Use of rangefinders?

[Buckrub]

OK... so I'm a *censored* as well 
As we sit on a computer (tool of technology) passing judgement on ones use of technology  for hunting let I remind some.

One would be a *censored* for entering the woods without a GPS... which is a great tool of technology for hunting.

Yes.. technology will have an effect on the future of bowhunting as it already has but passing judgement for the use of technology will never help to further the cause of bowhunting. We must accept each other and band together... the are bigger fish to fry than the use of a rangefinder.

[krout81]

I said it before take away all the electronics and leave our seasons alone.  Never used them in the 18 years I have hunted don't see a need to use them anytime soon.  Practice and you dont need something to tell you where to aim.  

  If you need a range finder to use a bow then you aren't practicing enough

  Maybe put down the crutch and walk on your own 2 feet
  

[huntnnw]

I didnt start the thread as I was against them or trying to ban them, I own one.People are wanting longer seasons, more game etc.. my point is one of the tools that so many of us rely on are rangefinders , they do help alot of people take game and make farther and farther shots that most of us would of never took 20 years ago. It was a topic to start some debate. The other issue is most will agree they aid in some fashion of taking of game. Its a electronic device that we use, just because its not attached to our bows its legal, personally if I had the decision to have it on my bow or in pocket, I pick pocket.

[Lowedog]

great thread and post and i agree 100%.

ultimately, i think technology will kill us in the end as far as our hunting priviledges go.... and the biggest culpret, atleast in my opinion, is this frigg'n thing i am typing on. today, you can go online as a complete novice to hunting and within one year, have a darn good working knowledge of a specific species, where to start locating that animal, what tactics to use for that animal, what bow works best, how to shoot that bow, tune the bow ect ect.... then log onto google earth and virtually see the terrain before even stepping foot out there to locate lanmarks such as pinch points water ect. technology scares me in the world of hunting and what i fear that it will take away from us..... and "the nekid lady box" is numero uno on the list  as far as technological advances for hunters.

I have said many times that the #1 technological advancement to have the biggest impact on hunting has been the internet and hunting forums.  How many times have you see someone join this forum and with their first post ask about a certain area to hunt?  If just a small percentage of those people get someone to tell them something that would have taken a year or two to learn just hunting an area their opportunity for success just skyrocketed.

As far as rangefinders go I think they are a great tool.  I think they have probably helped reduce the number of wounded animals more than they have increased harvest. 

As was said earlier, taking extremely long shots at animals is nothing new.  All a rangefinder does is increase the hunters ability to make a kill shot at those ranges instead of just wounding. 

[huntnnw]

I can argue that ooint that alot more shots taken at longer ranges due to these= more wounded game. Rifle end of it, people ranging animals at incredible distances, the slightest of errors and your bullet is off its mark, these shots that are being taken today were not even heard of till the laser rangefinders hit the market

[jackelope]

Great thread. I'm sure this will go as well as the Lumenok thread and the Traditional seasons thread.
Thanks.
I wonder if Leupold will come out with a combo rangfinder/flashlight/stabilizer anytime in the near future.

[huntnnw]

  Some of these threads bring up great ideas and perspectives on issues and equipment we use.

[Lowedog]

I can argue that ooint that alot more shots taken at longer ranges due to these= more wounded game.

Like 70 yards at an elk?    

Sorry, couldn't help myself and just razzin ya!  

[alwinearcher]

I dont know if Shane could kill a elk at 70,  but i know for a fact he could kill a moose at 70 with his bow

[shoot-em-dead]

Alright I'll take back the name calling. I still see taking 70 yard shots with a bow on any big game animal as a bad idea.

[520backyard]

yup I am a dumb ass.. 70 yards is my effectice range.. I am fully confident in my ability to 70.

LOL like you can see that branch or branches at 70 yards thats gonna screw your shot since at 70 yards it'll be so flat. Range finders didn't extend your range they just took the guess work out.

[throttlejocky20]

I have been bow hunting for over 10 years and got my first rangefinder 2 years ago. I dont leave home without it. The only thing I dont like is looking at an animal knowing the yardage in my head and not getting a shot because I decide to range it. I practice all year without it and become dependent on it in the woods. I believe the use of a rangefinder is the least a person can to to show respect for their game. Judging an animal at 58 yards and its really 50 could potentully be a bad day for both you and the game. Just my

[JimmyHoffa]

I find them to be quite helpful.  If I'm in an ambush position, I'll use the rangefinder to mark a few prominent spots I'm watching.  In the past, while bow hunting, I'd have to pace off an area.  Put the scent on a scrape and pace myself back to spot, having previously walked around to get the yardages....dispersing scent.  Most of that was done prior to, though.  Then I knew if animal walked between the broken limb at 35 yards and the root at 30...what its range was.  Now I have a rangefinder and use a lot when rifle hunting.  I use the same basic technique, but I let the rangefinder do the measuring.  If time allows I even range the animal directly, and it has been quite effective.  Instead of 'about 200 yards' I can now set up for 207+/-1yards.  Might not seem like a biggie, but having strong confidence in your range helps the confidence in your shooting.  I also carry a handheld windwizard tool that is great for giving your crosswind.

[krout81]

Maybe my view is screwy.  I dont use pins or release with my compound.   It does me no good to know the range I just shoot at them. I guess all the pin shooters who need to know the exact range so you use the correct pin they would be a great tool.  I personally dont like to rely on anything to kill my deer and elk. 
I will bow out of this one After thinking about it I shouldn't have even said anything. 

[Ray]

I don't use them. I try to rely on as few moving parts and failure prone gadgets as possible. I've seen guys have their bow sites wiggle loose and pins fall off. I've also seen people waste time ranging something I would just shoot instinctively at less than 25 yards. So while people say they are increasing harvest - not so sure. They might make people lose opportunity just as well. That is if they use them as a crutch and miss a chance. Some people use them religiously, where they will not take a shot without lasering the target, and that's what I mean by as a crutch.