Why practice long range shooting?

[Triplebhunters]

Why do you practice long range shooting?
A lot of opinions on this subject. A lot of arguments as well.

For me a couple of the reasons I practice 60 to 70 yards.
Is confidence in my equipment and self.
Is a better shot at closer range.

[Wapitibob]

The ol' paper plate out there at 80+ is pretty easy to hold on and your little inconsistencies will show a little better at that distance. If you're out there far enough, or the dot is small enough that it becomes a "drive by" shot, it will lead to problems.

[cnelk]

By shooting longer ranges, any inconsistencies will be magnified.

Just like sighting in.
If you just sighted in at 20yds, the arrow may hit the bulleye.
But at 40yds, the same arrow could be high/low or left/right.

When shooting long range 60+ yds, everything must be better.
Your form must be better, your release must be better, environment conditions must be better...

[Huntography]

By shooting longer ranges, any inconsistencies will be magnified.

Just like sighting in.
If you just sighted in at 20yds, the arrow may hit the bulleye.
But at 40yds, the same arrow could be high/low or left/right.

When shooting long range 60+ yds, everything must be better.
Your form must be better, your release must be better, environment conditions must be better...

Ditto what Cnelk said. That's why I do it.

Plus it's fun too

Rudy

[WapitiTalk1]

Additionally, it's to a bow hunter's advantage to be able to release a well placed "second arrow" into the bull if the opportunity presents itself at 60+ yards, yes? If you haven't practiced at that distance, loosing a second arrow is not a viable option.

[POk3s]

Along with all these reasons....because I shoot 2-3 antelope a year mostly by use of spot and stalk, and boy is it hard to get within 100 yards of those animals in flat terrain, let alone 20 yards.

[twinkieman]

Agree with all, arrow flight shows, form flaws show, second shot if I can, and for me, It makes the shorter 20,30,40 feel like chip shots.

[BrentLaBere]

Just started going out to 80 yards the last two seasons and the biggest thing I have found is having more confidence in every shot I take.

[ctdad]

Like huntography pointed out, it's fun. I get bored with close range

[Freebird134]

I shoot past 100 yds 2 or 3 times a week. I'm not shooting very tight groups, but it makes my confidence inside 60 soar! And it's really fun!

[ferris bugler]

Because it's fun as hell.

[WindedBowhunter]

cnelk summed it very nicely!

As stated by others it does build confidence at the closer shots.

But, long range and close range is somewhat subjective. Only you know what your effective long range is. Doesn't mean you are hunting at that distance, it just means your confidence will be just that much greater when you put your pin on an animal when he's have the distance of your effective range!

Keep shootn'!

[Bullnuts]

By shooting longer ranges, any inconsistencies will be magnified.

Just like sighting in.
If you just sighted in at 20yds, the arrow may hit the bulleye.
But at 40yds, the same arrow could be high/low or left/right.

When shooting long range 60+ yds, everything must be better.
Your form must be better, your release must be better, environment conditions must be better...

Yep

[LckyTylr]

3-shot groups at 60 yards today >>>---------> 6" groups pretty regularly.

Never really looks/sounds very impressive, but I don't think I have done much better than that.

Felt pretty good. Another week of field points and I'll switch over to broadheads. 20 DAYS!!!

[WindedBowhunter]

3-shot groups at 60 yards today >>>---------> 6" groups pretty regularly.

Never really looks/sounds very impressive, but I don't think I have done much better than that.

Felt pretty good. Another week of field points and I'll switch over to broadheads. 20 DAYS!!!

That is pretty darn good! It's clear that it is building your confidence! Confidence is key to build upon improving to get that group down to say 4" in a few months!