Aight...I need some help from the brain trust here. Took two shots this weekend at does at 35 and 45 yards away...the 35 yard shot I pulled cause I was anxious and trying to bag a doe opening morning and head back home (we've got more than enough to go around, trust me), while not a gimme, I consider 40 yards my max effective range, and 45 was just a dumb mistake. How do I avoid making these dumb mistakes...this is only my second year bow hunting and I feel like a moron for trying such dumb shots.
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Stop taking long shots. Make 30 yards your limit if 40 if your max effective range. -
Ya live and learn, just like everyone. But, try to remain calm and let them come closer, like 20 yards. It takes patience and can be hard to do in the beginning, but, when you do connect on a shot and it's not so good and you spend some time tracking it, it teaches us the hard way. You said there is plenty to go around, so be patient. One of the best parts of bowhunting, for me, is the discipline it teaches.
Keep at it, and you'll do fine.Comment
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I have been bowhunting for 30 years, killed a load of deer, lost a handful, ad have never shot over 30 yards at a whitetail, and I consider myself a very good shooter, have many 3D plaques and trophy's to prove it. There are so many things that can go wrong past 20-25 yards, depending on animals behavior it can go bad even closer. Judge their behavior, if calm take a good percentage shot, always broadside or slight quarter away. You just have to be patient, and tell yourself u wont take a bad shot! Good luck!Comment
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I regularly practice on nonliving, nonmoving targets out to 60 and 70 yards...but maybe you're right.
And I think you're right Deb, I need to practive some dang patience and discipline. Hope I develop some in the next two weeks. Haha!Comment
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Discipline... meaning dont shoot if you know its out of range. Anxiety can make us do crazy things, but just discipline yourself to not shoot over ______ yds...
I've had to do this in the past... Buck @ 40 yds, but thats past my limit, so as hard as it is, just cant risk it.
Good luck!Comment
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Do everything you know how to put yourself in closer proximity to the deer. Move your stand closer to the feeder. Move the feeder closer to your stand. Make some barriers or create some kind of flow that governs where the deer can eat while closer to you. And what they've said too, do your part and be ready for when they do move within 20-30 yds from you...you'll get one!Comment
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Single pin, 25 yard setting.
If your bow is around 280+ fps, you can hold on and kill everything out to 30 yards.
The furthest shot I've ever taken on a deer is 27 yards, with most under 20.Comment
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That's one thing major that I consider when I set up feeders/stands. I won't put them in an open area where I can see 40 yds (or I won't trim the shooting lane). That way I'm not tempted to take a too-long shot and the deer are in cover and are more relaxed.Comment
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stop the long shots!
i have been bow hunting since 2002 and have killed 14 deer with a bow and not one was over 20 yard. Most were 12-18 yards. 5 are net 125 or better. Heck i have never shot at a hog over 25 yards. I will never shoot a deer over 20 yards. PERIOD!Comment
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25 yards and under. Broadside ONLY!
This will fix it
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Keep your finger behind the trigger till the range finder says 25 yds. Make that your rule and you'll never have to wonder " can I make that shot?"Comment
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Definetly shorten it up. In the beggining I took a few long shots, and none of them ever turned out good. 30yds would be my outside range, but 15-20 is my perfect range.Comment
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I took a couple of shots last year at 30. The shots would have been most excellent IF the intended target wouldn't have moved. Both turned into a long tiring tracking job.
20yds and under for me.
It might do some good just to let some come close without even picking up the bow.
Be patient and let the shot present itself.Comment
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your just wasting arrows ronald.Comment
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