How far is too far?

[jpbon]

Just wanting to know everyones opionions about how far is too far to take a clean shot at game and how close you should really get.

Thanks

jpbon

[johnno]

G'day jpbon mate I think the fairly standard response you will get is "the closer the better". It also depends on your own level of accuracy and what you feel comfortable with. Personally, I think that anthing past 35m is too far, but hey others may differ. As Clint said "Man's got to know his limitations" :D

[jerry redman]

i think its if your confident or not to take the shot, if your not confident in getting closer to the animal and you are confident in the shot then take it, i think its all in confidence, but sometimes confidence can take over you axual general ability. that my opinion anyway. jerry

[Howling Dog]

I personally have shot from 3 yards to once only approx 75yards (a quick clean kill), the average shot over time under ten yards. Everything depends on the individuals skills & confidence, remember these are live wild animals and deserve respect. Not to be wounded & left to die or wander the bush maimed.
Ken :D

[Sparra]

I don't take a shot over 30m but Bushcam has taken deer out to 50+m...Dependes on you confidence and ability..

[aussiehunter]

ARCHERS LIKE TO SEE HOW FAR THEY CAN SHOOT AND BE ACCURATE


BOWHUNTERS SEE HOW CLOSE THEY CAN GET BEFORE THEY SHOOT



JMHO

PAT :)

[bear]

Well said pat, u took the words out of my mouth :wink:

BEAR

[Friar Tuck]

I can hit good groups at 80 yards 3D and 90m FITA but when I make my first hunting kill in Australia I want it to be 10 - 20 Yards max. Might take me awhile to learn the stalking skills but I would prefer not to see an animal suffer beyond what is necessary.

[jpbon]

great motto aussiehunter! I was thinking around the 20 or 30 metre mark for the furthese shot and this proved to be spot on.

Thanks guys

jpbon

[barebow]

As close as possible is my motto-25 yards would have to be my maximum.I love seeing how close I can get and lots of times I don't even bother taking the animal,just outwitting the critter is just as enjoyable to me.

[PeterM]

ARCHERS LIKE TO SEE HOW FAR THEY CAN SHOOT AND BE ACCURATE


BOWHUNTERS SEE HOW CLOSE THEY CAN GET BEFORE THEY SHOOT



JMHO

PAT :)

I do both, its all comes down to confidence.

[Warlocke]

Depends on the conditions.

I like to stalk to 20 mtrs or under, but if a good shot were offered out to 50 mtrs in open country with a contentedly grazing, large/medium bodied animal, I would confidently take the shot with my compound.

With the recurve 20 mtrs or under or no shot is taken, more the diminishing power of the recurve than the accuracy at further distances.

[bear]

I think taking a shot at some of our smaller game may warrant a longer shot as penetration of vitals on smaller game can be achieved at longer distances but for hunting some of the thicker skinned larger game like boars and buff would require getting much closer to achieve adequate penetration of the vitals for good clean kill.

BEAR

[Dave]

Depends on the conditions.

I like to stalk to 20 mtrs or under, but if a good shot were offered out to 50 mtrs in open country with a contentedly grazing, large/medium bodied animal, I would confidently take the shot with my compound.

I totally agree with this statement. If you are confident with your form and abilities then shots out to 50 metres are not that unachievable with the bows we have available today. I have shot Sambar and Fallow at 20 and 45 metres and had pass throughs at both of these distances with 100gn 2 bladed broadheads. I have not had an animal go more than 80 metres before expiring.

As bowhunters we all try to get as close as we can BUT don't you think a shot at a totally unaware animal at 35m is better than a shot at a suspicious animal at 20m? http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/DavidMeredith/Emoticons/yes.gif

We all spend time at practicing at all the pin ranges on our sights so EVERYONE should be more than capable of hitting the spot at these distances. If not then they should remove those pins so as not to ever get the urge to try. My furthest pin is 45m and I am comfortable at that distance.

Honestly...if you doubt that your equipment will do the job at a slightly longer distance, then you need to look at your equipment and ask yourself why. It does urk me when people "judge you" if you do something outside their comfort zone. Look at some of the distances required to shoot Elk and Pronghorn in the US, there is no way you would stalk to 15m on a regular basis. Every stalk needs to be approached with an open mind. What is the point of standing in the bush thinking " stuff me it's over 30 metres, I better not shoot cos the boys on the forum won't approve." :?

[aussiehunter]

peterm u r just the best.....

pat :D

[XTfreak]

30yds is my max. Closer if possible.
Bill

[Dale Furze]

Spot on Dave, I approve! I have taken one shot kills on walking billies @ 50m. that ended in under 20m with complete pass throughs. Shot rabbits (lost count of how many) at distances past 45m. and shot pigs at the same sort of distances. Like Dave I practice a lot with ALL my pins and therefor am very confident at taking longrange shots at unsuspecting game. I also like the otherside, being able to have the option of reaching out and touching something before I shoot it. Everyone should know their limitations, my longbow limitation with full accuracy is 5m. :oops: .

[PeterM]

Yep Dave has hit the nail on the head on this subject, well written!