Guest KSNimrod Posted June 7, 2005 Report Share Posted June 7, 2005 I just read a good article (in my opinion) by Bill Winke in one of my deer magazines. The basic thrust of the piece is that as your abilities increase as a bowhunter you don't necessarily need to wait for the slam dunk broadside shot if a makeable kill shot is available earlier. He missed opportunities at two great deer last season because he passed on a longer available shots with the thought that the deer would pass closer to him. The whole piece just jived with what I've been taught by those I respect as hunters that you take the first good shot available and don't wait on the "perfect" shot. More often than not the animal will turn, smell you, stop behind a tree, etc. and you'll be left with a bad tast in your mouth rather than the taste of venison. What are your thoughts?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted June 7, 2005 Report Share Posted June 7, 2005 Re: Bill Winke - Take the first good shot Then I geuss it comes down to what you personally consider a "Good Shot". Most of which I think for me is the closer the better, the farther away...the more broadside they need to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need2hunt Posted June 7, 2005 Report Share Posted June 7, 2005 Re: Bill Winke - Take the first good shot I agree to an extent, my paraphrase would be taking the first good shot within your abilities and the conditions surrounding the shot. I don't necessarily wait for the "perfect" broadside shot, I take the shot that I'm comfortable with and know is a good clean shot that will get the job done. Alot has to be said about knowing ones abilities and setting limitations accordingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted June 7, 2005 Report Share Posted June 7, 2005 Re: Bill Winke - Take the first good shot [ QUOTE ] within your abilities [/ QUOTE ] The most important part in my opinion. One persons "first good shot" isn't always the same as anothers. todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted June 7, 2005 Report Share Posted June 7, 2005 Re: Bill Winke - Take the first good shot well for me the perfect shot would be a slightly quartering away shot under 30 yrds, deer totally relaxed, then broadside, then slightly quartering toward me at close range...Id say theses are all "good"shots depending on distance, the deers body angle at that distance,and most importantly, the deers demeaner at the time . So much comes into play here....its hard just to say a good shot is this....every shot opportunity has to be judged by the events that lead up to that shot. if a shot looks questionable to me, I'll let the deer pass, rather than force the shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted June 8, 2005 Report Share Posted June 8, 2005 Re: Bill Winke - Take the first good shot I have fallen victom to waitng for the perfect shot many times and going home empty handed... I know I could of made the earlier 1st opportunity, but insisted on waiting. But everything happens for a reason IMO so perhaps I was not to of taken that deer that day... (???) I know I dont pass up any shots now... With my effective range cut literally in 1/2 I can't afford to wait for anything closer then 15 to 20 yards! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grunter Posted June 8, 2005 Report Share Posted June 8, 2005 Re: Bill Winke - Take the first good shot You all make good points. Personally, I like em close. My average shot over the past 10 years has been 8 yds. My longest has been 34 yds and I probably wouldn't take that shot anymore even though I've been shooting bow for 32 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted June 8, 2005 Report Share Posted June 8, 2005 Re: Bill Winke - Take the first good shot [ QUOTE ] I agree to an extent, my paraphrase would be taking the first good shot within your abilities and the conditions surrounding the shot. I don't necessarily wait for the "perfect" broadside shot, I take the shot that I'm comfortable with and know is a good clean shot that will get the job done. Alot has to be said about knowing ones abilities and setting limitations accordingly. [/ QUOTE ] I agree with Gary here but also sometimes my shot choices are sometimes dictated by the conditions too. For example I might wait on a closer, easier shot if it's raining even though I know I can make the longer shot. The further they are away, the greater the chance the deer has to move just a little before the arrow strikes home. That can make the difference in a 50 yard tracking job vs. a 200 yard tracking job with rain washing away a blood trail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 Re: Bill Winke - Take the first good shot Good points by all. There is no absolute answer. Knowing what your abilities are and sticking within them seem to be the key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TBryan Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 Re: Bill Winke - Take the first good shot Personally i will take the first shot that i am comfortable with. If a deer is right on the borderline between comfortable and not I'd rather let it walk than wound it and not find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAbowhunter4life Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 Re: Bill Winke - Take the first good shot [ QUOTE ] Good points by all. There is no absolute answer. Knowing what your abilities are and sticking within them seem to be the key. [/ QUOTE ] I just got my issue yesterday and finally read this article today. Like you and a few others mentioned, the first "good" shot is the first shot opportunity you get that you feel comfortable taking, whether it be 5 or 50 yards. Tune your bow, practice, practice and practice some more, and just like Winke said, don't be afraid to take the "less than perfect" shot. Waiting for the perfect shot bit me last year just like the author. I watched a MONSTER of a deer follow my scent line just like he was supposed to. I was in a self made blind hunting an overgrown corner. I heard him coming and saw the massive white rack over top the brush. As he went behind a bush I drew and was ready when he came out. When he came out however he was quartering slightly towards me. I know full well that I could have made the shot and blew the arrow clean through him, but I elected to pass and wait. Well, 15 yards, broadside, and just as I hit the release he turned very sharply and my arrow hit him off target from where I had intended. Resulted in a 2 day tracking job and never finding the buck, though I did see him chasing does a week later. Had I took the shot as soon as he cleared the bush I would be admiring him on my wall instead of patterning him this fall lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KSNimrod Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 Re: Bill Winke - Take the first good shot Thanks for all the responses. I know it was a thought provoking article for me. From the looks of it, we've got some pretty sound hunters here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straight Shooter Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 Re: Bill Winke - Take the first good shot I agree with the first good shot and the experience of the shooter will determine that shot. A deer coming in at any angle will sometime or another pose a killing shot. I've taken deer quartering to, quartering away, straight under, and broadside. Practice and studying a deer anatomy will be so beneficial to a hunter. Stan Potts is a good example of taking a good shot, with his 200+ inch deer taken a few years back. He knew it wasn't a great shot to take, but it was a good killing shot for him and his experience to take, which he felt very confident taking. Just my opinion-If the shot comes, I'm taking it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarvDog Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 Re: Bill Winke - Take the first good shot I read a similar article recently as well (maybe the same one) about taking the first "good" available shot. And like others have said "good" is the most important part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedicast Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 Re: Bill Winke - Take the first good shot I just gotthrough reading this article. There were 2 things the author said that were key... "Defining a good shot is not something you should do just once and then forget about it. Your abilities, judgement, and composure all improve with time so your definition of a good shot should also evolve.This isn't pushing the envelope on ethics, it is merely taking advantage of your improvement." The other line is... "Ethical shot selection, in all cases, comes down to ability, and the situation at hand" Normally I am very conservative on shot selection, even when hunting with a firearm, but this article made me think a bit. Especially when he talks about how most hunters are more aggresive with shot selection on a doe than they on a buck. Other then adrenaline, there is no difference between taking a shot at one over the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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