mesr

[VinnieB]

what is your mesr(maximum effective shooting range). i personally feel confident that i could kill a deer at 25 yards. i practice out to 30 yards and i can hit the 3d target there about every time, but it's just that a 3d target.

for hunting i try to keep it 25 and in. i like them more around 15 and i try to set my stands up for these situations.

what do you guys feel comfortable shooting.

[pine nut]

I'm kinda like you I'm comfortable with 15 yds and closer.  I don't get buck fever any more, but I don't want it on my conscience to wound and not recover.  Over the years I've passed on some mighty fine deer where the shot just wasn't right.  Felt better than knowing I'd made a poor judgment call and wounded one. JMO
Bill

[Orion]

In a bowhunter education class that I help teach, we have a target we call old ironsides.  It's 1/4 inch thick steel plate cut into the shape of a deer silhouette with an opening cut out where the vitals would be.  During the shooting part of the course, we first ask the students what they feel their maximum effective range is.  Then we bring out old ironsides and ask them to shoot through the hole in the deer at their maximum effective range.  It's amazing how the effective range shortens once they see the target.  Most won't even attempt it.  In short, the effective range on live critters for most of us is a lot shorter than we think it is or would like it to be.

[JEFF B]

me i love 20 to 25 yards or closer as i love the stalk  

[oldgriz]

20 yds for me... I can shoot out to 30-35, but not with the consistency I can at 20...

[madness522]

I really think it depends on the situation in the woods. Each encounter differs in some way to every other one.  I think the best is to know the max distance you have practiced and are compentent at.  When you do have that encounter with a deer or what ever animal you are hunting you will have a feeling about the shot and if the shot isn't a high precentage shot or doesn't feel right don't take it.  I practice out to 35 yards and hit the target more than I miss but I don't think even on my best day I would try one that far at a real animal.  Just getting within bow range of an animal is a victory all by its self.

[Doc Nock]

I try bizarre shots on 3D targets and courses. I've learned things that help me know what I can do. For instance, 2 years or so ago I shot my first sika "cow" but she was pretty small...what I'm told is average. One step from her antsy self and it hit back 'some' which was a LOT on a tiny target. Killed her instantly but felt bad.

That afternoon, I had a shot at a big spike. 20-25 yards... head behind a tree...perfect. But I had the idea in my head that I'd made a "bad shot" in the AM on the tiny cow and it messed with me... I passed totally.

I agree with Mad22 in that "it depends" is always a good answer, but my margin never exceeds 20yd in the field.

[VinnieB]

doc nock cool sika story. i was thinking about going sika hunting this year myself. where did you go.

[Over&Under]

25 yrds is my MESR.  I too practice to 30 but consistanct is key as Old Grizz said.

Jake

[Doc Nock]

Vinnie,

Friend drug me to BW. never been..just set up in a tree and as "first timer" luck would have it, one came by. That was a couple years ago.

going to be going again this year and hope to find that spot!