What is Your Effective Hunting Range?

[eminart]

This isn't meant to turn into a chest-beating competition, but how far out do you feel you can take high percentage shots at game (deer-sized)?

I haven't shot a traditional bow enough to get proficient at it. I'm just wondering, once I do, what my distance limitations may be.

Coming from compounds and extensive 3D shooting, I was very comfortable taking open shots out to 50 yards. Obviously, that isn't going to happen with traditional gear.

Here in Alabama, unless you're hunting on a planted field, most shots are 20 yards or less anyway because of how thick the woods are. I was just curious.

[ericmerg]

high percentage 10-15 yards 20 if i feel good about it

[T Lail]

very high percentage 10 - 15 yards....if ALL is right I will take a 20 yard shot........

[snag]

I'd say in anyone of the western states.

[Elkchaser]

Originally posted by snag:
I'd say in anyone of the western states.

   

That was funny right there. I don't care who you are.

Back to the question: about 18 - 20 yards for me.

[awbowman]

IF I CAN, I like to set up for a 15-18 yard shot. I like that range because of the angle to the vitals I have hunting from a treestand about 18-20' up.  Closer than 10 yards and the angle is getting steep and hence the vitals smaller, longer than that and the deer needs to be very relaxed for me to shoot.  Having said that, I'd take a 20-25 yard shot without hesitation on a calm deer.  

BTW, it may be just me, but I DON'T like a deer getting between 10 and 15 yards of me if I can help it .... too many things go wrong in that range.  If he is in this range I will let him either get closer or further if I have a chance WITHOUT MOVING A MUSCLE.  I won't even look at a deer in this range except for a vary quick glance.  Closer than 10 yards and I feel more comfortable that they will not see me in the tree (but it's a worst angle). IMO that 10-15 yard range has cost a lot of people a lot of deer.

My outside edge that I feel I can hit a deer with near 100% confidence would be about 30 yards, but I doubt I'd test it unless it was the last option.

[beauleyse]

About 15-20 yards is always a nice for me on deer sized game.

[ScottL]

Im pretty deadly at 5. Longest so far has been about 7.

[Rick Richard]

X2 on 15 - 20 yards

[Night Wing]

My effective kill shot range is 20 yards and under. I keep a log and for the last ten years, all of my kill shots have been between 12-17 yards.

[Covey]

20 and under is ideal...in the real world. 3D I'm pretty comfortable out to 30-35 yards but I would not take a shot on any of GOD's critter's that I wasn't pretty certain of!

Jason

[gringol]

10.  I feel ok out to 20, but inside 10 is much better.

[fireball31]

25 yds max on a calm deer and the situation is perfect.

I'd say 95% of my shots on animals are 15yds or less. I won't hesitate to take a shot a bit longer (say out to 30yds) on a big critter like an elk. It all has to feel "right". I have taken a few shots well over 20 because everything felt right but also have passed a couple well under 15 because something did not feel right.

Bisch

[rnharris]

3 to 27 yds so far depends on the situation perfect for me around 10 to 15 yds!

[stykbow67]

In a hunting situation i hav'nt needed to shoot more than about 18yds in the last 25+ years of hunting. Practice on the other hand, anything goes  :D  

Steve

[Uncle Buck]

I prefer 15yds. but I will go to 20 maybe 25 if everything is perfect. I dont need the meat to survive so I dont mind letting a few walk away

[Jake Diebolt]

20 yards currently, a preference for 15. I'm going to work on getting comfortable out to 25 to 30 yards this summer for caribou in the fall.

I don't think I'd take a long shot on a deer even if I get that comfortable though - smaller target and a jumpier animal.

[StickBowManMI]

Usually about 15 yards is the distance that I have taken Deer at;however, I feel quite comforetable at 25 yards. I shot a turkey at 35 yards but some how it seemed closer. Would not have shot at it if I knew that it was 35Yards. I measured it after the shot. It was my first turkey with a bow and I was amazed how well the two blade zwickey did the trick.

[TRAD101]

15 to 20 yards, out to 25 if everything is just right,calm deer,quartering away, etc.