Returning to bow hunting. . .elk this fall, ranges to set sight pins at???

[atomicjoe23]

I shot bow when I was a teenager (i.e. about 15+ years ago) but I never hunted, only target. . .I am now getting back into archery and one of my friends has a hunting lease that has a HUGE herd of elk on it and I have been invited to go elk hunting.

I've got a used bow from a friend (it's a nice bow) and I took and had it all tuned up (new string, new hardware, new peep tube, new sights, new rest. . .and I'm getting a release loop and release this week) and right now I'm shooting it old school (how I learned) with a glove  just to get used to it. . .

. . .anyway, what ranges should I set my pins for? I will be hunting in the Forks area in some logging land that is a combination of timber and clearcuts.

I have a 5-pin sight. . .also I'm thinking that the top pin should be the closest range and the bottom pin should be the farthest range. . .is that correct?

Thanks for helping me get back into the sport!!!

[PacificNWhunter]

Yes top pin will be your closest pin and the lowest pin for further away shots. And if you have not shot for awhile I would say go 20-30-40-50-60 or depending on the trajectory of your bow move up in 5 yard incriments.

As you shoot and get back into the swing of things you might need to move the pins to your comfort level.

[ribka]

Yes, that is correct. Top is close yardage and bottom is  longer yardage.

I would use three pins if I were you seeing that this is your first year bow hunting in quite a long time and season is 2 months away. Maybe a 20, 30 and 40 yd pin. I personally would limit my shots to 30 yds and under being that you do not have much time to practice. Go to a range or ask one of the guys on here to see if they can meet you and give tips on shooting and ethical shots. If I lived closer would be more than happy to help you.

Once you are sighted in practice at different yds ( 17, 23, 10, 36  yds etc) to become proficient at yardage estimation. Shoot from different positions ( kneeling, sitting, up hill, down hill etc)


Start at 10 yards for the first 10 sessions and shoot 3 arrows. Very slow and deliberate in your shooting.  I know boring but IMO very important. Make sure your form is good before moving back to 20 yds. Very hard to break bad habits. I have been shooting bow over 30 years and I still will start at 10 yds and blind bale shoot ( shoot with closed eyes) at beginning of most of my shooting sessions

I would also consider hunting from a tree stand seeing you have access to a lease.  Very effective in the area you mentioned. Of course practice shooting from the stand if you do. Make sure you bed at the waist when shooting from a tree stand.

Have fun  

[br8kitoff]

I live by the fairgrounds and can help if you like...we can even shoot in my back yard. Been bow hunting for 20 years.

[atomicjoe23]

Thanks guys!!!

Help me out here, my groups are pretty tight considering my lack of practice (~3-4" for 5 shots at 20 yards. . .that is when I'm not playing with the elevation and windage) but I can't remember which way I should adjust my sight to correct my shots (like I said it's been a while).

If I'm shooting low which direction should I move the sight (not the pin, but the sight as a whole)? Same for if I'm shooting to the left?

Also, I just put one of the 3-finger hostage arrrow rests on the bow and I'm not sure how the attitude of the arrow should be. . .at nock or at full draw?

Thanks again for the help! Overall I'm pretty happy with what I was able to accomplish in a half hour and a 15 year break from shooting!

[atomicjoe23]

I live by the fairgrounds and can help if you like...we can even shoot in my back yard. Been bow hunting for 20 years.

I may have to take you up on that. . .

I appreciate the offer for sure, my schedule is hectic at the moment (new job, getting ready to move to a new house, etc., etc.) but I'm sure I could find some time.

Thanks again!!!

[Elkstuffer]

Chase your arrows with your pins/sight. If your arrows hit high, raise your pin. If your arrow hits low then lower your pin. Never too late to jump back in. Good luck this fall.

[atomicjoe23]

Thanks. . .I was doing just the opposite. . .I was trying to visualze what the change would do, but obviously I wasn't right.

Thanks again!

[Tony 270]

Just be sure to practice with your broadheads after you get sighted in with field points. If you're not completely tuned they will impact differently than your field points. Then you adjust your rest (generally), not your sight, to settle that issue.

[atomicjoe23]

Thanks for the tip!

[brew]

definately what ribka said as far as shooting from different positions....standing/kneeling/sitting etc....I'm sure its my crappy form but I have to shoot about 5 yards farther than actual yardage when i am kneeling as opposed to shooting from a standing position.

hey good luck!  I luv me some elk steaks 

[Recurve-Elk]

man over there your going to be in a lot of thick stuff, I doubt you will need your pins set at any more than 50 yards.

[coachcw]

How fast is the bow and what wieght arrows are you shooting if its blazing fast you may want a 20 and a 40 then 50,60, 70.depends some time to many pins can be confussing. the top pin is your closest and should be a go to pin for a automaatic no brainer with a fast bow it may be 30 yards that allows you to shoot 20 and 40 on the same pin never leaving the animals cavity 

[carpsniperg2]

yes depends on your bow but the ranges most 5 pin shooter shoot to get with there pins is 20-30-40-50-60 but some bows can go a lot farther my x force with my hunting arrrows shoots my first pin out to 40 yards depends on the arc of your arrow from the speed of the bow and weight of the arrow.

[br8kitoff]

I guess the easiest way to explain it is to move your box, as a whole, in the direction of where your shooting.. so hitting left of target move it left which in turn will make you hold more right to get the pin on target.  I think that was the question, so if you can't move the box then each pin individually.