Maximum shot distance

[edward.penny]

What is the max range you will take a shot at deer?

[Sam McMichael]

I try not to go over 20 yards but prefer 15 or so.

[Wudstix]

So far 17 yards.   

[Charlie Lamb]

I don't shoot much past 70 yards. My groups start to spread and the super extra FOC tends to take a dive after that.

I LIKE to shoot at unalarmed deer right around 15 yards. I am quite prepared to shoot at 20 to 30 yards if I feel things look good. If I'm after an animal with an arrow wound in it then all bets are off... it's happened a few times in my life.

I've gotten finishing arrows in animals past 50 yards. We need to prepare ourselves mentally for such occurrences. 

[Zwickey-Fever]

I shoot every day with confidence out to 20 yards. But I shoot out farther to 30-40 yards just in case that second shot is needed. I will not think twice of shooting a second arrow out to 40 yards on a wounded animal.

[GCook]

I've seen two threads on AT about this recently and there are always the guys who claim they can plant a deer at long range.
Honestly there are a few who probably can. 
But the vast majority have no business even considering it. 
Personally I think we disrespect our prey when we take shots as likely to wound as kill.  I know a lot of guys have tracking dogs and a marginal shot may end up well for them. 
I believe most traditional shooters look at shooting as close as possible.  Both of the two baddest trad killers I know like to hear them breath before the shoot and they have the kills to back up the application of that approach. 
I personally don't look at a guy who thinks a 40 yard shot at deer with archery gear is okay is all that impressive.  Heck, even with modern archery gear I'm not impressed with long shooters.
Granted I'm not real experienced with the trad gear but I stay way inside the range i can regularly and confidently tag my targets.  Even with the high end modern gear I shot the three decades previous very many of my kills were under that same range because to me bowhunting is about my ability to get close, take high percentage shots and watch or hear them drop. 
YMMV

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[Aaron Proffitt 2]

Really , really depends . Poor but honest answer.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I know some might think it's BS but I don't think about how far it is I shoot instinctive just pick a spot and shoot.

[Lakerat007]

30 yards is my max shot distance. That would be on a very relaxed animal broadside. But sometimes I have had to pass on shots much closer just to the alertness of the critter. 15-17 yard broadside shots are my sweet spot and I try my best to set up for those type shots, sometimes my quarry just doesn't like to play by the rules

[Aaron Proffitt 2]

I know some might think it's BS but I don't think about how far it is I shoot instinctive just pick a spot and shoot.

That's sort of what I was alluding to , as well.

[pavan]

My pre-hunt practice shots tell me what I can and can not do when I hunt in the afternoon.  Of course, in the mornings when it gets light and I see nothing around me, I may take a shot.  Every day may be different. I hunt on the ground in fairly open terrain so it is important that I have some reach.

[supernaut]

I'm very comfortable with my recurve at 20 yards and in for hunting distances. I shot my first "traditional" buck last season at 12 yards. In all my compound years I can only remember shooting 3 buck over 20 yards. I hunt in SW PA and can always set myself up for shots that are less than 20, less than 15 is even better. I do enjoy shooting out to 80 yards but nothing over 20 in hunting situations.

[1Arrow1Kill]

For not alert Whitetail Deer (if there is such a critter), I'm pretty comfortable out to 20 yards.  And, well, I like to be comfortable.  'Nuf said.

[stickandstring]

15 -17 yards is consistent for me

[wingnut]

"I don't shoot much past 70 yards. My groups start to spread and the super extra FOC tends to take a dive after that.

I LIKE to shoot at unalarmed deer right around 15 yards. I am quite prepared to shoot at 20 to 30 yards if I feel things look good. If I'm after an animal with an arrow wound in it then all bets are off... it's happened a few times in my life.

I've gotten finishing arrows in animals past 50 yards. We need to prepare ourselves mentally for such occurrences. "

Charlie hit it on the head.  Every circumstance is different.  I've passed on 15yd shots and killed with 35.

Mike

[Charlie Lamb]

 trad_bowhunter1965... I agree totally. My range statements are based on post shot assessment (stepping off the distance). When I look at an animal I know immediately if I can make the shot and actual distance doesn't figure in to it.

Like Mike said sometimes that is closer than other times.

[Maddog20/20]

Long shots with trad equipment at targets - 100% shooter skill dependent and I respect the heck out of guys that make those shots.

Long shots with trad equipment at LIVE RESPONSIVE ANIMALS - 10% skill, 90% luck and I have very little respect for guys that even take those shots.

Guys always want to brag about those long harvests with trad equipment, but all I can think is how lucky they are that the deer didn’t just take a step turning their vitals into their guts.


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[supernaut]

Spot on Maddog!

[pavan]

What's a long shot?  All shots a whitetails that are staring you down are long shots.  30 yards for some is always too long, so they tend to preach.

[Maddog20/20]

What's a long shot?  All shots a whitetails that are staring you down are long shots.  30 yards for some is always too long, so they tend to preach.

Meh...30yds CAN be long.  For example, my woodies run around 720 grains and aren’t terribly fast even with my 50# longbow.  A whitetail can EASILY jump a string with those babies at 30yds.  My Black Eagle Instincts are much faster, but even at the 185fps, it’s pretty easy for a deer to turn a heart shot into a gut shot at 30yds.

Again, it’s more about the animal than the shooter.  People get all worked up thinking you’re saying they can’t “make the shot,” but it actually has little to do with shooting skill.  Targets vs live animals....I’m  a pretty good shot with 3D and don’t even blink at a 30 or 40yd shot, but odds on a live animal drop dramatically after 20 yds.


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