Honesty

[soupcreek]

I recently commented on the post about "Effective bow range in the west". I said that my ethics would not let me shoot past about 50 yards due to the deteriorating odds of hitting the deer properly. I think I even made a couple rude comments about people who do take long shots.
As I have thought about this over the last few weeks, I have come to the realization that I have to be honest with myself (and the MM world).
Here goes:
Under MOST circumstances I would not shoot over 50 yards with my bow. If a really super buck presented a decent shot (in the open, no wind) out to 70 or 80, I would most likely let one fly. I do still think 100 yards is too far.
In my life, I have only seen 5-10 bucks that would go over about 160". Since I have figured out how to hunt big bucks, I haven't had the time to spend. If a big one walked by at a long distance, and I knew that a better shot was not going to be immediately available, I would probably shoot.
Some people have the luxury of knowing that they can spend another 3 weeks this season trying to get a better shot. I don't have that luxury. With my young family and work responsibilities, I will be lucky to get 3 weeks total in the next 5 years. I would take the shot.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.
Ryan

 

[camonick]

never let anyone rag on what you feel confident with. Just remember to always be confident in your ability.

 

[Elmacho]

Unfortunately many of us are in that same boat. The pressure builds from lack of free time. You wait all year, drive a long way, wait years for the right buck, only have a couple days to gitter dun....that big ole buck you've waited all your life for...what do ya do???? makes most people, even the most ethical, stretch their judgement in efforts to realize a dream(whatever size buck that dream may be...a 140 a 180, a 200 incher)

In the end, I envy those who live in reach of these magnificent animals and get to "relax" while enjoying the hunt, knowing that they have most of the season to scout, prepare, then hunt most effectively....

Thanks for your honesty

8 months til I get travel, scout, climb, anticipate and hunt all in a one shot attempt to git a biggun

Mark

 

[sneekiest_sneeker]

well said man. I'm in the same boat.

"SAVE THE TREES, EAT A BEAVER."

 

[tageater]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-06-09 AT 06:16PM (MST)[p]I'm not trying to stir a pot, and i am not trying to push my ethical standard on anyone, but in the following situation:

last day of the hunt, the big buck that i've been hunting comes out on the "wrong" trail at 60 yards instead of 30 yards on the trail i was set up on....He walks....and here's why in MY case:

i practice out to 60.(no further).If i cant get to within 50 yards of a buck, i need to hunt with a rifle, or quit screwing up and pick the right trail to set up on.

So in that situation i tip my cap to the critter that just beat me at his game....rewind all the info i'd learned in this years chase and learn from it, and start preparing for next year. and thats simply my take on it.

-I have no problems with anyone shooting out to whatever distance they are comfortable shooting. Good hunting!

 

[jasn]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-06-09 AT 06:22PM (MST)[p]At least you're being honest with yourself, and its about what you feel confident with, that is the point. Its not for me or anyone else to tell you what we think you should, or shouldn't do with your tag.

Now realize that others have different comfort levels than you. You said you might let one fly out to 80 yards, which is 160% farther than your original 50. I feel confident to 75 yards. Now with your same standards, 160% of my 75 yard shot is now 120 yards. If you judge me on my 120, then should I judge you on your 80? NO. Oh, and yes I do practice up to and past 120, where I assume you do not practice up to 80 yards? And no, I wouldn't ever shoot at a live animal at 120, even though I practice, because I just don't feel its right for me.

Just a little to think about. I'm just trying to put things into perspective, so none of us judge others so quickly. I think all of us hunters need to stick together and support each other on these type of issues. When we argue, it only hurts all of us in the end.

 

[Rackcrawler]

Ryan,
I don't bow hunt, have many friends that do. I hunt rifle and muzzle. Having said that: your 80 is my 450 rifle and 200 Muzzle. I know there are many people in the hunting world that can shoot further and more accuratly than I do. I'm comforable shooting out to 350/400 yds. With a muzzle loader no more than 150 yds. These ranges for me, are when conditions are right.
The reason I know this is mistakes in the field and learning and realizing my limitations. It's something that took me some time to learn and accept. I've wounded 2 animals (in 42 years of hunting) that I couldn't locate, after shooting beyond my abilities. I searched all day and most of the next for one, and didn't recover it.
The other one I was able to recover. I never want to have those feeling, again.
I understand the travel, short seasons, etc. But, believe when I say, not much feels as bad as when you know you left a deer/elk out there that you didn't recover.
Thank you for your honesty.
Tom





Tom
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.

 

[LuckyShot]

In my opinion, good post and good comments from everyone regarding this issue. Here's my two-cents worth.
We all are going to wound an animal, or hit an animal poorly whether it's with a bow or a rifle, it will happen. That's inevitable. Although unfortunate, it will happen to all of us sooner or later. We each just need to know our limits and use some good judgement when taking a shot. What really throws a monkey wrench into this whole equation is when "buck fever" kicks in and the nerves start to turn a good shot into questionable shot. Again, use judgement before you pull the trigger or release.
Then, if a questionable hit is made, do all in your power to search for that animal. What kills me is when guys hit an animal poorly and then put little to no effort into it's possible recovery because they dont think the animal died (no good blood to follow, etc). This is horrible sportsmanship and even more importantly, it's unethical. I was recently talking with Jeremy Houston at the Sportsmans Expo in Salt Lake. We talked about an awesome velvet muley he killed in Arizona this past fall. He made a questionable hit on the deer, but then spent the next four days looking for the buck. He was fortunate enough to find it, no doubt due to his diligence in looking for it. I was very impressed with that and hope we all keep that in mind when we are put into that situation!!!

 

[SHEDSTALKER]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-07-09 AT 02:10AM (MST)[p]You know, I drew an LE archery tag on the Fishlake 2 years ago and ended up not harvesting a bull after 11 days of hard hunting. I was close to good bulls everyday, but he right opportunity just never presented itself. One instance jumps to mind over the rest though. I could here a bull bugle several hundred yards across a large rock slide above me, so I decided to go after him. I was able to sneak through his harem of 20 or so cows and had the bull at 28 yards. He was a respectible bull that would've scored around 345 and one which I would have been ecstatic to harvest. However, although I was clearly in range, there was a single pine bough hanging down that covered the entire vital area of the bull. I seriously thought about letting it fly anyway, but I decided to hold off and just hope he would take a step forward and give me a shot. Well, it never happened, but the thought of wounding him was too much for me. Looking back, I regret it, but if I was put in the situation again, I still really don't think I would let the arrow fly. However, in the scenario Luckyshot spoke of with a monster buck/bull and a clear shooting lane with no wind, I would more than likely take that shot.

 

[manny15]

My bother in-law was deadly at 80 yards, but at a target that may not stand still hole different ballgame

 

[txhunter58]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-08-09 AT 09:22AM (MST)[p]You never know what you would do unless you are in the situation. But I can tell you this: The last time I went bowhunting for elk, I had set a hard max at 40 yards. I had a 6x6 standing broadside at 47 yards and I passed. I think the chance of wounding one bothers me more than going home empty handed and I just didn't KNOW that I could make that shot.

Second situation. I went mule deer muzzy hunting in Colorado last fall and practiced and felt comfortable out to 150 yards (open sights) and told myself that was my limit. I had a really nice buck present a broadside shot at 172 yards with a calm wind. He was also unaware of my presence and I had 20 minutes to set up and had shooting sticks. I felt CONFINDENT that I could shoot straight, just didn't know if I could adjust for the distance. I took the shot and shot just over his back.

Two different situations/weapons, two different decisions. I still feel comfortable with both decisions I made.

Words to live by: Respect your quarry and know your limits (and your weapon's limits).

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)