Acceptable grouping

[ouchfoss]

I read a little bit on that post about the 90 yard shot on the bear (which was very dumb in my opinion) and it got me thinking about what is an acceptable grouping to be considered the farthest distance you can shoot. I tend to get a 3 to 4 inch grouping at 30 yards and Ive made that my limit for shots on a deer and bear. My grouping gets a little bigger at 45 but I still feel comfy enough to call that my limit for elk considering their kill zone is much bigger than a deer. Anything farther away than that and I dont feel confident enough to make a kill shot. I actually passed up a  prefect broadside a shot on a 5x5 bull last year because I felt it was somewhere between 50 and 60 and knew that taking a shot that far away was a gamble I didn't feel confident about. So what are some distances people use as their limit for good grouping and for that matter, how big of grouping is considered the limit?

[Alan K]

In my opinion it's impossible to base your decision on whether or not to shoot on your grouping at targets.  It can only be used as a maximum range at best.  I know that each and every time I've been at full draw on an animal I am nowhere near as calm and relaxed as I am while target shooting, so I adjust a bit to account for that.  I feel extremely confident out to 40 yards or so on a deer, and will extend that out to 50ish if conditions and my excitement are right.  For elk, 50ish, extended out to 65ish probably given good conditions etc.

[rebal69972]

i can normally keep a 3-4 inch group out to 60 and of course i was bragging about it and someone at the range said the same thing your bloods not pumping at the range. he asked me to run to the road and back just over 1/4 mile then pick up my bow and shoot 3 shots oddly enough my foot was in my mouth again 3-4 inch group went to a 10 -12 inch group so my limit is 40. 50 if I'm very confident and condition are perfect

[ouchfoss]

In my opinion it's impossible to base your decision on whether or not to shoot on your grouping at targets.  It can only be used as a maximum range at best.  I know that each and every time I've been at full draw on an animal I am nowhere near as calm and relaxed as I am while target shooting, so I adjust a bit to account for that.  I feel extremely confident out to 40 yards or so on a deer, and will extend that out to 50ish if conditions and my excitement are right.  For elk, 50ish, extended out to 65ish probably given good conditions etc.

I guess I should rephrase it as what is the longest distance you will shoot when everything is perfect? (no wind, little or no adrenaline, no brush and calm). I know adrenalin or buck fever plays a big part of on how accurate you can be but there has been times when Im out deer hunting and find a nice doe and not have any buck fever at all. I felt very confident about my maximum target shots on a doe cause it was more like a "meat" hunt rather than a trophy hunt. A big 6x6 rosie on the other hand makes me shake like crazy and really effects my confident yardage.

[pips4bucks]

he asked me to run to the road and back just over 1/4 mile then pick up my bow and shoot 3 shots

This is actually a really good way of finding out your maximum effective range.  Often about a month before the season opens I'll run/jog our archery range to closely simulate the rise in heart rate before making a shot.  The only thing that's hard to simulate is the adrenaline and excitement pumping when you draw on a live animal.

I limit myself to 40 yards on a deer and 50 yards on an elk and those are under ideal situations.  I strive for closer shots and have rarely made shots that far.

If people would practice like that, they'd realize that they're maximum effective range is actually much shorter.

[deerslyr]

I guess im a little different when it comes to the "rush" I practice quite a bit and with that it works into muscle memory. When I get the shot at an animal the adrenaline makes me so concentrated and focused that I cant hear or feel anything. I just get the range in my head and know what pin to put on the animal and everything else takes over on itself. After the shot is when I get the shakes really bad and I need a few minutes to compose my self. Any one else like this?

[Button Nubbs]

Yup! Got all ramped up when some cows came in then my bull stepped out and I went into "kill mode" after I shot the bull I thought I was having a seziure I was shaking so bad.

[Johnb317]

Everyone is different.... personally I'm more focused when it's something "live" as opposed to a static target, or in bird hunting a clay pidgeon.

Every situtation is just a little different, and that's what makes bowhunting so exciting.   I shot my first Bull at 35 yards  shooting uphill from my knees... how often do we practice that shot?  This year it was 5 yards.... I can tell you there was a lot more going through my head at 5 than 35. 
btw - I do practice shooting sitting down, on my knees, and twisted around.

I have a 20 yard corridor in the back yard.... shoot several arrows a day, but the best tell is to only shoot one arrow.    So where is your first shot at the range at your 'furthest distance', not how's your group after you've shot a few.
Also, if you were a mask, hunting pack, gloves   are they on too?
imho