I don't know why people think you can't hunt with a stick bow. I get frustrated with people telling me that sometimes. Most of the hunts I have been on where my brother takes a rifle are within 40 yards. I don't think it's unreasonable to think 20 yard shots on big game are impossible. Don't listen to the naysayers. Shoot at whatever distance you can as long as you know you can make the shot  

awbowmwn,

If anything your biggest issue will be getting too close.  That has been my experience, at least.  The bull in my avatar was shot at 3 yds.  He was closer than that before I shot him.  I have been stepped on and run over on several occassions.  

An important factor is the type of habitat in which you will be hunting.  If it has a lot of wide open parks, then yes, distance me be an issue.  Where I hunt it is very thick and brushy so a long shot would be 25 yds or so.

Sounds like you are good to go.  Have fun and don't worry about it.

Brett

Awbowman, if you catch them when they are rutting hard then a recurve/longbow is ideal.  Like mentioned above you can get close, REAL CLOSE!  I have had many elk within 15 yards, problem often times is they come straight at you and getting a good shot angle can be the trick and if it arises you better be ready because they disappear in a hurry as well which is why a sightless bow that can be shot quickly is so handy for hunting the rut.  Good luck, there is nothing better....Shawn

QuoteOriginally posted by awbowman:


....I am shooting a 50# recurve with a 536 grain arrows (2 blade 125 grain buzzcuts or 122 grain razorheads with bleeders). How far should I expect a shot? I am 100% confident inside 25 yards and 85%+ confident at 30 yards. I plan on dialing it in by September.....  

Sounds like you have your answer right here...100% inside 25yds

scedvm, we are going Sept 10-20th in SW Colorado to try and hit a little pre-rut and some early rut times.  We will be hunting in two man "teams".  Our plan is to have one main "caller" and one in an optimum ambush spot possibly calling back sporadically.

Elk can be tough some times.  I've passed shots at 15yds and killed them at 35. You have to know your capabilities and take the shots that you can make.

Closest was 7 paces and furthest was 35 yds.

Mike

I'm going this fall also, you have to know your comfort zone and be willing to stick with it. For me it's 25 yards or less.....hopefully less!! It will be a thrill if it all comes together!

I read that the average bow harvest in PA was 18 yards.  This did not separate compounds from traditional equipment

I would only take shots that I am 100% confident in making. If 25 is that for you then keep it at that. Anything else would be irresponsible.

My biggest mule deer and elk I have shoot were both under 20 yards and that was with a compound.
Last year I had my hand on the string, arrow nock on two different bulls under 20 yrds with no clear shoot. On my cow elk hunt during rifle season last year I had a spike bull at ten yards with my recurve in hand. I even did a practice draw on him. One of the reasons I switch back to traditional archery from a compound was because I was counting on my equipment to get the shoot and not my woodsmanship skills. I was getting less and less quality shoots each year with the compound verses when I had to get close with the traditional gear that I had shoot with in the past.