Max ethical range

[Fullabull]

I enjoy shooting at the 80 yard target with the elk on it but it doesn't move, thank goodness. When I see how long it takes my arrow to reach that 80 yard target and I know it's to far. I shoot 70# at 29" draw, 475 gran fmj arrow.

[Bean Counter]

My pins go 20-80. I fancy myself a decent shot all the way through that range and especially at 50 and below. Prior to the season I told people I was hoping to shoot at 50 yards or less. Wouldn't you know it.... My first shot at a bull was at 51 yards. I opened my eyes to see the arrow sticking right into his vitals.. and off he walked with my arrow. Searched for the whole day with others and never found a single drop of blood. Wound up plugging an even bigger bull at 80 yards a few days later. He piled up less than 100 yards away like a train wreck. 

[MIKEXRAY]

As stated only you can determine your max range, also as stated max range practicing is way different then actual hunting. With excitement, awkward shooting position, up hill / down hill angles , weather,  etc  I would think actual has to be 30-50%  ( we have to agree on some percentage ) less . Also your arrow is in flight for almost a full second ( even if 300 fps ) and it is amazing how much can happen in that full second. Even in the perfect situation of no wind, level ground, feeding calm elk, broad side, no sticks / brush in the way I consider 80 yards to be an iffy situation and most hunters unfortunately would not wait for the perfect setup only.

[trophyhunt]

this topic bring up something I am going to post a poll on, Fixed sight's or dial type? 

[blackveltbowhunter]

   It sounds like your wondering more if your bow has enough "ooomph" to efficiently harvest elk vs whether or not the shooter should ethically take the shot? The short answer IMO is yes. If you have put reasonable thought into broadhead and arrow combo, there is no reason not to expect ample penetration at those ranges with that setup. Of course to dissect exact data would require a chrono at extended range.

 

[LeviD1]

If there is some wind and your at the range take those 50-60 yard shots and see where your arrows ends up it is kind of fun plus good practice. I was at the range last week and there was a decent breeze, I was at 60 yards and had to hold about 8 inches to the right to make my arrow hit center.

[swashington2128]

I hear you guys, practice, practice, practice. Believe me I am. I won't take a shot unless I feel comfortable about it. Heck I even limit myself to 200yds with a rifle because there are no benches in the woods.

I have been mostly on the range 3-4 times a week building up my archery muscles again. Ready to hit the trail. The range I go to has a good trail with about 20 targets on it. Hitting that soon to make things more realistic.

I know about the branches getting in the way. First two shots at a whitetail near Colville a few years ago both were blocked by branches I never saw. Both shots right around 40 yards. Those branches are better than the Secret Service protecting the president. Dive in from nowhere and takes the shot away.

Great thing about trying a new method, always more to learn.

[Crunchy]

80 is a long poke with a bow.  Under perfect conditions I wouldnt shoot at an elk further than 65-70 yards.  But never had to.  Furthest shot Ive had is 35 yards.

[Expedition Scout]

The longer the yardage, the more time you provide the animal to react. Find a safe place to stand down range when someone is shooting 80 yards and hear first hand what the animal is going to hear. We setup next to the corner of the house so you can stand just around the corner to listen. Depending on the bow and/or arrow setup, some make a lot of noise. 80 yards to an animal is enough time to really screw up a shot IMO.

[Odell]

I enjoy shooting at the 80 yard target with the elk on it but it doesn't move, thank goodness. When I see how long it takes my arrow to reach that 80 yard target and I know it's to far. I shoot 70# at 29" draw, 475 gran fmj arrow.

Agreed. I run into people all the time who say they can hit a paper plate every time at 80-100 yards. That would be really handy if we were hunting paper plates.

[Johnb317]

  
Ethical questions aside
Isn't the whole idea to get as close as possible to the elk?
Last Elk I got was at 5 yards....better bragging rights I think than if I got one at 70-80 yards, and a lot more exciting. 

My first elk came within 3 feet of me, but no shot until 35 yards.  what a rush!

Question to all....would you release the arrow if the rules were 'you stick it you're tagged out whether or not you find the animal?   

[branches]

Whenever the topic of how far can I shot an elk or deer comes up I see a lot of responses of only you can be the judge or it is up to you to decide. I do not think I have ever seen anybody ask them if they have taken the Washington state bow hunter education course.  When I started bow hunting I realized that I do not know everything and when I talk to 10 different hunters I got 10 different answers. I took the course and it helped me to become a better bow hunter.   They taught us ethical hunting and sportsmanship. I am glad the OP working very hard at getting as efficient as possible on the practice range. 

[notsosneaky]

I'll just say it...

80 is too far

It has nothing to do with practice, it has to do with the increased chance of a lost or wounded animal. The shooter isn't the only variable here. I'm not saying you can't kill an elk at 80 yards, only that you shouldn't try. And yes if you stick an animal you should punch your tag. But hey I'm an opinionated prick:)

[SGTDuffman]

That's up to you to decide. There are too many variables involved in each situation to say one way or the other. If you know yourself and your equipment, long shots are possible, under the right conditions.

Personally I'd be shooting a heavier arrow, but that would be true at any distance, especially so at longer ranges though.

I shot a deer last year at 68yds up hill. Complete pass through both lungs. I spent more time looking for the arrow that was buried into the ground to the fletches, than the deer that piled up after 30 yds. I took that shot because there was nothing in between me and the deer, we were both in the wide open, and because I've practiced shots like that and farther than that for years. I knew I'd hit 'em if I shot, and I was right. About 4" above the heart. That being said, if I thought there was any way I could of gotten closer, I would have. I also had no concerns about my arrow having enough oomph when it got there.

[Jayfire83]

 

You determine your ethics not anyone else.