Long shot with a bow

[jnicholson]

I just caught the end of a show on the Outdoor Channel.
It showed a guy hunting making a long shot with a bow. The guy and his guide sneak up to about 40 yards and then the wind turns and the animal bolts. The animal stops and in big white letters at the top of the screen it says 75 yards. You see a near perfect arrow placement. Then they replay it.

I was just wondering what your feelings about seeing that long of a bow shot on TV is. Please state if you are a bowhunter or not in your reply.

[klr kut]

tHATS TOO FAR FOR A GOOD ETHETHICAL SHOT IN MY OPINION. THAT ANIMAL CAN TAKE A STEP BEFORE THAT ARROW GETS THERE AND THEN YOU"VE GOT GUTS OR SHOULDER. WE'VE ALL SEEN ANIMALS JUMP THE STRING AT ALOT CLOSER RANGE.WHEN PEOPLE SEE IT ON TV THEY THINK IT'S OKAY BECAUSE THE "PROS" DO IT.

[stlhddave]

My personal limit is 40 yards. That is the distance at which I feel I can make the shot 100% of the time. Having said that, I have personally witnessed people shoot four arrows in a row into a paper plate at 90 yards. Granted, these were professional target archers. With variable conditions outdoors, and variable alertness of animals, it is my opinion that 40 yards is the maximum distance before a shot becomes marginal.

[beardbuster]

The only reason its on TV is because he actually hit it. Now if he wounded it, he would have gone from hero to zero in two seconds flat!

[Blackbeardown]

Many Many folks who hunt antelope, caribou, etc...know that a long shot is a probability. With todays equipment, a 70 yard shot is not out of the question...IF....IF...they have practiced at that range and have the right equipment to do the job. Some folks practice all year long and know their bow in and out.

A guy I know drew a mule deer archery tag for Nevada a couple years ago. A once in a lifetime tag for the area he was drawing for. He is an outstanding archer anyway...but he went out and bought a really nice mathews bow and tuned it up. He could hit consistently at 70 yards. He had a rangefinder and knew where his bow shot. 70 yards is an ethical shot for him under the right conditions.

For me...40-50 yards tops...if they don't know I'm there and I have a clear broadside shot.

Ethical or not...that is up to the guy holding the bow. That is not for us to decide personally.

[Amahnee]

I don't care if you are an olympic archery champion, simply a poor decision if you ask me...

[lor]

Too far me me to ever take.

[Dave Smith]

Originally Posted by beardbuster

The only reason its on TV is because he actually hit it.

BINGO! I watched Tred Barta fling numerous arrows at woodland caribou the other day- all shots were clean misses. Does anyone find it amazing that on TV and even on IFISH, there are only clean misses and clean kills?? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[LiveLarge]

I used to have a bow and was a pretty good shot. After my son was born I knew I could not commit enough time to practice to maintain my proficiency. I sold my bow. I have no problem with shots of that distance........If you are shooting at a target!!!! I have seen deer jump the string at 40 yards. I was shooting a 80 lb bow with an overdraw and there is no way I would shoot at game at a distance of over 50 yards.

Ps. Tred Barta is a moron IMO. I respect him wanting to do things his way and sticking with it. Not as much as I respect someone not wishing to wound an animal.

[sticknstring]

The start of this thread finnally made me step out of the cover and sign up to put in my two scents! Have you ever even fired an arrow at a bull? Do you really care about the results of your actions? 50...60...70... give me a break. GET CLOSE OR GET A GUN. A real archery hunter knows there is no such thing as a guaranteed shot, and if you shooting over fourty yards at game you are not even letting yourself experience the best part of the hunt. Being able to drive tacks at the range has nothing to do with taking long shots at living, breathing, moving game animals. Hone your HUNTING skills - cut the distance - be patient - increase your odds of a clean kill. Archery is a close range sport, flinging arrows at long range does nothing good for you as a hunter or for any of us as sportsman who hate to hear the stories slobs using archery gear on T.V. or in the field. oops! maybe thats more than two scents but seriously GET CLOSE OR GET A GUN PEOPLE quote gb 2007

[arlie]

70yds with a wind too while using carbon arrows no doubt

[micah]

Thats way too far of a shot for me. I practice out to 60 yds quite a bit and can usually hit what I want. But a animal and a paper target are completely different situations. 40 yards or closer for me or I won't take the shot.

[Jim]

I saw this show as well. The stalk was great as they kept saying with this wind they need to get within 40 yards. I was horrified when he took that shotl

I have hunted archery exclusively since 1978 and took one shot at a big bull at 60 yards and that arrow was losing so much energy I was happy when I missed. That was 1982, I haven't taken a shot over 30 yards since then...I only use three pins 10/20/30 and haven't lost an animal.

Nothing better than archery hunting in my opinion, but that was horrible.

Jim

Originally Posted by micah

Thats way too far of a shot for me. I practice out to 60 yds quite a bit and can usually hit what I want. But a animal and a paper target are completely different situations. 40 yards or closer for me or I won't take the shot.

[PIR8 Hook]

I saw the same show and was amazed at a 70+ yard shot.

I am a bow hunter though I've never killed anything with a bow because I have not taken marginal shots offered so far. (I do prefer a rifle).

The dude was hunting a simitar orix....a once in a lifetime animal and probably paid many thousands of dollars, been on an airplane for 37 hours, etc. etc. etc. and practiced at long ranges knowing he'd be hunting in the open.

This may tic a lot of you of off but I can't say that I wouldn't try if that was my only chance at a once in a lifetime animal on an expensive hunt.

[Amahnee]

Originally Posted by sliverslinger2001

So you guys are saying that I should not have shot and killed my buck this year at 60 yds, That is only 180 ft away. I practice as much at the longer yardages as I do the short ones. Last year I shot and killed my deer at 50 yrds , no problems. I have shot many animals at longer distances with no problem. It is all in the confidence of the shooter. I am shooting 300+ ft per second with a 75 lb bow and 27" carbon arrows.

You have a few sleepless nights ahead if you have a conscience.

[D3smartie]

With the advance of the technology of bows and arrows 70 yards is still a capable shot for many people. These bows today are so damn fast, and with the sights that people put on them, making a shot at 70 yards on paper can be done very regularly.
Personally i think its plainly irresponsible to take a shot over about 40. There are so many things that can happen while the arrow is in flight, that the longer it flies, the more luck is involved in a clean shot.
To me the best part about bow hunting(high country mule deer or elk) is the spotting and stalking, and getting from 100yards down to 30. The excitment that that brings is why i do it...
I am sure everyone that bow hunts, has had the trophy buck or bull at 70-100 yards. I can't even imaging how many times that has happened to me, but the whole fun of the game for me is closing the distance, and the stealthy creep through the brush and dry leaves to get to 30 yards.

[D3smartie]

Originally Posted by sliverslinger2001

Speaking of that , what about the rifle hunters that come on here bragging about taking 600-1000 yds shots with a rifle?

those would be rifle shooters, IMO. if they know their gun well enough to make that shot, good for them, but it isnt hunting.

[stlhdr1]

My buddies largest bull a 7x8 that scored 358 was taken at 73 yards at a slight down hill shot. The bull wouldn't commit and kept circling him so he took the shot. I've watched him practice out to 70 yards and he consistently can hit the center of a pie plate at that distance without wind...

I think it has a lot to do with experience and confidence in your ability. Reality is a 350 yard plus shot for most rifle hunters is the same thing...

Keith

[Gun Rod Bow]

Originally Posted by sliverslinger2001

I practice alot, therefore I sleep pretty well. I am not going to say that I havent wounded an aniaml, everyone does it, even rifle hunters.

Speaking of that , what about the rifle hunters that come on here bragging about taking 600-1000 yds shots with a rifle?

I'm not gonna crash too hard here. But in response to your question.

A deer or elk can jump string easily at 60 yards and you can watch your perfect shot go right into the guts.

A rifle shot from a practiced, competent rifle shooter at 450 has about as much hang time as you do, difference is, the animal isn't gonna hear a thing before the bullet gets there.

[Dave Smith]

Originally Posted by sticknstring

The start of this thread finnally made me step out of the cover and sign up to put in my two scents! Have you ever even fired an arrow at a bull? Do you really care about the results of your actions? 50...60...70... give me a break. GET CLOSE OR GET A GUN. A real archery hunter knows there is no such thing as a guaranteed shot, and if you shooting over fourty yards at game you are not even letting yourself experience the best part of the hunt. Being able to drive tacks at the range has nothing to do with taking long shots at living, breathing, moving game animals. Hone your HUNTING skills - cut the distance - be patient - increase your odds of a clean kill. Archery is a close range sport, flinging arrows at long range does nothing good for you as a hunter or for any of us as sportsman who hate to hear the stories slobs using archery gear on T.V. or in the field. oops! maybe thats more than two scents but seriously GET CLOSE OR GET A GUN PEOPLE quote gb 2007

Now THAT'S an entrance!! he he Welcome and great first post.

I am a first year archer and I shoot every day, rain or shine. If there is no wind and I am "on", I can put 8 out of ten arrows in the kill area of my half life-sized deer target at 60 yards. I am smart enough to know that this has nothing to do with my abilities in the field. Think about a mature, swolen-necked blacktail buck or seclusive, ivory-tipped monster bull. Don't we all have so much respect and love for these animals that we can't even describe it without getting choked-up? How could anyone take such a risk? If you want to impress me (and nobody does- he he), tell me how CLOSE you got, not how FAR you shot. I would hope that people would be embarrassed to talk about their long shots- work on those hunting skills, try showering once in a while- he he:tongue:
Dave

[John Lawrence]

it's not the factor of how fast the bow is it's the kenetic energy behind the arrow that has the kill factor I've lost two deer before that's with shooting a light 27" carbon beman hunter and a 75gr broad head the first deer was shot within 25 yards and the second within 20 bolth the arrow zipped right through and never stoped recovered the arrow from bolth animals one was coverd in pink frothy blood the other in a brite almost a neon red (lung shot is the pinkish and heart is the bright red and liver can almost look black sometimes) thoes are the only times and dont question are abilitys to track. What happends is the wound will cever it's self up with skin and then the animal will not bleed. keep note your hunting areas with sand like dirt and tracks everywhere cause it hasnet rained in who knows how long the only things to go off of is the iregularitys of the track ie imprints on the worst hurt side are softer then the unhurt side, then the freshness of the track. I've tracked deer and elk in these conditions for 300 to 400 yards before finding them on no blood because of this factor they bleed out inside I'd rather have a 29" arrow with 125gr broadhead for impact that wont go all the way through but will stay in and while they run cut the crap out of this inside. know your bow and shoot it every day until your arm hurts which will allow you to hold for the right moment if the buck is going to jump (most mature bucks that are hunted do) aim right under the belly just above the elbow when they duck they fall into it and you hit heart but it's knowing the animals in your location and holding out for the right shot. I'd gladly take an 80 yard shot on a deer (not so much an elk cause of body mass) as long as the conditions permit.. note that the right condition is almost impossible. oblivious animal, no wind, knowing the animal, and knowing your bow like you know the back of your hand.

jon lawrence

[lor]

Originally Posted by Dave Smith

BINGO! Does anyone find it amazing that on TV and even on IFISH, there are only clean misses and clean kills?? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Not true, there are several of us on this forum who have mentioned numerous times the bad shots we have taken and how things turned out.

Originally Posted by PIR8

The dude was hunting a simitar orix....a once in a lifetime animal and probably paid many thousands of dollars, been on an airplane for 37 hours, etc. etc. etc. and practiced at long ranges knowing he'd be hunting in the open.

Concerning Once in a lifetime hunts, if its either weapon, I'll most likely choose a rifle. If I invested thousands of dollars and time I would pick a weapon that give me the most opportunity. It may not be someone else's choice, but it works for me.

[Oregonhunter]

I know it can be done and is by folks every year however with that said too much can go wrong in the time it takes even the fastest archery gear to get there.

For me I dont really want to take anything past 40 yards on a deer. The deer I took last year was 40 yards on the nose and it seems like forever for that arrow to get there even at that range, all it takes is one step and its either a gut shot or a miss. So I look at it this way if you want to shoot 75 yards and farther why not rifle hunt? I took up archery to get closer and enjoy better seasons, I really enjoy the stock and the closer shots. Thats my 2 cents anyway's.

oh

[Sunset]

I agree with the need to work on hunting skills. If you do so, you are likely to get a closer shot. That being said, I feel that my personal need at this point is to focus on my archery skills. There is a big difference in being a great hunter and a great archer. I am a better hunter than archer, so that is where I personally need to work. My point is this....know your limits, your strengths, your weaknesses and focus on the areas you need to. I think that EVERY situation is different. There are times when 30 is to far and 55 is OK. It depends on the situation. The state of the animal is HUGE for me. There are a hundred variables that come into play and lead to the decision you make. I don't think that it can simply be made on yardage. In the end, you have to have the confidence of absolutely knowing that you are going to kill the animal you are shooting at before letting it fly. We all make mistakes out there and hopefully we learn from them and don't make them twice.

[arlie]

There is a reason why real bowhunters look down on this and everyone with a brain knows what that is. I shot competition for years and have shot with the best in the world. I've seen how easy it is to miss at 70yds and that was with perfectly tuned bows shooting the very best in arrows. The ends justify the means is the direction taken here on a shot like this and that is not bowhunting.

[Steelie Ben]

I gotta chime in on this one, even though I belive its been beat to death its an important topic of discussion. It is your responsibility as a hunter to make a clean kill on any game you hunt, you owe it to them. Think of what you are taking from them, thier life, the least you could do is make it quick!! If you have any respect for the game you are taking you should feel the need to shoot responsibly. I have witnesses long archery shots on game in person(80+ yards) and even though it worked out great I no longer hunt with the guy and he got an earfull from me the whole time we were gutting, skinning and packing the dang thing!! Personally I have passed up many shots under 40 yards cause they didn't feel right even though I can hit a pie plate consistantly at 100 yards. Think before you shoot, with all weapons!!
Ben

[reeldick]

I have taken many whitetails in Minn. and Wisc. with a bow. There is absolutely no way I would consider a shot at more than 35-40 yards. Most kills have been at 15 yards or less. Long shots tend to produce wounded and lost animals. I have spent plenty of time looking for animals others shot and hit somewhere. Not many were found.

[Hoosier Daddy]

I try not to pile on with stuff like this, because it's all been said above, but IMO a 70 yd shot, kill or not, doesn't belong on TV. Nor on a hunting video.

Use whatever equipment you want, stickbow, compound, 200 fps or 350, I don't care. But if you are going to pretend it's a rifle, USE a rifle. Bowhunting is about getting close, not seeing how far out you can hit from.

[dla]

Originally Posted by Dave Smith

BINGO! I watched Tred Barta fling numerous arrows at woodland caribou the other day- all shots were clean misses. Does anyone find it amazing that on TV and even on IFISH, there are only clean misses and clean kills?? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Good post - I was hoping someone would explain the difference between hunting and shooting. There's always somebody bragging about 900yd shots. Every year I hear guys herd shooting on the NFK John Day. One year we counted over 100 shots. I've also dug a slug out of a friends elk - a bullet we didn't know was there. Given the high-end bullet, and very shallow penetration, it must've been fired from a mile away.

So when people brag about 70shots with a bow, I cringe. I've seen a bull "jump the string" at 55yds. I've heard of deer doing it at 30yds.

There's a reason why we call the sport "hunting", and not "shooting".

[sliverpicker]

I've always considered bow hunting an up close and personal way of hunting. Shooting at absurd distances is just telling the world you're not good enough to get closer to your target animal.

If you can't get within 30-40 yds of a deer or an elk, do us all a favor (especially the animals) and keep rifle hunting.

I've had elk at less then 10 yards and been unable to shoot due to an obstruction or bad angle, or possibly the moment just didn't feel right! Taking a lob shot because "it might be my only shot opportunity" is pure ignorance.

[Thehunter]

I've stated my opinion out here before......It's up to your skill level. Don't take a shot that your not sure about........

[Crayfin]

Originally Posted by Amahnee

I don't care if you are an olympic archery champion, simply a poor decision if you ask me...

My thoughts exactly--I am an archer

[OutTrolling (ot)]

A few years back my son-in-law shot a 6x6 in the trask during rifle. We noticed something in the rear flank and discovered an aluminum arrow that was broked off just out of the hair line. Some of the meat was bad and had to be cut away. The penetration appeared to be from the rear based on the direction of the remaining stub of the arrow. I'm glad he got it just for the sake of the animal. Never hunted with bow and never will.

[woolybuggerboy]

in 2005 i had a mulie buck duck my 275fps arrow at 35 yards. The arrow skimmed the top of his back. I stood there with my mouth open as he ran away. Before the season i was putting 5 arrows in a plate consistently at 60 yards, but personally i feel that maximum range really has to do with the animal I'm shooting at. If it's head is down and it's oblivious to my presence, then 60 yards would be the ABSOLUTE max. For most situations 40 yards is a good maximum. If its really nervous and knows you're there then i would put the maximum at 30 yards, or even less, depending on the speed of your arrow.

[llama77]

Lets consider that a rifle is no more effective than a bow if its not used within a persons limits and used properly.

Which of the following would you take the shot. deer broadside at 200 yards with rifle offhand or same deer at 70 yards with a bow?


The suggestion that a rifle automatically makes you more competent than a bow is riduclus. For every animal found with an arrow in it I can show you one that was crippled with a rifle. So get over it, Stop fighting amongst ourselves.

[Cornbread]

Personally I couldn't hit an entire hay bale at 70 yards with my longbow let alone the vitals on an animal. It isn't my place to judge how some one else hunts but I do kind of wonder why he is hunting with a bow if he takings 70+ yard shots. I have always been taught bow hunting is about knowing your quarry and being able to get into the range at which animals are alert for predators(30 yards or less) so in order to get within that distance you have to be very good at what you are doing. If getting the animal is that all important to him why doesn't he just use a gun and not run the risk of it jumping the arrow or having the wind blow it off course?

[Buck Fever]

Originally Posted by llama77

Lets consider that a rifle is no more effective than a bow if its not used within a persons limits and used properly.

Which of the following would you take the shot. deer broadside at 200 yards with rifle offhand or same deer at 70 yards with a bow?


The suggestion that a rifle automatically makes you more competent than a bow is riduclus. For every animal found with an arrow in it I can show you one that was crippled with a rifle. So get over it, Stop fighting amongst ourselves.

I understand your point llama, but I don't think anyone is trying to say that rifles are better than bows (or vice versa), but rather that hunters should take shots that are appropriate to their weapon whatever it may be. Honestly, I enjoy both firearms and archery tackle.
I think a lot of hunters would agree that neither of the shots you described are ethical. Personally, all of my shots with a rifle have been under 100yds. Not necessarily because I'm so good at sneaking up on game, but that's just usually where I see em.' If and when I encounter an animal that is beyond my comfort zone I'll either try and "close the distance" or at the very least use a rest. Even then, I would only take the shot if I've practiced at that range or greater. If you practice and can make those long shots with a rifle good for you, take the shot.
With a bow on the other hand, my comfort level only extends out to about 15-20 yds, for two main reasons: This is my first archery season (starting practicing after last year's hunting season), and second because I shoot a recurve.

Can't wait for second season!!!

[BlacktailBowhunter]

This is something that is all too common place. Years back (about 15), I watched a Dan Fitzgerald video that showed Bob Foulkrod hit a caribou at 80 yards. The shot was not perfect, but it did hit the liver and down the caribou went.

When guys tell me that they missed a buck at 65 yards, I ask them how many they have wounded, and their facial expression changes and their body language goes a little stiff, sometimes they are honest, and sometimes they aint.

Know your adrenalin, know your effective range, and make a morally ethical choice when taking a shot at a wild animal. If you are one of the lucky ones, you have a conscience that will guide you to make the right choice and help you learn from your mistakes, so you will do the right thing most of the time.

No one is perfect, but those that try to do the right thing all of the time can at least know they did their best . The rest just don't care.

[llama77]

Buck fever,
No offense but I think people are clearly saying rifles are better than bows.

They talk of arrows and wind drift, ever look at a ballistic chart and see what a bullet does in a crosswind? doesnt matter if its shot on a rest or not.

We all obviously need to shoot within our limits.

[willametteriveroutlaw]

I can shoot pretty consistently out to 70 with mine (Practice at 70 on a weekly basis) That being said 50 is my limit for shooting. Although I would rather take a 50 yard shot at a calm animal than a 25 yard shot at a jumpy animal. I watched a bull jump the string at 30 yards this year that was alerted by my prarie doggin and resulted in a hit that was a little bit back. We found it after a long tracking job.

[Krijack]

I have had them jump the arrow, duck, and plain missed, all at 30 yards or under. I wonder what would happen at 70 yards.

Perhaps we should start a thread about worst misses with an arrow and closet passed shots. I could start. Missed one at under 10 feet once. I was running up a hill chasing a bunch of does when one came running back down at me and slid to a stop at 10 feet or maybe even less facing me directly. The hill was unclimbable except for in this little draw and that was steep enough I was dragging myself up by grabbing branches in places. I thought this thing was going to run me over. I steadied myself, tried to catch my breath, knocked an arrow, hit my forearm with the string and stuck an arrow in the hill next to it. I would have done better just stabbing it. That said, anything can happen bow hunting. Great care should be taken.

[sticknstring]

It is very nice to read so many posts along the same ethical bowhunter ( ANY hunter ) lines. I truely believe that in all hunting situations ethical defenitions and decisions are a very individual things. Something that doesn't change as much is the effective - efficient killing range of your chosen weapon. Mastering the ability to put holes in foam or paper at any distance has nothing to do with how much killing power your arrow/bullet has or what a living breathing target might do before it gets there. short blood trails to all

[UnameIT]

Well anyone who has shot a bow knows how mistakes are magnified at longer distances. Despite this, I honestly feel simply from personal experience that an animal is 10 times more likely to jump the string when within 40 yards of the hunter then when the animal is at sixty yards. Ive shot 9 deer with my bow 3 of which have been from 20-40 yards the rest which have been from 50-70 yards. The only deer that I have not recovered was shot from 25 yards and the animal jumped the string horribly. I feel that an animal 60 yards away is much more comfortable with a shot taking place and thus less likely to jump the string. If the animal moves when you shoot no matter what the distance you are pretty much screwed on arrow placement. Im not writing this to advocate long shooting. There is nothing that i dispise more than someone shooting out of there comfort zone just to maybe make a good shot. However i do feel that if you can keep all of your shots when you practice in the size of a paper plate then you can confidently shoot at that range given the situation. A shot like that on tv is okay as long as they go into discussingthe amount of time and effort it takes to get to where you can confidently make that shot.

[sticknstring]

Hmmm... Treestand anyone? if getting close without making things "uncomfortable" is a big problem. I personally don't think an alerted animal at any range is a shot or a un-alerted animal at a long range is an excuse to lob arrows at a live target.

[UnameIT]

I dont think it is an excuse either. There is no excuse for making a shot that you are not sure of. Im the kind of person who is way more proud of a close shot than the long one. That means you did things right. and By all means im very glad to see so much support for the emphasis on getting close. I just want to say that knowing your limits is of the utmost importance and sticking to them is cruicial. but hunting out of a treestand when there are only three trees in a square mile doesnt always prove to be too successful. Situations are different. Know yourself and know your abilities. If you are tree stand hunting then yes 40 yards is a bomb. If you are using the old spot and stalk method in the open country on animals that are on the move then 40 yards is everything worked out awesome.. To say that someone is unethical by taking a shot at 60 yards that they are just as confident in killing the animal with a shot at 40 yards i feel is unjust. Bowhunting varies for people, situations vary, peoples skill vary. Know your limits, hunt hard, and respect the animals you go after. Be repsonsible. But dont say that someone is a bad hunter, or less of an archer because they have taken the time and effort to increase their accuracy and confidence

[branches]

There has been some very good points made about long shots and I am glad that most everyone has the respect of the animal and not taken a shot. What upsets me is seeing or hearing of a long shot or a bad shot that ended up as a lost animal. It seems to me that the person lacks the respect of the animal and wants the respect of there fellow hunters.

[greenbuttskunk]

that is not a responsible shot in my book, plain and simple. I've had numerous bulls at 55 plus, but never ever felt I should take the shot. To me, it's just to risky to just wound an animal. If you cannot get a good clean shot, don't take it. Period. One big problem with a long shot is if the animal hears the relase of your arrow and flinches or moves, you are done from 70 yards, even 55 really.
Its not like a bullet. Sure an arrow travels at a high rate of speed, but in that distance an animal can move out of position in time to really effect shot placement. We did an experiment one at 50 yards. Tied a string to a paper plate. When we heard the release of the arrow we pulled the string. It was not tough to move the plate some before the arrow ever reached the plate.
Animals have very quick reflexes sometimes. Probably better than and old guy like me.
Anyway, like others have said. Get close, or use a gun. Part of the fun
of elk hunting by bow is the challenge of closing the gap to make that close safe shot. Sure it's frustrating too. But it's what makes bow hunting so rewarding too.

[ehunter]

I passed up at least 4 chances at 6 points at 50 yards last year one was a monster bull one of the biggest I had seen on the west side. Why because I will not take a iffy shot. For every one who says that is a reasonable shot you are too inexperienced to know any better. I will guarantee you that you will wound some animals some point in time. If your whole thing is to stick an animal then by all means shoot the long distance. If you want to hunt ethically take closer shots so that when crap happens you know that you did every thing in your power to make a humane and reasonable shot. I have about 30 years of bowhunting experience and I will stand by these statements.

[dla]

Originally Posted by ehunter

I passed up at least 4 chances at 6 points at 50 yards last year one was a monster bull one of the biggest I had seen on the west side. Why because I will not take a iffy shot. For every one who says that is a reasonable shot you are too inexperienced to know any better. I will guarantee you that you will wound some animals some point in time. If your whole thing is to stick an animal then by all means shoot the long distance. If you want to hunt ethically take closer shots so that when crap happens you know that you did every thing in your power to make a humane and reasonable shot. I have about 30 years of bowhunting experience and I will stand by these statements.

And the same thing applies to rifles. There's guys out there that read the ballistic tables and buy some screaming-death-magnum. Then they are shocked when Mr.Elk runs away from their cross-canyon 400yd shot. They soon discover that giving a wounded Elk a 1/2 mile head start isn't such a bright idea. Another pile of bleached bones. Even worse are the yahoos that blast away from a half-mile or so hoping something will fall down.

I don't want to encourage anyone on this forum to become a shooter instead of a hunter. That's why I bristle at folks bragging about long shots - bow or rifle. Last I checked, this sport is called hunting.

[ehunter]

Originally Posted by dla

And the same thing applies to rifles. There's guys out there that read the ballistic tables and buy some screaming-death-magnum. Then they are shocked when Mr.Elk runs away from their cross-canyon 400yd shot. They soon discover that giving a wounded Elk a 1/2 mile head start isn't such a bright idea. Another pile of bleached bones. Even worse are the yahoos that blast away from a half-mile or so hoping something will fall down.

I don't want to encourage anyone on this forum to become a shooter instead of a hunter. That's why I bristle at folks bragging about long shots - bow or rifle. Last I checked, this sport is called hunting.

[cimfl]

Not like this thread needs anymore fuel on the fire, but I am bored at work today, so here is my comments. I have never hunted with a bow, and have not hunted period in many years, however if I ever do hunt again, it will be with a bow, because that in my opinion is "hunting". The "hunting" I did with a rifle was for the most part merely shooting the animal. I know many rifle hunters who actually do use a great amount of skill stalking and gettting on their animals. I never once shot at an animal I did not kill. I suspect that had very little to do with my skill as a marksman, but rather I simply refused to shoot at an animal that I was very confident I could cleanly dispatch, no running shots, and I doubt I ever shot outside of 175 yards at anything other than digger squirrels. I only missed once while shooting at an animal, but put him down with the next shot. I agree with the general opinion on here that bow hunting is about how close you can get to animals, not how far away you can shoot at them.

[sticknstring]

You have to pass the long ones to get to the best part of the hunt - the more up close and personal the better.

[PIR8 Hook]

I was home sick yesterday and watched Uncle Ted on "Spirit of the Wild". He took a 70 yd plus shot too.....Now, I DON'T see a reason for The Nuge to take this shot on his YO Ranch full of privately owned animals....

BUT as I stated before on a simitar orix....once in a life time hunt...one of the rarest of all animals to hunt...HE HAD TO USE A BOW A rifle was NOT an option....I'd risk the shot