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Poll - Rangefinders

How do you use a range finder

  • I don’t.

    Votes: 11 10.9%

  • I often range deer on the hoof before shooting.

    Votes: 2 2.0%

  • I sometimes range deer on the hoof before shooting, but often range objects around me for reference.

    Votes: 56 55.4%

  • I never range deer, I only range reference points.

    Votes: 32 31.7%
  • Total voters
    101
I only range reference points and take mental notes. I try not to make any more movement than I have to when a deer is around
 
dpierce72 said:
My vortex is normally with me ...for the record, every deer I've shot with a bow (except 1) was between 13-21 yards. My hunting style/setups don't allow for longer shots (but I wish they did). This poses the question - Do I even need to carry a rangefinder? I do seem to be in the norm of ranging objects more than deer!
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This is me to a T...I often find myself in thickets that don’t offer a shot beyond 15 yards. I took a buddy of mine last year to help me recover a deer I shot the previous evening. When we got in to my area he was amazed that I even chose to go into the jungle much less tried to bow hunt in it. He started asking me a lot of questions after we recovered that slob however lol
 
flinginairos said:
Atta boy! I'm a big fan of simple things in the woods. Less stuff to go wrong. If you practice a bit you will be able to shoot 40 yards on a deer no issue. I shot my biggest buck with a single pin set to 27 and he was 41. He stepped out broadside and I held the pin top of his back and dropped it right into his heart!
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Im interested about this, but how does it work? Lol. Is there a video or a link that can go in to detail about it?
 
If you have a site that has multiple pins you should be able remove each pin individually. once you do that zero your pin at 27 yards. Just remember when adjusting your site that you need to "follow your arrows when making adjustments". For example when you make your first goup of arrows if they are below the target move your pin down, if they are above move your pin up.
 
dblomberg4 said:
If you have a site that has multiple pins you should be able remove each pin individually. once you do that zero your pin at 27 yards. Just remember when adjusting your site that you need to "follow your arrows when making adjustments". For example when you make your first goup of arrows if they are below the target move your pin down, if they are above move your pin up.
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Ok so say i want to shoot a 15 yard shot, but i only have one pin thats set for 27yards. So i just aim low and hope for the best?
 
Jwiggins762 said:
Ok so say i want to shoot a 15 yard shot, but i only have one pin thats set for 27yards. So i just aim high and hope for the best?
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Just like most rifles have a 50 yard and 200 yard zero, shoot 1.5ish inches high at 100, and drop off sharply at 300+ yards, most bows have a 30 yard zero, a 10 yard zero, and shoot a few inches high at 20.

I would hazard a guess that you could hold dead on at 15 yards for all practical intents and purposes.
 
On my presets I already know the predetermined yardage, but I still carry the range finder, just in case. On first time sits, once settled in, i like to geuss the range at varying distances, then confirm or get sooprized by my inaccurate geuss. I rarely range a deer with a range finder. The confidence I gained from using that old family Bible sized Bushnell, back in the day has been immeasurable. So, I will carry a range finder as long as I am able.
 
Jwiggins762 said:
Ok so say i want to shoot a 15 yard shot, but i only have one pin thats set for 27yards. So i just aim low and hope for the best?
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Nutterbuster said:
Just like most rifles have a 50 yard and 200 yard zero, shoot 1.5ish inches high at 100, and drop off sharply at 300+ yards, most bows have a 30 yard zero, a 10 yard zero, and shoot a few inches high at 20.

I would hazard a guess that you could hold dead on at 15 yards for all practical intents and purposes.
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Nope just keep what i got lol....
 
Nutterbuster said:
Just like most rifles have a 50 yard and 200 yard zero, shoot 1.5ish inches high at 100, and drop off sharply at 300+ yards, most bows have a 30 yard zero, a 10 yard zero, and shoot a few inches high at 20.

I would hazard a guess that you could hold dead on at 15 yards for all practical intents and purposes.
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The only thing i'd point out is that the more poundage your pulling / the faster your arrows move the less they drop. If your pulling 40lb's you'll probably notice a bigger arrow drop at farther distances than say if your pulling 60+ lbs.
 
dblomberg4 said:
The only thing i'd point out is that the more poundage your pulling / the faster your arrows move the less they drop. If your pulling 40lb's you'll probably notice a bigger arrow drop at farther distances than say if your pulling 60+ lbs.
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Absolutely, there's more discrepancy between hunting bow setups than there is between most standard centerfire hunting cartridges.

However, from working in a shop from 5 years, I've learned that there's less "spread" than you might think amongst shooters. 255-275fps with a 400-450 grain arrow used to be boringly common, and that range of specs will all do about the same thing inside of 30 yards. I'm sure that the trend towards heavier arrows might have changed that a little lately, but maybe that's be an interesting poll in it's own right?

I'd be willing to bet that if @Jwiggins762 shot a 27 yard pin at 15 yards, he'd be maybe 4" high at most.

And FWIW, I've always found it easier to hold under than over. I like a 30 yard pin, because that means my maximum shot is going to require 0 thinking on my part. The closer the target is, the less a misjudgment of yardage mattered, because you're working with a flatter trajectory.
 
Nutterbuster said:
Absolutely, there's more discrepancy between hunting bow setups than there is between most standard centerfire hunting cartridges.

However, from working in a shop from 5 years, I've learned that there's less "spread" than you might think amongst shooters. 255-275fps with a 400-450 grain arrow used to be boringly common, and that range of specs will all do about the same thing inside of 30 yards. I'm sure that the trend towards heavier arrows might have changed that a little lately, but maybe that's be an interesting poll in it's own right?

I'd be willing to bet that if @Jwiggins762 shot a 27 yard pin at 15 yards, he'd be maybe 4" high at most.

And FWIW, I've always found it easier to hold under than over. I like a 30 yard pin, because that means my maximum shot is going to require 0 thinking on my part. The closer the target is, the less a misjudgment of yardage mattered, because you're working with a flatter trajectory.
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Im pretty new to archery, and in my opinion im not that great of a shot to just guess to aim a few inches high or low. I can split a pin for a 25yard shot, but at the same time if i practiced enough at it i could probably get it. Right now though i barely have time to shoot my bow. Still trying to get my climbing method down for this coming up season also.
 
I don't know if I'm cheap or just hate more stuff to bring on my armed hikes. I measured out my yard at home for 10, 20, 30 yards and make visually finding the range part of my practice regime....I know my bow is on from the groups I shoot at 10, 20, 30 yards so I always move around between ranges and practice that way so when in the field it just becomes a more natural thing. Less to think about when the deer are moving toward me I like to spend more time looking for an opening to get a shot into.
 
Always have had a range finder with me, I range reference points within 30 yards and if I have a deer step outside of the 30 yard I limit for myself using a single pin then I will range em.. last year my furthest shot was 31 yards, and that was actually long my average is prolly around 10-12 yards, my longest shot in the woods was 43 yards and I would of never taken that shot if I did not have my range finder... I never range while rifle hunting, and I did not even bother touching my rifle last season I just prefer bow hunting.

I now use vortex fury binoculars that have a range finder built in, that makes the process easier.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 
Paint a circle of trees build me a barrier in my mind 40yd circle around me, if I got time I’ll range the animal. If I don’t I know what is in range a full 360 degrees around me,
 
I always have my Vortex Rangefinder with me. I never used to have a rangefinder until Vortex was kind enough to give me one, along with a very nice set of binoculars, and a pretty cool hat. It's small enough that it stays in a pocket in my pack so typically once the sun has been up for a while and deer movement is likely to decrease I will pull it out and check range on a few trees that I have already guessed my range at. I'm usually pretty close. Last year I started hunting basically a new spot every set . Getting set up in the morning while it was still dark I wasn't able to range and I didn't want to get caught with my pants down playing with a rangefinder until the sun had gotten up pretty high in the sky. Last year I did smooth miss a deer while stalking down a ridge. Absolutely no time to do anything but knock an arrow and let it fly. Shooting a recurve 10 yards can make a huge difference. While I will pull it out on occasion like I said earlier, I like to try to just do things on my own. Indians killed deer for a very long time without ever having a rangefinder. Does this mean I will miss more then if I used it on a regular basis. Probably, but the way I see it that's just part of the game.
 
My rangefinder is at hand all the time Just hanging on my vest on my release hand side.I prerange objects and places i expect to see deer.However i will absolutely range a deer on the hoof if i know i will have plenty of time.Use all you can to your advantage.
 
Range finder always! Hardly ever sit the same tree twice.
When daylight breaks I range objects around me then forget what they were and range again.
If I see him coming range finder in hand if it's not thick and close and there's any doubt I range him first. I miss to much when I don't need to range. And I've been known to shoot out a ways.
When walking range finder around my neck bowsling on and arrow nocked. I can range slip can covers off and shoot if need be.
It's one of my don't leave home with out it tools.
When home and not hunting I shoot 3D at the range almost every day. But still use it in the woods alot.


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I always carrying mine...some setups I never need it and others it has made all the difference. My largest buck, I shot at 42 yards, had time to range him on the hoof and thankfully heart punched him...having that yardage made me extremely confident in my ability to make that shot. Simply guessing does not inspire that same confidence on longer shots for me. I'm pretty confident gauging that 30 yards and in distance without one though. Also, i shoot a single pin slider set at 25 yards and i am good from 0-35. Beyond that 35 yard range I want a relaxed target that i can range and dial the exact yardage or i am not taking that shot anyway...that is where they shine for me!
 
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