I've posted on this topic before, but I figured I'd drop a video for those folks who hate watching me do something slightly less than reading about it. I've seen a couple more posts about screwing up a shot because of not knowing which pin to use.
You can read a little more in depth on the topic here -
Again - this is not a new idea. I didn't come up with it. But it is likely the simplest way for a new archer, or anyone really, to cut the crap when they're hunting. With today's bows, there is little need for more than one pin if you intend to shoot deer inside of 30 yards. If you're shooting a bow slower than 250fps, or you're shooting deer past 30 yards - well, I'd be happy to pontificate on the topic in another thread. But for the majority of folks, what we have here is the simplest way to screw less stuff up in the moment of truth. Multi pin sights are for target archers, long distance shooting, western hunting, etc. Don't believe me? Set your 10/20/30 yard pins, or any variation thereof, with a bow shooting 250+fps. For 30 yards and in, your pins will be so close together, they are likely touching, or not far off.
Why does this matter? Well, when you get the shakes, or you're dog tired and not mentally focused after a long day hunting, sometimes we miscalculate or lose it in the moment of truth. Looking at a blob of 3 or worse yet, 5 pins will just make you more silly. But everyone here can see a deer, aim with one pin, and send it.
Hopefully this will help someone out. You'll have to forgive my poor shooting - the 15 yard shot I yanked high. But as you can see, you're going to hit within 2-3" of where you aim if YOU do YOUR part. This is not some fairy dust that will make you a better shooter. If your form sucks, and your shooting sucks, well, you're gonna suck. But if you do things somewhat consistently, and remove some variables, you'll become a more accurate hunter. That's what it's about - hunting. Deer move. Rangefinders are off. The list could go on for a mile. If you can consistently hit within 3" of where you're aiming, at a max range of 30 yards, you're going to increase your odds exponentially for success.
I'm not advocating for people to aim big - I'm telling you to still aim small. Forget about what your equipment will do. Draw, find the hair, crease, joint, whatever it is you aim at, aim at it, and let it fly focusing on that spot. Simply get in your tree, range everything around you and identify your 30 yard circle of death. Then put your rangefinder away and start posting on saddlehunter.com...with full confidence you'll make your shot when the time comes.
I won't tell you that as you get used to the method, and become proficient with your weapon, that you won't begin to have a feel/instinct, and change your point of aim some. I do. If a deer is at 10 yards, I know I'm going to be about 2" high. If I'm calm, the deer is still, there's no reason not to drop my pin a scooch (technical term for 2") and let it fly. But when things are happening fast, your instinct takes over. See deer, aim, shoot. Simple.
Here's the information for my exact bow (Mathews Heli-m, 30" draw, 70lb, 510gr arrow). It's been confirmed in the field many times (and reconfirmed in this video). Take note of the P.O.I. (point of impact) - the only number that matters. I couldn't fit 0-5 yards because of the size of the viewer in the program. But from 3-33 yards, I'm within 3" of zero (27 yards).
Shoot a crossbow? I don't know a ton about them, but apparently there's quite a few shooting north of 400fps. I did the calculations for 400fps, and with a 40 yard zero, 5-45 yards would hit within +/- 3" of point of aim. I won't tell people with a crossbow what to do. But if I were shooting one that fast, I'd set my scope for a 40 yard zero, and have a max range of 45 yards. I shoot a Hickory Creek Mini at about 300fps. I've got it's zero at 30 yards, and am +/-3" out to 35 yards. I typically still make a 30 yard circle of death with the rangefinder. But if one of those big ole rats with hooves decides to stand right behind that tree I ranged at 30, He's probably still coming on a truck ride.
Math is fun folks, and it can help you kill more deer. Keep it simple, keep it fun. Good luck this season!
You can read a little more in depth on the topic here -
How can I shoot deer accurately with only one fixed pin in my sight?!
This topic has come up a lot lately, so I figured I'd touch on a little more information. It has been covered many times, and I take zero credit for this concept. NOTE - if your bow shoots slower than 250fps, or you intend on shooting critters past 35 yards or so, you may want to consider...
saddlehunter.com
Again - this is not a new idea. I didn't come up with it. But it is likely the simplest way for a new archer, or anyone really, to cut the crap when they're hunting. With today's bows, there is little need for more than one pin if you intend to shoot deer inside of 30 yards. If you're shooting a bow slower than 250fps, or you're shooting deer past 30 yards - well, I'd be happy to pontificate on the topic in another thread. But for the majority of folks, what we have here is the simplest way to screw less stuff up in the moment of truth. Multi pin sights are for target archers, long distance shooting, western hunting, etc. Don't believe me? Set your 10/20/30 yard pins, or any variation thereof, with a bow shooting 250+fps. For 30 yards and in, your pins will be so close together, they are likely touching, or not far off.
Why does this matter? Well, when you get the shakes, or you're dog tired and not mentally focused after a long day hunting, sometimes we miscalculate or lose it in the moment of truth. Looking at a blob of 3 or worse yet, 5 pins will just make you more silly. But everyone here can see a deer, aim with one pin, and send it.
Hopefully this will help someone out. You'll have to forgive my poor shooting - the 15 yard shot I yanked high. But as you can see, you're going to hit within 2-3" of where you aim if YOU do YOUR part. This is not some fairy dust that will make you a better shooter. If your form sucks, and your shooting sucks, well, you're gonna suck. But if you do things somewhat consistently, and remove some variables, you'll become a more accurate hunter. That's what it's about - hunting. Deer move. Rangefinders are off. The list could go on for a mile. If you can consistently hit within 3" of where you're aiming, at a max range of 30 yards, you're going to increase your odds exponentially for success.
I'm not advocating for people to aim big - I'm telling you to still aim small. Forget about what your equipment will do. Draw, find the hair, crease, joint, whatever it is you aim at, aim at it, and let it fly focusing on that spot. Simply get in your tree, range everything around you and identify your 30 yard circle of death. Then put your rangefinder away and start posting on saddlehunter.com...with full confidence you'll make your shot when the time comes.
I won't tell you that as you get used to the method, and become proficient with your weapon, that you won't begin to have a feel/instinct, and change your point of aim some. I do. If a deer is at 10 yards, I know I'm going to be about 2" high. If I'm calm, the deer is still, there's no reason not to drop my pin a scooch (technical term for 2") and let it fly. But when things are happening fast, your instinct takes over. See deer, aim, shoot. Simple.
Here's the information for my exact bow (Mathews Heli-m, 30" draw, 70lb, 510gr arrow). It's been confirmed in the field many times (and reconfirmed in this video). Take note of the P.O.I. (point of impact) - the only number that matters. I couldn't fit 0-5 yards because of the size of the viewer in the program. But from 3-33 yards, I'm within 3" of zero (27 yards).
Shoot a crossbow? I don't know a ton about them, but apparently there's quite a few shooting north of 400fps. I did the calculations for 400fps, and with a 40 yard zero, 5-45 yards would hit within +/- 3" of point of aim. I won't tell people with a crossbow what to do. But if I were shooting one that fast, I'd set my scope for a 40 yard zero, and have a max range of 45 yards. I shoot a Hickory Creek Mini at about 300fps. I've got it's zero at 30 yards, and am +/-3" out to 35 yards. I typically still make a 30 yard circle of death with the rangefinder. But if one of those big ole rats with hooves decides to stand right behind that tree I ranged at 30, He's probably still coming on a truck ride.
Math is fun folks, and it can help you kill more deer. Keep it simple, keep it fun. Good luck this season!
