To rangefind or not to rangefind...

[windygorge]

have it with you when you hunt, but not when you are practicing.  become the best range guesser you can be, then use it for back up when hunting.  judging yardage under canopy with sun and shadows is difficult to near impossible.  narrow openings is very hard to.  and last year i was hunting in the wide open for muleys and under guessed my yardage by 20.  my rangefinder got me my deer.  would have came home without my deer had i not used it.

[Bean Counter]

First few shots I had on  big game animals I had time to range.

I fell into the trap thinking I was good at guessing range.. on my range. Where I shoot its flat and I get used to how big my target should look, as well as how much flat ground is inbetween it and I. However, throw in some small hills, replace dirt with taller grass, and change the distance of the trees in the backdrop, and it gets more difficult than you think.

Take the extra second to use your rangefinder if its obviously > 15 yards. If the deer/elk spooks in that amount of time, it likely would have spooked on your draw anyway.

[firedog]

I always have mine when hunting, Given a chance I will try and range a few trees or something where I figure a bull is coming in for reference. Bull I killed two seasons ago I didn't range but he was only 12 yards away so that was an easy yardage. I practice with out relying on it, will pull it out to check myself though.

[Wild Bill]

I'd say carry it.
I've had a ton more success since I bought one.
I live by the rule if you don't have time to range it, dont shoot it. I call a lot though, and generally can range out some land marks prior to the moment.
 
WB

[GEARHEAD]

no excuse not to have one.

[Deep Forks]

They're to inexpensive not to carry one.    

[njc89]

I have done exactly what Firedog says above.  When I set up, I range several reference points (trees, rocks, etc) to have a better idea if an elk were to come in.  Most times I have called a bull in, I didn't have time to fiddle with the range finder.

[Igottanewknee]

The last two deer I shot bow hunting were at exactly 45 yards using the range finder. I would have guessed either of them 50 to 60 yards and would have been reluctant to shoot and would have shot over them if I had decided to shoot. Get one.. use it..

[Kowsrule30]

I hunt with ML and rifle..... I always have mine handy..... I'm pretty good a judging distance.... It's usually the lay of the land that is more deceiving than anything.... This may be comparing apples to oranges to some.... But for me and my ML there is a huge difference between a 130 yard shot and a 150.... Plus it's nice to know if you were right on yardage estimates after you put a good shot down and didn't have a chance to range...

[fly4fish]

I will not shoot without rangefinding the animal first if I suspect it is over 30 yards.  If I have time, I will range no matter how far I think it is.  Big difference between 35 and 40 yards when archery shooting.