percieved effective range ?? shooting at deer

[bradsmith2010]

this is something I have given alot of thought too
if you increase your percieved effective range, will that effect your recovery rate,,
I like to shoot close ,, say under 15 yards,,
well if I shot out to 30 yards that might double my shot opportunity,,would that double the amount of deer taken??
I can shoot accurately to 30 yards,, does that mean I would be effective on deer at that range,, ??
I really think that as I increased the distance I shot at deer my succes rate would go down( ,, offsetting the increased shot opportunity,,)
ok thats just me,,so I keep my shots closer,, even though I can shoot accurately at longer ranges,,
the main reason is the deer can move alot before the arrow gets there, ,and I like to put the odds in my favor,,

I hunted a few days in Texas, and had some deer at 25 or 30 yards,, just didnt shoot waiting for a closer shot,, that decision was based on waiting for a shot that gave me the best odds of recovery,, not based on what I can hit at longer ranges,,or what target I can hit at longer range,,

[Pappy]

I am with you Brad, other than the hit good at 30.   I am a 15 and in maybe even 10 and in. Never killed many deer over 10 yards, but a bunch at less than 5 , as I think about it that is why I hunt with what I do, I want it up close and personal. Never enters my mind during the season when I see Big deer walk by just out of my feel good range [and I always do sometime during the season] wished I had a rifle/Muzzy loader/glass bow/compound/cross bow, I think this is what I hunt with and this is the limits I have self imposed so deal with it and try and get closer next time. Also never bothers me that he may walk over the next hill and someone else take him. Lots of folks I know just can't get over that fact and usually convert to something that can reach out and touch them with. Sorry for the long winded response but also something I see and hear about and think about a lot. Why do I do it ? I don't know.
 Pappy

[BowEd]

The farthest I think I've shot a deer a couple of times with a self bow was 20 yards but like was said 15 yards to 5 yards the usual,and it pays to practice those close shots constantly too.I'ved missed at 10 yards and even closer a few times over the years.Spined one once at close range hitting way too high and it dropped on the spot.Hav'nt had that much problem them jumping a string on me though although I'm sure it will happen.I think that could be because the deer is relaxed.Clean release and quiet bow too.A big deer just out of range for me I take the attitude that I'm in the bleachers and being entertained and let him go.No regrets.It just charges me up even more to go next time.

[Pat B]

The last two deer I shot at with a selfbow were 30+ yards. I shot under both. Both shots I thought were doable from the stand, both were after a long dry spell(not that that is an excuse, it is NOT)and both were way too far off for me to normally shoot at.  Most of my kill shots were at 12 to 15 yards with my last kill was at 8' from the tree I was in. That 8' shot is a very difficult shot and I probably wouldn't take one that close from a tree stand again.

[Orrum]

I hunted a lot in the 70s with a wood/fiberglass recurve. It was 45 pound. The problem is that whitetails are programed to jump at anything and everything. We used to think you had to shoot while they looked away. They sill jumped the shot most times. If you are close you still get them if you wait for bleed out. Most folks can't wait to go look. I used 20 yards as a absolute longest shot. We marked a few things b4 season at 20 yards from the tree stand. I finally started shooting to miss to see the reaction from deer. Folks it don't matter whether they r looking away or not, most do that quick jump and then hesitate and then lite the afterburners!!!  Back then we really were very close to you guys hunting primitive. You had a recurve bow, string silencers and that's it. I am looking forward to getting into this again !!!  Not so much to kill deer as to feel the woods and nature around me. I am a leg amputee and sitting in a comfortable stand is going to be fun. Maybe shoot at the old man of the woods with a huge rack, maybe not. Definitely try to shoot a raccoon or other small game for the hide to use as primitive material. Plus of course a turkey for the Thanksgiving dinner plus FEATHERS! LOL

I really can't wait to cut my tree and split my staves. The wait to cure the wood will be a drag but hey this is a hobby that doesn't need much money to accomplish great rewards right???   LOL. Life is good for sure!!#

[mullet]

I have only shot at a few at that range and I'm never real cofident doing it when it's an animal, too much can happen.

Just some food for thought; I've had arrows shot at me from thirty-fourty yards and it is not hard to get out of the way or grab/touch them almost everytime if you move as soon as you hear the release. Ask PatB, he's seen me do it.

[Pat B]

Boy was that fun to watch. 

[Orrum]

That would be a wild sight!#!

[bradsmith2010]

wow,, 

[Aaron H]

I hope they weren't broadheads...

[jayman448]

with my trad stuff (not primitive) i routinely practice out to fourty yards or so. i do this partially just for the challenge but also because i  believe that decet groups at fourty result in dimes at twenty or so. that being said i know i would probably never take aim at an animal at fourty yards. just wouldnt feel comfortable with it. i think you cant overthink your effective range. in the moment you know what feels comfortable for you i think. i also dont gap shoot so i dont really care what range im at. i just can feel when im in a good spot.

[bjrogg]

I hunt this way because I want to get close and personal. Close and Personal is where my comfort spot is. I have no problem watching deer pass just out of range, or just not a good sit up to many deer. I enjoy watching them and the closer the better. I understand people wanting to reach out and touch the big trophy. What I don't think they understand is getting close and personal they are all big trophies
Bjrogg

[mullet]

BJ, that's why I like hunting at Pappy's, close is nice . I'm going to try a Gilly suit down here this year. Should work good because we hunt in pretty thick cover.

[Traxx]

I agree Brad.Regardless of how accurate we are at longer target ranges,there are too many factors involved ,beyond our control,when dealing with live critters.Long distance targets generally dont move.Our choice of weapon,is by no means a speed demon,compared to other weapons and the time it takes our arrows to get there,at long range,is enough to turn a good shot to a poor shot,with a step,from a live animal.I personally dont think its worth the risk.

[Traxx]

An old archery quote.....

Target archery is,seeing how far you can get from the target and still hit the mark.Hunting archery is seeing how close you can get to never miss your mark.