What's good enough to hunt?

[Rainier10]

If I modify your original question to "What kind of groups do you shoot out to 60 yards?" My answer would be I shoot 20-40 yards for practice all year long and don't ever aim at the same dot on the target twice in a round because I hit arrows, rip fletches and break nocks if I aim at the same target.  As hunting season gets closer I practice out to seventy yards and still don't shoot at the same target to save my equipment.  I also walk a 3d course and shoot at odd ranges, 27 yards, 33 yards and such. When I get to my hunting location the day before I shoot a few times and make sure nothing changed on my setup.  As long as I am still hitting in a 3" circle at all yardages I am ready to hunt.

[MIKEXRAY]

It's true an elks kill zone is about 12 inches around but I think that groups that size are to big to call that your effective range. I also think it should be about a six inch circle.   As discussed hunting shots are way different then flat range shooting.  Six inches.  Mike

[pips4bucks]

As mentioned before, it's really what you're comfortable with.  A good "rule" is figure out what you're comfortable at shooting cosistently, then take off at least 10 yards due to the nature of bowhunting.  Adrenaline can cloud judgement, unseen branches can jump in the way, animals can spook....
The goal should be to get as close as possible, not how far away can I shoot this animal. 

That said, I find it kind of irritating that arrow manufacturers make "hunting" arrows that have much lower straightness tolerances than target arrows.  That's basically saying you don't have to be as accurate for your hunting arrows.  Personally, I want my set up to be as accurate as possible, not just "good enough" out of respect for the animals we hunt.   

Oh yeah, a good practice is to jog between targets on your favorite archery range.  That'll get your heart rate up and partially simulate a hunting situation.  It'll really show you what your true range could be.

[lokidog]

Get a turkey target, kill shots to 60 yards, then you will be fine to 60, maybe.....   

[reagansquad]

Thanks guys. I'm practicing as much as I can and getting better every week. I think I'll be fine out to 40 yards this year. Maybe I can get more work next off season and push it out. Really really don't want to cripple some poor animal. 

[Special T]

http://www.washingtonarchery.org/about-us/clubs--shops/

Not a complete list but a good start. Find a club and shoot with some people.  Form, muscle memory and yardage estimation... those are the 3 things to make a great hunter... I shoot pretty good left to right just need to work on my yardage estimation...  I think 3D shooting is as close to real hunting as you can get, especially with out a range finder. 

[oneezreiter]

11 out of 12 in a playing card at 200 yards. if you cant do that you shouldnt be hunting with a bow.  ,im sure with that info out now there will be fewer people during the season for me to run into. by the way, i can do it blind folded!

Blind folded is easy, try it one handed.  Then you know your a man.

[runamuk]

11 out of 12 in a playing card at 200 yards. if you cant do that you shouldnt be hunting with a bow.  ,im sure with that info out now there will be fewer people during the season for me to run into. by the way, i can do it blind folded!

Blind folded is easy, try it one handed.  Then you know your a man.

no guys when you can do this then you are ready

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re4Mff7FhNc&feature=related

[DOUBLELUNG]

First, shoot your broadhead setup, don't depend on your field points to tell you how to hunt.  I was more inclined to push my limits when I was a new archer.  I practice to proficiency at 60 yards, I hold my hunting shots to 40 yards.  This gives me a cushion for recovery if I wound an animal.  Not telling anyone they need to do this, this is what I have found works well for me with elk and open country mule deer.

[oneezreiter]

Run, I stand corrected, she is the man

[DOUBLELUNG]

[/quote]

no guys when you can do this then you are ready

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re4Mff7FhNc&feature=related
[/quote]

I would love to do that Run, and I am ready - but she won't even return my calls.

[PolarBear]

I don't understand guys who feel that being able to hit a paper plate at 30-40-50 yards is "good enough".  For God's sake, that is around 8-9" groups.  If you can't cut that down to a third, you need to switch to rifle.  On that note, I know guys who feel that hitting that same paper plate (8-9" groups) at 200 yds is "good enough".  Come on folks, do some freakin' practice!

[buckfvr]

Thanks guys. I'm practicing as much as I can and getting better every week. I think I'll be fine out to 40 yards this year. Maybe I can get more work next off season and push it out. Really really don't want to cripple some poor animal. 

Knowing what an animal can and will do at 35 to 45 yards while the arrow is in the air, I look for much closer shots.  From a tree stand, 20 and under is where its at.....exciting, nerve racking, amazing.  I realize most guys still hunt or spot and stalk, but at that point....Id be working on my stealth skills to get as close as possible......I practice almost daily to 50 and 60 yards.....I still want 20.

[BULLBLASTER]

I don't understand guys who feel that being able to hit a paper plate at 30-40-50 yards is "good enough".  For God's sake, that is around 8-9" groups.  If you can't cut that down to a third, you need to switch to rifle.  On that note, I know guys who feel that hitting that same paper plate (8-9" groups) at 200 yds is "good enough".  Come on folks, do some freakin' practice!

  polarbear you are starting to scare me... we are agreeing on numerous things lately... 

[Huntboy]

Shooting a target at a flat range will tell you nothing about how far to shoot while hunting.