defines an experianced archer. I will also stay true to my opinion that if a person has to take shots like that they have not done their homework. Bowhuntig is all about getting close and doing so undetected. But hey to each his own.
 
bobthebowhunter said:
Coach said:
I've only shot at a deer at 60 yards once...but, to say it's ridiculous is well...ridiculous. A deer browsing that is totally at ease standing broadside in a field while you are in a tree camo'd out 60 yards away is a shot that I would take if I wanted to...In my opinion that deer would not hear my DXT and again in my opinion would be no harder to shoot than a closer shot for an experienced archer. An experienced archer is one that practices year round. Like many on this site, I spent 48 days in the woods last year with my bow like the year before that...I practice shooting while hanging from my safety harness, kneeling, sitting, standing, sideways....so, while it may appear ridiculous to some it feels comfortable to others. Having said that if you are new to my bow camp my rules are you shoot at deer inside the 30 yard limit and you must use a rangefinder or pre-measure certain key points near your treestand...
Click to expand...

See this is what agervates me. It seems as though you are implying that anyone that isn't comfortable with a 60 yd shot is an unexperianced archer. I'd dare to say that you're not the only one that shoots year round most everyday in different positions, elevated ect. I personally do, but I still won't take that long a shot on a living creature. I have no problem with folks taking long shots at deer, but I don't think that in itself defines an experianced archer. I will also stay true to my opinion that if a person has to take shots like that they have not done their homework. Bowhuntig is all about getting close and doing so undetected. But hey to each his own.
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"Inexperienced" and "experienced" has nothing to do with the length of the shot. You could be experienced at 30 yard shots, someone else could be experienced at a different yardage and both practice those year round. So, I'm not implying anything...I'm saying it straight out. There is nothing wrong with an experience archer that practices 30 yard shots taking a 30 yard shot and adversely there is nothing wrong with an experienced archer that practices 60+ yard shots taking that same shot given the conditions. Some people hunt fields instead of woods and getting them across that field is in itself "getting them closer".
 
Carlos said:
You practice 'while hanging from your safety harness' ???

C'mon now -I'm gonna have to go get my boots!
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Oh, that hurt Carlos...I guess I should have said "leaning" instead of "hanging" but yes leaning out from the tree in the harness. Make sure the spurs are on those boots ok...
 
I limit myself to 35yds. It is always a good idea to practice long range to make shorter shots seem easier.
 
Farthest Ive shot at one 43...it was dead in 30. Farthest I would shoot...with my old bow 50-55 yards. Getting an x-force GX set up right now and based on one day of shooting Id say that is about to lengthen. Also have .010 pins for longer yardages.
 
stik said:
30-35 yards is max on a LIVE target.

a deer can move a long way before an arrow can cover 60 yds.
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Bingo!! It not about how good a shot you are. It's about will the deer be standing in the same place and the same angle when the arrow gets there. Deer move. Targets don't. I'm not even talking about jumping the string. Deer just move and shift. Because they are alive. If it hasn't burned you yet, you have been lucky. Not good.
 
Hopefully I don't have to shoot any further than 30 yards. I've practiced some at 40-45 and I might take a 40 yard shot if I think the deer is calm and it's feeding with head down.
 
There is an old saying in bowhunting circles . Archery is seeing how far you can hit the bullseye , bowhunting is seeing how close you can get to it .
I like to rely on woodsmanship , scouting and stand placement to position myself for slamdunk shots. Sometimes I get too close .I have made high shoulder hits on shots under 15 yards .I prefer a 30 yard shot from a treestand when I'm 20 feet up because I can get a better shot angle .
I don't consider long shots unethical if a archer can make them without wounding losses , not poking and hoping .
I have taken several polls over the years on various forum to find out the average killing shot range of whitetails harvested by hunters over the years . It averages out to 17.5 yards .
 
Headhunter said:
Wonder if you are over 45 feet high in a treestand bowhunting?
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Why ? Sure the scent stream is way over the deer , but the possibility of a double lung hit is diminished by the extreme shot angle .
I aim for a double lung hit .
 
Glad I am not a deer, I guess walking around wounded is better than dead. Hopefully infection will get me before the coyotes tear me to shread. If I could only find a hunter that practiced that 20 yard shot and used a bow that was tuned with a razor sharp broadhead. I promise I will walk down that trail you scouted and present you with a good shot if you will only follow through with your shot. I will probably even fall within sight if you do.
 
richmanbarbeque said:
Glad I am not a deer, I guess walking around wounded is better than dead. Hopefully infection will get me before the coyotes tear me to shread. If I could only find a hunter that practiced that 20 yard shot and used a bow that was tuned with a razor sharp broadhead. I promise I will walk down that trail you scouted and present you with a good shot if you will only follow through with your shot. I will probably even fall within sight if you do.
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Sounds like something from a PETA pamphlet Rich...
 
Radar said:
There is an old saying in bowhunting circles . Archery is seeing how far you can hit the bullseye , bowhunting is seeing how close you can get to it .
I like to rely on woodsmanship , scouting and stand placement to position myself for slamdunk shots. Sometimes I get too close .I have made high shoulder hits on shots under 15 yards .I prefer a 30 yard shot from a treestand when I'm 20 feet up because I can get a better shot angle .
I don't consider long shots unethical if a archer can make them without wounding losses , not poking and hoping .
I have taken several polls over the years on various forum to find out the average killing shot range of whitetails harvested by hunters over the years . It averages out to 17.5 yards .
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Good info Scott. I LOVE slinging arrows at 80+ yards at a target. I shoot deer targets from my deck at 75yds. I know how well I shoot and have some trophies to back it up, but bowhunting is about close. I like them at top pin range of 18-25yds. I know how bad I shake when I draw on a deer...even a doe ;)
 
Coach said:
richmanbarbeque said:
Glad I am not a deer, I guess walking around wounded is better than dead. Hopefully infection will get me before the coyotes tear me to shread. If I could only find a hunter that practiced that 20 yard shot and used a bow that was tuned with a razor sharp broadhead. I promise I will walk down that trail you scouted and present you with a good shot if you will only follow through with your shot. I will probably even fall within sight if you do.
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Sounds like something from a PETA pamphlet Rich...
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Far from it Coach . I think you completely missed the point . Rich has done more for teaching ethical bowhunting than you may know about . Volunteering his time to teach Bowhunter's Education for one.
 
Here the thing many say they would shoot a deer that far... but those shots rarely present. Most shots are within forty.Especially clean unubstructed shots most of us look for..as we should. But...a longer shot is possible. bows are made way better then ever,all equiptment in better and 60 yards is not that far. With most of todays set up the arrow will impact the target in no time at 60. A feeding calm deer would generally not move that much. I have seen them move more at 20!Big difference in just looking up and jumping at the string. Many of us that say we shoot long would NOT take a bad scenario shot. We are as confident with our shooting and hunting ability.I shoot far to make long shots seem easy as well.
 
Radar said:
Coach said:
richmanbarbeque said:
Glad I am not a deer, I guess walking around wounded is better than dead. Hopefully infection will get me before the coyotes tear me to shread. If I could only find a hunter that practiced that 20 yard shot and used a bow that was tuned with a razor sharp broadhead. I promise I will walk down that trail you scouted and present you with a good shot if you will only follow through with your shot. I will probably even fall within sight if you do.
Click to expand...

Sounds like something from a PETA pamphlet Rich...
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Far from it Coach . I think you completely missed the point . Rich has done more for teaching ethical bowhunting than you may know about . Volunteering his time to teach Bowhunter's Education for one.
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Radar, nope, didn't miss the point...my comment was far more about the content of the post than about Rich. He's one of my favorite guys on here....
 
Coach to some point I agree. My point is we as hunters really need to do everything in our power to be prepared for deer season. I think you understand my point. One day when we meet you will realize I am the furthest thing from a PETA supporter there is.
 

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