How Far???

[TexasDeerHunter]

I am getting ready for my first Colorado archery Muley/Elk hunt. My buddy tells me to practice at 60+ yards. I just finished shooting a few arrows at 55 yards and can't imagine shooting any further. What are my realistic shot expectations gonna be?

[Squirrelhunter91]

I'd imagine that out West you're gonna need to be able to be shoot at greater distances than what you're normally used to. But think about it like this, if you can keep a decent group at 60 yards, that 25 yard shot will be cake.

[wtnhunt]

Would practice as far out as you possibly can and as much as you can at different ranges up to your max, so that you know the distance you are confident in shooting too. If you are comfortable shooting at 55, like Joe said, anything closer will just be that much easier.

[RangerClay]

Shoot a PM to NYbuck. He has gone on an elk trip the last 2 years. I think he practices to 70 yards.

[Leo]

You can only shoot as far as you are comfortable. Obviously you can see further than you can shoot.

Practice shooting as far as you can. Then set your limit.

The closer stuff needs to be the less chances you will have.

I'd say if you can shoot 60yds comfortably you are in FINE shape. If you can't, you can't. 40yd max is still a very doable deal.

[sureshot]

I hunt mule deer every year with bow, when I hear of these 60 yard shots I scream, I have helped a few guys track deer they wounded and yes all far shots, so much can happen at these distances, misjudge a bit, don't see a branch, wind, practice at 60 sure but I would never suggest taking a shot farther than 50 and that is to far in my opinion, getting closer means you are a better hunter,I shot over 20 deer with a recurve at less than 18, have shot 6-7 P&Y mulies and the farthest was 44,[coumpound] and I felt it was a stupid shot,to me a 60 yard shot with a bow is like a 500 yard shot with a 7mm mag, possable sure but so much can go wrong!

Its all your decision on how far to shoot but I know getting within 30 yards of mulies is possable, actaully not to hard once you remember you are hunting , remember wind, thermals,and noise, the best way to hunt mules is to figure out were they are heading and cut them off,good luck keep us posted!!

BTW if you watch any tv shows on hunting watch for these far shots, last night alone I seen the "pros" miss 2 at far distances,they got exited was the deal, in my opinion they just did not get close enough!!

[TexasDeerHunter]

I appreciate all the help. My usual shots here in Texas are 20yds or less. I shot last night at 60yds and grouped them in about 8-10in area and there was a 10mph cross wind. I think I am going to limit my shot to 50yds.

[Leo]

I appreciate all the help. My usual shots here in Texas are 20yds or less. I shot last night at 60yds and grouped them in about 8-10in area and there was a 10mph cross wind. I think I am going to limit my shot to 50yds.

Sureshot's caution is well stated. There are plenty of folks that think because they can put a fieldpoint on target at X distance that's how far they can take a hunting shot. Sometimes that works, most times it doesn't. Here's why.

I strongly urge you to try shooting the broadheads you plan to use on that hunt at that distance. Out to 25yds you're OK with many kinds of heads. Some heads go a little further. Past that broadheads can impact VERY differently. Even expandables often happen to fly very differently. Let your maximum accurate broadhead range determine your maximum hunting range. Practice with broadheads. Shoot groups with them. You're gonna tear up targets, arrows and heads, but you won't be guessing. What you learn will be reality and it will be worth it.

Practicing at long distance helps your form and makes closer shots feel much easier.

Don't fall for the marketing buzz that "These heads fly just like fieldpoints" Not to say it can't happen but shooting these heads beyond 25 yards often is a wake up call for a lot of archers. Especially with a bow that pushes arrows beyond 260FPS.

If you want to push your maximum effective hunting range beyond 25 yards. You need to practice with the heads you will be hunting with. Not cheap but there really aren't any shortcuts.

[hornaddiction]

I have lived and hunted all my life in Colorado and I am also a big game outfitter. Myself and all of my hunting buddies practice out to 70 yards every year! We are all very comfortable shooting longer distances because we have been doing it for years!

I have all my clients shoot when they arrive at camp to see how far that they are comfortable shooting. That way we can advise them how far they should take a shot while out in the field.

If you are good at calling you can expect shots from 20 to 50 yards most of the time!

Hope this helps!!

[TexasDeerHunter]

Once again I really appreciate all the helpful info. I am pretty deadly out to 40 yds, and can group my arrows fairly well out to 60. As Leo was saying , there is just so much more to factor when shooting that far. Fortunately I have practice broadheads and will definately be able to see how the arrow will really fly. I think seeing an elk at 60 yds or so will also be different from shooting a block at 60, may try and get some practice on the 3-d range before hand.

[indianaboy]

I would so if you are only comfortable out to 55 then 55 is it. Its a hunt of a life time you wouldnt want to make a bad shot because you werent comfortable with the distance.

[dbHunterNY]

as far as you can

for a while now i've practiced using this method. in a day i shoot 3 arrows at 20, then 3 at 30, and then 3 more at 40 yards. i then take a break, because i feel slightly fatigued shooting hunting weight and setup which is important also. later i then shoot 3 at 50, then 3 at 60, and then 3 at 70 yards. i haven't gone much farther. i can't be consistently accurate past that and little stuff has too much of an effect on things. i feel i would never take a shoot at an animal that far away for many reasons. Things like penetration and just the animal moving. However, as others have said it helps with the shorter distances. I've shot very good groups at 70 yards and then gone back to 20 or 30 yards finding myself in awe of how close the target now seems (and in some respect is). Don't forget though, pushing your limits on the range will only help if you do let not so good days get to you.

- Dan