Is rangefinder a dirty word?

[jcar315]

Yes.

[Joshua Lee]

I agree elk whiperer, can't use them in action.  I was more thinking of ranging some trees around me to be able to guess better when the action starts. Also, so that I don't have to hike my scent around where the elk may come in, in order to accurately pace out a difficult terrain to judge.

[lpcjon2]

IMHO if you need a range finder to get the distance your to far away to begin with.Get estimated size of the bulls and cut out an elk from cardboard and shoot at it at 20-25yrds and you will mentally know when its to far.Use your riser as a measuring stick,from the rest to on the ground(at the animals feet) to the top of the back and make a mental mark (or a pencil mark).So when you see one(put the rest on the feet), If the back is lower than your mark then he's to far,above the mark he is closer than 25.

[David Mitchell]

Use one--I've been doing this "trad archery" thing since the time that was the only kind of archery we had!  I got a neat Nikon laser range finder to help me just survey my hunting area to get an idea of the lay of the land, so to speak.  By all means, stop worrying about whether something is "traditional" or not.  Back in the day, we never worried about that stuff at all.    I am so weary of that inane argument about wether this or that is "trad".

[Joshua Lee]

neat idea ipcjon2, I think I will try that even if I do get a rangefinder.
Thanks

[Van/TX]

Range finders are not allowed at 3-Ds.  There is a reason for this.  If you have a sighting system based on range then it would be an unfair advantage to those that don't.  You will score  higher. If you are not an instinctive shooter but have a precise aiming system then it would make sense to me to have a range finder for hunting.  Even with a sight if you shoot at a target that you think is 25 yards and it is actually 28 yards you have just missed the vitals and hopefully missed completely with our relatively slow trad equipment.  Josh makes a good point...Van

[Hoyt]

I've never used a range finder, even during the many yrs I shot wheel bows. I just don't think in terms of how many yards when I'm shooting or practicing.

One wouldn't do me any good now anyway...because from what I read the best way to use it is to range spots in advance and there's no way I could remember the distances.

[B/W lvr]

Whats a rangefinder? Frank

[Joshua Lee]

Thanks Van,
Back to one of my original questions, does anyone know where I could find one for between 50 to 100 dollars.  My wife just got new shoes, and that's my price range. I don't care if it's beat to hell and prehistoric as long as it can get me a range within a yard or so. I'm even checking out the ones used in construction to measure, since I don't really need one to tell me anything past 60yds (not that I would shoot that far but just so I knew how much closer I needed to get)
Thanks
Josh

[Mojostick]

A rangefinder can also do more than just range. If hunting on the ground in a "natural" ground blind, fumbling with binoculars to look at deer at moderate distances can be tough, with a nocked bow across your knees and while trying to keep movement at a minimum.

Think of a rangefinder as a good monocular. And since there are no good quality monoculars out there for hunting, a 4, 6 or 8x monocular in the way of a one handed rangefinder is a bonus.

If you don't care what kind of deer you shoot, then it really doesn't matter. But if you want to look at a browsing deer at 40-800 yards to determine if it's a button buck, if you planned on killing a female deer, or if you have some standard where you pass yearling bucks, the "monocular" aspect of the 4-6x rangefinder, while using only one hand, can come in handy.

[bowfiend]

Yup. I carry one often when I'm hunting big woods because the optics in my Leica are great and it's a lot lighter than binoculars. 8X Leica - even with the small glass - is clear as can be. In this sense, I don't "range" stuff but I do carry one.

[xtrema312]

I love mine.  Yes I started using it for my compound, but I almost never used it to range an animal for a shot.  I used it for gun hunting in the same way, to set my shooting range with muzzleloaders and shotguns.  I use it to get a feel for the area.  Typically now with a trad bow I range my area from a stand to set a max. perimeter.  Then I only shoot inside that area.  I have always had a harder time judging range from a tree vs. on the ground.
 
I also use it for rifle shooting particularly with shooting long range with rim fire.  I even use it to set a shooting area for water fowling or to help set decoys.  Distance can look a lot different on the water or in areas that are a lot different to what you are used to.  I use it often to just range stuff when I am out walking to train my brain.  I have even used it to measure distances like safety zones to stay legal hunting around houses.  I have also used it for work to take rough measurements over longer distances on construction sites.  

I don't see much of a need for it shooting on the ground inside 25 yd. with trad bow because I don't gap.  However, when I am out over 25 yd. shooting targets I do start to split vision shoot, and I do know what my gap looks like at 30 yd. and over even though I don't really think about the gap measurement.  If I know I am at 35 yd. I can shoot a lot more accurately than just by shooting instinctive.  Being able to estimate distance accurately really comes in handy when you get to the longer shots.  

I also use it as a monocular as mojo stated.  I don't carry binoculars when I hunt deer.  I would if I was out west or something and scouting and area or planning a stalk, but for stand and heavy cover hunting all I need is a few X magnification to get a little better look some times.

[Boesman]

Trust your brain, the more you shoot - the more reliable it judges distance. You simply pick a spot and forget about the rest.

[gudspelr]

Hey, Josh-

I'll try and answer your "where to buy" question.

I got mine from a friend who has all the coolest stuff, including rangefinders.  He had a newer one and was looking to off load his old one-and there I was   .  That was back when I was only rifle hunting, but if I were you, I'd maybe check some of the sites out there with classifieds, etc.  Also, might get lucky in the newspaper classifieds.  Might be a reach, but I'd also probably give Cabela's and Sportsman's a call just to ask if they have any re-furbished ones or know anyone looking to sell a used one?  Sierra Trading Post also seems to have a lot of "seconds", including binoculars-not sure if they have rangefinders, though.  Try and hit up anyone you work with or know who hunts or has gear for it-you might get lucky with them.  Good luck.

Jeremy

[Bowwild]

I began using one 5-6 years ago while compound hunting. Because my effective distance was twice what I am with traditional.  I mainly use the rangefinder to check distances to landmarks from my stand before critters appear -- this is instead of the old-style pacing around the area and stinking it up. It is a confidence builder. It was also a really good way to keep my distance ability sharp by testing myself. I had not been planning to use the range finder with my recurve because the distance of 20 yards and under is all I'll shoot and I've shot enough arrows that my bowarm "knows" the elevation at this and less distance.  There is an interesting distinction in my thinking regarding distance and traditional hunting. Too me the strongest motivation to use a rangefinder is different. I would want to make sure I didn't get fooled into trying a shot that was too far with my recurve. With the compound I simply needed to know where to set my single pin.  I certainly don't think you are less a bowhunter (traditional or otherwise) if you choose to use the rangefinder -- and anyway, what I think about you or anyone else might be a "fun fact" but it is irrelevant.

[jimmerc]

You already own the most effective range finder you can get, it's between you ears! You just need to unlock and trust it! to do this stumpshooting is a great tool like others have said! you'll be suprised how fast your brain will pic this stuff up! another great tool is go to a local 3d shoot that has an elk target and hang back to shoot there when nobody is around and shoot from various distances to get a feel for the size of the critter, an elk at 40 yards may make you feel it is closer if your are used to shooting at deer size critters!  It won't take as long as you think to unlease your built in rangefinder! Another great tool if you have room to shoot is with a golf ball(plastic pratice balls work great), toss it out and shoot with a judo or blunt at various distances! then when your hunting vision that golf ball where you want to hit on your elk!  I believe that if you factor in say a range finder you are drawing away from the simplisty of your hunt, it is just one more thing to distract you when you need to be focused on the task at hand!(picking your spot, making the shot)  Just my two cents! whatever you decide, good luck!!