Two of the doe I have taken this season have been at 40 and 38 yards. Both of them were standing still when I touched the trigger and both of them moved before the arrow reached the target. I quite honestly got lucky in both cases and managed to hit a vital artery or vein on both. An inch or two different and I would have had two wounded deer on my hands. And that was at 40 yards and under! For that reason, I feel I am stretching my comfortable/ethical distance when shooting 40 yards. The goal isn't simply to hit the deer anywhere. The goal is a humane quick kill.
At 80 yards there is absolutely no telling where you will hit a deer IF you hit them at all. If you really want to take the deer, change your strategy or location to get closer to where they appear.
[quote="Hoss"]why even take the chance...the whole idea around bow hunting is getting past the ears. eyes and noes of such a willy animal. getting them close and then taking what youve earned..THAT is where the hunt is.. Could not be said any better!!
I have a Paradox with a Vari Zone scope.I practice distance shots by turning down the fps on the scope.Living in the country I can shoot every day.I do keep it under 40 yards,but when I had a buck watching me walk down the road makeing more noise then a Sherman Tank,I could not pass him up.After dropping him on the spot I used my gps to check the distance,70 yards.I think that time I turned the scope down to 300 and aim at the top of his back with my 50 yard mark.If a deer is lazing about I may take the long shot agian if I can get a good guess at the distance.I always pace out my hunting area so there isn't too much guessing.Miss a deer today and he won't be back,get closer tomorrow and he will.I posted this kill before,so I allready got all the static on it,so save your breath.