Why do you use a rangefinder?
04-18-2007, 07:14 AM
#21
Dominant Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 21,043
RE: Why do you use a rangefinder?
I have 14 treestands on my little 120 acre patch and don't get to hunt all of them in the same year most of the time, so when I sit in a stand I usually don't remember how far everything is, so it helps me to just reassure myself a bit with the rangefinder.
But if you DID know what 30 yds was in all of those stands....would you still feel the need to take it?
04-18-2007, 07:20 AM
#22
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 4,679
RE: Why do you use a rangefinder?
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
RJ:
But if you DID know what 30 yds was in all of those stands....would you still feel the need to take it?
I have 14 treestands on my little 120 acre patch and don't get to hunt all of them in the same year most of the time, so when I sit in a stand I usually don't remember how far everything is, so it helps me to just reassure myself a bit with the rangefinder.
But if you DID know what 30 yds was in all of those stands....would you still feel the need to take it?
04-18-2007, 07:53 AM
#24
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Treasure Lake DuBois,Pa.
Posts: 1,571
RE: Why do you use a rangefinder?
I have maybe 7- 10 stands set up each year and use a climber on some occasions. I use a rangefinder to check distance initially.....to that big oak, to the blow down , to the trail. All reference points around me.I do this when it gets light enough the first couple times in a given stand.
I hunt ALL woods stands.
This way I know the 30yrd and in points.
I have never used it on an approaching deer within those points.
First, I don't want to make any extra movement.
Second, I have enough to think about and don't need to be worrying about banging the rangefinder off the stand or something.
I like the verification aspect of a rangefinder. Things look different from every stand. I might be on a hillside or a flat or a different height.
I hunt ALL woods stands.
This way I know the 30yrd and in points.
I have never used it on an approaching deer within those points.
First, I don't want to make any extra movement.
Second, I have enough to think about and don't need to be worrying about banging the rangefinder off the stand or something.
I like the verification aspect of a rangefinder. Things look different from every stand. I might be on a hillside or a flat or a different height.
04-18-2007, 07:57 AM
#25
Dominant Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 21,043
RE: Why do you use a rangefinder?
I hunt ALL woods stands.
This way I know the 30yrd and in points.
I have never used it on an approaching deer within those points.
First, I don't want to make any extra movement.
Second, I have enough to think about and don't need to be worrying about banging the rangefinder off the stand or something.
This way I know the 30yrd and in points.
I have never used it on an approaching deer within those points.
First, I don't want to make any extra movement.
Second, I have enough to think about and don't need to be worrying about banging the rangefinder off the stand or something.
It's extra movement. And I NEVER remember being able to get a range on an animal where I actually SHOT.
Now Rob keeps one on a strap around his neck (where most of us keep our binos). he keeps the binos on his side. THAT is a good set-up.
I want to thank everyone participating, so far. There ARE no wrong answers. ALL valid points, so far. Thanks!
04-18-2007, 08:37 AM
#27
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: North Lima Ohio & Clarion Pa
Posts: 6,453
RE: Why do you use a rangefinder?
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
It's extra movement.
It's extra movement.
original:GMMAT The bucks, with the exception of the old guy, weren’t exactly chasing……but it looked like that might happen, soon. I actually decided I’d take the 8 pointer…..and came to full draw…..only to have him turn and face me…..until I couldn’t hold it any longer and let down. He was looking at me…..didn’t bust me…..and I guess we can chalk another enigma camo moment up. So far, so good.
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04-18-2007, 08:41 AM
#28
Dominant Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 21,043
RE: Why do you use a rangefinder?
You left out EXTRA!!...lol
I HAVE to draw my bow....I DON'T HAVE to range him.
BTW...I don't remember that post, at all. Was that the day I had all the little guys fighting around me?
I HAVE to draw my bow....I DON'T HAVE to range him.
BTW...I don't remember that post, at all. Was that the day I had all the little guys fighting around me?
04-18-2007, 08:48 AM
#29
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Phoenixville, PA USA
Posts: 5,541
RE: Why do you use a rangefinder?
I use my rangefinder for the reasons everyone has stated above. I generally don't shoot past 30 for deer, but if the right opportunity presented itself I could. This year I took my best buck thus far at 32 yards. I knew before the shot that the deer was at 32 yards because I had earlier ranged the blowdown he was standing next to when I shot. Because of this I was able to simply aim and shoot. I'm also a bit anal and when I pick a spot on a deer (something everyone should do) I want to hit that spot. You can't do that if you are guessing distances. It's just a little bit of extra confidence, and as Rick James said if the right opportunity presents itself for a longer shot, I know I can find the exact distance.
04-18-2007, 08:51 AM
#30
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 7,208
RE: Why do you use a rangefinder?
just to clarify my stats...I have missed my share of deer, several when 1st starting out.
I over the past 11 seasons I went on a streak of 26 straight kills without a miss or wound. I clean missed shot number 27 on a doe @ 15 yds. Only 1 shot of those 26 was over 20 yds, most were 6-13 yds. For my hunting, I don't need a rangefinder.
I over the past 11 seasons I went on a streak of 26 straight kills without a miss or wound. I clean missed shot number 27 on a doe @ 15 yds. Only 1 shot of those 26 was over 20 yds, most were 6-13 yds. For my hunting, I don't need a rangefinder.