Brad's 2013 Thousand-Lake's 3x3

B

bbentley392t

Guest
On the evening of August 28th 2013 I was more than fortunate enough to be with my father (who's home visiting from North Dakota) high in the Southern Utah mountains, taking part in something that we both have an enormous passion for...a passion that he instilled within me when I was very young, bowhunting mule deer. I've been archery hunting for 15 years and up until this past week had never been able to harvest a buck during the "general season", all of my previous harvests have been on LE hunts only. So after a very frustrating start to my hunt after blowing my chance at a monster 26" 5x4 at first light opening morning, all I needed was a little guidance from dear old Dad and I was finally able to let my equipment do it's job...taking this beautiful 23" 3x3 at 110 yards. This hunt will always hold a special place in my heart and always be remembered, I don't think that I've ever seen my Dad so wound up & excited as he was after the short recovery on this buck...he couldn't believe that I was able to execute such an effective shot at that distance. I love you Dad, and miss times like these on the mountain...wouldn't have been able to do it without you and I look forward to many more experiences like it in the future!!!

Thanks to: Hoyt, Gold Tip, Slick-Trick, Trophy Taker, Bee Stinger, Spot-Hogg, Hot Shot, TightSpot, Bushnell & Badlands

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>110? Way to close the
>distance.
>
>Rut

Exactly! Anyone who brags about shooting at any animal at 110 yards with a bow is a complete dumbazz, IMO! Also makes me wonder how many animals you've hit and lost over the years with a stunt like that!
 
give it a rest bro. I guarentee you wouldnt have enough balls to say that to his face. You cant judge anybody unless you know them personally. I have plenty of friends that would take that shot in a heartbeat and judgeing from the pictures he knew what he was doing. I say GREAT SHOT! To you foreman i say GET A LIFE!
 
Dang man, I wish you would have left out the 110 yard part of the story. I still dig it, I will be hunting with my father for the first time in many years this year and he is the one that instilled my passion as well so I am excited. But I knew it would not take long for the negative comments to come flying in, pun intended. By the looks of the shot, you obviously are very proficient with your equipment. People that do not bow hunt or are old school 20 yards or less do not understand. Good job on a good buck!
 
LAST EDITED ON Sep-01-13 AT 03:14PM (MST)[p]@Foreman4x4:

Nice to meet you too Sir. I consistently practice out to 80 yards every time I set foot on the 3D range 4 days per week from February to August, but every once in awhile my buddies and I take some shots from a stand or two behind to reach the 100 yard mark...with that being said having a high quality slider like my Tommy-Hogg is imperative when it comes to taking longer shots, I don't really have the luxury of sitting in a tree along the edge of an alfalfa field and wait for a buck to walk underneath me at 30 yards. All I can really say is when proper preparation and superior equipment collide with opportunity,anything can happen.

The 26" 5x4 that I passed on and eluded to in my original post, I had him at 108 yards and couldn't get any closer because a doe & fawn he was with had me pegged...he was broadside unaware of my presence but because of the distance I was very hesitant to take the shot. I searched high & low for the next 3-4 days and never saw him again, so after reflecting on the experience I really regretted not taking the chance on a buck of that caliber...so this time around an opportunity presented itself and I wasn't going to let another chance to fill the freezer go to waste. I went through my entire shot process step by step, being sure not to miss a thing...range, attach release, stance, draw, anchor, bubble, pin and squeeze... ... ... ... ... THWAACK!

I also fully understand that at distances such as that, there are SO many variables that could cause a shot to fail...however the confidence in my ability combined with a broadside target and ZERO wind helped me decide to take the shot. As the photos show, the shot was on the money...I hit the top of his heart and clipped the bottom of his lungs, he expired without struggle within 80 yards. Don't get me wrong I agree with and understand what you're saying to an extent, circumstances permitting of course...but trust me, I've been taking plenty of flack for it from quite a few people like you. But if it makes you feel any better, one of my good friends Austin May of Gold Tip & B-Stinger harvested a gorgeous fuzzy 3x4 at 130 yards...so as I said earlier regardless of your feelings & opinions, when proper preparation and superior equipment meets opportunity anything can happen...either good or bad.

My Carbon Matrix is set at 80 lbs. and my 415 grain Gold Tip Pro Hunter dressed with a 100 grain Slick-Trick standard blew all the way through him at 110, that's 2 years in a row for me since switching to Slick-Trick broadheads that I've hammered a fuzzy muley right in the bread-basket...and watched them both expire within sight. So if you'd like to lecture me that's fine, you have that privilege...but if you wouldn't mind shooting a little 3D with me sometime I'd love to follow you around the range and pick up a few pointers if I could, just let me know. :)
 
Sounds like a great setup with plenty of practice, comfortable and confident with the shot. I say great job! There are some people who have no business taking a shot like that or a 1000 yard rifle shot. But there are people with the right equipment who practice, practice, practice who are just as capable of making those tough shots as the rest of us making a 40 yard or 200 yard shot. Congradulations again on a fine buck.
 
Nice buck Bentley. Guys he's been archery hunting for 15 years and obviously has a passion for it, that much is evident. I'd say certain people like Bentley are probably pretty dang proficient and able to take shots out that far. Would I be able to do that- no way, but I haven't been bow hunting for 15 years.

In the end he killed himself a nice buck, so congratulate him and move on.
 
Congrats to u on a fine general season muley. nice way to get it done and make that fantastic shot count. I also was waiting on people to chime in on the choice u made. For me I say if u practice and can, then why not do it. Outstanding.
 
I'm cool with 110 as long as when you lose one you don't go out and shoot another!! Practise don't always make perfect at that distance. Other than that nice buck!
 
@Destroyer350

I hear you, sincerely I do...along with all of the others who have concerns about taking a shot that far, but I feel like there's this giant misconception about long range shots and it seems like this discussion takes place every year on this website. I can't speak for all, but for me personally...this was by far the longest arrow of my hunting career, it's not as if this is a common occurrence or practice. On the 3D range, of course...but out in the field my average shot on game thus far has been about 40 yards. I've only hit & lost one deer, and it was a 2-point at 19 yards back in 2003 when I was 17...the little buck was facing me head on and I set my pin towards the bottom of his neck (bad judgement call on my part), my arrow went in and never came came out therefore no exit hole and very little blood. I was troubled so much by loosing that buck, it wasn't until 4 years later in 2007 that I drew back on another buck...also another Thousand Lakes 3x3 that I harvested.

So the bottom line is Destroyer350, I understand what you're getting at with the "practice doesn't always make perfect"...but I really wish others who don't know me, who weren't there and have never seen me shoot be so quick to make rash automatic assumptions about ethics or ability...not saying you are specifically, but this thread is starting to adopt that tone.
 
That's a pretty velvet buck. It's nice to see you keep your composure with the critics. Not every one will agree with you but the proof is in the pudding. Congrats on your success.
 
bentley,

Like I said,I'm cool with it as I was practicing at 110 this morning. The only judgement I'd make is if anybody was to lose one at 0-110 decides to shrug off a wounded animal and shoot another. Again not judging your ablity, I'm happy for you that you made the perfect shot!!
 
I agree 100% with distroyer350. It comes down to integrity. Don't take a mulligan if you wound an animal. I know guides who have clients that pay between 10-20k for an elk hunt and have wounded animals. Props to them for only chasing that 1 animal the rest of the season. That is the only way it should be.
 
LAST EDITED ON Sep-01-13 AT 11:41PM (MST)[p]Okay Bently,
First off congrats on the buck. Way to go!

But, I have to agree with some of the guys on here about the distance. 110 yards is just way to far for something to go wrong. You are shooting at a live object. At that distance, The arrow is in flight for at least two to three seconds. Way too much time to give that animal even a half step forward, and BAM you got a gut shot or worse on your hands. I do not agree with your judgement here. I have bow hunted for 20+ years, Have killed many nice bull elk and mule deer. And none of them was killed at a distance over 40 yards. NONE. And none from a tree stand either, I actually really hunt my game animals. If I am not good enough to stalk my game up close and personal, then I will not get a shot. So I practice relentlessly to walk quiet thru my stomping grounds here in Idaho.
For me, I never take a shot over 40 yards on any animal with a bow. And I consistenly kill elk and deer every year. I know most guys on here pride themselves on long distance shooting and all, but I prefer to cut my chances on wounding any game animals to almost zero by closing the distance.

Just my two cents here.

Nice buck and good luck on getting an elk to!
David.
 
@anadavid

Like I've said with the other nay-sayer's on here so far, I HEAR YOU...it's not as if I'm here trying to disregard the effectiveness & increased odds of close range shots, or implying that longer range shots are somehow a display of superior hunting qualities...no, not at all. I'm glad that there are hunters such as yourself who take pride in their ability to sneak and get close, because that's what it's all about or at least should be...with that said some of us, myself included simply aren't as proficient stalkers as others. I love how everyone who's had something negative to say or hint towards bringing up these "what if" scenarios, again I fully acknowledge & understand those "what if" scenarios but none of them happened...this was BY FAR the longest arrow of my hunting career and if I thought for one moment that I couldn't have made the shot or the buck was too spooked and there's a chance he'd move or jump the string, I would've never drawn back much less released my arrow. As stated earlier, previously my longest arrow was just last season...on my Book-Cliffs buck at 40 yards and the last 2 before that were both at 32 yards, so please don't try to instigate or accuse me of being this boastful 'Quigley Down Under' type of hunter. I think it's absolutely astounding that every harvest you've made during your career has been within 40 yards, what an accomplishment and feather in your cap...I sincerely hope to emulate that mentality & efficiency one day, however all I ask is that you not judge me or my story based on the experiences & horror stories of others - hunter to hunter we both deserve to have a conversation that doesn't involve throwing out labels, stereotypes and hypothetical situations at each other.
 
Anavid25 you need to brush up on technology a bit. Bently is shooting an 80 lb bow with a 400+ gr arrow. His arrow traveled that 110 yards in 1 sec or less. He is shooting over 300 ft pr sec. The weight of his arrow is not affected as much by elements such as crosswinds as the normal arrow weight (approx 350 gr). With the equipment you were using 20+ years ago and the way technology has improved over the years I think Bently could hit the target as good at 100 as you could 40 and his arrow would get there in the same amount of time but you don't see people criticizing you for those shots taken back in the day. If a guy is proficient and can hit his mark consistently then go for it.
@bently. Great buck and ignore the jealous guys.
 
I won't chastise for shot distance it obviously worked out so nice buck!

Hindquarters, think about your post for a minute. At 110 yards (330 feet) it would have to be traveling to be 330 feet per second all the way to the target ( its not )to close the distance in one second.

Anavid25 is probably just as close at 2 seconds of time of flight as your one second however 3 seconds is a bit of an exaggeration.

There is more to it than velocity however, when an archers mind likes the sight picture and then translates that into pull the trigger and the time it takes from trigger pull to arrow leaving the bow all add up and coupled with time of flight all add up to arrow flight duration in which the animal could do something to make the shot bad. These times will be different for every archer.

Bill

People who work for a living are quickly being
overwhelmed by people who vote for a living.
 
Knowing the situation and this individual which I know how he truly bust his a** in the field and on the archery range should be proud of what he has accomplished! Situations like this is why we practice year round, and why we dont pull the bow out a week before the hunt! As other have stated the equipment is there, and in this case so is the individual! I do not know a more ethical hunter than Brad and would never question his judgment! Of course I understand all the what if... But honestly for a sec I've already seen a few bucks lost this year at 60 yrds and even 40 yrds! Know your limits, know what your comfortable with and be only the judge to yourself! Awesome Buck, Awesome shot Picture perfect story! For the rest keep hatin we'll keep slayin! ;-)
 
Huntindad4
I think it is safe to say his arrow is leaving the bow at 330 ft pr sec where he is shooting an 80 lb bow. But what you are saying is that in 110 yards his arrow speed will decrease to under 150 pr sec before impact? That is the only way it would take 2 seconds to hit the deer. Worst case you would be looking at 1.5, WORST CASE. You can't factor in the time it takes your brain bla bla bla because that is the same with a ten yard or 200 yard. My point to Anavid25 was he said "at least 2-3 seconds for arrow flight" and that is not the case.
 
Here's the very 1st photo that I took with my phone right after we'd found him expired, only 80 yards from the location of the shot...this image really shows off his beams and how symmetrical he is.

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I do factor it in because if it takes a half second for those events and a second plus for travel then it leaves more time for the animal to step etc. If it takes a half second for those events and under half a second for arrow travel at 40 yards then the chances of the animal to move etc.are far less.

Anavids 2 seconds is not accurate and i did not say it was and his three is wrong for certain but your 1 second is wrong also and your "or less" is more so.

Either way his shooting ability is not the part that worries most who question the shot and I dont question his ethics as some might but I think people need to have a clearer idea of what an animal can do in the time it takes from brain to arrow arrival. Even a calm feeding animal can take a step in less time than it takes the arrow to arrive.

Same goes for 1000 yard rifle shots.

Bill

People who work for a living are quickly being
overwhelmed by people who vote for a living.
 
Cool buck, I like those tbig three points with the fork at the top. You couldn't have hit him any better. Congrats!

Bill

People who work for a living are quickly being
overwhelmed by people who vote for a living.
 
Congrats on the buck Brad! Doesnt matter what you are hunting... its all about the memories made with who you are with! Awesome to have your Dad there... I am a firm believer that if you are comfortable and confident with your shot and you have got your practice in, then let that stick fly! Know your limits and stick to them! Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. You obviously did the right thing. Keep it up! Great shot! Congrats on the great buck!
 
I hear ya Bently. And I am not knocking you at all. I am just adding my 2 cents worth and what I feel about this subject. And yes, It takes a lot of skill and willpower to get close to big game and not jump the gun. Not everyone is capable of doing it.
I have been hunting since I was a small child carrying my fathers gun for him while out in the hills. I have a few horror stories of my own regarding wounding and losing game animals. It is a risk anytime you draw back or pull a bead on any animal, it is part of the game. I also feel that it is every hunters responsibility to place him or herself within the closest proximity possible to minimize such risk of a bad shot. But, ultimately it "will" still happen occasionally no matter how close you get.

Remember this is a public forum, so no matter what, you need to expect to get some crap from people occasionally. Do not let that sway you from posting however. Just smile, defend yourself if you feel the need, and move on.

Hope to see more of your hunting adventures on here! And I am jealous of that deer! what a nice buck!

David.
 
Hindquarters yeah you right, I do shoot with some ancient tech, lol. But it works for me, so why change, right. I love my old compound bear bow. I also shoot with a recurve as well.
I like the stalk more than anything, so I dont need a lot of high tech stuff. When I take a shot, I am usually close enough to piss on the animal, LOL.

David.
 
@anadavid

Not me, I'm a velvet junky...I've NEVER hunted with a muzzleloader or rifle, all of my harvests (with the exception of Pronghorn) have all been fuzzy. Velvet bucks are my crack-cocaine!!!
 
Anavid25
I admire the traditional equipment and I am not picking on you but I am sticking up for Bentley. There are a lot of people who are not fit to take a 40 yard shot and some who could take much longer. It frustrates me when someone taints a post with negative when a guy smokes a good buck.
That being said maybe you could give me some pointers on traditional equipment as I would love to use that to hunt on the cow/spike hunt each year.
 
Huntindad4
With the setup Brad is shooting I think you are looking at about .5 seconds difference between an average setup at 40 yards and his setup at 110. It's not a big difference at all. An animal can jump the string at 5 yards and turn a perfect shot on release to a bad shot on impact. These are gambles we take as hunters at any distance. I am not disagreeing that there is more time for the animal to move at 110 vs 40 but if some youth hunter came on here saying he was shooting a 40 lb compound built in 1950 with 400 grain arrows taking a 50 yd shot would you be telling him he has bad judgement? His arrow, with all things considered would take longer to impact than Brads at 110. With technology as advanced, ed as it is if a guy is confident and competent, has practiced and knows his limits then go for it.
 
"People that do not bow hunt or are old school 20 yards or less do not understand."

Some truth there and that statement is a two way street...


Nice buck, congrats!
 
Are you on the NASCAR bowhunting circuit? BTW, you forgot to thank your mom.

Man, those 100 yard archery shots must be easy because nobody ever misses at that range.
 
"Are you on the NASCAR bowhunting circuit? BTW, you forgot to thank your mom." -shotgun1

That's actually pretty funny, but NO not a nascar fan...never been the type who's so easily entertained by shiny metal object traveling in an endless circle. But my Dad was with me, and I did thank him if I recall. :)
 
This guys ethics can't be questioned. Congrats Brad. You didn't have an easy hunt down there this year. Just be glad you missed the torrential rains Saturday and Sunday
 
>Here's the very 1st photo that
>I took with my phone
>right after we'd found him
>expired, only 80 yards from
>the location of the shot...this
>image really shows off his
>beams and how symmetrical he
>is.
>
>
857699_10151595970104109_606523287_o_zps8c3ab4b7.jpg


It also shows how awful that shot was and why you shouldn't be shooting at 110 yds. These people make me laugh. I guarantee some of you shouldn't shoot 40 yds because you start practicing 3 weeks before the season. I think we should start judging the individual. You throw a whole bunch of what if's into your argument but fact is, it didn't happen. Perfect shot Perfect Recovery. Nice buck.
 
Killer shot on a killer buck Brad! Way to get it done on public land. Don't let any of the haters bring you down, just keep shooting constantly and know your equipment like I know you do.
 
Brad,

Congrats on a nice buck. I rarely participate in forum conversations because they all end up exactly like this one. I do get on occasionally to see people's trophies and read their stories. Not sure why I decided to comment today but I have a piece of advise for you and anyone else who cares to listen.

Here goes:

Shot distance is relative, and ethics are a personal choice. Neither are topics worthy of discussion on an internet forum, period.

What is important is not the distance of the shot, but the perfect placement, quick kill, and the success of your hunt. Leave it at that on forums like this and you'll be much better off.
 
Utah headgear +1. My 2 sense is no matter how far a distance from any object or animal. Rifle bow any weapon there is always a chance for something to change, wind,raindrop,your breathe anything. That's why it's hunting. There's always a chance of second guessing. So for me if I do have a thought come onto my head a what if,then I stop and reassess what I'm doing. Bentley great shot and what a beautiful animal. Congrats. I wish u the best and continued success. Awesome animal.
 
Good buck man, congrats. nothing will replace practice! There is nothing wrong with taking a shot you are comfortable with. That is individual to each of us. The new equipment is extremely effective to long ranges. Those who disagree are probably still shooting 20 year old bows that they get out right before the season and practice to a stretched out 30 yds. Congrats-
 
Here is some fuel for the discussion. I am a bowhunter and have never wounded an animal but know of other friends who I hunt with that have wounded animals on different years with long shots. I have also witnessed people take good shots over 100 yards (perfect wind, lots of practice) and seen the animal randomly move and watch the arrow drift into the dirt where the bucks was just a second before. Bottom line, if you are going to take a shot like this and wound the animal, that should be your animal. If you don't have the ethics to do this, than for the benefit of the herds and everybody else, only take a slam dunk shot.
 
LAST EDITED ON Sep-23-13 AT 08:29PM (MST)[p]"Bottom line, if you are going to take a shot like this and wound the animal, that should be your animal. If you don't have the ethics to do this, than for the benefit of the herds and everybody else, only take a slam dunk shot." -BeDawg

...

First of all, I don't think anyone who utilizes this website would ever find themselves in disagreement with you on that premise myself included...so I'm not really sure what point you're trying to make by preaching to the choir? Secondly, is it your automatic assumption or are you trying to imply that "if" I had not executed a perfect fatal shot...that based on making the decision to release an arrow at 110, I somehow wouldn't have possessed the ethical presence & mentality to actively and immediately pursue the animal...essentially abandoning all sense of principle?!?! Because if that is indeed your initial thought or reaction, or the point you're attempting to make...that's bull s---.
 
Nice Buck and a good shot.
Hunter/People that don't hunt the same is always trying to down the one who don't hunt just like them. But if you have the ability to shoot like that go ahead my hat is off to ya for putting in the time to be able hit something that far away.

I have seen the 100 yds archery shooters hit pop cans at that distance and to tell ya the truth I WOULDN'T want them shooting at me.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]
 
Great buck, great shot. Impossible to argue with the result. Let the judgers, judge. They must have nothing better to do.
 
Shotgunjim, actually 110 yard heart shot with a bow = very accomished bow hunter.
Your comment = very jealous wannabe!
Congrats again Brad keep it up!
 
I find it interesting that bowhunters will defend a 100 plus yard shot, and are quick to condemn a guy that will take a LR shot with a rifle. mtmuley
 
Mtmuley, I have never condemned a lr rifle shot. I believe if you are proficient with your weapon and confident in the shot then send it on its way.
 
If we took a poll of those that support shooting a bow at this range on any animal with those that do not........
Then they gave a (truthful) answer I think we know which group has a higher amount of wounded and lost animals.
It is not a slam or jealousy but just a fact.

BTW- I would also like to line each one up at 110 yards and see them shoot these kill zone shots for each and every arrow...How many would do it? I think we know the answer to this one as well.

I would also guess that those that would not think of shooting that far on game would most likely even be the better shots of the group.

Congrats on your buck. I am glad it worked out for you this time.

Look at many of posts here and in the elk section and you will see where shots like these usually end up and it's normally not as lucky and hunky dory as this hunt ended.
Best,
Jerry
 
TheKnack, I agree with everything you said here. My Beef is rifle hunters do the exact same thing and the scenarios you just mentioned would be the same for rile hunters too. Not to mention that when a bow hunter lets and arrow fly he follows up the shot to look for his arrow and blood. Rifle hunter that are shooting 700 yards or more (prob equivalent to 100 yard bow shot) that don't see the animal drop or can't tell if they hit the animal don't always follow up and look for blood. They don't have a $20 arrow that commits them to the follow up. It seems with these types of posts it is mostly rifle bashing bow and visa versa. I feel that if you are proficient with your equipment and confident in the shot, let er rip!
 
Did anyone just catch the Fred Bear special? No p***y 110 yard shots for him, just a 20 foot shot on a Kodiak Grizz.

No estas en mexico ahora, entonces escoja tu basura
chancho sucio.
 
"Did anyone just catch the Fred Bear special? No p***y 110 yard shots for him, just a 20 foot shot on a Kodiak Grizz." -shotgunjim

***

Damn it, you've blown my cover...I'm not actually Fred Bear, sorry to disappoint everyone.
 
110 yard shots are irresponsible shots with archery equipment period!! Save it for the range and messing with your bud's! It's hunting get as close as you can if you cant get any closer than that you dont deserve the animal. the game deserves more respect than flinging arrows that could drift,animal move, hit a twig that you cant see and on and on. Just another bullet for the anti's to ##### dont come here telling about a 110 shot. What if that deer had taken a step or two your great shot becomes sh-t. Just a shooter not hunters whether gun or bow! Your a good shot not hunter how many out of ten could have gotten 110 yards...but how many could have gotten 20,30,40....sh-t we all could have got a million shots at bucks and bulls if we shot 100 yards
 
And yes I dont think the rifle hunters which i do on occasion shooting 500 yards plus are doing the right thing either...hell anyone can go to the range and learn to shoot and can go up on the hill and get 700 yards from game...your hunting not out shooting....... if you think thats fun sneak within 20 yards of a bedded buck or bull now thats fun and takes alot of skill. I dont think sportman need people bragging about these long shots it doesnt better anyone or thing other than their ego and getting close sure is a bunch harder than shoot long distances. Its a pretty buck congrats to him.
 
I really think the vast majority of bowhunters are a bit timid & complacent in respect to what they're actually capable of, in respect to their strong mental abilities as an archer combined with their ever advancing modern equipment...possibly not utilizing either to their full potential. Like I said earlier at least 3 times now, this is NOT a common practice for me...my previous longest arrow on game prior to this was only 40 yards but with that being said I've never been the type to knock down or criticize those who frequently took and succeeded on longer shots, after all who am I to judge another?

Why don't we all just throw away our compound bows, our carbon arrows and even our steel broadheads. And voluntarily retreat to wooden longbows made by ourselves, wooden arrows using self knapped flint or obsidian heads...and fletched using feathers we obtained ourselves. Come on, how far back are we gonna go before it's really "bowhunting" again? So is there a limit? Well, it wasn't really all that long ago when a muzzleloader wasn't hardly "accurate" beyond the 100 yard mark...now look at them today almost as accurate at distance as a lot of center-fire rifles. I sincerely believe the same can be said for archery equipment, as technology progresses & advances in all facets of the sport from the efficiency of bows themselves to the strength & accuracy of arrows & broadheads...I genuinely believe the only limits we'll face in the future with respect to distance will be mental and ethical, but that's an entirely different debate.

I can't speak on behalf of anyone else except for myself so take that for what it's worth, but with circumstances permitting of course if the setting & situation warrant (wind, sun, daylight, angle, cover, etc.)...based on the amount of time and effort that I personally spend shooting my bow in the off-season, I would feel comfortable shooting as far as my calculated sight tape allows which is 150 yards. Obviously that doesn't mean or imply I would advocate or condone a 150 yard shot, but as has been said numerous time throughout this thread already...that ultimately comes down to the judgement & confidence of the shooter, and they have to live & accept the consequences of their decision whether positive or negative.
 
Hunting is no longer about "hunting", but rather much more about "killing".

If someone needs to explain to you the difference between the 2, it's safe to say that you are definitely not a hunter.
 
" 'Hunting is no longer about 'hunting', but rather much more about 'killing'. If someone needs to explain to you the difference between the 2, it's safe to say that you are definitely not a hunter. " -smitty

***

1 arrow, 1 absolutely PERFECT arrow and therefore clean harvest at distance...and now suddenly all of my previous archery harvests are nullified, no longer legitimate based solely on the notion that making a kill and filling my freezer somehow voids the title of "hunter"? That's some pretty sound logic.
 
LAST EDITED ON Sep-25-13 AT 11:53PM (MST)[p]Ok so over 20 years ago you took a shot at 65 yards right? Well I too have been shooting archery for 30 years. I know for a fact that with today's technology and advanced equipment that I can hit a target at 100 + yards with tighter groups then I could 20 years ago at 65. Not to mention, with the speed of bows and range finders with angle compensation, at 110 yards the arrow will get to the animal in the same amount of time as your 65 yard shot did 20 years ago and will have more kinectic energy and you will know the exact yardage. So please explain to me how this is a poor choice? And who is irresponsible now?
Like Brad said, if you enjoy the challenge so much then why are you not shooting a long bow with arrows you built from scratch and hand chiseled heads?
Say what you want but at the end of the day it is about the kill. If it were not then why not just take a camera instead of your bow?
Here is what pisses me off. You have all these Jack Wagon's come on here and say "you can't talk about a 100 yard shot cuz these anti's will be all over it" I think if someone is an anti hunter then they probably have no effing clue as to what is a good shot vs a bad shot and people like you bashing on Brad are giving them a lot more ammo by giving him crap than if you either did not comment or just congratulated him.
If someone is confident and competent in their ability then let it fly!
 
Ok so over 20 years ago you took a shot at 65 yards right? Well I too have been shooting archery for 30 years. I know for a fact that with today's technology and advanced equipment that I can hit a target at 100 + yards with tighter groups then I could 20 years ago at 65. Not to mention, with the speed of bows and range finders with angle compensation, at 110 yards the arrow will get to the animal in the same amount of time as your 65 yard shot did 20 years ago and will have more kinectic energy and you will know the exact yardage. So please explain to me how this is a poor choice? And who is irresponsible now?
Like Brad said, if you enjoy the challenge so much then why are you not shooting a long bow with arrows you built from scratch and hand chiseled heads?
Say what you want but at the end of the day it is about the kill. If it were not then why not just take a camera instead of your bow?
Here is what pisses me off. You have all these Jack Wagon's come on here and say "you can't talk about a 100 yard shot cuz these anti's will be all over it" I think if someone is an anti hunter then they probably have no effing clue as to what is a good shot vs a bad shot and people like you bashing on Brad are giving them a lot more ammo by giving him crap than if you either did not comment or just congratulated him.
If someone is confident and competent in their ability then let it fly!
 
LAST EDITED ON Sep-26-13 AT 09:30AM (MST)[p]I feel the same way no matter what weapon is ultimately used.

Just because some of us differ in our opinions it's still ultimately left up to the individual hunters discretion.......

Just trying to make some think of the possible consequences.
How would a hunter feel if they did take an "iffy" shot and did follow up and could not find an animal.
Say another hunter saw this from another ridge. After a few days of looking the hunter goes out and decides to shoot an animal that is a slam dunk shot and succeeds.
Unknown to him the other hunter finds this guys dead animal and then see's this guys 2nd animal hanging in camp.
He calls the local game and fish and they follow up on the complaint and cite the hunter for illegally shooting two animals with one tag.
You think this is a possible scenario? Would the "iffy" shot be worth that hunters hunting rights?

Another scenario is a bunch of bears and coyotes fat and happy eating lost animals that other hunters may have had the opportunity to have shot.
Is it worth it? Not to me.

I apologize for contributing to turning a succesful hunts post into a seemingly harsh bash. It is not my intentions.
I still congratulate you on your buck, but I think you knew going in stating you shot it at 110 yards that responses like this were going to pop up.
Best,
Jerry
 
Jerry, we are on the same page, however, it is not illegal to harvest an animal if you have previously wounded another. I would hope if this be the case that one would put in ample effort and then some to recover the wounded animal. When taking surveys from fish and game they always ask how many animals were wounded and did you harvest? I am not condoning wounding animals and taking no regard to their life and keep looking for others to fling careless shots at. I hunt for the experience, time with my boy who is 7 years old and hikes like a mtn goat with me, the meat, the challenge and the trophy.
What it boils down to is it is up to the hunter and his judgement.
Best of luck in your future hunts Jerry.

Hindquarters
 
Great looking muley, but I have to say those kind of shots are not for everyone. I'll go so far as to say they are for very few people if any. I won't sit here and say there is a magic number for ethical shots but experience defiantly plays into what that # is for a archer. After killing several animals in my 31 years of hunting, one starts develop a sense of right or wrong and what if?s. Today, with a range finder, sights, faster more forgiving bows and a lot of practice you can take those shots,,,, at the range! Again just because you can doesn't mean you should.
Unfortunately using the brain properly seems to be the most difficult hunting discipline to master in hunting. A lot of people read these posts and a lot of new and young hunters look to these web sites for guidance and a tool for learning and I don't believe that a 110 yard shot has its ethical place in archery hunting! I know guy?s including myself shoot 3d making 100y shots constantly, a great shot but a big difference in a live animal that can do anything at that distance and then you add in all the variables a gust of wind, thermals, adrenalin a new broadhead so many things to go wrong . IMO These shots are inhumane and unacceptable practice.
About 12 years ago I remember taking a questionable shot with a rifle one time on a big white tail that resulted in a lost deer after a sleepless night and the next day walking countless miles there wasn?t a recovery, that night I laid in bed sick wondering why,,,,I knew there was that chance it could happen but I could make that shot with my rifle every time at the range. My thought process let me pull the trigger out of desperation as the season was winding down, last chance! That was the last animal I have lost! In my opinion any one taking those kind of shots are out of desperation you do say in your post you were having a frustrating season and have never killed a buck in the "general season" I believe this is why your brain made this decision.
In the end the ethical shot distance is really the archers choice so make the right one and think of others who learn from us and out of respect for the animals.

Don't die dreaming
DIE TRYING!
 
My .02 cents;

My long time hunting pard from High School has about the best trophy room i know of, been a long time Archer with tons of off season practice and tournament experience, can just about hit or move a soda can every time at 80 yard... or even farther. He's even a better hunter.

That said, even with the best equipment, he won't shoot at game past about 40-50 yards because the animals he shoots at have a habit of jumping the string or ducking the arrow. He says the closer they are, the much less chance they have of getting out of a accurate arrows path.

I seen a guy around here, shoot at a unsuspecting buck at about 75 yards. The deer heard the release and took off, the arrow missed him by 10 feet or more. IMO, way too much chance of barely missing the vital zone, either missing altogether or if the shot is a little better or the deer a little slower to react, wounding the animal to run off and not be found.

I have gotten a kick out of all the archers here that try to put those archers who choose to continue poor shot selection back on rifle hunters too as if it's OK for them to take poor % shots on game because rifle hunters do too. Sticking your head in the sand and not facing the truth, trying to blame others, is not going to fly with us guys who have both archery hunted and rifle hunted.

Myself, i gave up archery hunting years ago because my pards and i lost too many animal. I'm glad i did and to this day believe i made the right decision for myself.

This note in no way is intended to discredit or make blame to those, like my pard, who know what they are doing, use good judgement in their shot selections, stick to it, and follow up after ever shot. Very little in life is more rewarding than taking a nice buck on his terms with stick and string.

Joey


"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"
 
So what about the "archery is for getting close", or "archery pits you against the animal on it's terms". 110 yard shots aren't doing that. mtmuley
 
Mtmuley, because someone said that does that mean that all archery hunter's have to follow that model?
No matter what when you compare archery to muzzy or rifle that is the case.
I don't understand why there are so many haters on this forum. Kindof takes the fun out of it.
 
I'm not hating anybody. Just don't see any reason to archery hunt and take rifle range shots, that's all. mtmuley
 
I thought this was a very interesting post!! I believe this is a "forum" and lots of different people shared their thoughts and opinions. Everyone is "entitled" to their own thoughts and opinions....
Unfortunately, IMHO, I feel like it appeared the original poster was being "attacked" at times.
Reality is that I don't view it that way (him being attacked),but rather people just sharing their own opinion on the subject.
It is MY opinion that Brad could have ignored people's responses and not "defended" his decision to take this shot.
I am very glad that he didn't!
I really feel as though I learned a lot from this post! I am "new" to the sport of archery hunting. Bought my first archery set up in early 2013 and have very little experience thus far.
I too originally questioned after the original post whether a 110 yard shot was "ethical", but in Brads follow up post I realized this guy really knew his equipment and his own abilities! And I think he continued to point that out in his further posts.

I am 44 years old and have been hunting since I was old enough to hold on to my dad's back pocket and tag along behind him up and down the mountains of CA.
I have hunted every year of my life for deer, pigs, and in the last 10 years for waterfowl as well. All of those years I have hunted with a RIFLE in my hand. I would consider myself an "experienced hunter"!

Here is why I am pointing this out and how it relates to this post...
Two years ago I went on a guided hunt for Mule Deer in the Greys River area of Wyomig. Upon arriving in camp one of the first questions our guide asked was, "how far out are you COMFORTABLE and PROFICIENT at shooting your weapon". Honestly, I was taken back a little bit because I had never thought of that question specifically before in my life. We don't have the "opportunity" at many long range shots where I grew up hunting and the longest shot I had taken out of state hunting was 307 yards (and I knew at that time that my particular bullet dropped about 3" at that range). We don't have a shooting range near by so I don't get out and "practice" at long range! So, I answered by saying that "I was comfortable, and I believe proficient, out to about 300 yards but I would consider a 400 yard shot if needed. I know my weapon can "perform" out to 700-1000 yards,but I was fully aware that I was not capable of making an ethical shot at that distance.
Brad might be "young" in age but my guess is that he has "practiced" far more than most at this point and he was fully aware of what he and his weapon were capable of. I don't know Brad, but based on his posts I believe that!
I also believe that I am smart enough to realize that just because I have been a rifle hunter for 32+ years of my 44 year life, it does not make me an expert with a rifle.
BTW... There were two guys in our camp from Maryland that said they were comfortable out to 900 yards! Our guide had them shoot to prove it, and they were dead on. They had all of the equipment to make it happen and they had practiced, practiced, practiced! The guide was disappointed when they had spotted a bedded buck at 1300 yards, but killed it at 90 yards after the buck was spooked by other hunters and ran their way...he wanted to witness the capability of this guy.

My overall point is that we all have to be aware of our equipments capabilities and, more importantly, our own capabilities!

Congrats to Brad on a great buck and a great hunt with his dad! And
thanks for all of the interesting info in this post!
Rando
 
Unfortunately it seems that a lot of you have failed to get the point that it isn't so much about the archer's ability to consistently put the arrow into the kill zone, it's about the animal that unfortunately forgets to read your script. You can be the best shot/hunter in the world and have something go wrong at that distance because for whatever reason the animal decides to move while your arrow is in the air.
 
DWarcher, things can go wrong at any distance, that is hunting. The point is Brad is probably a lot more effective at 110 yards than the majority of archers are at 50.
An animal can move on a twenty yard shot, obviously not as much but if they jump the string you could be 4"off at 20. I shot an antelope in Wyoming at 35 yards, right as I released he stepped forward and I hit him in the guts, I stayed on him until I was able to let the air out of him and I am glad I was able to get a second shot.
If you are comfortable with your equipment and confident in the shot then let it rip. Doesn't matter if it's 110 or 20 the one who pulls the trigger has to live with the outcome.
I wish everyone who has posted on this thread the best of luck and the best judgement for their ability.
 
DWarcher, I am not disagreeing with you, my point is that there are a lot of hunters including youth who are shooting 40-50 lb bows with lighter arrows shooting 150ft pr sec. You don't see a single Person on here bagging on them, telling them that they are unethical pieces of $hit for taking a 50 yard shot.
Generally speaking they have less experience, less confidence and there arrow takes just as much, if not more time at 50 yards from release to impact than a 100 yard shot does with a 70 lb bow (or 80lb in Brads case) that has heavier arrows that are affected less by the elements.
Like you said Brad knows his stuff and is confident in the shot and he made an exceptional shot on a great buck. That was probably a much higher percentage shot for him than a lot of other hunter at 50-60.
I just dont appreciate people chiming in talking smack about a longer shot when they don't know who they are talking to or there ability.
 
I don't think its an issue about anybodys ability. The issue I think is this, too many "hunters" will do anything to get a kill. Killing has become the end all for some "hunters", whereas hunting by definition does not always include killing. I know, I know, it's silly to say that some of us don't go hunting to kill the animal we are hunting for, it simply means there is a lot more to hunting, than the last blink of an eye of an arrow flight, or bullet for that matter. Some guys, and for the most part, its the guys taking the long shots that for me, are only concerned with one thing. Making a kill. Could this Brad guy have gotten closer, sure, could the guy that shoots an antelope at 950 yards get closer? Yep, but for some reason they choose not to. They think it's cool to brag about how far their shot was, or how good they are, or whatever. That to me says they are far more concerned with getting the kill than they are about the hunt.

Anyhow, that's how I see it. It's hard to write what one thinks sometimes, so that it's understood by everyone.
 
>I don't think its an issue
>about anybodys ability. The issue
>I think is this, too
>many "hunters" will do anything
>to get a kill. Killing
>has become the end all
>for some "hunters", whereas hunting
>by definition does not always
>include killing. I know, I
>know, it's silly to say
>that some of us don't
>go hunting to kill the
>animal we are hunting for,
>it simply means there is
>a lot more to hunting,
>than the last blink of
>an eye of an arrow
>flight, or bullet for that
>matter. Some guys, and for
>the most part, its the
>guys taking the long shots
>that for me, are only
>concerned with one thing. Making
>a kill. Could this Brad
>guy have gotten closer, sure,
>could the guy that shoots
>an antelope at 950 yards
>get closer? Yep, but for
>some reason they choose not
>to. They think it's cool
>to brag about how far
>their shot was, or how
>good they are, or whatever.
>That to me says they
>are far more concerned with
>getting the kill than they
>are about the hunt.
>
>Anyhow, that's how I see it.
>It's hard to write what
>one thinks sometimes, so that
>it's understood by everyone.

Spot on. Look at the stickers on his equipment and the laundry list of sponsors named in the post. As someone else said, "NASCAR". Gotta do whatever it takes to make a kill to keep the sponsors happy.
 
@Foreman: I don't have to keep anybody happy but myself, this hunt & harvest (just like all of my previous successful & unsuccessful hunts) has nothing to do with anybody but me...not you, not anybody in this forum and most certainly not any company. As yourself and many others continue to do during the course of this thread, make all the assumptions & accusations you'd like while hiding behind a keyboard...because after all it takes a real big guy to call into question another man's morals, ethics, character and motive.
 
Well, I hate to break it to you...but you read sign pretty poorly, I don't have any personal sponsors. Only companies & products that I support and believe in, so take that for what it's worth...or again, continue to make empty assumptions.
 
>
>Here goes:
>
>Shot distance is relative, and ethics
>are a personal choice.
>Neither are topics worthy of
>discussion on an internet forum,
>period.
>
>What is important is not the
>distance of the shot, but
>the perfect placement, quick kill,
>and the success of your
>hunt. Leave it at
>that on forums like this
>and you'll be much better
>off.

+1. Well said. Great buck, great shot Brad!

"He who makes a beast of himself, gets rid of the pain
of being a man" -Samuel Johnson
 
Foteman4x4, why why don't you lather up with some prep-h, go jump on your foreman 4x4 and keep road hunting?
Are you jealous of Brads buck? Are you jealous of Brads equipment? Are you jealous of Brad? Or are you just a negative nelly?
Stop hating.
 
>Foteman4x4, why why don't you lather
>up with some prep-h, go
>jump on your foreman 4x4
>and keep road hunting?
>Are you jealous of Brads buck?
>Are you jealous of Brads
>equipment? Are you jealous of
>Brad? Or are you just
>a negative nelly?
>Stop hating.

Nah, the man crush is all yours.
 
Lol.. Nice deer!

I had my azz grilled back in 2008 for posting a
68 yard shot on an elk! Made my mind up that day, I will never post yardage or pics on the net again!

I learned a lesson that day and do agree, we shouldn't as hunters, advertise our personal code of ethics.
 

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