Did anyone see the easton show today when Fred shot his moose.The moose looked to be 40yds or better.How far bis to far.
P.S.I am a new member and realy have enjoyed reding all the blogs.
When I was living in AK, I had to take profiency shoot. This was required to bow hunt in a bow only area. The Moose target was 40 yrds away. You had to place 2 out 2 arrows in the kill zone.
The kill zone on a Moose is the size of a small Whitetail.
Steve It dipends on your own ability . where i live there is thick brush and open fields. I have no problem with 30 yds or so .But a moose is as big as a house so I think 40 or 50 posibley is not that bad in open ground..
Depends on your ability. I wouldnt shoot that distance but I dont practice at that distance. you could shoot something 100 yards if you are that good........................IF being the key word
I have always shot at 40 and 50 yds at targets but have always been told that is to far for hunting,that a 56# longbow does not get enough penatration.
Target and live game is definately a different beast. Add some "buck fever" into the mix and 40 yards may as well be 100.
I am fairly new to this as well, but I'd keep it to 20 and under. At least for game with the vital size that a whitetail has. I'd imagine that trying to hit a hay-bail at 40-50 yards (moose vitals) may extend the distance quite a bit.
My only caution is that they are big big animals. They look closer than they are because of that.
the first one I shot at I would have swore it was only 20 yards and I shot under his belly....he left and I paced it out and he was a good ...real good 34 paces.
Practicing on LIFE sized targets helps lots.
Yes they have big kill zones, but you must pick a spot still. You need to practice at distances way farther than that so that distance is easier.
It's not fair for any animal to be wounded because we don't take the time to get good at shooting or stalking.
Pretty sure you can get closer than 40 yards on a moose. Now Fred Bear was an exceptional shot and practiced more than most people alive cause that's what he did.
Just my 2 cents worth
Jer Bear
Hey, we are talking about a very accoplished bowhunter that can take that shot if he wants. I think that he has earned that kind of respect that we shouldn't second guess him. Just my thought though. Great shot by the way.
I find it difficult to grasp that they could mandate you have to be proficient at 40 yards in order to hunt moose... It doesn't matter if you're proficient out to 5 feet or 200 yards, as long as you stay within your effective range... Just because someone can shoot well at 40 doesn't mean they aren't going to lob arrows at a moving moose at 75 yards... it's about making the choice to stay within your effective range.
my $.02
Tim,
This was mandated by the Air Force. In order to hunt on military land that is what you had to do. Also the State of AK had a shoot where you had to pass. The state shoot was alot harder.
I have to admit that my first thought was how far was that thing. Then I imediatly thought wait a minute this is Fred Eichler its ok. I don't know Fred but he seems to be very ethical. So I am with medic77. We all have to set our own limits and what we think is ethical. I like the excitement level this year the show is very entertaining.
We all have are own limits. Whats to far for me may not be for you. We all have to make that call for ourselves, and not judge what is a go for another.
If any of you have ever shot with Fred you would know that he is an amazing shot and very ethical. His kill range is longer than most and his focus is exceptional. A moose that stands 40 yards from Fred is a dead moose.
Steve71....I would like to know who told you a 56# longbow wasn't strong enough. You see, I would like to shoot at their truck or car door at 50 yards with my 55# hickory selfbow, with a broadhead. We can talk about penetration after the shot.