Judging Distance: A Consistent Challenge for Bow Hunters

The amount of innovation that has taken place in the last few years with archery and hunting equipment is amazing. Each year, bow companies continue to achieve higher and higher bow speeds, and manage to increase accuracy and forgiveness at the same time. Some of the numbers were only dreamed of, just a few years ago. Arrow technology continues to improve, as does other hunting gear, such as clothing to better keep hunters warm, dry and unnoticed by the animals.

With all of this new technology, beginners can hunt like an old pro in many respects in a very short amount of time. However, there are some skills that bow hunters need that will never be gained by simply buying the latest technological marvel. Judging distance is one such skill—a skill that all good bow hunters must possess.

With increasing bow speeds, less accuracy is required in judging distance, but there will never be a time when the ability to judge distance is obsolete. At 240 feet per second, an arrow fired parallel to the ground will fall a little over two feet in the first 30 yards. An arrow fired at 400 feet per second falls almost a foot in the first 30 yards it travels. While there are certainly advantages to the faster setup, would you be satisfied with being a foot away from the bull’s eye at 30 yards? One of the things needed for accuracy is judging distance; there are several good methods for judging distance.

Comparison Method
The comparison method involves comparing a known object to the target to estimate the distance. For example, you hold up your thumb at arm’s length, while you’re holding your bow, and you’ve determined beforehand that the average white tail deer appears to be the height of your thumb nail at 20 yards. Then, if the deer in your sights appears to be the height of your thumb nail, you know it’s 20 yards away. If it appears half the height of your thumb nail, then it’s 40 yards away. Of course, you must become familiar with the animal you’re hunting, and this method doesn’t translate well to hunting other types of game without being thoroughly prepared. On the other hand, you can get an accurate determination while holding up the bow, preparing to take the shot. It’s a very quick way to judge distance.

Marker Method
When you arrive at your hunting location, you can determine the distance to several landmarks, such as trees or boulders. To determine the distance, you can use a laser range finder, or just pace off the distance. The time to use the range finder has passed when the target is within range. There just isn’t enough time to determine the distance with a range finder, and also get a shot off successfully. As the animal wanders past your markers, you have a very good idea of its distance.

The drawback to using the existing markers is that it may be difficult to remember the distances to the markers. Rather than relying on the existing markers, you might want to set up your own markers or decoys at specific distances. For instance, when turkey hunting, if you set up a decoy at 20 yards away from your position, and a turkey nears your decoy, it’s very easy to estimate the distance accurately enough to get a good shot off.

Step Method
Many great competitive archers use the step method. You envision a rod of a certain distance, and determine how many rods running along the ground are required to reach the target. For instance, if your rod is 10 yards long, and in your mind’s eye, you see 3 rods in between you and the target, you know the distance is 30 yards. People who are good at this method practice quite a bit. They pace off their distance as they’re going about their day, and become very familiar with what their distance looks like under varying conditions.

Judging distance is an important part of bow hunting, and it’s one of the challenges that makes bow hunting so rewarding.

Bill Phillips has written articles on many recreational activities. He’s currently working on an airsoft guns website, which offers a wealth of information and advice about selecting and using airsoft guns, including airsoft bb gun, spring airsoft gun, airsoft guns gas and more.