furthest ethical shot

[BOWHUNTER45]

I said 40, I have shot my 2x2 foot target at 50 yards and was hitting 6" groups, HOWEVER that was perfect conditions with no wind at the time and it was during a shooting session and I had practice shots. This is my first year bow hunting and I know conditions are never perfect and 40 is about my max limit and I may not even do it then.

[woodswalker]

It's no wonder there are so many wounded animals found after archery season. 
 
Bowhunting, it never was about how far can you shoot, it was always about how close can you get.
 
 

 

Seen too many stuck ones that got away and died later....or NOT...

[jdmecomber]

a couple things that helps with improving your range,  an arrow spine tester with your broad head on the arrow and muzzy buzzcuts or the g5 montec.  I did a lot of reading to find some of the best flying broadheads and this was what I came up with.

[MLBowhunting]

I would have to say 60 yards for myself

[RadSav]

It's no wonder there are so many wounded animals found after archery season. 
 
Bowhunting, it never was about how far can you shoot, it was always about how close can you get.
 
 

I didn't know there were so many animals found dead after archery season.  Was there a memo I missed?  If there is might someone conclude that since Muzzy and rifle seasons follow archery perhaps there are more people in the woods after archery season?  When I find dead elk after muzzy or rifle season is there a hot line for me to report these things so we can get the ratio right?  I just want to be properly informed!

Hoggwash!!!!!  Every user group has those who take a risk at beyond their abilities on that given day.  It IS NOT unique to archery.  It's unique to human beings.  Period!

Every study done over the past 30 years that utilized "Known Facts" rather than conjecture and supposition have come to the same conclusion in regards to lethal wound rates of different big game weapons.  Vehicles always came in first - Damn those people who drive beyond their control! 

Further more it is clearly shown that the rate of slow death is reduced when tissue around the wound channel is clean and free of massive cell damage.  As would be the case with the wound channel of an arrow.

Take things a little further and research medical studies regarding stabbings and gun shots.  Unless a victim has been shot in the head or directly in the heart gun shot victims have a higher chance of short term survival than do stabbing victims.  Yet, long term survival of those who actually make it to the emergency room is greater amongst stabbing victims.

Ask any long term guide how many hunters can shoot beyond 300 yards with a rifle when an animal is the target.  I think the vast majority of them will be like me and say, "Damn Few!"  Same thing with Muzzy hunters beyond 100 yards without the use of a scope.  Yet, listen to all the success stories here on HW about long distance shots with these weapons.  Believe me there are a lot more "One that got away" stories out there than these success stories.

We're all human!  We all get excited!  And we all have times when we think we are better than we are.  Especially under the stress and excitement of having an animal in our sights.  That's not a bowhunting exclusive.  That's an adrenaline charged hunting exclusive.  Fortunately for the majority of us that is our drug of choice.

[stw]

I shoot out to 80 yrds all year. I hold about 2 to 4 inch group out to 80 some time smaller u put an elk broad side ill put right through the lungs  right on the crease.

[RadSav]

I shoot out to 80 yrds all year. I hold about 2 to 4 inch group out to 80 some time smaller u put an elk broad side ill put right through the lungs  right on the crease.

If he doesn't move!

[rasbo]

It's no wonder there are so many wounded animals found after archery season. 
 
Bowhunting, it never was about how far can you shoot, it was always about how close can you get.
 
 

roger that Fred!!!!heck thats the way I have always felt about it.I love to get as close to the critters as possible.60 yrds is a long way,shat can happen,wisp of air,any movement at all can create a huge bad stick margin..those of you that say you can put all your arrows in a playing card at that distance,come to the bbq this year,I have the room....

[RadSav]

It's no wonder there are so many wounded animals found after archery season. 
 
Bowhunting, it never was about how far can you shoot, it was always about how close can you get.
 
 

I do agree with your second point.  Well said!

[pianoman9701]

It's no wonder there are so many wounded animals found after archery season. 
 
Bowhunting, it never was about how far can you shoot, it was always about how close can you get.
 
 

roger that Fred!!!!heck thats the way I have always felt about it.I love to get as close to the critters as possible.60 yrds is a long way,shat can happen,wisp of air,any movement at all can create a huge bad stick margin..those of you that say you can put all your arrows in a playing card at that distance,come to the bbq this year,I have the room....

Besides, playing cards aren't going to move. They can't take two steps forward between the time you release and when the arrow hits. They don't get your adrenaline going.

[D-Rock425]

I've been elk hunting one time during modern gun season at it was a zoo.  I believe just as many elk are hit with bullets and not even looked for.  I witnessed guys shooting free hand at elk that where 300 + yards and moving. 

[pianoman9701]

I've been elk hunting one time during modern gun season at it was a zoo.  I believe just as many elk are hit with bullets and not even looked for.  I witnessed guys shooting free hand at elk that where 300 + yards and moving.

Yes, there are idiots shooting all types of weapons and seasons. But, archery has inherent problems that the other weapons don't. Proper form, ambient conditions, the physical shape of the shooter and ability to hold the draw, a small branch visible at 30 yards but not at 60, and the time it takes a projectile to arrive at it's destination. Machias made the most excellent point of archery never being about how far you can shoot, rather how close you can get to the critter.

[stw]

I no 80yrds is a long shot. I just don't let it go. It all has to right.  Thats all i got bull at 80 went 35 yards and 1 at 70wend 20 yards. And one at 60 it also went 30 yards And 2 .uther ones up close one at 15 yards and  12 . All i'm saying it can be dun

[NWWABOWHNTR]

I shoot out to 80 yrds all year. I hold about 2 to 4 inch group out to 80 some time smaller u put an elk broad side ill put right through the lungs  right on the crease.

Yep, another superstar... would you meet me at the range and teach me to shoot like you? 

[quadrafire]

This may be Stirring to Pot a little, but I would be curious to see the age breakdown of the folks that are super confident with their abilities-- oh say past 50 yrds.
I'll bet  it would make a pretty good bell curve