Using pins to estimate yardage

[poisonarrow]

I shoot a 70# bow with my pins set at 30,40,50, 60, 70 yds. My arrows weigh 480 grains. I am using 30 inches as the size of an elk, measuring directly behind the front leg.

When I put my 70yd pin on the under side, at 30 yds my 30 yd pin just sets at the top of his back. At 40yds the 40 yd pin is on his back. At 50 yds it is half way between the 40yd and 50yd pins. At 60 yds the 50 yd pin is on his back.

Does anyone use their pins to estimate distance?

[Steve G]

I've never even considered it. I'm glad you brought it up. At first thought it seems like it could be unreliable because of natural differences in the size of animals, but I will try it starting with a reliable source (target of consistent size) and use my range finder to judge the accuracy of my estimates using your system. If it works reliably it would be a great fall back in those situations when you don't have an opportunity to range your animal.

How does it work for you?

[poisonarrow]

I just hit on the idea. I have a life size target and have just started trying it out.

[JerryYong]

I tried it when I first started bowhunting and it actually worked pretty good, until I changed my bow/arrow setup (faster bow, lighter arrows, broad heads, etc.) which changed the pin gaps on my sights. Or until I wanted to shoot a deer or grouse but had no pin gaps for them. My pea brain couldn't keep up with which pin went where after a couple of setup changes and different sized quarry, so I just learned to range in 20 yard increments to the target and it has served me well. Like any other ranging technique though, practice makes perfect!

[Duck-Slayer]

I tried it when I first started bowhunting and it actually worked pretty good, until I changed my bow/arrow setup (faster bow, lighter arrows, broad heads, etc.) which changed the pin gaps on my sights. Or until I wanted to shoot a deer or grouse but had no pin gaps for them. My pea brain couldn't keep up with which pin went where after a couple of setup changes and different sized quarry, so I just learned to range in 20 yard increments to the target and it has served me well. Like any other ranging technique though, practice makes perfect!

that's a good idea, never thought of that..... I did a bunch of 3D shooting when I was younger and learned the measure in the 10 yard increment, just by counting how many 10 yards it is too a target..... works pretty good, especially now day's with the fast bow's and lighter setups...
Matt

[westaner]

I use deadonrangefinder.com

[tdiesel]

yep have used it for years it gets you close enough on the guesstimate that it get that arrow in the kill zone mine is basically the same as yours it not a perfect system and sure if I have time I use a rangefinder . I can guess up close pretty good but at the is he 42 or 49 with tree limbs in the way it might save you from a wounded animal.

[twinkieman]

The original range finder I used was a double image, when you turned the dial and the image merged into a single image, you read the dial and had your yardage. Their also were gadgets to attach to your bow that had a gap system to find yardage, they were essentially the same as you are doing with your pins, so yes it will work in general distances.

[elkmtngear]

Many years ago, I hunted with a guy that had a bow sight attachment that was a clear plastic window with a series of lines on it. You put the deer's chest in between whatever lines fit, and read the yardage. Then you'd go to the corresponding sight pin.

When I was in the Army, I shot a Laws Rocket at a tank (on a practice range). Same type of sight basically.