Shot distance on elk/mulies

[Kebler]

Folks,

What's been your average shot distances on elk/mulies. I'm from Midwest 20 yards is about the max for me in the brush from a tree. Figure I'm gonna need to extend my range for next year to at least 30 yards.

 

[justin davis]

Average for me on elk is prob around 25 yards. My closest kill being 9 yards and my furthest being 50 yards. Mule deer about the same maybe more around 30 average

 

[colonel00]

I would definitely get to a range and at least get comfortable shooting out to 40 yards. If you can push it to 50 then even better. Biggest key though is to know what you are comfortable shooting when you get into the woods so you are confident in your shot.

 

[wapitibob]

I'll never go to the woods again without at least a 60 pin but avg kills have been under 30.

 

[LostArra]

Is this the traditional archery section?
As in recurves and longbows?

 

[ckleeves]

The last time a range question was in the trad section there was guys shooting over 100! Lol.

 

[Kebler]

Yeah my question was geared towards the trad guys, no offense.

 

[larryschwartz]

Kebler, the average shot distance for elk on Bowsite.Com was 29 yards, so I would think that being prepared for 35 to 40 yards would be a good goal. Of course, only taking the shot that you are comfortable with, so probably passing on that 50 yard shot unless you have practiced at that distance and are comfortable shooting at that distance in the woods.

 

[G Posik]

I would at least get comfortable at 30 yds. If you can get the 40 yds then even better. The 40 yds in practice will make your 20 even better. I work 40 as much as I can.

Glenn

 

[Jesse Minish]

Under 30 yards for me. I will practice out further but most my shots are close.

 

[Kebler]

Been a bit since this post, but heading out west this year for deer. Been hitting the longer range stuff, hammering it at 30 and 35. 40 needs some work but by sept I hope to be spot on at 40 if that shot ever presented it's self under ideal conditions.

Shooting 3 under it seems to be allot harder past 30, my anchor is real high.

 

[Hawker]

I hope to be dialed in for 35yards. I worry about animals moving on me at those longer ranges. Maybe from hunting cagey whitetails.

 

[Tim in Wa.]

I passed on a nice 5X5 at 30 yards ,quartering away,standing still. I go back and forth some days it haunts me other days I'm glad I controlled myself
Tim

 

[LostArra]

There is a saying for that feeling Tim.
"Never regret a shot you didn't take."

 

[stevenm2]

I want to be dead ready at 30 and hopefully forty by this sept. I am shooting everyday now. I am seeing improvement.
every once in a while I will string up the long bow. I love to shoot.
I hope I am ready when the time comes.

 

[Treeline hunter]

Have shot a lot of bull elk under 20. Only one out at about 30. Elk seem to be pretty easy to get in close calling or stalking. If you are used to hunting whitetails, hunt elk the same way. They are really susceptible to a treestand setup and you may get a slam dunk on a bull over a wallow or trail. I have set up a lot of treestands but just can't stay put when there are elk around and that has caused a lot of missed opportunities. If you set up a treestand, you need to stay committed to it if the elk are using the area and you will kill one in pretty short order.

Mule deer seem to be tougher to get a close shot on if you are stalking them - especially above tree line. You can get in real close on the stalk, but you need to wait till they are standing up and not in thick cover with a good shot angle. I have stalked in to less than 5 yards on a number of big bucks and sat on them for hours waiting for them to stand only to have them blow out of there and never get a shot. If you are stalking in on bedded bucks, it is better to set up about 20 yards away with the wind right and wait for them to stand and get into position for a good shot. Most of my mule deer above treeline have been over 40 yards. Last year's buck in the sagebrush was under 20 as he walked into me.

 

[W.D. Crawford]

There is a saying for that feeling Tim.
"Never regret a shot you didn't take."

Amen to that!!

 

[Takeem406]

The last time a range question was in the trad section there was guys shooting over 100! Lol.

That would be my bowyer whos like a modern day Howard Hill lol. Think Howard got his first elk at 138, right?

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