Practicing at long range is a great idea; it helps build confidence for short- and medium-length bow shots, and quickly reveals problems in shooting form or gear. In the author’s opinion, however, it’s not a permission slip to attempt similar long-range shots on live targets.
In addition to my editing and writing duties for Bowhunting World print magazine, I contribute a large amount of content to this website. You certainly know that, in many ways, the web is still the Wild West — just about anything goes. Of course, I must be careful when posting online content to the BW site. Yes, at times I’ll tackle controversial hunting topics, but I try to do so in a way that’s respectful to archers from coast to coast.
Like all of you, I have opinions on just about any subject, and each day I must consider whether I “want to go there.” One topic I’ve discussed online but not in this magazine is ethical shots on game.
The goal of every bowhunter should be to make a quick, clean kill. Yes, making a marginal hit on an animal is always a possibility; the only way to guarantee never wounding one is to never release an arrow. That said, I’ve seen a tidal shift during my 45 years of bowhunting regarding the types of risk vs. reward shots bowhunters are willing to take.
Example: Recently I was looking through a lesser-known YouTube hunting channel and watched one of the hosts miss a walking pronghorn at 60-ish yards. He sent an arrow over its back. The big buck runs farther away and then stops, looking back at the spot-and-stalk hunter. Next, you see the hunter range the animal (85 yards) and readjust his moveable bowsight. As he’s doing so, the buck starts walking farther away. Did it move another 5 yards? 10 yards? I don’t know — and neither does the hunter. As the broadside buck is still walking — did I mention the wind is whipping? — you can hear the bow fire. The buck stops while the arrow is in flight, and the arrow penetrates both lungs. The video concludes with the shooter and his buddies celebrating their success.
As I watched the video, I couldn’t help but think, What are we doing? Sure, we bowhunters have outstanding archery equipment that allows us to shoot more accurately at long range than ever before. But animals can move when arrows are in flight, and it’s magnified as shot distance increases.
In addition to seeing online videos of long-range shots on game, I also shake my head when bowhunters force arrows through thick cover at close and medium range because “It’s the only I shot I had.”
In my opinion, it’s time to pump the brakes — you don’t have to shoot.
