How far is too Far?

[Fuzzy Dog]

Seems to me Rick Barbee said it all. Just as I want to have as few variables as possible in my shot at a target, I want even more to reduce the opportunity for variables to intercede when shooting at an animal. The further away they are the more things that can go wrong.

[SwampRabbit]

I had a 35 yard shot opportunity on a Javi this weekend. Pressure was on because sightings were slim and we wer battling the clock (predicted weather). while the condition was perfect... I just couldn't convince myself to do it.
"But what if you did kill it?" Well I knew I couldn't brag about it because it would have been more luck than skill and I would know it...."

[Featherflinger]

I'll never forget a post that Buff made awhile ago in a similar thread.
Put your 3-d target in front of your truck. Walk back and shoot as far as you like and/or dare to.
That right there will be your comfort zone.

That's an awesome answer! I'd have to say I'm comfortable with 25 yards but closer is always better.

[Bowhunter7989]

30 yards is my max

[tradtiger]

Shoot an 3D target in front of your truck? Heck, how about shooting an apple off the head of a live person. Hard to imagine the skill, nerve, confidence, insanity to do some of what Howard Hill did.

[LeanMachine]

Shoot an 3D target in front of your truck? Heck, how about shooting an apple off the head of a live person. Hard to imagine the skill, nerve, confidence, insanity to do some of what Howard Hill did.

In the filming of robin hood, howard hill was shooting real arrows at the actors riding horses with wood planks under their shirts! Insane.

[gtsticker]

I am comfortable at 20 now but I shoot at 30 and 40 just to practice. It makes you really concentrate at that distance. That's why I asked the question? At what distance does the weapond become in effective. Even if the shooter is skilled.

[Bisch]

I am comfortable at 20 now but I shoot at 30 and 40 just to practice. It makes you really concentrate at that distance. That's why I asked the question? At what distance does the weapond become in effective. Even if the shooter is skilled.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay farther than 30 or 40!

Bisch

[BAPilot2]

It just depends on where and what it hits; vital organs, arteries, bone, etc.

Assuming the arrow is shot high enough to reach terminal velocity upon its return to earth it could be traveling at speeds of 175 fps - 200 fps. Which is more than enough speed to penetrate and kill.

[Mike Murphey]

I'm not getting into a contest on how far one should shoot, but rather just say one should shoot inside their ability to kill the animal without going out of their comfort zone.

[M.E.B.]

I'm not getting into a contest on how far one should shoot, but rather just say one should shoot inside their ability to kill the animal without going out of their comfort zone.

I'm showing my age because I have noticed my comfort zones in most areas archery included are not what they used to be.

[gatorgar]

He is not asking for comfort zone, he is asking how far away an arrow can kill. Ethics nor skill have anything to do with his question.
Has to be overt 100 yards as my arrows still penetrate a target by a couple inches at that range.

[BowBuddy]

I would speculate maybe 150 yards

[hallp82]

I am not asking what your comfort zone is but how far is too far to shoot a big game animal with a long bow. If the shot placement is good and you have a sharp broad head. I shoot 60#s out of a 66 in sarrels long bow.

I would agree 100-150yds

[gonehuntin68]

If your arrow is heavy enough, I would say the max killing distance is the max distance that arrow will fly.