So,
Most here are on the cusp of opening day being 2 - 4 weeks away. So, what do you consider to be acceptable groups for ethical hunting at various ranges? 2 inch, 5 inch, what are your self imposed accuracy groupings?
I like 3-4 inches at 15-20 yards. closer to 15
Putting one arrow in the kill zone any time you shoot.
I use an 8 inch paper plate as my target. I find the furthest range I can always hit it at and then nock 5 yards off. For me that is 40 yards on a good day and 30 yards under stress or on a bad day. I call it at 25 yards.
Sorry, but I am of the opinion that shooting groups at known distances is poor practice at this stage of the pre-season. I only stump shoot for this reason. Maurice Thompson wrote that shooting at a target at known distances was actually detrimental to his hunting. Pat B has it right.
I shoot at pine cones at unknown yardages and I'll usually "skin it" on either side or from top or bottom. If the shot "feels" too long, I won't take the shot. I call this "pine cone roving" instead of "stump shooting". ;)
I would say all of the above is good. But do not forget, that shooting tight groups at a target/paper plate does not always relate to a live deer. At least for me, my groups are good on papaer, not so on animals. The excitement, the anticipation, the nerves when shooting at a deer, make it a different game.
Add some danger or excitement to your practice shots. Have a friend come over and shoot for $100 per shot. That should get your heart beating fast. See if your groups are still as tight.
I like to have the feathers touching from 15-20yrds(i'm anal) but 3-5 @20yrds is good.The smaller you can get them during a relaxed shooting practice the better.When the "B"fever strikes it will help and hopefully you will keep it in the hot spot,or within the 5 inch zone.If you get proficient at hitting small areas you will do much better when the heat is on and you will have much more confidence.Never settle for "is that a small enough group" BREAK NOCKS!!! or shoot a gun.IMHO
I had a hunter once once pass on a big herd bull broadside at 40yds.
I watched him shoot group after group in the kill zone of our little McKenzie deer target at camp that week. Out to 50 and 60 yds.
The man had rock solid form, and was an excellent shot. He would have drilled that bull 100times out of every 100 times he tried it.
He said his limit was 30 yds, and wasn't shooting over that range.
I thought he had read too many traditional bowhunting magazines and was needlessly limiting himself. But, it was his descision, and you have to respect that.
Like said above, hitting the kill zone anytime you shoot.......Randy
Groups? We don't need no stinkin' groups.
I'm in the shoot one arrow to hit your target aimed at either 3-D, stumping, or just roving around the back field with judo point group.
Putting one arrow in the kill zone any time you shoot. I use an 8 inch paper plate as my target. I find the furthest range I can always hit it at and then nock 5 yards off. Like said above, hitting the kill zone anytime you shoot.......Randy
At this time of the year, i step outside in the morning and shoot an arrow into my 3D deer. i expect it to be in the kill zone. That is my group...
I shoot 20-40yds on the range as my normal practice to work on form and consistency, but I also have 10 3-d targets setup in the woods and shoot them on a regular basis as well, I determine my shooting distances based on my 1 arrow shots on animal targets in the woods and how consistently I can hit the kill zone at different yardages. Stump shooting and roving are great practices as well and really work well to get you focusing on a small spot and hitting it, much better the just doing all your practice at the range. My max hunting distance is that range that I can consistently put my 1st arrow in the kill zone.
I would agree with the first arrow in, I prefer the first two in. Shooting at a flat target with a quiver full of arrows I find that when shooting left handed I will throw two or three of those too far outside the mark to call it a kill shot. When this starts to happen, I cannot resist and I stop hunting practice and start shooting way too many arrows analyzing my aim. What I want left handed is what I had for years right handed, casual accuracy. An accurate shot with automatic form and tight focus, that I can fluidly execute two good shots in rather rapid order. Smooth, quick and accurate is what a ground hunter and small game hunter needs, rather than slow, deliberate and overly analytical. I do not decide my effective range until I have a feeling for what I can do that particular day. If it is early morning, I will not take anything very long until I have taken a couple of stump shots.
I just shot a round of 3D with some buddies yesterday. All new trad shooters by the way. 3 of them did pretty well. I shot 20 targets and was drilling the crease in the shoulder repeatedly,with the shots going right in the pocket.
The pie plate is what I use to determine the range I can hit the kill zone on a deer ( 8 inches ) every time. I practice for hunting by shooting 3D at the club at varying ranges in varying positions and stump shooting. I stump shoot on all my scouting trips.
I knock yardage off my maximum range that I can hit the kill zone size target to account for the stress and buck fever you can get while in the field. This method has worked for me for rifle, compound and traditional shooting for 40+ years. Can I drill an elk at 40 yards in the field? 85% of the time yes I can. That simply isn't good enough for me to take that long of a shoot shot so I keep it to 25 yards where I can hit the sweet spot every time.
I don't think shooting groups gets you ready for a hunting cituation. Granted, it shows you may have your form down but what about your heart rate when a buck is within range?
As stated, stump shooting and 3D at "unknown distances" can give your ego a boost but... Hunting is hunting and the only way to KNOW what you can do is to do it! Maybe that is why we limit ourselves to the short ranges we do.
... mike ...
I must be more different than even I realized. :(
I don't care how tight a group I can shoot at what distance.
I refuse to shoot in the woods (note that) at anything farther than 20 yards.
Why?
I've had too many occassions that while in that "zone" of concentration, beyond 20 yards, I missed seeing some tiny twing tween me and the target. Had a couple bad experiences over the 40 yrs of bowhunting and decided never again. (got the deer but at what expense)
I WILL take a shot that "feels right" a bit farther if I'm in a clear spot with no brush between us. Deflections are just too danged easy to happen and small deflection twigs too easy to not see, especially as light fades.
Must be an aging person thing... :(
I'm with Pat B. Making the first shot count is all that matters.
Try small game hunting before deer hunting if possible. If you can connect on some squirrels and rabbits, then you are ready for deer and you will know what your efective range is.
QuoteOriginally posted by Doc Nock:
I refuse to shoot in the woods (note that) at anything farther than 20 yards.
x2 ;)
i judge my effective range by keeping my groups half of what a deers vitals are (4" circle) which im comfortably out to 20-22 yards. i also take particular attention to the first shot i take every day during a practice session.
I think you need to take too many variables into account to be able to speak in absolutes. There are times when you shouldn't take a 10 yard shot and times when you could stretch it out to 30 or even 40.