How Close?

[Swede]

We have had a number of threads asking if a picture depicts a good shot opportunity or it asks, where would you shoot. My question is how close to perfect are your shots? For this discussion let's say "perfect" is in a baseball sized circle. Also let us know what your maximum range is.

I would say with 90% certainty I can hit within a baseball sized circle out to 25 yards with my bow. I will be within a softball sized size circle out to 30 yards 90% of the time and withing a 9-inch pie plate size circle out to 40 yards which is my max range on deer or elk. My error can be to either rush a shot when I believe it is now or never, or to take a poor angle shot. I suppose the bad angle shot is just another rushed one.

[RanchoSueno]

I aim for 1inch/10yd groups. I only shoot one arrow at a time 30yds or less because I don't want to kill an arrow with another. I havent robin hooded one yet but I have clipped the vanes and splintered the shaft up. 50yds is my max at an animal in ideal conditions. I'm happy with my groups at 50

[Lefty]

there have been days years past 60 yards felt good, and then days where I wouldn't take a 20 yards shot.
But generally now Im a 40 yard guy in good conditions.
Last year I turned my bow down, I didn't ( wouldn't couldn't) draw my first 16 days .

Bought a new bow, much faster We will see if Ill be extending my range

[Lefty]

I aim for 1inch/10yd groups. I only shoot one arrow at a time 30yds or less because I don't want to kill an arrow with another. I havent robin hooded one yet but I have clipped the vanes and splintered the shaft up. 50yds is my max at an animal in ideal conditions. I'm happy with my groups at 50

Im cheap, I very very seldom ever shoot the same aiming point with 2 arrows

[Tigger]

Pretty much what Rancho said.

Although there is a pretty good case to me made that I could aim AT the last arrow cuz I would never hit exactly where I aimed!

[7mmfan]

This is my 400 yard group. I feel pretty confident hitting exactly where I'm aiming

[Swede]

As we all know there is a difference between hitting a target and a live animal. There are several factors that come into play. I have never had to sneak up on a 3D target. The target will wait as long as you like. Most people do not get "buck fever" when sighting in on a target, even if there is a contest involved. At least I have never heard of anyone jacking all of the cartridges out of their gun when facing a sheet of paper or just standing there as if they are frozen. We may be able to set up for a better angle, etc., and at the range the critter is always broadside or quartering away.
How are you when it comes to shooting at something that has a hide on it and moves very quickly?

[>>>---WW---->]

We have had a number of threads asking if a picture depicts a good shot opportunity or it asks, where would you shoot. My question is how close to perfect are your shots? For this discussion let's say "perfect" is in a baseball sized circle. Also let us know what your maximum range is.

I would say with 90% certainty I can hit within a baseball sized circle out to 25 yards with my bow. I will be within a softball sized size circle out to 30 yards 90% of the time and withing a 9-inch pie plate size circle out to 40 yards which is my max range on deer or elk. My error can be to either rush a shot when I believe it is now or never, or to take a poor angle shot. I suppose the bad angle shot is just another rushed one.

I suppose old rusty minds must think alike. Well maybe not always! But in this particular case, I have to agree with Swede. I have 4 Robin Hood's hanging on the wall and every one of them was shot at an indoor range @ 20 yards. But when shooting at live game I prefer 20 yards and under. And an absolute maximum of 30-35 on a good standing still/broadside elk. If I wanted to shoot farther than that, I'd hunt with a rifle. I'm strictly a bowhunter. I figure getting close is just part of the game!

[Elkhunttoo]

Several years ago on my first day I came to full draw on a 6 point bull elk. I was calm and had the bull stepped two more steps before he winded me I would have had a perfect shot. As I was at full draw I felt the wind hit the back of my neck and knew it was over.

Fast forward a few years. Opening day finds me holding completely still as a six point bull (younger 6 point but a nice bull) comes into view. It had been a cooler rainy day with temps in the 40’s….i held still for several minutes waiting for this bull to get to my shooting lane. When this bull finally hit my lane I came to full draw with him at 40 yards. I was shaking uncontrollably. I didn’t notice because of the bull but I was super cold. When I moved my body woke up and there was no stopping it because it wasn’t nerves it was cold. I tried all I could to aim but it wasn’t happening. I finally had to let down. The bull moved and than I moved. I was able to warm up enough sneaking back in on him and came to full draw a second time. No shaking at all. I ended up shooting over his back. My peep had slid in the rain storm or got caught on bruises or something. When I shot the next day I was a foot high.

My conclusion is this……..sometimes the elements are out of our control. Practice is definitely going to help and the more we can do the better….when we do get that opportunity if it is not right have the control to not shoot also….i have done both, pulled the trigger When it wasn’t perfect and I should’ve waited, and also waited when it wasn’t perfect…..I know which one made me feel better after

[Swede]

I know I am no god. When shooting at a critter, if something can go wrong, it will at some time. I have had equipment problems, clothing issues and made various mistakes like bumping the trigger or shooting just when the critter moved forward. I have missed game and wounded a few animals. I know it is not popular to admit it, but in spite of the care I take to ensure a good clean kill when I shoot, things have gone wrong. When they do I spend a couple of days trying to find the animal. When I am done, I go back to hunting.
I can live with the problem because I did my best and know I was not taking a wild and foolish chances just hoping to kill something. When I come home empty, I can live with that too because I did my best and I am confident I know enough to get one another day. I love hunting. I do not have to kill an elk, but I try hard every time I go out.
If I hunted with you, all I would ask is that you try to do your best every hunting day, take only high-quality shots you can manage well, do your share in camp and don't gripe when things are not going the way you hoped for.