New to the sport and just curious what everybodys(experienced and newbies)effective killing range is.Im comfy out to 15 yds,but havent hunted yet(with trad gear).Hoping to work up to 20-25 yds by fall 2014.Thanks!!!
I'm in the newbie catagory - that's my goal as well. I need to work on my consistency for sure but last time out my last 3 arrows were all 10's on my deer target at 20yds.
17 yards for me.
I have hunted a couple of weeks over the past two years with trad equipment and have not killed a deer yet but, I accuracy goal is at least three arrows in a 7" circle at 25 yards. (This is often used as the urban hunting accuracy test requirement...)
DW
I've been at this awhile and I am most comfortable at 25 and under. I set up my tree stand ambushes for 15 and less.... I can hit stumps out to 40 but I respect living breathing animals to much to take 'Hail Mary' shots at those distances. Be patient and take only the high % shots... which is calm animals, broad side and close.
Like Joe said,I have been doing this awhile.I am very comfortable 20 yrds or less.I practice out to 25 but My setups or designed for 12-15 yrd shots.I have taken several deer and a bunch of hogs and Javies at around 5 yrds,at that range I am 100% :)
Joe, You put it well. While I too can hit stumps or targets out to 40 or 45yds 'most' of the time, the respect I have for the game precludes taking shots with too much of a margin of error. Much also depends on what animal you're talking about. A moose at 30 yards might mean the same as a deer at 20 or a turkey at 15. It all boils down IMO to your confidence level in making the shot. If it's not 100% ask yourself if you should really be taking the shot.
I'm 100% in agreement with Joe above.
I practiced a lot at 40 yards this year to increase my effective range to 30 yards for a moose hunt that has been postponed a year. However, I set up my whitetail stands for shots under 20.
My white-tail kills since returning to recurves in 2010 have been at; 21, 16, 8, 8, 8, & 8 yards. Yep, the 8's were all standing practically in the same tracks!
A search will bring up a lot of useful information for you. The name of this game is to get close, as in inside 20 yards close. I'd venture to say that the vast majority of quick, clean kills with traditional archery happen within 15 yards.
Go to this thread : http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=133329;p=1
I posted a good way to evaluate your skills. I commend you on your decision to wait until you are truly ready. By next fall, you should be more than effective. Heck, you'll probably be ready for turkey season.
Be sure to take a look in the Shooter's Forum and study up on Terry's "Form Clock". Don't be afraid to post a video if you need assistance. Good luck.
right now,, I say easily 25yds with the recurve and easily 20yds with the longbows.
have you guys ever wondered are we still AS effective at our comfortable yardages all bundled up??? I doubt I am and try for the closest shots possible otherwise I'd say no more than 20yds in 30 degrees or less temps because of all the layers, the mask, I know I must be short drawing.
Confident inside 25 yards.
I seem to shoot the best in the 12-15 yard range
I feel uncomfortable when we give in to some "urban hunting accuracy test requirement...", no offense Dave, but here is why.
As you can see from above, some one else is telling me how proficient I need to be to go hunting. So many in the bull at 25 yards. The bull is "this big".
But I don't normally shoot anything at 25 yards, 'cept stumps. I like them close.... like 10 yards, maybe 15 yards.
Why should I want or let someone who really has no idea how I do business tell me I need to be able to shoot at 25 yards. I can probably pass their test at 25 yards, I shoot pretty well at that range, but when are they going to up it to 50 yards and put most of us trad guys out of business?
I (we) do it different than many modern archers. I don't need a range finder to know I shouldn't be shooting. I get close or I don't shoot, and I do it without carbon clothing and ozone generators.
ChuckC
I'm still really green, been shooting on/off for about 4 years but not doing it full time yet. I would say I'm really comfortable to about 10 yards. I'm minute of deer to 15yards and 20yards is really sketchy right now.
If I were to hunt I'd limit my shots to 10y and only still broadside deer. I'm hoping by fall of 2014 I'll be ready to kick the training wheels!
This is what I do to gauge effective range.
Start at ten yards and shoot five arrows. If they all hit what you want move back to fifteen yards. Same thing...keep going until you do not hit with EVERY ARROW, EVERY TIME!
Add to this the variables of being tired or cold and the excitement of game at shooting ranges...trying to remain undetected...ect.
During summer practice I think most of us shoot well beyond anything we actually shoot while hunting. Actual, honest effective range may surprise some of us.
25 yards is a loooong way at whitetails. I killed a doe earlier this year at 22, and that's pushing it for me. Most of mine are inside of 15. Hitting a target at 25 or 30, in warm weather, both feet on the ground is one thing. Shooting at live deer out of a tree is a lot harder for me.
Probably 10-15 yards.
I'm comfortable out to 30 on deer, no questions. Turkeys probably 25 . Those are lanket statements, as I have shot deer as far as 40 and a turkey at 38 but to e honest the shot just felt right so I too them, I didn't even consider yardage untill after the shots and stepped them off.
Like the majority I'd prefer 10-15yds
I know some folks are itsy about mentioning how far they can shoot but theres two sides to that fence,, and I hope you also look at it like this I've been using a stick since 82 and I have much more respect for the person who can consistantly make harvests at 10 to 15yds than I would to the guy who does it at 30yds and heres why,,,, I've learned one thing about hunting and that is it isn't easy at all to wait a deer out to get that close, then draw without being seen or heard and over come that adrenaline to make a decent shot.
forget accuracy, and consistancy on the 3D's and other targets and all that other fantasy stuff the real world challange in my mind is those close shots at deer sized game.
closest I shot a deer was 14yds from the ground and I had so much blood and adrenaline pumping thru my brain to this day I don't even remember drawing or releasing the arrow or even seeing it fly or seeing the deer run and only know I made a liver shot when i was looking at the heart and a heart shot at a 3D at 14yds is a piece of cake for me,, it was the hardest draw to anchor I ever experienced in the wild so far..
I've posted this before but several years ago a survey was conducted regarding average distances with recurves and compounds on white-tails. The recurve (I'm sure LBs are in this pile as well) was 14 yards and the compound was 17.
I'd say over my time bowhunting with both types of equipment my numbers are with those reported in the surveys.
But as said above, each person has to evaluate his/her ability. It is nice to know what is "normal" to have a goal though.
I know some fellows who wouldn't shoot past 10 yards. That's fine for them as they accept these limitations and just work that much harder to scout and set-up.
I am comfortable out to 20 yds. but if a deer is standing broadside at 30 yds. I would go for it . Trouble is where I hunt I can usually only see about 15 yds . so I doubt that the longer shot would be necessary . I did pass in a deer that was near 40 yds this year though but that was standing in a pathway and I don't see that opportunity often .
Most shots would be 15 yards or so, however I was skilled enough to miss a big bear at 10 yards this spring. I stump shoot out to 50 and 60 yards, but that is waaaay too far to shoot at a critter.
Out to 12 is more my comfort zone, 12 to 15 is my max.
I really don`t know on live critters. Seems I try to set up for 15 yard shots or sneak that close on foot. If not I let`m go. I hit a 3d deer today in the kill 3 shots in a row at 42 yards but that matters none to me on critters with hair.RC
20 yards
I always thought it was 30 yards, and if that big doe was 30 yards away, instead 20, I would have hit it square in the low lungs. As maxwell smart would say, "I missed it by that much".
I love what the Wensel brother's say about it: "archery is seeing how far you can get from your target and still hit it. Hunting is seeing how close you can get to your target and not miss" That sums it up for me ! Tradcat
Inside 20 yards............ :thumbsup:
Hunting range =95% chance of hitting kill zone or better. I would say 100% but sometimes we just make bad shots and sometimes we make good shots but arrows get deflected by unseen twigs or something.
For this A LOT depends on my surroundings.
Small game is 7 yards or less in dense woods, 12 yards in typical woods, or 15 yards in the back yard.
Deer is again 7yds in dense woods, but 15 in typical settings or 20 for wide open shots.
Seems like I'm always 15 to 18 yards at the shot. I practice mostly 15 to 30.
My effective killing range for coyotes, any one of hundreds that are running our hills, is as far as I can lob an arrow at them. Whether I hit one or not beyond 30 yards is another story.
I like them around 15, but will shoot out to 30 if the shot feels right. I just have learned to not shoot if it doesn't feel right no matter the yardage.
I have been at it for 27 years and never killed a animal over 25 yards. I shoot year round out to 25-27 but my comfort zone is 15-20. In my opinion too much can go wrong after that with trad gear. Speed being one of them. I just had this conversation with a guy last week. I mentioned the buck I killed this year was 13 yards and I don't remember killing anything further than 15 yards in the last 10-15 years. I would say shoot year round, know your gear and your comfort zone and stay within it.
Haven't got to shoot at a deer in a while but I've been killing squirrels at 25+ yards.
I will take a 25 yard shot if the angels are singing. Prefer 20 yards. Don't like them closer than 15 yards but will work with each unique situation as it is presented.
I have been shooting for many years and look forward to consistent hunting accuracy out to 25 yards,(doubt I'll ever get there). Currently, I shoot better at 20 yards or less, preferably about 15.
With consistent practice, though, 25 yard accuracy is attainable. But one problem at longer range, that is somewhat out of your control, is movement by the deer when you release. That is one of the reasons some very accurate archers restrict hunting range to far less than the distances that they consistently make on the 3D range.
Whatever range you are proficient at, simply limit shots to that range. Since you are good to go out to 15 yards, pick your stand carefully and go hunting! Good luck.
For me, focus is the key to accuracy. I've limited my hunting distance to inside 15 yards because I can see, select and focus easily on a small spot at that distance and zone everything else. Practicing out to 30 yards and further helps me learn to focus better and zone in on a spot.
Like Kevin Coster in the "For the Love of the Game" and the scene where he "engages the mechanism" zoning out the crowd to throw a perfect game.
I have been fortunate to take 5 deer with trad gear I can shoot 25 yards at 3d targets but while hunting I don't really feel comfortable over 18 everything I've killed has been between 10 and 15 yards but that's just me I'm no fred bear or howard hill that's for sure
726 Yards but thats just me ;)
It really doesnt matter what My effective range is. 3 weeks ago it was 20 yards no problem. Today its more like 5 yards. after a day of practice it will be back to where it should be.
The question you should ask yourself, (you dont have to share) is what is your effective range.
The thing is, If I see an animal, its not how far, but will I or wont I. Sure I dont always make the shot but I hate thinking yardage when hunting since i am so bad at estimating it with numbers in the first place.
I've been at this a long time and have found that the kill range depends on each and every circumstances. For instance, I've passed shots on a bull elk at 15 yds and killed elk at 35 yds. In each case it was a feeling and not the distance.
Get comfortable with your shooting and more important get comfortable with the situations. If your nervous it a good chance thing will not go well. Confidence is everything.
How's that for a non answer? LOL
Mike
Out to 15, maybe 18 yards for me. And I don't practice, set-up for, or feel comfortable shooting at anything closer than 8 yards, either. Like many others here, I enjoy targeting stumps and whatnot out farther, to 30 yards or so.
Joe Ahston: You are right on the money dude, very good advise for us all! Due respect for live animals dicktate sound wisdom in shot decisions! Could not have said it better. Thank you,Gary. :thumbsup:
So far my effective kill range is about 20 yards. But I want to get that to 25 - practice, experience, increasing poundage and lightening my arrows some (the 12 gpi I'm at seems a little high for whitetails) will hopefully get me there.
If you are proficient and draw undetected on a relaxed deer, don't see why 25 or even 30 should be a problem under the right circumstances. Was reading Bear's Field Notes last night and he matter of factly talks about 40 yard plus kills (and misses).
For Michigan deer, I've found 12-13 paces to be that magical "just right" range for setting up my natural ground blinds off of a good trail.
When you get in that 8-9 paces range, it seems almost too close. Anything past 15 is getting "out there" for my comfort zone.
Around 12-13 paces, it's hard to screw it up or make a bad hit, yet it doesn't seem like the deer is so on top of you. Even if you're off a bit on a shot, you're still in the vitals.
In addition, due to shoulder issue's, I shoot about as light of weight that's ethical. So with a silly sharp 2 blade and heavy arrow, with very light bows I can still make fast, clean kills on deer at 12 paces.
I like them close as I can get them, but within 20 is comfortable, though there have been times when 30 to 35 has "felt right" and worked.
Doesn't seem to matter for me this year :(
I haven't had one within rifle range let alone trad bow range. Oh well, Michigan gives me until the end of December to make good yet.
My first year with a recurve. 12 max but I prefer 10.
Of course a live animal makes a world of difference.
there are a lot of variables.. is it windy, uphill, downhill, out of a tree?? I like them within 10 yds but can shoot accurately to over 20yds. I hunt for the challenge of getting close as I can. I have plucked a hair from the tail of a Buck.
I practice shooting kneeling, setting even laying on my back, out of tree stand, and all distances, I have some big blocks of Styrofoam that I take out to the field across from my house and take shots at various distances,out to 50 yds. I never step them off I just take it out there and throw it down. I also practice shooting at thrown targets, milk jugs swinging on string from tree limbs etc. every little thing I can do to test myself and become a better archer. now this was with my osage and pecan self bows,
Im having to reteach myself with my recurves as they had hung on wall for 15 yrs with out being even strung! this is my45th yr of traditional archery and after the self bows I cant believe how much I forgot about tuning and shooting recurves.
LarryDawg
I have two 3D deer that I shoot from my 2nd floor deck. One is 18 and one is 23 and that is where I practice in my yard.
In the woods, I really like 15-18 but would shoot a relaxed deer in an open area a little farther.
Close is always better to me.
25yds & under. Most of my deer are shot at 20 yds.
I'm good to 30 but rarely have trouble getting plenty of deer inside 20 yards over the course of a season so I'll say 20 yards. Traditional archery is a funny thing, I think I finally understood it when I realized I'm supposed to work at getting animals closer, not shooting farther. That's when the success comes.
The optimum word being "effective".......20 yrd
I have been killing critters with my bow since 1970 and I have yet to find my effective range. While I have had much success in all these years I have also had a fair amount of misses at very close distances .... I have completely missed a caribou at 8 yards and killed elk at 35. Some times a shot presents it self and it just feel right and I'll take it, and make it .. but as I have grown older I am much more selective in my shot choice both in angle and distance. Now days I would prefer to have them all 15 yards and closer.
Practice, practice, practice and have fun, you'll figure out whats best for " YOU "
I usually just bring my bow on hunts for ritual's sake ...most of my kills are executed with a razor sharp pocket knife...I generally like to (quietly) lay down my bow at around 5 yds., then slide in (low-crawl) and cut their throat at arm's length...occasionally I wait until 3 yds to put down the bow, but it gets real tricky between 5-3 yds; they can smell you, even with the wind in your favor, at that range...
under 15 yards
My longest kill shot was on a doe at 23 yards with a Beeler longbow. So, I'm gonna say 23 yards is max for me.
But, I'm MUCH more comfortable and prefer 20 yds and under.
Actually I can kill at 250 yards that is if I hit what I shot at. My effective hunting yardage is 20 yards and under.
25 yards but only from the ground. I don't use trad equipment from a tree stand. There's something about it that makes me miss/make bad hits so I only ground hunt. I can't explain it.