Avg. Shooting Distance

[smokin joe]

It looks like the majority opinion is that inside 20 yards is best. We all want quick, clean kills, and the challenge and fun is often the act of getting close to game and staying undetected. And isn't the challenge of getting close the point of using a bow in the first place? I tend to believe that bow hunting is more hunting than shooting -- good woodsmanship and being patient really count for a lot and increase the challenge and the fun. Getting very close is the key, and under 20 yards is close, under 15 is closer, under 10 even closer, etc.
Many years ago, just to see if I could do it, I got close enough to a doe to touch her with my hand. I let her go without trying to take a shot. Getting that close was an incredible rush, and that day is one of my best hunting memories.
Joe

[Apex Predator]

My average kill distance is around 12-14 yards.  Longest shot is 20.

[James Wrenn]

Well I only hunt on the ground for hogs so my shots are usually close.Under 20yds for an average for sure.Probably under 15 if I had really kept count of them.

[koger]

I practice from 10-30yards,and would take a 30 yd. shot in an open field. That however is my limit, and like most post on this, most of my shots are under 20yds. I feel very confident out to 25 and like I said, if everything is right, out to 30. All this being said, I took a doe last week at 22 yds, she traveled 45yds and crashed. I have shot 100+ shots a day, 4-5 days a week for the last 6 months. Know your limitations. When I shot a wheelie bow, all my best and biggest bucks were taken under 25 yards, a few out to 40-50, on field edges that were marked for yardage. The main thing is to enjoy the hunt, and be honest with yourself about you known limits, and any day hunting is a good one. Sam.

[Biggie Hoffman]

Guys, don't forget too it's not how far you can shoot accurately, it's what the animal has time to do while the arrow is in the air. Alot of us can shoot a pieplate at 40 and 50 yards but that's too long for an arrow to be on the way. A deer can turn completely away or take a full step forward. Guess what happens then...

[Ark.Buck]

20 yds or less

[BRITTMAN]

Inside 20 for me to , all my Deer on average were shot at around 15 even in my compound days .


Mikw

[JEFF B]

me i shoot 20 or under. targets what ever they are at.

[bowmac]

I feel comfortable out to 30 yards but looking at my diaries it shows right at 90% of my deer were took inside 10 yards over the past 40 years. I guess I am too old to change that now. Closer is better.

[StickBowManMI]

My average shot is 17 yards .

[Shawn Leonard]

It all depends on my feeling at the time. Sometimes I may shoot out to 30 yards or so and other days 10 may be all I am comfortable with. I passed a 140" buck last year at 32-34 yards, but on another day and time I may take that shot. It has a lot to do with my gut feeling at the time. Shawn

[PAPA BEAR]

you may take a shot at one distance when in a comfortable position while not even considering the same shot while in a different position.its totally up to you and your confidence in your abilities,i am confident out to 40 yds in any position i find my shot to be in.but thats me.you are you so define what your limits are then expand from there.remember this one thing...you owe it to the game you draw on to make a clean safe shot...my two cents