Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - Effective Bow Range for Deer Hunting

I have learned a lot from the Pond Boss people this year about deer hunting and have started applying this new knowledge at our farm.

Most deer hunters I know eventually move on to bow hunting, once it becomes "easy" to harvest freezer venison with a rifle. The bonus is that you might be able to bag a big buck during the early bow season.

I think I am an average to below average shot with a rifle. (So I don't attempt any difficult shots.)

Question for the expert and new bowhunters:

What is the maximum range (that you are comfortable) taking a shot with a clean view?

Also, if you are a good shot, how much would you reduce that range for an average shooter?


I am not quite ready to move to bowhunting. However, I want to start evaluating how many good "bowhunting" opportunities I observe in the next few years based on blind observations and camera pics.


P.S. Any bow recommendations for an average shooter that will only shoot 1-2 arrows per year hunting, plus training shots?

Thanks,
FishinRod

The biggest problem with deer hunting is I've never found a target that got me shaking like a big buck does walking by, so it's hard to practice a real kill shot. I can comfortably shoot out to 50-60 yards without too much practice at home, but I limit myself to about half that in the woods. I'm glad I still get that excited when I see a nice deer, but I'm also envious of the guys whos bodies don't betray them. lol

Plus targets don't move at the slightest sound, deer will.

I used to fish and hunt in high school with a buddy that became a professional tennis player. He was the best eye/hand coordination athlete I have ever met.

He had buck fever so bad on his first bow shot that he said he could not even draw his bow!