smha6784 Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 How far,IYO, is too far for an ethical shot, with a bow. For instance,I can group softball size groups at 55 yards. If a deer were standing perfectly broadside I might take the shot at 55. At 45 I'm slinging arrows. In the same sense I can hit a target at 65 yards pretty constantly but I won't take that shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WStreblo Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 how far is too far ?? All depends on your consistency and confidence. I will take the shot out to 60yds. Would I shoot 60 in the woods??? Not a chance but in a field you bet I would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straight Shooter Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Yes, its all in your confidence and consistency with your shooting ability. I practice out to 100 yards and busting nocks at 50 yards but would never take that kind of shot on a deer. I have no doubt in my ability but rely more on my hunting ability to draw them in closer for those 20 yard and under shots, "High Percentage". When you get out past 30 yards, there is a lot more margin for error or a bad placed shot because of deer movement before the arrow gets to it. All conditions have to right for 50 yard shots. It doesn't matter how good you are, the deer has to cooperate with you:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 (edited) I agree. The deer are the variable you can never control. It is proven that deer are capable of jumping the string of even the fastest bows. They may not totally avoid getting hit, but the hit won't be where the shooter intended. My experience is that bad things have the potential to happen after 30 yards and at higher percentages the further away you go. Just think of all the things a deer could do from the time your brain tells your finger to release until the arrow gets there. To me, that is the bigger question. Throw some wind into the mix and things are even more questionable. I personally strive to keep all shots inside 30 yards. Edited November 17, 2013 by PotashRLS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HunteratHeart Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 how far is too far ?? I'm no experience hunter and this I my first year bowhunting but I would say it depends on your bow set-up just as much as your confidence. A slower bow I would stay 30 or less but these new bows shooting 340 I would push then out alittle bit farther Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 I much prefer my deer within 30 yards and actually every deer I have taken so far in my hunting career has been under 30, farthest has been around 25. If you're comfortable, confident, and it's the right shooting situation, ok, but any question of doubt at a distance, why risk wounding the deer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 It's not your ability to shoot that's the only factor, the sound is going to alert the deer way before your arrow gets to the deer. I shot this deer standing broad sided at 46 yards last year. She whirled to run and I got lucky. The arrow went in her back leg, out and them back in her stomach and through the vitals. I don't know what the magic distance is to consider ethical or not but I like mine in the, 20-30 range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 how far is too far ?? I'm shooting a lot like you. I practice to 100 and shoot consistently out to 70 for practice. I'm extremely accurate to 60. I had my top deer step out a 57 yards and thought no problem. WRONG. He wasn't alert and looking away. He still got away from a perfect arrow! There are a crazy amount of variables for a long shot. String jumping is just the start! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 there are so many varibles, mostly what the deer does after release is the big problem. Don't think Ive ever shot at a deer outside of 20 yards with my bow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smha6784 Posted November 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 how far is too far ?? Sounds to me like the majority says 30 yard max. There are ,like you guys said, soooooo many variables. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 how far is too far ?? I'd try a big deer out to 50, but I refuse to take a shot on a doe over 30. I get too many opportunities to risk a far shot on a doe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I don't know maybe 40-45 yards if the deer isn't alert, wind is not really calm, and it's looking the other way. I practice much farther. just because you can hit a target at 100-150 yards consistently doesn't mean you're good to shoot at a deer. Redkneck gave a good example. also I've seen bill winke show footage shooting doe to were he aimed under the her and almost back too far. at the shot the doe dropped into the path of the arrow and when the deer wheeled around it created a perfect quartering away heart and lung shot. I wouldn't do this and it requires a boat load of confidence and experience but yea. I typically keep shots close and aim a third up from the bottom. you still get high lung at times but still get the deer, which is best for the rare opportunity when shooting at good buck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 I practice out to 50 yards in case I get a wounded deer but I don't shoot over 30-35 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.