Distance ????

[Hoggslayer]

I was searching previous threads last night about average shoot distance and came up with a few threads that got a little heated. So I guess when asking my question I well be very specific.

Q: With Trad equipment how far can an average shooter group ALL their shoots in a pie plate.

I ask the question this way because I don't want to get into the ethics for hunting. I'm only practicing now and would never take a shot on an animal at a distance longer than what I can consistently group my shots and at present time that seams to be about 15 yards. I know there are guys out there that can shoot a gnat off a fly's arse at 50 yards but thats not me.

The reason I was asking is yesterday I went to a archery shop and was talking with a guy that seamed to think I should be able to shoot well beyond 30yards. I know I can sling one out there, but past 20 and its a wild guess where it going to land for me.

[splitfinger]

Shooting a 10" pie plate at any distance can be achieved however, if you are in a hunting situation with a wary, moving target, that's all together another scenario. For hunting situations, I prefer under 12 yds. I can consistently hit a pie plate (with the occasional flyer) out to 20+ but personally, I would never shoot at a deer over 18 yds. Like you said "I know there are guys out there that can shoot a gnat off a fly's arse at 50 yards but thats not me",. I know my limitations and don't want to increase the possibility of just wounding an animal.

Hope this helps. Good shoot'in.

Doug Key

[Hoggslayer]

I'm not hunting I'm target shooting only. And the type of pie plate I'm talking about is not 10" it's more like 5". You know those little paper plates that you'd be served a piece of pie on. Not a pie tin like you'd cook a pie in.

Once again I'm not trying to get a debate started over ethical distance to shoot Deer at, just target shooting.

[Selfbowman]

Average hummm. 70-75 percental. That would be me. 15-18 yd. Like the wildlife at 10 but will go 15.

[Graybow]

I like them less than 20. But I practice 25 to 30 all the time.

[Buff]

play a game with your self.
take your pie plate and back up 10 yards from it with 10 arrows in your pocket.
Shoot the plate. if you hit it, back up 5 or 6 steps and shoot again. You only back up with a hit. If you miss you have to shoot again until you hit the target or run out of arrows.
Move back up and start again.
you will be suprised how quickly you will get to hitting them at 40 and 50 yards.
after a while the 15 and 20 are a slam dunk

[Bisch]

I can honestly say I cannot group ALL my arows at any range past about 5yds. Every once in a while I will do something stupid and fling one way off. My hunting shots are just about all under 20yds witht the majority being between 10 & 15yds.

That guy at the shop was a bit wacky! If you want to shoot a lot of 3D, then it is a good idea to be able to shoot well at 30yds because you will see a fair number of shots at that distance. If you only want to hunt and will never take a 30yd shot hunting, then it really does not matter if you can shoot well at 30yds or not.

Bisch

[muzzlebrake]

Use a marker and color a nickle sized dot in the middle of the plate. Concentrate on that small spot and nothing else. Aim small, miss small.
Also what Buff said. Shoot from many distances and angles.

[hammackc]

I think all shots at these rabbit size Springbok whitetail 's we have around my parts shooting trad or compound should be under 20 yards, leaning heavy on 10-15 side, of course see how the deer are acting, you can tell when they are tense as double hockey sticks, be sure and practice sitting and kneeling, it's different as well, mostly have fun!!!!

[Hoggslayer]

Thanks again for all the opinions on hunting distance but again, I'm only looking at target shooting at this time. I'm trying to compare my shooting ability to others as it applies to targets only. That way it's apples to apples and all the outside variables that go with hunting are not considered.

[agtex42]

I do a variation of Buff's game every now and then to change things up. Like others have said, I really enjoy practicing from the longer ranges (30-40 yards) and it does help to make those 17 yarders feel like slam dunks. I can consistently put an arrow "on the pie plate" out to 25 yards, but lately I've been spending more time practicing from 30+ to help develop my sight picture for those ranges.

[Trick]

play a game with your self.
take your pie plate and back up 10 yards from it with 10 arrows in your pocket.
Shoot the plate. if you hit it, back up 5 or 6 steps and shoot again. You only back up with a hit. If you miss you have to shoot again until you hit the target or run out of arrows.
Move back up and start again.
you will be suprised how quickly you will get to hitting them at 40 and 50 yards.
after a while the 15 and 20 are a slam dunk

You posted this a while back, and it's helped me alot. Makes for great practice. On whitetail I'm confident out to 18.

Matt

[pyhunter]

25-35 yards a must. I have to be at that range to even get a shot on a deer.

[Bisch]

25-35 yards a must. I have to be at that range to even get a shot on a deer.

For real???? With a trad bow and no sights????

Bisch

[Hoggslayer]

For real???? With a trad bow and no sights????

Bisch

I'll take your word on this one Bisch, your reputation speaks for itself.

Your 5 yard groups make me feel a lot better about my shooting.