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.