alwyshntn

I agree with the fact that with todays new bows and equipment that the effective range of the bowhunter has definitely changed. The best innovation that has increased the bowhunters range I feel is the laser rangefinder. I feel comfortable taking deer out to 30yds with no concerns. I also feel that under certain circumstances a 40yd shot is not out of the question. This is all provided that you practice shooting at these ranges as much as you do for a 20yd shot. I have one question for some and that is why is your effective range different in open areas as opposed to wooded areas? Wouldn't you be effective in both? I would think that open areas would be less because animals tend to be more on edge when in the open and less relaxed. That would be the main factor for me as far as how long of a shot I would take. I would be more apt to take a longer shot at a relaxed animal than a animal that seems a little nervous and timid.

ewolf

Couldn't tell you. I know the range and if I feel very good about the shot I shot. Generally no more than 40 yards. It really depends on the animals state. Chuck Adams got flamed for shooting a leopard in Africa at 60 yards. However, the leopard was bedded and he had all the time in the world to put a good shot on that animal. I don't think you can say anyone that shots over 50 yards is unethical. Every situation is different and every persons abilities are different.

Charlie P

People have killed Elephants with a bow.

The kill zone on a Elk or Mooses is much bigger then a white tail.

Dairy King

Let me rephrase that...I wouldn't think you could kill an animal of that size at that yardage, like 50 yards or farther. I didnt mean you couldnt kill them at all.

mike838

personally i think too much can happen in 50+yds with a bow.even with todays speed crazed bows.i dont shoot past 40 at any animal. just is not worth it too me.

Washington Hunter

Why not? The arrow doesn't lose that much energy at that distance.

Dairy King

What I'm sayin is, people here are saying 40 yards tops for a whitetail, BUT for a moose or something of that size, they are saying 50 yards are more even.

deerdust

I have practiced at 50-60 yds, but for me an ethical shot is 40 yds or less. There are just too many unknown factors that can come into play and you end up delivering a poor shot and wounding an animal. A gust of wind, a twig you really couldn't see, something else making a noise that causes the animal to move, or the animal just moving on its own. I have seen to many folks make poor shots for whatever reason and never recover their deer. It is hard to say for what reason they made a poor shot due to the fact we don't sit with the clients. We always let them target shoot before they actually go out to hunt if they want and we encourage them to do so. Due to the fact that anything could happen in travel that could throw your shot off.

ewolf

For most of the "speed" Freaks/Idiots(In some cases) it is true that a 50 yard shot on an Elk is wrong. The arrows are just too light and don't retain enough MOMENTUM to do the job. If I'm hunting Elk I'm shooting logs, especially if I'm shooting 50 yards. Generally people will hunt with heavier/better arrows for Elk. Why people want to shoot fast arrows for Elk hunting is beyond me.

alwyshntn

My bow shoots at 304fps easily and still I have 71ft. lbs. of kenetic energy. Just because a bow is fast and the arrow isn't a piece of oak timber flying thru the air that it doesn't possess the capability to put out the energy. 71ft. lbs. I would think is more than enough to take down a elk at 50yds. I'm sure it has been done with less. How fast does your bow have to shoot before you are a SPEED FREAK/IDIOT?