I guess this post is a little old but I'll stir the pot a little. There is a reason that the average shot for white-tails is about 20-25yds. It's because of the style in which hunting most white-tails is done and longer shots (what-ever that distance is) aren't necessary.
I'm not sure why talking about "long shots" w/a bow stirs such controversy and why some people get offended when someone talks about shooting at distances twice as far as the average distance that 90% of bowhunters take. Irrespective of the distance of the shot, whomever is taking the shot, needs to feel confident on the particular shot, possibilities of a marginal to bad shot and think ahead just as if you were shooting a gun. I've run into few people even willing to shoot that far, even for practice's sake. So be it. I've run into even fewer people that actually practice that far as they've decided that rather than take a longer shot, they'd rather take a chance on seeing the deer on a different day in a different location where a closer shot is possible (or possibly not ever see the deer again). That's fine and I respect that.
I would concur that most often a shot over 20-30yds isn't necessary for white-tails. However, there are times and situations that the average shot isn't in the equation. Some choose to pass if it's out of the average range and others prepare in the event a longer shot presents itself.
I don't care if you agree or disagree w/what I do but I'm offering it up as some food for thought. I have shot animals outside of the average ranges on a number of occasions. However, I have never shot a white-tailed deer from a tree beyond 40yds. I've just never had that situation present itself. I've never hunted an area where I would've had a shot outside that distance because of other trees etc. Would I take a shot over 20-30yds on a deer? Just like any other hunting situation...it depends on a lot of factors. The chances of getting a longer shot (for me) just haven't been there. I certainly wouldn't set up for only a long shot as I'd have to work harder than I do to find a spot for my stand for a nice 20yd shot!! But, if I ever found a spot where I set up on the edge of trees and deer were skirting me in the open field I would certainly consider a longer shot.
When you bowhunt "out west" 20-30yd shots are few and far between on average. Therefore, you'll see fellas out west w/considerably more pins on their sights than guys east of the Mississippi. So why can guys shoot longer distances out west and not apply them here? I guess you can but the need generally isn't there. And by the same token, I don't begrudge anyone for shooting whatever distance they want, so long as ample practice, confidence and reason precede the shot. Wounding an animal can happen at 15yds just as at longer distances. Personally I'd rather shoot an animal at 50yds than 25yds as in my experience they know something is up when they hear it in the 25yd range whereas at 45-50yds, they hear something and don't generally jump the string but rather look toward the noise offering the time for the arrow to make it's mark.
There are also set ups that are considerably better suited to make shots like that. Sure you can make a shot at, say, 80yds w/a somewhat noisy bow shooting 250fps but a better suited set up would be shooting closer to 300fps from a quiet bow. Too many variables to comment on here about but I hope you get the idea I'm trying to pass.
My thoughts here aren't to imply whatsoever that anyone that shoots further is a better hunter/shooter or what have you, it's just that if they have decided to do that, they should have certainly put considerable time/thought into making those shots and most likely have. Again, it's not all that likely to happen, IMO.
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Topic: Whats the longest shot you'd take (Read 15548 times)
