I am on board with Stam's principles. I have never shot at an animal over 40yd. too afraid of losing a wounded animal....

Same with blackpowder. Used to be "primitive weapon seasons" and feel like 60-100 yards was a long shot. Now you hear in other states they are shooting up to 300 with scopes, pellets, primers, sabots and jacketed pistol bullets. Mite as well use a modern firearm. Because thats what they are.

I agree with Stam. But if you read Saxton Pope's book on archery he was shooting yew longbows and wooden arrows at deer 100-120 yards away. And killing them. Lots of their shooting was at ranges I wouldn't try with my compound.

I have been thinking,planning and talking about archery elk season since last year EACH AND EVERY DAY. Already spent 2 days hunting the nastiest country I have ever hunted, sore legs, back and mind. About to quit my job...AGAIN and hunt every day of both states elk season..SON OF A BITCH 9 Im ready to get into the woods and locate right now!

Don't worry Stam, I looked away for 2 or 3 minutes when it came to being passed by. I've never shot a compound bow and only practiced up to 30 yd with my old recurve. All my shots were between 20 and 30 yd. The guy who got me into archery did shoot a mule deer once at 80 yd with his recurve, but he did admit it was a lucky shot.

I think about getting another bow cuz my yard is full of deer, but these oldtimer shoulder and elbow joint issues might prevent me from drawing a hunting bow and learning to shoot again. But it is tempting. There was a 3-point sticking his head through the bushes the other day.

You'd be suprised at how much power is created with a bow set at 50lb draw.... No doubt you could handle that and it would shoot through both sides at 20 yards...

As to distance... It's only if I need it... Of the 3 elk I've shot one was 40 yards, one at 7 yards and one at 18 or so on the move which I lost... We lost a very nice bull 2 years ago at 11 yards that was shot well.... So distance isn't always a guarantee...

Keith

Ding, ding, ding, let the games begin!

Good luck all. I expect albums of trophies here upon my return in a week!

salmo,

I'll take care of that pesky three point that's grazing in your yard.

compared to my compound bow in the early 80's, the Cbows today are amazing.
but it still takes practice to shoot effectively.

I was out practicing back in late June, NBend clear cut area.
my two block targets were at 30 and 70 yards. Practicing at 70 sure makes the 30 yard shot seem easier.

two other fellas pulled over their truck and asked to shoot a few arrows and since they had field tips I gave the ok. Well they missed the 30 yard block several times and couldn't find two of their arrows.
They watched me shoot at 70 yards; all 5 of my arrows were near center, all kill shots. "nice..." one said, Just practice I replied.

I had my reliable Mathews SBXT. They had the newer Z7 and a Bowtech with all the latest bells & whistles.
Upon further conversation, they were new to archery and had drawn multi season tags, like I did. They thanked me and quickly drove off, seemed like nice fellas though.
they need some serious practice time!

Last year my AZ coues buck was shot at 62 yards. Wind was right, angle good and with my confidence from practice I made the shot. Buck went just over 60 yards and piled up next to some manzanita. My longest shot ever, made on day 6 of 7 hunting DIY AZ coues deer. But conditions limit most of my shots taken to under 50 yards.