Range finder for bow hunting?

[Bearhide]

Hey guys, I'm new to bow hunting and wondering do you need a range finder when you bow hunt? Or do you just judge more with your eyes, and hope your good enough.? 

[Band]

I find a range finder to be an extremely important tool for bow hunting.  You won't have the opportunity to use it on every shot but you will on many and it's good to be darn close to exact.  Even if you have one you still should become an excellent judge of distance, which is a lot more difficult than it sounds, especially in a variety of terrains.

I have 3 bow kills and only had the time to range one of them (46 yards).  The other 2 were only about 25 yards and that's what I guessed, fortunately.

[Nice Racks]

They come in handy if used right.  And when a buck of a lifetime comes walking slowly in your direction and you range the trail ahead of him that he's on, remember to put the cross hairs on the trail not at what you think is his chest level. It was a clean miss right over his back. 

[Bean Counter]

I have a Leica 900.  Its great.  Markedly brighter than Nikon or Leupy.  Though to be fair I held my buddies Nioon next to mine and the Nikon was able to range a few objects which mine struggled with.

[snarkybull]

even when you can't use it to range the animal, it is still uber useful.  every time you set up somewhere, even just for a snack, range all the prominent stumps and trees and such.  and do it randomly just for kicks and for testing and honing your yardage estimation skills.

you don't need the super expensive ones.

[Band]

even when you can't use it to range the animal, it is still uber useful.  every time you set up somewhere, even just for a snack, range all the prominent stumps and trees and such.  and do it randomly just for kicks and for testing and honing your yardage estimation skills.

You're right.  Anytime I decide to sit it out for awhile I range everything around me so if something comes walking by I already know the yardage.

[nw_bowhunter]

Range finder are great tools to have. Often when bow hunting there isn't always time to use the range finder though. I keep my handy and when the opportunities arises I range terrain to be prepared. My personal opinion is the range finder can actually hurt bow hunters in the long run. I found that it made me not recognize yardage as easily since I was always using the range finder. Pre-ranger finder days I was able to quickly look, draw back and feel very confident in the distance I estimated. I have been focusing shooting more 3ds events and walk throughs and trying to use the range finder less to improve yard estimations for hunting situation. Also, I added a QAD rest to my bow and finding this will be another step to take before shooting the animal. My point is between binos, ranger finder, knocking and releasing, etc there is more opportunity during spot and stalk to actually slow down the shot reaction time. I still will carry one just be more mindful of estimating yardages vs relaying on the range finder as much.

[northwesthunter84]

I wouldn't hunt without one.  I have a Leupold now but when this one is done I will be going with a Vortex.

[lamrith]

While I cannot vouch for the quality, in fact I am looking for 1st a range finder myself...  Sportmans in Puyallup has two different Simmon 600 models onsale.  Want to say both are under $130?

[snarkybull]

http://www.nativeoutdoors.com/simmons-801405c-4x20-lrf-600-range-finder.html&currency=USD&language=en?gclid=CL_yr52u-L4CFQaBfgodIkoAIg#.U5u5YPk2wgR

that's what i have.  great for the price.  just pad the battery or it will rattle