From: Daddy Bear
Date: 17-Sep-08
During my youth, both my father and grandfather were aware of string jumping just like most using a stick and string. I was taught to "shoot the line of white" as a technique to help defeat the deers ability to react. I've lost count the number of times I've done so. Like most here with passion and experiece, I always tested and tried different techniques to better the odds for a humane kill. I learned to only shoot deer that were relaxed. I learned to wait for the deer to be busy with a task such as browsing and/or tending a doe. I learned to time my shot for when the deer was taking a step so that no more than three legs were planted on the ground when I loosed the arrow. I then learned that if I do this with the deer inside 20yards it could not overcome the arrow with a reaction which gave me most of the control over a humane kill. But, even with the deer relaxed and stepping, beyond 20yards most of the control would shift to the deer based on its reaction.
Roy Marlow is a professional engineer who is a passionate archer and hunter. He is a senior member of the Pope and Young Club, was director of the Hall of Fame, is a writer, and has hunted game with bows and arrows all over this country to include Alaska, as well as Canada, and Mexico. His engineering skills applied to his study of deer string jumping is heavily endorsed by his archery peers to include written endorsements by M.R. James and T.J. Conrads. Marlow used high speed video to measure the average reaction ability of deer using various arrow speeds of 175fps to 275fps and various distances from 10yards to 25yards. His published findings were as such:
Using a stickbow with arrow speed of 175fps w/ deer at 10yards, reacting to the shot a deer can move its body 3" prior to arrow impact. The deer were unable to move far enough for the arrow to strike outside of the kill zone.
Using a stickbow with arrow speed of 175fps w/ deer at 15yards, reacting to the shot a deer can move its body 8" prior to arrow impact. If the shot was aimed at the bottom of the deer's lungs, it would be unable to move far enough for the arrow to strike outside the kill zone.
Using a stickbow with arrow speed of 175fps w/ deer at 20yards, the deer's reaction more than shooting skill, determined the outcome. If the deer reacted to the shot, it can drop down and coil up its leg muscles, then push off for parts unknown prior to the arrow reaching the spot where the deer once stood.
Switching to a faster stickbow with speeds of 200fps change the results little. The deer can move 2" at 10yards, 6" at 15yards, and can still completely drop, turn, and run off at 20yards. Arrow speeds of 250fps will still allow a deer to move 7" at 20yards! Even with arrow speeds of 275fps, the deer could move their body 10" at 25yards!!
Though I've taken deer with a longbow at distances greater than 30yards, I always recommend that one should do their best to keep the control in their court by limiting stick bow shots to no more than about 20yards. With sound shot selection and proper shot placement, the deer should not be able to overcome the arrow. But, don't expect great results if you make it a habit to loose arrows when the deer is alert, looking directly at you, while trying to size up your threat:^)
later, Daddy Bear
(hera quote from LW)
Topic: Avg. Shooting Distance (Read 1399 times)
