Bow-Shooting Deer: 30 Yards Better Than 10

Posted At : July 23, 2010 7:18 PM | Posted By : Mike Hanback
Related Categories: Big Deer Blog

I dug this out of my research archives. It’s from Missouri whitetail biologist Dr. Grant Woods, who is a hard-core bowhunter:

“…remember that the speed of sound is twice as fast as the fastest bow. It is much better to shoot a quiet bow than a fast bow. It is much better to shoot at a deer at 30 yards (if the hunter is proficient at that range) than at 10 yards.

A deer can jump the string at either distance, but is less likely to hear the bow and respond at 30 yards than at 10 yards. In addition, noise at 30 yards may not startle a deer as much as noise at 10 yards. Based on my observations, deer, like humans, have a comfort zone.”

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This seems right on from what I have experienced bow hunting. In fact, I like to set up my stand with thick cover that I can't see or shoot through for the first 15 or 20 yards around my tree. It keeps me from getting busted by the deer, it keeps the deer from jumping the string and it makes a better angle through the body. When you shoot straight down at a deer(within 10 to 15 yards), the angle sucks and you have a good chance to one lung or just stitch through thier body without hitting anything vital. YES, they can survive a shot through one lung.

# Posted By Silverback | 7/23/10 7:34 PM

I haven't shot hundreds of deer with slow-motion film to confirm this, but I can say I have had several deer duck the arrow at close distances: 12-15 yards, with traditional gear. My experience is that a small noise at 5 or 10 yards startles them much more than a larger noise at 50 yards. They sense the imminent threat and just react.

# Posted By David in NC | 7/23/10 8:03 PM

WHAT?!

# Posted By Cliff | 7/24/10 1:41 AM

This is good food for thought. I will test this theory if given the chance. I have only shot deer with a bow. That was last year at 25 yards. I can promise you, if I have an ethical shot and one is 10 yards away, I'm touching the release.

# Posted By Curt | 7/24/10 11:52 PM

Thats why i shoot a Hoyt....quiet & fast! : )

# Posted By Scott from MI | 7/25/10 12:11 PM

I farthest shot I have had to make was 35 and no string jump. I was shooting at the range one day and a guy whips out this 1,000 bow and is shooting lasers down the range and I get a little jealous. Until I start shooting my $350 bear element. He tells me dang man your bow is
quiet! I didn't feel so bad after that and after reading reports like this one!!

# Posted By parrish | 7/25/10 4:15 PM

I don't have much experience to draw on but this does make sense.

# Posted By Clint in MN | 7/25/10 4:22 PM

I had to hang up the compound due to an injury that will not allow me to hold my bow at full draw for any length of time. I purchased a cross bow because I can cock it once I'm in my stand and leave it cocked. I am curious if the cross bow will get as much string jump as compounds and if so will the ranges be the same or different?

# Posted By Buddy in South Central Va | 7/25/10 7:28 PM

i like 25-35 yards from a tree.............good lung cross section to work with......
'from the ground 01-50 is fine......... the only deer i have had jump the string were inside 30 yards

# Posted By Flatlander | 7/26/10 10:01 AM

Had one jump my string with my old bow 3 seasons ago at 25 yards. Pretty wild to see how fast they can react to a sound that close.
Had my sight right in the middle of his chest for a nice double lung shot...he lowered enough for my arrow to just fly over the hair on his back. Worst part is i had him at 20 yards a month later so i aimed right in the arm pit and just grazed the bottom of his chest. Never saw
him again after that.

# Posted By Scott from MI | 7/26/10 11:34 AM

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