being honest with your self

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I live and hunt in the West and I shoot instinctive so I don't worry about yardage now that being said I like close shots nothing over 20 yards. Keep hunting with the stick if it helps drop down in bow weight. 

[dnovo]

If you are good at 15 but not at 20 I don’t think it’s a physical issue. Maybe a matter of focus. That being said last winter I took the longest shot at a deer in about 10 years. Killed a big doe at about 16 yards. Took my best buck earlier in the season at 11 yards. The previous 6 deer were about 6-9 yards.
So stick with it. 15 yards is a long shot for me.

[JohnV]

Your maximum shot distance from stand should be based on your shooting abilities, whatever they may be.  I have killed deer and bear from stands at distances from 0 yards to 30 yards.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Well Gary, what a crowd??!!
You can just be like me and never shoot at deer. Problem solved.  You know that I know the area you hunt. Be patient,  pick yer shots. If you're just after meat, there's plenty of roadkill. 

[Wheels2]

I shot my first one in five years of this latest round of traditional last year.  18 yards.
This is my third attempt at traditional.  Previously I tried instinctive and was not accurate enough.  Likewise, I got frustrate at watching deer walk by at 25 yards and beyond.  Even 4 years ago I became frustrated at deer beyond my range and took out the compound in the last week only to shoot one at 15 yards.  Should have stayed with the recurve...  Since then I have been only taking the recurve but have moved my stand to allow for closer deer travel.
In the last two years I have had deer walk right under my ladder stand.

[BAK]

I had shoulder surgery back in 2004 in February.  I was shooting and winning 3d by June.  I'd reassess the whole issue.  It is seldom the drawing arm that's the problem, after all, you're "aiming" with the other one.

[Tajue17]

I want my deer as close as possible last two I got one was 5yds (my stands are usually 10' high) and one was trotting by at 12yds,,,  when the deer come in and look like they are going to work in closer then wait its part of the game getting them so close you can hear them breathe..  you need to feel the confidence before you shoot its like that gimme feeling when your at a target shoot you just know a target is going to be easy you need to feel that same thing on the live thing,,,,,, if you start doubting yourself or thinking your not sure about the distance then let it come in closer or walk off that's how I hunt,, I do watch more deer than I kill but I go home feeling pretty good about the shot or the show. 

with that being said I'm friends with 3 people who do everything with stickbows except hunt,, they go to denton hill and other shoots, stump shoot and you never see them with their compounds but come deer season that's how they feel confident so it is what it is.

 

[shankspony]

Honesty is good! Helps you get to where you need to be. If you are enjoying trad archery, then shoot to your abilities. Now you know what they are. Animals at under 15 are the coolest and most rewarding/exciting in my view anyway.

[valleysniper]

Hey Charlie you do know where I hunt ! The winds are very fickle with all the hills and bluffs. Hard to see a buck routinely coming in at 10 yds then the winds change and he walks by at 20-25. I just think my confidence is rattle pretty bad. Think I have to just take a strp back and get bavk to basics. I did better when I was younger when I had no instruction and just shot without a care in the world.👍

[George Tsoukalas]

Hunt with whatever pleases you. I hunt with a self bow and 15 yards is what I like. Jawge

[Wudstix]

We all know that 17.3 yards is max effective range for Trad gear anyway!!!
 

[bucknut]

I have a bit of a different opinion on the issue.  I would guess it is a confidence thing. I have went through the same dilemma. If you think you are going to miss at twenty then you absolutely will.  Hard to get past that I know. Positive mental outlook helps immensely. One thing that has helped me increase range is doubling the distance I shoot for practice. Shooting 40 makes you feel super confident at 20. I’m not saying shoot 40 exclusively but step it out every day for a few shots. Having traveled to lots of shoots and seeing others shoot  I would say I’m a slightly above average shooter. No all star by any means.  I feel confident to 25 yards, sometimes further. However I keep my shots at game under 20.  I passed a good P&Y 2 seasons ago at 18-19 yards Standing still in a field.  Just didn’t feel right on that day. That being said 95% of all my game killed has been 15 and under. Most less than 10. Keep flinging sticks.

[Huntschool]

I try and keep my shots under 20, more like 15.  I practice at 20 and 25.  I usually spend a good bit of time at 25 right before deer season.  However.  Each practice session I start out at 5, then 10, then 15 etc...  Helps me get a feel for my yardage.

The last few deer I have taken were all about 15 yards....  good enough for me.  Trust your safe/comfort zone and have fun...

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Hey Charlie you do know where I hunt ! The winds are very fickle with all the hills and bluffs. Hard to see a buck routinely coming in at 10 yds then the winds change and he walks by at 20-25. I just think my confidence is rattle pretty bad. Think I have to just take a strp back and get bavk to basics. I did better when I was younger when I had no instruction and just shot without a care in the world.👍

Gary, you gotta get out of you're head. Just shoot have fun and remove the pressure you put on yourself.  Remind yourself you will not starve if you dont get one.  Ultimately we are there to enjoy it. If you cant enjoy it farming and gardening is a cheaper option for food lol.

[Wudstix]

I try to not shoot marked distances, just what distance “feels good “ at the time.  Hunt pretty thick stuff so 20-25 yards feels like 50!!!
 

[Friend]

A  moderately skilled stand hunter will likely have more than three times the shot opportunities  as a moderately skilled ground setup hunter.

I am solely a ground hunter...I took passes on 35 solid shot opportunities on bucks 14 yards and under  last season....took passes on 12 solid shot opportunities on bucks from 15 to 22 yards last season...

The right shot for you can be realistically had.

[valleysniper]

Thanks for everyone's words of advice and encouragement.  I think I'm going to start at about 10 yds and slowly move my way back. Just trying to clear my head and regain my confidence

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

the whole idea of bow hunting to me is to get close. Last year I killed 3 deer (2 bucks and 1 doe) and my farthest shot was 15 yards . the buck in Canada was at 8 yards and the home place doe was 6!

I love trying to hit a 3d deer at 40 yards when I go to non specific weapon shoots , that is really fun  but Hunting to me is a lot more than flinging the arrow . that is a the last step in a successful and smart set up .

If you can't accept the fact that a lot of times you are not going to fill that tag with trad gear , than you should probably stop trying .

I passed up my target buck last year when he was at 23 yards. That was the one and only time i saw him from a stand. No body got him last year so now I get to look forward to out smarting him this year!

[valleysniper]

I definitely don't need to shoot 40yds or even 30 for that matter. But at 20 yds I would beleive its not unacceptable to expect some degree of accuracy.  I can get plenty of deer in close. But have missed many chances at 20 and just over. I always hear to enjoy the hunt, everyone does this differently. To me, I hunt to kill big bucks, I started traditional to add some challenge. Not handicap myself. Sorry if that ruffles some feathers but ill say it again, I hunt to kill game otherwise I'd take a camera

[MCNSC]

I’d guess my average shot is close to 10 yards, I prefer 12 to 15 and longest was 20 shortest and best buck was at 3.  I’m guessing it’s mental , I’m pretty good to 20 after that it goes to pot.
When I started hunting with a Trad bow I limited myself to 15 , that’s what I was comfortable with at the time.