Trad Gang

I see this question alot on Trad Gang in one form or another.    :knothead:  

For me picking up a traditional bow wasn't about how far I could get from a deer and still be effective but "how ridiculously close" can I get.  Because of that attitude, I have had several shots at 5 to 10 yards.  Could I have settled and takin a 30 or even 20 yard shot...sure.    :)  

But for me it is about being a great hunter!!   :campfire:

I'm not exactly sure of the distance but it was inside of 10 feet and the bonus was it was my first trad animal ever.  It was a small button buck shot from the ground.  Bad part is I was so excited I forgot to get a pic.

My first deer from the ground passed in front of me at 3-4 paces. I had to wait until he moved a little further away before I could draw my bow. Didn't get a shot until he was at 18 yards. My closest shot was on a buck last year at about 7-8 yards, also from the ground. Love the ghillie suit!

treestand i shot one pretty much straight down. i've had a couple like that, within 10 ft or so of the tree.

farthest was 37yds, also from a stand.

from a stand i don't feel it's about getting as close as you can. close shots are tough and not ideal from above. i feel the challenge is from setting up for the perfect 15yd broadside or quartering away shot.

on the ground it's a different story...

I set up most of the time hopeing for around a 15 yard shot.I took a nice buck last fall off the ground stalking with a perfect behind the shoulder shot at 30 yards. Deer was calm and feeding which allowed me to shoot that range. Overall I perfer to stay 25 yards and under on deer.

Closest shot has been 12 yards.  

Claudia

My two closest shots have been 15 feet, straight under a lock on stand on a big 8pt. and last year 10yds on 4pt, on the ground in a natural blind.

Sorry I don't know the answer.I usually know when they are too far or two close but that might change several times during the day or moment.It certaily is nothing I could ever stick a number on however. jmho

I have yet to harvest a deer with a trad bow. Of the dozen or so taken with wheels, I made it a habit to set up for close shots.
The furthest shot taken on a deer was 12 yards, so far. Its nice though, I didnt have to change any set ups once I switched.
I like to set up close, hunt only when the wind is right, and move/shoot only when you can get away with it.

2yrds

Closest was probably a bear last year at 5 yards.  Like most of the others that have posted, I try to set up for close shots - 12-15 yards is perfect for me.  Longest shot was an elk at maybe just over 20 yards.

Don't know - if the shot feels right, I take it.

2 yds to about 35 so far - average is under 20.

Steve

I live in Alabama and shot one in Illinois.  So far that's the fartherest for me.   :p

Shot a doe on the ground that was inside of a yard. I was kneeling behind a bush just off of the trail she was coming down. If I had not drawn when i did she would have nocked my arrow off the shelf. She sure looked surprised.

My closest was a black bear at seven yards and a deer last year at solana at 8 yards. Several times I was much closer to bears though. Close enough to touch them.

4.5 to 5 feet on a 150# hog. Next closest was 3 yards (hog). Most of my shots are 15 to 25. Im with you ive got this thing about seeing how close i can get, somtimes to my own undoing.

QuoteOriginally posted by Broken Arrow 1:
2yrds

Ok...now that is a goal...  :clapper:

QuoteOriginally posted by wtpops:
... ive got this thing about seeing how close i can get, somtimes to my own undoing.

Yep...I have had that happen too.   :banghead:

12 yards

My first was maybe 5 feet longest since then I,m guessing around the 20yrd mark it's more of a can or can't thing as for the distance I like a couple steps inside of 20 but a few over is okay I shoot 20 a lot for practice

Closest was 3yds. Furthest 27 yds. Most have been 12-20 yds.

That was trad only LOL I won't say how far before I sold the other bow

About 10 feet standing in the brush beside a trail as a deer came down it.    SUPRISE!  :archer:

Since I stillhunt all the time I don't make a habit of checking yardages.  There just seems to be a little light in my head that comes on when the shot is right.  My closest shot with traditional gear has been just under 10 yards while on ground level.  The farthest was 12 yards.


My closest shot was with a c-c-com....one a them cable thingys.  Eight yards away.

Dennis

Gettin' Close is what gets my motor runnin'! I've yet to put a deer on the ground with trad gear but have had 'em within three yards of me while still hunting. A few misses and getting busted alot but... So What! It's A blast!

Kinda makes ya not want to hunt with firearms... Kinda.  :rolleyes:

... mike ...

Six feet was the closest and 24 yards was the longest both deer. I learned a lesson one day when a doe walked with in 5 feet and I reached out and touched her with my bow. Her hind foot missed my head by fractions. I felt the air as it passed. Now I wait for at least a 9 foot shot

Closest shot 14 yards.  I have messed up  on a few deer at 3-10 yards because they were too close.
Allan

21 feet  :bigsmyl: ...Van

A long time ago I took a deer straight down from me, went less than 40 yards. I tend to let them take a few more steps now.

6 yards to right at 35 yards... with most shots under 20.

Could have flicked a black bear on the nose as he was eyebrow deep into the viewing window of my Double Bull.  Which put him less than 18" from my head.  ;)   That's close...

The close ones are the ones you get, inside 20 yard is my preference.

I shot a doe at 3 ft here in Texas but the best was a 5 pt bull elk in Idaho at 7 steps.  Now that was cool!!

Mike

I try not to shoot at them.  Like to have em 20yds. or under, but my first trad deer was 29 steps.

KYArcher

4 yds.  . . . helps when a hot doe comes through and urinates under your tree while you are just 12 feet above her!  Worse part is it was thanksgiving day!!  Needed to get home- stretched it out to 11:30A. .just long enough. . . a gift for sure!!

 (http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/danrudman/173inch-2.jpg)

5 yds. . . I am sea-sick in a tree as it is swaying all day. At last light he steps out. I miss him at 16 yds.(Yea I know- CHOKE - as I look at the whole shoulder!) . . .He doesn't even flinch and walks under me! Another gift.

(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/danrudman/2001KS-1.jpg)

I usually won't shoot past 29yds. I catch myself looking around and thinking "where is he gonna come in closer" and not thinking about taking a shot. I feel I can shoot a 20yd target but never seem to take that shot when it presents itself. I have shot a whitetail doe as close a 4yd. What a rush!

Bisch

Three paces.From the ground. Gary
 (http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s212/recurve123/Image_scanned_6_16_2009_at_10_38_PM.jpg)

YOu guys have surpassed my goals...for sure.  Now all that means is I have to raise the bar!!

YOu guys have shot some great animals!!   :thumbsup:

The closest was a couple of yards away but I was in a tree.  The fartherest was 30 yards at the biggest 12 point buck I've ever seen and the Bear razorhead hit the shoulder bone and bounced out.  That was with a Damon Howatt Super Diablo 50#.

I passed up two does at 5 yards on the ground this year, shot one from 17 yards on the ground.  I also passed up a 140 class buck at 30-35 yards on the ground as I was crouched behind a utility trailer and it was a very iffy shot and I didn't want to wound him.  I elected to try for him another day but never got another crack at him.  I still stand by my decision not to shoot.  The wheelie guys went nuts when I showed them the shot.

My husband could make any shot any time any where!  hehehehehe!

 :biglaugh:  

PS Stick_string is my hubby

I like to limit myself to 25 yards. My longest shot was 33 steps on a buck I snuck up on eating acorns. That had a happy ending but not a happy middle.

Great deer guys. I love seeing harvest photos.

QuoteOriginally posted by Archery Mom:
My husband could make any shot any time any where!  hehehehehe!

  :biglaugh:  

PS Stick_string is my hubby

Thanks baby.  The closer the better though.

3 yds on a spot and stalk mule deer buck was the closest. Lots of deer shot between 8 to 17 yds. My farthest shot was a second arrow shot at a doe after what I thought was a bad 1st hit ... unbelievably at 50 yds just drilled her perfect behind the shoulder, turns out she was hit good the 1st time and the 2nd shot wasn't necessary. As you can see from my signature line I totally agree with the sentiments expressed by others on this thread.

I don't really know for sure. As stated it is that area between too close and too far. It depends. Shot has to just feel right.

My closest has been 1 yard from the base of my tree.  Think I have done that 3 times.  I've heard people say they don't like them real close, but I have never lost a deer I've shot inside 5 yards and have shot 10-12 in that range.  To me, the ideal distance is 7-10 yards.  I'll take a 20 yarder, but don't really like them even though it's a gimme shot in the backyard.  The 9 deer I killed last year were shot at 4, 5, 5, 7, 7, 7, 9, 12, and 17 yards.  Average = 8.1 yards

This is from a couple years back at 1 yard with a Simmons Tree Shark.

(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r100/hookedn21/Resized_57thangle.jpg)

27 yds is the most ......the closest 12 steps quatering away...  :wavey:

I don't have a deer with a trad bow yet, but I actually would have killed a few if I hunted with a spear. LOL

Been face to face (2-5 yards) with at least 4 deer. Never could draw on any them.

-Charlie

I have had a couple under my stand but could never get a shot...I was using my training wheels at the time....  :rolleyes:

Three yards off the ground. It was my first buck and with a Hill longbow.

This past season, I shot a little 7 point at 5 yards.  I was standing amongst some cover in the middle of a fencerow and he came walking along the edge of it.  It was my first trad kill and it was with a selfbow that I had made myself.

I think i'd just have to ask how far can you shoot with confidence, and there you go, for me it's about 25 yards

I`ve killed several pigs I could have touched with my bow. I`ve shot deer under me from the tree. Closest shot on a deer from the ground was around 10 yards.RC

My closest was about 4 yards as I was passing up a wide 2x2 at 2 yards out of a natural ground blind.As for long distance with trad gear maybe 20 yards this year on a bear.With wheels and no sights it just might scare you(not a bragging right).But my biggest animals have all been under 20 yards.Once after tagging out I poked a small buck in the hide end with the tip of the arrow on his bed asleep dust went everywere!

For me the closest has been 6 yards on the ground with a Black Bear and my longest was 28 yards at a running whitetail doe.  The brain said shoot and I did perfectly!  Every other big game animal I have shot has been about 20 or less.  Missed 2 feet over the back of a Duiker that was only 8 yards away.  That was embarrasing      :rolleyes:   it's even on film.  I just try not to think about it and shoot when my brain tells me to    :thumbsup:   The more I think about it the worse I usually screw it up.  Joseph

The closest was about 3 feet from the tip of my arrow... whitetail buck.

Have killed some pretty long range stuff that had been hit previously at close range. Which is why I practice at 50-60 yards and beyond during shooting sessions.

The buck in my avatar was killed at about 8 feet as he was directly below my stand when I let the arrow go.  I've killed a good number of deer like that, not to big of a deal if your in a stand I don't think.

Last Fall I killed an old doe at 5 yards while sitting on the ground.  That'll get the ol pumper goin.

How far will i shoot at a deer?If everything is right im good for 50 yards.I have never shot at a deer at 50 yards but i do practice a lot at that distance.The longes shot i have taken on a deer was 35 yards,the closes was 7 yards.Closer the better.  :thumbsup:

Now I got to look like a jerk. I have been on several blood trails for buddies who shot straight down on a deer trying to break the spine.  Guess how many times that worked out NONE.  Not on the ones I have been on.  Does it happen? yep sure does.  Animals can live on one lung and that is likely on straight down shots.  I hope you can see why this is a hot button for me, 3 good bucks wounded, 65ish pound compounds. I am not going to tell you you cant shoot that shot but I do not want new hunters to think this is a good idea.  Now if you are on the ground go for ultra close.

Straight down shots don't usually mix well with compound shooters using sights due to the mechanical offset.  A top pin set for 20 yards will hit 3" low on an 18' vertical shot every time.  Guaranteed bad deal.

way to harsh.

Best advice on any shot...if you don't know you can make it, don't take it.

Jesus guys, have some of you really shot deer from 1 yard?  :notworthy:

kinda throws the guantlet down for the rest of us dosen't it

 :eek:    :eek:

If I was going to get that close I would just use a knife.No need for a bow.  :bigsmyl:

I won't shoot one at more than 80 yards, that's for sure.

ChuckC

as close as i can sneak up on one with out been busted.  :archer:

I like close to , If I can convince a deer to climb the tree Im in I'll do it for sure . The longest shot I have taken was about 25 yards and the closest was around 5 yards but most have been around 15 yards .


Mike

20 yards is good.....12 is better!!

Well, since I got my chops busted for shooting deer underneath me.....  :D  .......guess I should add.....in 20 years of bowhunting, I've NEVER lost a deer because of that shot.

The comment about close shots from sighted bows (compound or trad) is right on.

I'll take the shot I feel good about, you take the one you feel good about.

One day I will learn.  Once in a while something comes along that I just don't agree with and I end up looking like a jerk trying to make my point.  Bare with me fellas.  I still feel terrible from the last scuffle I got in, not because I changed my mind but because I should probably just leave people to what makes them happy.

Never feel bad about speaking your mind....just mind what your speaking so it doesn't make others feel bad.

I think you made some good points and I don't think you were busting chops just saying what you thought was right about shot angles.  We all can learn something from each other.  Morning Star has shot a bunch of deer at an angle you had bad luck with....I'd like to hear what he's doing to get a solid shot and not end up with a one lunger.  If we don't tell each other things we never learn. JMO

Allan

I have one kill at 35 yards. Not likely to shoot that far again, At -30 yards I'm real comfortable.

QuoteI'd like to hear what he's doing to get a solid shot and not end up with a one lunger. If we don't tell each other things we never learn. JMO

Can't say I do anything unusual.

Only thing I can tell ya is I don't aim for the spine, I shoot for the heart.  Kinda like the saying goes, "shoot for the opposite shoulder".  That's how I pic the spot. I envision where the arrow needs to be to travel right to that mess of pulmonary arteries and heart.   I used 600 + grain arrows and either a 2 blade magnus or a woodsman over the years.....and I can't ever remember not having a drain hole on those deer.   I can only remember one track job that had me a little worried with that shot.....in the end there was enough blood on the ground to recover him.

I understand what Mo's sayin and agree one lungers are bad.  I guess I feel pretty confident that I can put an arrow exactly where I need to at such an extremely close range though....it's worked so far.

I know all about shot etiquette, good / bad angles.  I was killing deer with that shot long before I knew those said propers of bowhunting.  I'm not telling anyone it's a good idea, but I can tell ya I'm not gonna stop.....not given the success I've had.  Can't all be luck, hell I've never been that lucky.   :D  

That's my .20 cents.    Obamainflation in effect.

A small buck @ 18". I had to lean backwards to draw my bow. Hap

My closest was a small buck from the ground. Complete pass through,took 4 paces and picked up my arrow.

Awesome guys...good to know there are others out there that like to get close!!

 :thumbsup:

30 some odd inches, I actually had to lean back to get far enough away to complete my draw. And yes it was a whitetail buck and I was on the ground! It's a long story that some of you have heard before.

Hi All,

There was a fellow from Colorado on the cover of "Traditional Bowhunter" a while back...maybe a long while.....shown with a bighorn sheep he'd shot at eight yards with his longbow.  This fellow has been my ideal ever since.