High Buck Hunt Shot Distance

[milldozer]

Just out of curiosity, how far of shots are you taking during the high buck hunt (rifle hunting).  Last year for me (first year) was about 20 yards.  A buddy said he's never had to shoot beyond 75 yards.  Interesting to me, given the country. 

[coachcw]

20-1000 depends on how far your looking 

[milldozer]

I should clarify, how far of shots you've taken an animal with.

[coachcw]

 :chuckle:80 yards and 300 ish

[bobcat]

The buck I shot in the Pasayten was 320 yards. The area I've hunted in the Alpine Lakes, I have never killed a buck, but those deer go into the timber right after the sun comes up, and you could definitely get a close up shot if you elect to go in after them. 75 yards would be a long shot in that situation.

[3nails]

 Of all of the deer I've killed in the high country the vast majority have been under 150 yds. But it's nice to know that I can do 350 if needed.

[bankwalker]

In the areas I bear hunt, which is very much as high as you can get on the south end of the Olympics. Most shots in my spots are going to be 400+ as far at to my comfort level. I killed my bear at 629 yards and that was after he worked his way closer to me.
I would love to find an area with closer shots. And I'm sure I will the more I explore the areas.

[Chesapeake]

We've done 550-ish on the long side to 120-ish on the short side. Where we hunt your shooting across canyons, across slide chutes, or down off the rim rock. We tend to lay low at distance and try and not pressure the bucks. Spot and stalk or Spot, pattern, and get in position for the next day.

[teanawayslayer]

I have shot two bucks in three years on the high hunt. Both shots on the deer were both around 100 yards. Shot a bear two years ago up there and it was around a 200 yard shot.

[JimmyHoffa]

Usually between 100-200 yds.  Can get closer if you want, like if you find the trails they like to use.  Can also go as far as you want, above the tree line you can see for miles.

[Andrew]

I've done the high hunt three years now and have not connected.  First year no shoot-able bucks but all deer seen within 200 yards.  Second year 4 shoot-able bucks however didn't feel comfortable at 458 yards.  Last year 4 shoot-able bucks all under 100 yards.

The pattern forming from the other responses is be comfortable and able to shoot from 20 - 500 yards. 

[James]

270 yards was my high hunt deer this year.

I do spot and stalk on the high hunt, sometimes it's tough getting close to them where I go. With that said I have been within 15 yards of deer a couple of times when they bed in thick stuff that doesn't offer any other option. I quite often are classing deer in the morn and evening anywhere from 500-2000+ yards away.

[Watimberghost]

Agree with a lot of comments on here. Can be very much dependant on type of terrain you are hunting and/or hunting method. For me, all my shots have ranged from 20-250 yards. But some areas I hunt could call for much longer shots. Your comfort level dictates this as well. We passed on a shot just over 500 yards last year because of wind, set up time and overall comfort of the shot. Good luck to you, and have fun

[180-GRAIN]

The only buck I have taken on a high hunt was at about 120 yards or so. He was bedded about 200 yards higher on a open slope than the other 2 bucks that were there. I came in from above him as it was my only stalk option. If he would have been with the other bucks I would have had to shoot aboput 320 or so. Just depends on the situation really.