razortec_hunter Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Hey yall, ok so last season i had a buck that would go 140's with a around 18-21 inch spread, well i jumped it while checking my trail camera. i had scouted around to see if there were any deer before i let my guard down, well i was putting a new battery in and had my bow nocked with an arrow but laid it on the ground next to me....... well sure enough this buck must have been bedded near by or something cuz i heard that tall tail sing of sticks crackin through the woods.... sure enough i look up and heres this big buck standing 30 yards across the creek and before i could grab my bow it had trotted off to 60 yards .... in was SO tempted it wasn't even funny but i decided to back off for respect of the animal i didn't wana get a bad hit, i feel comfortable at 45-50 yards. just wondering if any of you were in a situation like this how far you'd feel comfortable to squeeze off a shot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Depends on the situation. I am good inside 40 yards if all the conditions are right. Really if at all possible I would prefer not to shoot on a deer over 30, but I practice out to longer ranges and under the right circumstances I am sure I could deliver a good shot on a deer out to 40. Few years back, I had a mature 10 pointer, probably upper 130 class deer well within range, but there was an overhanging limb that might or might not have been in the way, could not tell for sure if my arrow would clear it. He was headed for an opening and I got my bow drawn while he was working his way that way, I needed just a couple steps. I could have let my arrow fly, but was holding out for the clear shot I knew he was headed right for. Unfortunately as hunting goes another younger buck that had come in with that deer got out in front of him and must have winded me. The mature buck never made it to the clear opening, and we only saw that deer on our property once after that. Given the circumstances and knowing what I know now, I still would most likely hold off if the same situation came up again. If it does not feel right, I am not letting my arrow fly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razortec_hunter Posted July 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 in my situation the deer had moved from 30 yards to 60 out into an open cut bean field broadside..... lol i had my bow drawn and finger on the trigger but just couldn't pull it at that distance, i was hunting with my buddy one time on his property and i was goin for a doe. well i had a doe wide open broad side in a grassy area at like 52-4 yards and he knew i was comfortable at 45-50 yards and after the hunt he came to my stand (he was in a stand 40 yards away watching the whole thing) he goes WHY DIDN"T YOU SHOOT IT?! i was like "she was 4 or 5 yards to far".. lemme tell ya i was a LIL more tempted with the big buck at 60 yards just cuz i knew we have does ALL OVER the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 Guess the question you would have to ask yourself is, whether or not the shot felt right? I am guessing since you did not release your arrow, it did not feel right to you. Would not let peer pressure have you force a shot you might not feel comfortable with either, your buddy should understand. For me that distance is not an issue, I am not taking a shot on a deer with my bow at 50 yards, much less 60. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowtech_archer07 Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 I've been shooting alot with ccwhitey for the past couple of years and I'm confident in taking a shot on an animal at 45 yards maximum. I'm positive that I can make a kill shot and I know that I can get enough penetration to make a clean harvest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123 4/8 P&Y Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 I would try it at 40 yards if he was broadside and standing still. If he was alarmed and looking at me I wouldn't shoot because he would most definately jump the string. That rarely ends well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 60 yards.... The Buck knew something was not right.... You probably would have missed him all together (buck fever) or if you did hit him probably not the best of spots and you probably would have lost him. You did the RIGHT thing by not shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 My comfort zone is 20-30 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayzorp Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 With my eyes, nothing over 20 yards, 30 yards is pushing it for me. I guess it al depends on where you hunt. My spot is in thick brush, along with some black bear, so a clearing over 20 yards is tough. Plus the least time you spend looking for the deer the better chance you'll find it in one piece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NY_Bowhunter14 Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 35 yards is my maximum, i like to keep them inside 25 yards... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest arvelocity Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 35 on white tails, 40 on a hog that's eating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born4it Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 I'll shoot 40 yards unless there's a really strong wind. I practice at 50 yards, so if I felt so inclined and there was absolutely no wind I might try to squeeze one off, but probably not! Good luck :-) Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riverBottom Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 I practice at longer ranges 60 to 70 yards, but my longest shot on a whitetail is 42 yards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowin_in_illinois Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 I just don't take any shots over 30 yds. Am I capable?...sure. But I think it is important to know what you will and will not do before you're put in that situation, and my rule for myself is 30 yds. and that rule doesn't change dependant on the size of the buck, or whether it is a buck or a doe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razortec_hunter Posted July 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 I'll shoot 40 yards unless there's a really strong wind. I practice at 50 yards, so if I felt so inclined and there was absolutely no wind I might try to squeeze one off, but probably not! Good luck :-) Ryan same here, i DEFF prefer to keep my shots within 20-30 yards, the only reason i practice at 50 is for late season and or a big buck, see late season i hunt my buddy's place where most every shot is WIDE open grassland, and he's got a couple monsters on there so if one of those monsters say comes to 45-50 yards i wana be able to feel like i can make that shot and not just "think" i can make that shot. he said he's seen a 185-190 class typical 5x5 with mass the size of his fist, and if that shows himself at 50 yards i aint holdin back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 20-30 is my comfort zone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophy hunter Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 I would feel comfortable at 70 to75 tards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mach1 Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 50 yds with absolute perfect conditions. Most of my hunting situations wouldn't allow more than a 30 yd shot though. I also tend to be pretty conservative when taking shots with gun or bow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildthing Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 I feel good out to 40 yds...but prefer 20-25! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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