Big Daddy

[Swede]

I suppose we are all tempted to crowd the limits of our shooting ability. This is especially true when big daddy comes on the scene. There is a distinction between crowding and exceeding. Still there are times when circumstances combine to make a shot marginal at best. The season is coming soon. For me it is a time to reflect on my ability and to decide what are my limits based on my current shooting skill. I have practiced for months and am about where I was last year.
As a bow hunter, I prefer a broadside shot at a standing elk under 30 yards, but if everything is perfect, I will go to 40. I will take a closer quartering to shot, or head-on shot, but again everything needs to be just right. To be honest, after umpteen days in my stand with nothing to shoot, I am tempted to fudge and take a chance. That is why I need to reflect on things before the hunt and set limits now. I need to remind myself to be patient and wait for a clear shot. It is important. I don't like to talk about this, but I have messed up.
What are your limits, or do you have any? Do you know where to place an arrow or bullet in a marginal situation?

[Csrbowhunter]

I've taken all those shots you talked about. First off, I wish I would have taken the frontal shot the first year I ever elk hunted. When calling for yourself they sometimes come in so fast you don't have time to move so I'd get a lot of elk come straight in. I'd watched to many hunting videos where they'd said to never take that shot. I've killed a few whitetails with that shot but kept passing up elk at close ranges. Two years ago I took that shot at 30yds on a 320 elk and he didn't go 60yds and fell over. So needless to say I'd take that shot again this year if I get a chance!
Now over 50yds in the right situation I'd take again but I did screw this shot up about 5 years ago. I wouldn't recommend it in this situation. I had a nice 5x5 at 15yds. I was at full draw just getting ready to release when the guy with me made a noise and the elk bolted out to 55yds. When he stopped I settled my pin on him and released. Before the arrow got there the elk started to turn to leave. The arrow hit behind the shoulder but the angle had changed so it came out the front of the brisket. The elk bled well but the guy I was with screwed me even further by not listening to me. While I was looking for my arrow he started to follow the blood trail even know I told him I wanted to wait for a couple of hours and go back to camp!!!! He walked up on the elk while it was bedded down and jumped it up. When I went back 4 hrs later that was the last place I found blood! I wouldn't take that long of a shot with the elk on high alert. I would take that shot if the elk had no idea I was there.

[BRazz]

I have to agree that setting limits before the hunt is a fantastic idea, as decision making in the moment can be tricky. Lots of emotions roiling around... Ultimately, we owe it to our quarry to take sensible and fair shots. There are few worse feelings than wounding an animal due to a poor decision. At least that's how I feel - I hope you feel that way too!

[Wyo67]

As with previous years, I have been out shooting in the yard as soon as the Wyoming weather lets me (usually around Mother's Day). I've been shooting broadheads for the last month and know I am going to hit the target circle on my Rinehart 18-1 target every time out to 50 yards. There's always a rush when an elk comes in to range that cannot be duplicated or simulated. However, having been successful a few times and focusing on my shot routine, I'm hoping that won't become an issue. So, my max range on a broadside elk is 50 yards and 25 for a frontal (yes, I've done it). There's a shot placement thread currently running over on bowsite. I personally don't get involved in that drama, but Bill Allard puts up excellent pictures on this subject every year.

We virtually always hunt OTC public land in Wyoming, so if it's a branch antered bull coming in, I won't pass up a shot -- whether it's Big Daddy or not! This season, I'll most likely even take a spike or a cow if one wanders by as I will be focusing on trying to get my son his first and my helping my hunting partner before me as he didn't get to bow hunt last year.

[Swede]

I see much experience has gone into Wyo67's statement. We each have our limits. I have a friend that can center punch a relaxed broadside deer at 80 yards every time. I passed on a standing broadside elk at 60 yards two years ago. It was the next to the last day of the season, and I knew it was unlikely I would get another chance. For me it was just too far to be an ethical shot.

[Mike_Parson]

Wyo67, that thread has 130 replies on it and it is a really harsh thread to read.

I agree that every hunter needs to plan and reflect on their own personal skill level and decide well ahead of the hunt what their lethal and ethical shooting distance is. it is up to us as hunters to do that service to our prey. they deserve a fast and as painless as possible death from us. each and every person is different and will have a different answer to the question as to what is lethal and ethical. we all have to reflect inside ourselves for that personal answer.

[Wyo67]

Wyo67, that thread has 130 replies on it and it is a really harsh thread to read.

I agree that every hunter needs to plan and reflect on their own personal skill level and decide well ahead of the hunt what their lethal and ethical shooting distance is. it is up to us as hunters to do that service to our prey. they deserve a fast and as painless as possible death from us. each and every person is different and will have a different answer to the question as to what is lethal and ethical. we all have to reflect inside ourselves for that personal answer.

Yup, that's why I have rarely posted or commented on anything on that site since Paul started this one. The guys and gals here on wapititalk are genuine and willing to help without the snide/childish comments you see over there. But.... occasionally there are good, informative posts that can help a hunter.

Completely agree with you on each person having to define what is an ethical shot for them. My limits are my limits.

[BRazz]

Yup, that's why I have rarely posted or commented on anything on that site since Paul started this one.

There are other sites out there? ...

In all seriousness, this is a very good topic and really hits home with me. I truly value the importance of respecting our quarry. We are hunters not killers. Taking good shots that we feel confident is an absolute must. That surely means some folks would pass on shots that I would take, and vice versa. In the end we are left with ourselves and our thoughts - and we know deep down whether we took a good shot or not. For me, the reward of knowing I took a good shot outweighs the risk of doing something foolish in an effort to avoid going home with an empty tag.

[Mike_Parson]

the honest truth is i took up archery because i wanted a challenge and wanted to truly hunt my quary. I can kill a deer effectively at long ranges with my rifle is that is what i want i choose the bow to challenge myself and my skills as a hunter. I am not attempting to brag on my shooting skills with a rifle, i am stating that i am proficient with that form of a weapon and i desire to do something different. i once heard that a true bowhunter sees how close they can get to their prey before they release an arrow.

[Nelsonv]

I practice a lot at long range for that reason. I hardly ever practice under 40 yards. I shoot from 40 to 100 yards almost daily. I try to shoot at least 10 arrows a day. Of course no matter how much you practice at home or at the range you can never replicate the hunting aspect. My comfortable range is long and I believe in myself. I would never want to wound an animal. I've shot deer out to 70 yards and haven't ever lost an animal and hopefully never will.

[CurlyTail]

My limits for this Archery Season

50 yards broadside or quartering away

20 yards frontal

I will be disappointed however, if my real shots are not much less

[Ryan Conkle]

I consistently practice at 100 yards' with 90% of my practice shots' ranging from 70-100 yards, with my farthest pin being 70 yards'. With that being said, a hunting scenario is far different than a practice scenario, I would take a 70 yard shot at an elk, although the conditions' of the shot would have to be optimal. I would likely not take a shot at any animal that is farther than my farthest pin, due to having to compensate and not having a direct point of aim. I did shoot my mule deer last year at 58 yards' and had a quick and clean ethical kill, with a complete pass-though, although I plan on the majority of my shots' being much closer in distance.

[twinkieman]

My limits are the same as they have been since the late 80's
50 yds broadside or quartering away
20- 30 yds frontal

[Csrbowhunter]

Well just to show I know my limits and don't want to wound an animal. I realized something this weekend after a 3d shoot. It's time for me to put away my recurve and just shoot my compound. I really wanted to kill an elk with my recurve but just haven't practiced enough with it to be fair to myself or the elk.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk