bscofield

a few questions:

At what distance would you aim low for string jumping? I shoot at 213 fps with my PSE Whitetail Extreme. So my questions are:

At what distance do you feel the need to shoot low?
How many inches low would you shoot vs. yards away?

Any other tips. This issue took my kill from me last year!

mrfritz44

I remember watching a Wensel video and he discussed the lower and upper limits of the ideal shooting range to help prevent string jumping, but to still have a reasonable shot. If anyone saw this video and can remember what the numbers were, that may be helpful.

I think he may have said 25-40 yards as the best range. Now his advice is no doubt loaded with debate since he's an expert shooter who nails whitetails on the run with a longbow and most of us are only comfortable with stationary shots at less than 30 yards in hunting situations. The point he was trying to make was that at greater than 25 yards the noise is far enough away that the deer will probably not jump. Take it with a grain of salt.

As for where to aim, I've also missed close shots after taking aim on the middle of the deer's vitals. Personally, I wouldn't hold any lower than the lower extremity of that vital area - what would translate as the bottom of the 8 ring on a 3D target.

mrfritz44

double post.......woops

livbucks

Someone once told me to shoot just as the deer begins to lift it's leg to take a step. Do not shoot while all four feet are on the ground. Seems that the act of moving in a deliberate way adds some delay to their reflexes. Sounds good in theory. I have never used it in an actual situation. Aiming low could backfire. If the deer does not react., you could wound it or shoot under. I have seen or heard of a great many that do not react at all.

Hungry Wolf

In his 'Bowhunting October Whitetails' series Wensel points out that you should try for a 18yd or under shot. According to the film from 18 to 33 yards the deer is able to hear the shot and 'jump the string' causing a high hit or miss over the back. They also state that this is with a bow shooting 240. The film also shows a buck that is hit high as a result of this. I shoot 280 an usuallly try to aim at the top of the lower 1/3 of the lungs. Should be good either way. BTW- Its a really cool video.

Gryan

I think with newer bows shootin 250 +++ feet per second, anything under 20 yards can't get out of the way completely. When I am thinking that I may have a super alert deer, because it saw me or whatever, I aim at the heart. Like three inches above the white line of hair. That way if it drops I'm OK if not I'm still OK. I only shoot 209 on my older bow but that works for me. My son missed a doe last night because she was alerted and he aimed as he normally would. She easily got out of the way of his 168+- feet per second bow.

Greg

adams

I've never seen the vidoe and also have never had a deer duck my arrow. I aim low on the deer. By shooting 1/3 of the way up the body you'll get a hit if the deer don't mve and if he tries to duck the arrow you'll have a whole lot of lung to catch the arrow for you.

I have in the past shot over deer but I'll take the blame on those shots. It wasn't the deer ducking that caused me to miss. Usually it a bad estimate of distance that takes it's toll.

RiverBottomBowHunter

this months north american whitetail has an article about this.

mrfritz44

That was it Hungry Wolf, and that's the video I'm referring to. Funny how I remembered the opposite of what it was.

thenuge15

I split the deer in thirds and aim at the top of the lower 1/3 or basically heart. If you hit dead on you got a heart shot. If it ducks or you shoot a little high its a double lung. If your really unlucky and it ducks and you shoot high then you still may catch the spine. When In doubt I always aim low, Usually its about 4-6 inches up from the belly.