Range finder, Who does, who doesn't

[billythekidrock]

I have one and I have only used it once on game. 285 yards. Good thing i had it too i would have said it was over 350 . But where i hunt in WA I don't really need it, but it is always within easy reach when i might need it .

Same here. I used mine twice on bear this year. One at 220 and one at 270 yards.

[WonkyWapiti]

I have a Nikon 1200 that I use for both archery as well as rifle hunting. 

[Charlie]

I read allot of sound advise on this post. I wouldn't go hunting without my rangefinder whether it be modern firearm, muzzle loader or archery. I also believe that too much of a good thing can make me overly dependant and eventually cripple me. I know when I use my rangefinder exclusively I don't estimate as well as I use to before I started using it. When I started doing the archery walk-thru at the Tacoma Sportsmen's Club I never used my rangefinder and I got pretty good at estimating out to 60 yards. Then I started using it on a regular basis until one afternoon when I left it at home. The estimating skill I had previously achieved was pretty much gone. In many situations this may be acceptable but I would like to do some 3-D shoots. They won't let you use a ranging device at 3-D competitions. I also worry about those hunting situations when I just don't have time to pull out my rangefinders and still get off a shot. What I have read here is get a quality rangefinder and use it but also practice, practice, practice without it for those instances it is not an option.

[jake]

i use one, not for  the reason that i am afraid of missing, but in my opinion it can help me make a more ethical shot and not maim a animal because i guessed wrong 

[Roger]

I upgraded this summer and decided on the NIKON Rifle Hunter 550. I use both bow and gun, works great for both. Gets all the distance I need. Under ideal conditions I have ranged things out to almost 800 yards with it. It's great, simple to use and compact. Yea it uses special lithium battery but the life is rated for 10,000 uses.   I was thinking of the Leupold RX II but reviews indicated that it was complicated to use, don't need complicated. The Nikon has 2 modes, angle or distance.

I wouldn't think about going into the woods without one. It's on my belt all the time.

[fc2038]

+1 I love my range finder. Never fails to know the try distance to your target. you can't go wrong. ALMOST

[rosscrazyelk]

A fuunny joke comes to mind with this topic

[andrew_12gauge]

I never owned one up until my birthday last february i really wanted a leupold RX-II but thanks to the guys at cabelas i ended up getting the Bushnell Scout 1000 with ARC, the ease of use is incredible compared to the RX-II, uphill or downhill compensation, and seperate rifle and bow modes, only used it on my dads sheep hunt so far though as i havent even fired a shot at an animal this year

[RC3]

I use a leica 1200 best rangefinder you can buy in my opinion........small works in fog everything

[Alan K]

I use one.  It's great during bow season, use it at all times.  It's also vital for colorado rifle hunting.

[SagebrushStalker]

I use a leica 1200 for rifle and archery hunting, definately made me a better hunter.

[jae]

An absolute must have!  I wouldn't set foot in the woods without one!

+1

[SCRUBS]

I have one, and use it when i can. I like my shots short so it`s not a necessity.

[dbllunger]

Leica and use it all the time even when not hunting!

[saylean]

I bring it with me when I go archery hunting, but usually only use it to shoot points of interest while im in my blind.