A question for you

[Don Stenseth]

I took this photo this morning for the purpose of asking this question This deer i guessed at between 45 and 50 yards away on a perfect calm morning. I always found it difficult at best to guess distance across an open field with no reference points She is in a perfect position for a double lung pass through shot with that front leg forward exposeing the vitals. She is relaxed and feeding. With todays flat shooting bows do you take this shot or do you pass. What is your maximum distance you will shoot with nothing between you and the deer but air. I would have passed not knowing the exact yardage with no rangefinder. What would you do ?

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[Randy Kaar]

i would pass, even though i have a 40 yard pin i wouldnt shoot
over 30 yards. dont think i could hold the bow steady enough.

randy

[Spinach]

She is a big girl though.

I agree, if you have any hesitation at all, then for sure let her go. Thats a little bit out of my comfort range too, if it was 45-50 yards, i would have to pass for sure. 40 yards under your calm conditions would be meat in my freezer though.

[Pegg]

I always carry a range finder. If it was 45 to 50 yards I would shoot but any more then that I would pass. But I say that sitting behind my desk and not in the field. I do shoot 50 yards at the range and most 3d shoots have at least 1 or 2 50  yard shots.  So I think I would only if I knew the yardage up to 50.

Once again nice picture.

[MnArch]

I would pass.  Even if the deer was wall hanger.  Bows today are fast.  But a lot can happen between the release of the arrow and the impact on a deer.  Especially taking into consideration how adrenaline can affect your muscles in a pressured situation.  Why take the chance? 

[rs5comp]

I ended up in a similar situation to this last year and made the wrong choice. It was mid season and I was hunting a stand that was on the edge of an open grassy area and a large portion of brush that I had been finding a lot of signs in. I was set up on where I thought that the deer would be moving through the brush, but I was thrown for a loop when a really nice doe popped out broadside at what I figured to be about 40 yards in the open grass. I had the perfect wind so the doe was calm and had no idea that I was there. I do not have a 40 yard pin because I never thought that I would attempt to shoot a deer that far out before, but I had done a lot of target practice at 40 just for fun, and was confident with the conditions that this would be a very easy shot. So I drew back and set up for the shot a little high with my 30 pin just as I had done dozens of times while practicing and let it fly. Shot went of and the deer spooked and took off about five yards and just stood there and looked around for a little bit then walked off. The arrow landed somewhere around her ankles and was a complete clean miss. I got down from the stand and paced it off at just over 50  . That was one mistake that I will never make again. I now set up markers and bring a practice arrow along with me whenever im hunting near an open area and refuse to shoot out past 30 even though im an ace at 40 on a target. So long story short no I would not take a shot like that. I got lucky once but im not going to plan on ever getting a break like that again.

[Grute Man]

If I had reference points out there, i would take it but not if I was estimating distance.  I usually pace it off or use my "poor man's range finder" and set up some kind of natural marker so I know where 10, 20, and 30 yards are at.

[Cody Gruchow]

nice doe but i would pass. 35 yard shot is pushing it for me let alone an estimated 50 yard one.

[BIG 6 BUCK]

With range finder in one hand and the bow in the other.............check the yardage..... 45yds..
Put down range finder,  Release on string.... draw back bow.... gap the 40 and 50 pin........
LET'ER FLY............  Backstraps anyone??????   As you can tell I would have no problem takeing that shot.  I shoot 12 months out of the year and I feel that I would be able to harvest that animal with out issue..  That is me and you are you.... if you dont feel it dont take the shot.

[HUNTER2]

30 yards and in for me. I was slug hunting a few years ago and found a 4 pointer with a arrow stuck in the high back quarter. Enough to finally kill it, but the person who shot it was either to far away or they didn't shoot very high poundage on there bow. That looked like the same one I passed on bow hunting about a week earlier. That's when I used to hunt public land.

[22lex]

A few years ago when I was an ace at 50+ getting ready for Elk hunting I would have ranged her and smacked her.  At this point there is no chance I would try that now without being in top form like before.

[bowhunter73]

  I my early years in bow hunting I wounded to many deer at far distances. Even though I am a much better shot, now as well as estimating range, I still try to keep it to around 30yd’s.

 I think many people take too many risky shots when they are new. Simply because they need to take a deer with a bow. Like everything in life we live and learn its all part of the hunting experience

  What I love most about bow hunting is the challenge of getting close. When I see deer at 50 plus YD’s when bow hunting I just kinda laugh, thinking how they won that match

[Big E]

I don't shoot over 30-33 yards. I've practiced at 40 and did great but my bow just doesn't shoot quietly enough or fast enough for me to feel comfortable that she wouldn't jump the string or just move on her own. I pull back 70lbs and have all the silencers on my bow but on a calm day a deer can here a pin drop a mile away it seems.

[Stensethfan]

Only if I was a 12 month shooter and at most of the local 3D shoots.  I have a bow that is very capable, but my confidence is struggling and I very honestly rarely take that shot even on the range.  I would have to sit back and enjoy the show.  Maybe she would end up feeding my way or another would appear closer to my spot.   

[cva54]

Iam sighted in up to 60 with 5 pins 5" circle at 60 and also know were 70 is so with my range finder i would ! with out knowing not a chance

[BuckorBust]

Here is a debate that has been going on for a long time, how far is to far. That question I feel is up to each individual archer. I have read many articles on where an archer should keep his range. If someone practices year round and is very proficient in there shooting at that distance, take the shot, if your not confident let it go. first I would never ever walk in the woods with out a rangefinder, with today's technology why not take advantage of it, other than your bow it is the most important piece of equipment you can have. Second I have seen more deer jump a string at under 20 yards than I have at 50. I set my stands up for about a 30 yard shot, I like to try and stay out of the deer's comfort zone. My shortest shot on a deer is 10 feet my longest 55 yards. neither deer new what hit them. With today's equipment there is no reason you can not humanely harvest that deer at 45 yards if you are proficient at shooting that distance and know the exact distance. If you see that deer and have no rangefinder I would not even think about shooting her, but than again I will not walk out in the woods with out one. The problem I see a lot is you here people say oh I would pass on that shot, but you put a nice rack on it, and all of a sudden people change there mind. If you are not sure you can harvest that doe than don't shoot just because you Might be able to harvest a buck, antlers do strange things to people. Also keep in mind your setup if you are shooting a 40 lb. bow don't even think about it.
Good luck to you all.