What do you guys think about range finders?

[Little Fish]

Just curious whether you guys use a range finder or not? Some people use them religiously where as others say you should learn to accurately judge distances without a range finder.

I don't own one, but am wondering if its worth the $250 to pick one up.

[jackelope]

i can tell you that in my 3 days of experience shooting a bow...i gotta have one. it's got to be a huge benefit for the average joe...i'm sure some people are solidly judging distances accurately, but not me, and some poeple don't want to use one either. i spent about $150 on mine and it works fine till you get to the longer distances(300+ yards), at which point i just know it's too far to shoot and i need to get closer. felt it helped to give me the best opportunity to put a good humane 1 shot kill on an animal. i use mine for rifle hunting too. buy the best you can afford if you decide to get one...

[Muleyslyr]

Rangefinders.....absolutely worth the money.  To have that extra bit of extremely important info before taking the shot, no matter what weapon, is invaluable.

I think they're like bino's in that you cannot afford to not have one.....and if your gonna have one, it may as well be a GOOD one!

[Ridgerunner]

Definately worth it, buy a good one though, then you'll only have to buy one hopefully.

[boneaddict]

I won one, a pretty decent one in a big antler contest, but can honestly say I've never used it while hunting.  Not much on technology.  I'd rather spend my money on a chance at a super hunt.  Even now that I have one, I don't feel a need.  That's just me though.

[Choclab]

Over the years I have gotten exremely good at judging distances out to 100 yards or so. I am usually only off 2-3 yards. That being said, I still use one while hunting. I still think you really need to learn distance judging, because you don't always have time to use a RF. IF I have the time to use a RF, you bet your butt I will, but time is always a fickle thing and you don't always get to use it. Just don't be so dependant on a RF that you loose confidence and your ability to shot if you don't have one. Double edge sword eh?

[Little Fish]

Thanks for the opinions. Keep them coming. This is what I'm looking for.

My general line of thinking right now is I will probably find one extremely useful early on until I start getting a feel for distances and can estimate them myself. Ultimately I'm thinking there will be lots of shooting opportunities when I can't readily break out the range finder so being able to accurately judge distance without one is the end goal.

[Curly]

For bowhunting, and to a lesser extend muzzleloading, I think it is a must have item. 

For rifle, it really isn't necessary, but sure is a nice thing to have at times. 

If you want to be able to take all opportunities presented to you, you really need a rangefinder.  It gives you confidence knowing exactly the range of your target.  When you don't have to guess at the range, you may be able to take shots that previously you thought might be too far.  300 yards is pretty far out there and it is hard (at least for me) to tell if a deer is at 300 or 350.  Most rifle cartridges, the bullet really starts to drop past 300 yards.

[Otto1]

I have never used one on an animal that I was going to shoot. Though I always carry one and zap various trees, stumps, rocks that I can use as a reference on distance. I find it very good for finding out distances prior to spotting an animal.

Another use for me is when setting out decoys while waterfowl hunting and it's fun to test others on what distances actually are.

A great way to learn to judge distances with a naked eye, is take up the game of golf and then you can write off the time wasted on the golf course as time well spent preparing you for the hunt.........

[bullcanyon]

I use my nikon all the time when I'm out hunting.  Even being off a few yards could mean a bad hit.  I will always use one if I'm not confident.  Otherwise no arrow is cut loose.

Kris

[Ironhead]

I have a Bushnell scout and use it for pre-ranging distances when we are set up calling Elk. I also will use it when I find a buck or bull I can stalk and range the animal, then certain land marks between the critter and me. As I close the distance, I know the yardage as I near each landmark. Problem I have is steep up hill and down hill shots in these instances I am better off not using the range finder as the readings aren't true.

[jackelope]

A great way to learn to judge distances with a naked eye, is take up the game of golf and then you can write off the time wasted on the golf course as time well spent preparing you for the hunt.........

I use mine on the golf course

i find mine very useful turkey hunting too.

[GOcougsHunter]

My personal thought for bowhunting is to drop the range finder and go stump shooting.  In my bow hunting experience (18 years) I have never shot at anything over 40 yds away. (that's my effective range and I'm stickin' to it)  I've never had the time or desire to pull out a range finder.

Rifle or ML hunting... I would understand a range finder.   

[ICEMAN]

 I use mine alot, guessing distances and then verifyng the distance with the device. This practice with verification that I am on or off, has given me more faith in my distance calls. Hmmm, I was pretty close.... without it, how would you ever know...?

Last year I ranged a bear 400+ yards, and could only get to 250ish, yards. I knew I can hit a popcan at 250, so I took the bear. Without the range finder, I may have second guessed the distance and blown the shot, probably shooting high over the bear. Or worse yet, marginally high or low, injuring the bear.

With the compressed length of modern rifle season, trying to cram a hunt into one shot, one deer or elk, I say get the range finder. I do not have the luxury to wait for another shot, it may not come.  I agree it is sad to rely on technology occasionally, but that is where we are today. Face it guys, your fuel injected, disc brake, power steering, air conditioned vehicles aren't the trucks our dads hunted in. Things are different today. I say use the technology.

[WAcoueshunter]

I've never worried about it rifle hunting, but last year I got one as I picked up the bow.  I used my range finder religiously as I practiced, but then found out the hard way that you rarely get time to range a shot and/or the animal is either above or below you which dramatically changes the "distance" of your shot.  Now I'm practicing with a shoot first, range second approach.  I also practice on uneven ground, but that's a different topic.  Nice to confirm the distance, but I need to learn to estimate within a couple yards without it.  If you range first, you're never forced to learn how to estimate effectively.

[Little Fish]

Good advice everyone. Thansk. I just ordered a range finder today. I plan to use it to verify my estimates with the end goal of getting good without the rangefinder.

[GoldTip]

I believe you'll find it extremely useful.  But in my opinion, range first, then shoot.  Sometimes you don't have time to do this, but if your stalking a mule deer, he shouldn't know your there, you should be able to use it.  I range a couple trees when I set up and have a bull coming, range a couple from the direction he's coming to get there.  Same thing when treestanding for whitetails, stand at the base of your tree and range a few trees in the path the deer should be coming from, don't range from your elevated stand to the spot the deer will be standing, range the FLAT distance, and you'll be on target from your treestand.

[sdwwaverider]

I think it's just another thing to worry about when you have a small window of opportunity for your shot. Unless you're still hunting / calling. They are nice for coyote hunting where your shot can be 300, 400, 500+ yards. If you get one, test yourself often on various distances between 20 & 60 yards (for bow hunting) so you're a better judge on the fly. I believe a GPS & compass are a better use of your money. Nothing like being able to trek off after game in any direction and know you can't be lost, be able to go back to a special way point the next year or years later. Or share way points from another state when you or your buddy draw that special hunt that the other has drawn & hunted before. Just don't forget extra batteries and to mark your beginning way point.

[crabcreekhunter]

Have a Leica and love it, it's a pretty handy device but me and my dad have only used it a couple times on live animals that we have shot, goat and a desert deer.  However, when glassing we range different objects to let us know what our effective range is if anything happens to show itself.

[funkster]

I missed a muley a few years back up a pretty steep hill so I bought the Leupold with the built it arch feature. I have not used them in the field yet for a uphill or downhill shot but I have in practice. You could be 10 yards off at 30 yards depending on your angle. I would say just having the option to use them if need be is worth the money. Like everybody has said it's the best if you can range a few spots and set up. It is pretty funny,every since I got them I have not needed them. Every shot has been top pin!

[LOVHUNTIN]

get one....but try not to use it.  you need to be able to judge without it because most of the time you will not have time for it when you need it....  i walked around and just ranged everything until i got it figured out then you don't really need it but it is still good to have. 

[dbllunger]

I use mine all the time for both rifle and bow.  I will shoot 70 with my bow and 600 with my rifle.  At longer ranges the exact distance is critical, and the only way to know is to use a range finder.  More people should use them as more animals would either not be shot at or wounded.  All the people I see slinging multiple arrows or missing game usually don't have or use a range finder.  They are still shooting the arrows and bullets so if your going to shoot they might as well know how far it is. 

[nwhunter]

A rangefinder is a very usefull thing to have especially for bowhunting. I hate to see guys that can't shoot without checking with their rangefinder first but it is a big help. I like to first guess the range and then check and see if I am right, this helps hone my ranging skill. Like others I range trees or brush when I am setting up to have a good idea of distances. THis year when I set up on the bull I got, I ranged a tree that had been rubbed by a bull at 27 yards and my bull stood right in front of it when I shot him and it was so nice to have no second guessing on what pin to use at crunch time. I have also shot plenty of critters where I couldn't use my rangefinder but I always take it with me and will use it when I can. nwhunter

[Bearhunter]

Dont leave home without mine.  A range finder is the number one tool that will make you better at range estimation than anything.  While practicing and out in the woods, there is no better way to build you range estimation skills than by making an estimation and then verifying it accurately with a range finder.  When elk hunting we always when set up range various trees and stumps so when its crunch time you dont have to worry about second quessing the yardage.  I believe that if more guys practiced regularly with there range finder there would be less wounded animals.  It just builds your confidence, if you go into the field feeling confident, you have a lot better chance of being successful.

[hogsniper]

well said bearhunter...i use one in the military all the time and think it is absolutely necessary for all sorts of hunting..whatever kind of weapon you are using it is a great tool.. Lots of people just throw lead out there and dont know the ballistics behind the weapon they are shooting. But then again i guess if you know the range but dont know your gun it is useless...i suggest having one if you can afford it...

[radman]

great posts fellas, I have to agree with a little of what everyone said.  I personally use mine before calling coyotes or setting up for deer/elk hunting so that I know the area landmarks near me and what yardage to each one.  That way, when the prey comes into view, you already know what approx. distance they are at and you don't have to raise your RF to find out.  Coyotes esp. are very unforgiving when movement comes into play - you rarely get that chance to RF them while they are standing there broadside for only an instant.  Mine also has a built in speed detector in MPH or KPH and you wouldn't believe how fast some idiots drive out in the boonies.