How far will you shoot at deer????

[stick_string]

I see this question alot on Trad Gang in one form or another.      

For me picking up a traditional bow wasn't about how far I could get from a deer and still be effective but "how ridiculously close" can I get.  Because of that attitude, I have had several shots at 5 to 10 yards.  Could I have settled and takin a 30 or even 20 yard shot...sure.      

But for me it is about being a great hunter!!  

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

I'm not exactly sure of the distance but it was inside of 10 feet and the bonus was it was my first trad animal ever.  It was a small button buck shot from the ground.  Bad part is I was so excited I forgot to get a pic.

[BMN]

My first deer from the ground passed in front of me at 3-4 paces. I had to wait until he moved a little further away before I could draw my bow. Didn't get a shot until he was at 18 yards. My closest shot was on a buck last year at about 7-8 yards, also from the ground. Love the ghillie suit!

[md126]

treestand i shot one pretty much straight down. i've had a couple like that, within 10 ft or so of the tree.

farthest was 37yds, also from a stand.

from a stand i don't feel it's about getting as close as you can. close shots are tough and not ideal from above. i feel the challenge is from setting up for the perfect 15yd broadside or quartering away shot.

on the ground it's a different story...

[Steel]

I set up most of the time hopeing for around a 15 yard shot.I took a nice buck last fall off the ground stalking with a perfect behind the shoulder shot at 30 yards. Deer was calm and feeding which allowed me to shoot that range. Overall I perfer to stay 25 yards and under on deer.

[Pinecone]

Closest shot has been 12 yards.  

Claudia

[koger]

My two closest shots have been 15 feet, straight under a lock on stand on a big 8pt. and last year 10yds on 4pt, on the ground in a natural blind.

[James Wrenn]

Sorry I don't know the answer.I usually know when they are too far or two close but that might change several times during the day or moment.It certaily is nothing I could ever stick a number on however. jmho

[ishiwannabe]

I have yet to harvest a deer with a trad bow. Of the dozen or so taken with wheels, I made it a habit to set up for close shots.
The furthest shot taken on a deer was 12 yards, so far. Its nice though, I didnt have to change any set ups once I switched.
I like to set up close, hunt only when the wind is right, and move/shoot only when you can get away with it.

[Broken Arrow 1]

2yrds

[Whip]

Closest was probably a bear last year at 5 yards.  Like most of the others that have posted, I try to set up for close shots - 12-15 yards is perfect for me.  Longest shot was an elk at maybe just over 20 yards.

[SteveB]

Don't know - if the shot feels right, I take it.

2 yds to about 35 so far - average is under 20.

Steve

[eagle24]

I live in Alabama and shot one in Illinois.  So far that's the fartherest for me.   :p

[Onehair]

Shot a doe on the ground that was inside of a yard. I was kneeling behind a bush just off of the trail she was coming down. If I had not drawn when i did she would have nocked my arrow off the shelf. She sure looked surprised.

[FerretWYO]

My closest was a black bear at seven yards and a deer last year at solana at 8 yards. Several times I was much closer to bears though. Close enough to touch them.

[wtpops]

4.5 to 5 feet on a 150# hog. Next closest was 3 yards (hog). Most of my shots are 15 to 25. Im with you ive got this thing about seeing how close i can get, somtimes to my own undoing.

[stick_string]

Originally posted by Broken Arrow 1:
2yrds

Ok...now that is a goal...  

[stick_string]

Originally posted by wtpops:
... ive got this thing about seeing how close i can get, somtimes to my own undoing.

Yep...I have had that happen too.  

[Bird Dog]

12 yards

[swampbuck]

My first was maybe 5 feet longest since then I,m guessing around the 20yrd mark it's more of a can or can't thing as for the distance I like a couple steps inside of 20 but a few over is okay I shoot 20 a lot for practice