The long shot?

[Broken Arrow]

I'm just curious as to what is the longest bow shot folks have ever taken? What was the outcome and what aided in the decision? I have read so many post about the ethics of taking long shots vs short shots, etc....and was just curious as to what folks have felt comfortable with.

I will clarify that I have lost one animal with a bow on a down hill shot on an elk (30 yards) where i only hit one lung. Looked for this animal for 4 days with no success. This made me feel sick to my stomach as I knew it was human error that caused this animal to not be recovered as i did not subtract yardage on such a steep angle.

However with that said...I'm (going to be honest here) have also taken two elk with shots that folks will crucify me on. The first was a cow elk I shot at 82 yards ( i have pins to 80). I had no wind, ranged the elk, had a perfect broadside. I had 18 inches of penetration and the elk went maybe 30 yards and piled up. The second was a 53 yard shot on a great 5x5 bull, same circumstances...same result.

Many of the animals i have shot have been under 20. One was at 7 yards and i clearly prefer these shots over others.

So my question to all is this. If you practice everyday, know both you and your weapons limits, is it really unethical for longer shots?

Obviously this thread may start some debate over rights and wrongs and my intention is not to start a war of name calling and who's camp is correct.... I know i bear the burden for a quick and clean kill and like i said earlier, the results of a bad shot do not feel good and this weighs into any decision to release the arrow.

So with that said what is your range of an ethical shot and why?

[boneaddict]

I dropped my buck this year with my longbow and I figured 40 yards.  Little far for what I normally do, but he wasn't getting any closer.  Now most of you might laugh, but I think thats the longest shot I have ever taken on an animal.  Its usually under 20.  It was successful.   I shoot out to 70 for kicks and giggles.   

[Broken Arrow]

Actually Bone...that pretty impresive!. I tried the long bow route for 2 years. I practiced and practiced but felt only ok to 30 yards. The final year a  had shots a a great 5x5 whitetail and 2 elk at 40.....I was so mad....i didnt shoot as i didn't feel i could pull it off. Sold it that year and went back to a compound.

[MIKEXRAY]

For me its 40 yards from now on, I've taken longer but won't any more. I do have a 50 and 60 pin but only going to use it if i have an arrow in an animal and get a chance to put another in him. I have never wounded or lost an animal but have missed. Now that I'm older, I don't want to start wounding so I decided 40 was it and only good broadside angles. Last years kill was 20 yards on a deer and he went 25 yards and piled up, would like to keep the all like that. If a dude is confident on long shots, has the poundage, proper arrow and picks his moments then I don't care how far he shoots. Not my place to tell someone else their max yardage, just a better shot than me.

[WDFW-SUX]

If a dude is confident on long shots, has the poundage, proper arrow and picks his moments then I don't care how far he shoots. Not my place to tell someone else their max yardage, just a better shot than me.

 

[Ray]

I can't hit anything beyond 40.

[DeKuma]

I can't hit anything beyond 40.

That seems pretty good to me for a Traditional shot, Ray.

I would say 40-50 would be my limit, though I have yet to try that on an animal.  Just targets.  I am usually good for one shot in the vitals at that range.  Passed on a Turkey this year at 43 yards because I was not confident and the target area is so small.  Hopefully I will get the chance this year real close.  20-30 is a cake wal on a target, but an animal is a WHOLE different ball game!

[Timberstalker]

I killed my buck in the Desert Unit in 06' at 72 yards.  He was bedded and no wind.  Todays bows have no problem shooting extremely far.  In my mind its time behind the string. The buck never got up from his bed.

[Gobble]

I shot my first deer at 40 yrds. If its within 40 yrds its generally dead as long as its not moving. I have taken shots out to 60 yrds but that was only when I was practicing LOTS everyday, too many error factors and string jumping at that range. Generally I try to stay between 35-40 yrds max.

[Intruder]

I have somewhat mixed feelings on the subject.  I am someone who has argued in the past about it being OK to shoot a rifle at long ranges (over 500 yards) if the hunter is truly prepared.... lots of practice, knowledge of ballistics, proper bullet, proper cal, good gun, etc. 

Maybe I don't have the same depth of understanding of archery but I find it difficult to argue taking long shots with a bow and arrow.  I don't doubt that people have and can make them.  And, I totally agree that a person can become more proficient and increase their effective range.  However, based on the physics and all the variables surrounding archery it just seems that shots that start going out past 50 yards are wrought with peril.   

[bucklucky]

I practice out to 80 but wouldnt take a shot that far. My farthest kill shot was a 50 yard heart shot on a little bull. Had more confidance then. Passed up some dandy bulls at 45 yards the past 4 years waiting for the perfect shot, one of the bulls was a 296 roosie. I'm Haveing a hard time taking descent shots waiting for a perfect shot. Is there something wrong with me? Maybee I am getting soft. I did loose a bull because of a bad decision at close, close range. I think that has been playing mind games with me. Right now seems like no shots past 20 yards

[Intruder]

I practice out to 80 but wouldnt take a shot that far. My farthest kill shot was a 50 yard heart shot on a little bull. Had more confidance then. Passed up some dandy bulls at 45 yards the past 4 years waiting for the perfect shot, one of the bulls was a 296 roosie. I'm Haveing a hard time taking descent shots waiting for a perfect shot. Is there something wrong with me? Maybee I am getting soft. I did loose a bull because of a bad decision at close, close range. I think that has been playing mind games with me. Right now seems like no shots past 20 yards

I think that's exactly what you sign up for when you take the plunge w/ a bow and arrow. 

[Todd_ID]

I'd rather not say what my longest shot was with a bow.  I've seen the results of going down that road before.  Last year, though, I took a shot in an in-town hunt at a mule deer doe that many would have passed.  She was 100 yards from the closest house, but I put my arrow within an inch of where I wanted, and she died on the "good" side of the fence.  The shot was one that I practice in my yard all the time: stiff quartering toward wind, level, rangefinder used to find the shot to be 81.5 yards, calm animal, long, long distance.  I made it, and I would do it again if it presents itself.

[boneaddict]

Wow, I won't judge, but I sure wouldn't do it and I am pretty comfortable.  To each is own though. 

[saylean]

Longest shot I took was a three way with two blondes in Vegas...

I missed...