Distance

[Red Tailed Hawk]

Just curious guys, what distance are you guys comfortable shooting to. I personally feel accurate out to 25 yards, and at this point would not take a shot at game further than this. I am also a fairly new at trad and look forward to increasing distance.

as far as i can see!        

just kiddin, about 25-30 yds.

[jhg]

Under 25 yards.

It is not an issue of accuracy.

 It is an issue of how long it takes the arrow to reach the target.
 
In the time it takes to get to an animal at longer distances they could simply take a step ot two forward and then you have a gut shot. Not ethical IMO.

Joshua

[stevemfwills]

i pratice out to 30 for ibo tournys,but im most comfortable at no more than 25

[Red Tailed Hawk]

Thats a real good point jhg and something to be taken into consideration.

[30coupe]

Twenty-five yards is plenty far whether you are new to trad or not. It is kind of my self-imposed limit on big game, and I am a long ways from new.

Just work to improve your accuracy from 25 yards in and to improve your woodsmanship to get you there. Remember, your adrenalin is going to be working overtime when a game animal is in range, so be extra sure you are proficient inside of 25 yards. The area I hunt is pretty thick, so 25 yards is an awful long shot here.

By the way, welcome to the greatest sport/hobby/addiction known to man! Also, welcome to Tradgang!

[Gil Verwey]

I am with you guys at 25 yards. I practice out to 40 but keep my hunting shots 25 and in. Out to 40 yards I get the same feel instinctive I do at 20, but after 40 I have to adjust and it doesn't work for me. 25 and in I am good to go.

[3Feathers]

I like to keep them under 20yrds.I do practice at all kinds of ranges.The closer the better,just as long you go undetected.....AimSmall...Shoot Straight.......

[jcar315]

Hunting shot: always under 20 for me and prefer closer to 15 or less.

3D: I am usually up for just about anything. Fun to try some of the really long shots knowing that for me I would never try them in any sort of hunting situation.

[James Wrenn]

Where I normally hunt I can't see a deer much past 20 and have to cut some lanes to be able to shoot that far.Just never needed a long shot many times.Still it does not hurt to carry a good 30+yd shot in the back pocket just in case.I practice for those few occasions I might use it.

As far as animals moving at the shot goes..Had lots more trouble with them moving on close shots than long ones.I usually won't take a shot closer than 15yds from a tree and had much rather have it at 20 if I get the chance.Better shot angle and they jump less farther from you.jmo

[Horner]

I like to think I can make a killing shot out to 20 yards.  BUT in a hunting situation I want to be more to the 15 yard and in mark.  I shoot a good bit, and one thing I have found is that shooting 20 yards and out is a day to day thing for me.  Some days I am on and other days all over the place.

[18thcentman]

I would not feel comfortable shooting big game over 20 yards. I  would however take a longer shot at squirrels or rabbits with blunts.

[Builder]

Hunting is so entirely different than shooting in the backyard where your standing up wearing a tee shirt with nothing to hinder the shot.
Where I hunt, twenty yards is a long distance in the brush, trees, twigs and sitting for hours on end with a lot of clothes on not moving.
I think the guys out west probably shoot that on a regular basis where it is wide open.

[Doug Treat]

With how I'm shooting right now, 25 and in.

[Hookeye]

I practice to 40 (more critical of form etc).

Just because I can hit well out a ways, that doesn't mean much in the deer fields.. They like to move, at the shot or just "because", so I like to keep it 25 yards and in.

After gun season even closer.

FWIW if I could kill all my critters at 10 yards I'd be tickled.

[Friend]

Knowing and acknowledging your effective range in a particular hunting situation is paramount in taking game. Every one and every situation is different. Once you have established your effective range and can make adjustments depending on the situation and your own recognition of your excitement level, you will have much greater success. This being said your effective range may vary over 50% giving certain circumstances. Learning to set-up and hunt within your effective range will be your next exciting challenge.

[L. Bullington]

Though I practice at longer distances, my goal for hunting shots is 25 yards or less. The reason for this is the same as some of ya'll have said. Shooting at live game is totally different than shooting at 3D targets.

[Mudd]

I love shooting long distances 50 60 or more yards but I practice my hunting shots from 20 and under.

I shoot the longer distances because it gives me more flight time to watch the arrow. As long as I keep them on my side of the back stop it's all good but when they drop into that sweet spot I'm shooting for it's nothing short of ecstatic for me..lol

God bless,Mudd

[L82HUNT]

Friend very good post.

 Although most of my shots are within 20 yards I have no problem taking one much farther.  That particular moment is what tells me to shoot are not.  Last season I took a doe at 43 steps,  where I have passed deer at 30 before.  But everything felt right.  She didnt make it 50 yards from where I shot her.