What's Your Effective Range?

[jreyna920]

agree with rubydog, my effective range isnt more so affected by the animal then my comfortable shootng distance. i shoot good enough to kill at 25 yards comfortably but the situation dictates that..... 90% of my shots are under 12 yards and id say 50% are under 8

[CaptJack]

it also depends on what and where you are shooting.
If I'm taking a shot at a game animal, I want to take the best shot I can
but if I'm shooting at a squirrel, coon or a hog I'll take a Hail-Mary

Acuna - one thing to add
the best and the most fun practice we get is shooting at crushed Coke cans with blunts
we throw them out at unknown distances
and they are only a 3" target
the person with the most hits wins

[trad"Doc"53]

A little off base here but 3-D was mentioned above and having fun. I used to help out in an archery shop and a young man I knew came in from a local 3-D shoot (this was on Saturday evening), and announced that he hated trad shooters! I was taken back by this and asked him his problem. Seems like he and his group was catching up to a trad bunch that was having a wonderful time. He said they got to one target and they had a throwdown celebration cause a new guy finally connected on a target(target #18). He said we (compound shooters) put our foot against the stake draw and shoot a 10 or 12 and go on, and we getWHIZZED if we dare MISS a target, what is it with you guys. The next day I had him meet me at the shoot, I handed him a Bear custom Kodiac, a back quiver withLOTS of arrows, a glove and an arm guard. We went to the practice range and I showed him the basics, then paid our fees and off we went. I think he hit like 8 targets but he had an absolute wonderful time. I let him keep the bow until he could afford his own and he hasn't touched a wheelie since. The "good time" is what it's all about!!

[huntinpool]

A little off base here but 3-D was mentioned above and having fun. I used to help out in an archery shop and a young man I knew came in from a local 3-D shoot (this was on Saturday evening), and announced that he hated trad shooters! I was taken back by this and asked him his problem. Seems like he and his group was catching up to a trad bunch that was having a wonderful time. He said they got to one target and they had a throwdown celebration cause a new guy finally connected on a target(target #18). He said we (compound shooters) put our foot against the stake draw and shoot a 10 or 12 and go on, and we getWHIZZED if we dare MISS a target, what is it with you guys. The next day I had him meet me at the shoot, I handed him a Bear custom Kodiac, a back quiver withLOTS of arrows, a glove and an arm guard. We went to the practice range and I showed him the basics, then paid our fees and off we went. I think he hit like 8 targets but he had an absolute wonderful time. I let him keep the bow until he could afford his own and he hasn't touched a wheelie since. The "good time" is what it's all about!!

That's a big part of why I switched. Trad groups were always having a GREAT time and I was ready for some FUN. It is still very challenging but I can have fun too.

[SAM STEPHENS]

I just shoot at stuff Im sure I can hit and never have missed unless someone saw it happen

[EnW]

...and never have missed unless someone saw it happen

lol

[Live2Hunt]

my favorite distance is 17yds
but I practice a lot at 25yds
and I practice to 40yds all the time

I agree with this, but I also shoot out ot 60 yrds at the range. I shoot 100 arrows a day, but I would not shoot beyond 20-25 yrds at an animal. I have limited myself to 10-15 yrds up until now and would do everything I can to setup my shots at that distance. I can consistently group 4" at 20 yrds...

[Buff]

I like 12 yards. I will shoot farther if It FEELS right..... I have passed up a hog at 10 yards , drew my bow and just Knew if I shot I was going to stink it up so I let down.3 hours later I smoked one at 40. I drew my bow and just Knew I could make the shot. But like I said I like 12, I;m good at 12 so put me down for 12

[jreyna920]

basically we all know are own personal limitations.... dont force a situation and just let natural take over and you will be good. wait until it feels right, and you be suprised how sucessful you will be. huntings alot more then just shooting... its understanding the situation and making the right call.

[Live2Hunt]

I don't like the way my post sounded, so I am going to try again...

I shoot consistently at targets within 30 yards, but for hunting I like the shot at 20 yrds or less. My biggest problem is drawing without them tensing up or spotting me. Could be my stand setups or that I just suck.

There thats better.

[Andy]

What's my effective range ? with my eyes open or closed ?????? Andy

[bbs383ci]

ive been shooting trad now for about 2 months and ive seen that i group better at 20 than i do at 15 an below idk why but i do and the target i shoot at is a 12" x 14" piece of styrofoam im trying to go on a axis hunt in june so maybe ill be ready by then

[RUNNING BEAR]

When I practice, I get good groups at about 17 yards, and I have yet to take anything with my recurve.