range finders

[wmi]

Guys I'm talking about bows mostly and range finders that figure out up and down hill shots. If you are on a hill side shooting down hill (step grade 45) another 20 yards on flat land it is a 20 yard shot however in this case it would be shot at 16. You have to admit most bowhunters would have a tough time with that one. This is where it can make a difference. Don't get me wrong I agree with you but they are a great learning tool that keeps on helping. Just the same it boils down to preference.

[Southern Man]

It's a personal preference. I'd agree that if I didn't have one, I wouldn't need one 95% of the time. But if you scout and hang a stand on the spur of the moment and hunt, they can be helpful. One such piece of public ground I hunt is that way. I have few regular stands there and will hang a stand and hunt right then. I have in the past measured off distance, steppped it off, whatever, but that leaves more and more scent in the area. When gun hunting around here I seldom ever use it. I always have it with me but I bought mine for hunting out west. It was after the fact that I seen they can be helpful bowhunting also. Although they were probably intended as a long range tool, they work well at short rang also. I'd say if you have the money to spend, go for it. They're not a necessity for most folks, but can be nice in the right situation. Whatever you do, don't let a rangefinder take you away from practice at different ranges and practicing judging distance. A range finder is a tool, not a substitute.

[wmi]

Originally Posted by Southern Man

It's a personal preference. I'd agree that if I didn't have one, I wouldn't need one 95% of the time. But if you scout and hang a stand on the spur of the moment and hunt, they can be helpful. One such piece of public ground I hunt is that way. I have few regular stands there and will hang a stand and hunt right then. I have in the past measured off distance, steppped it off, whatever, but that leaves more and more scent in the area. When gun hunting around here I seldom ever use it. I always have it with me but I bought mine for hunting out west. It was after the fact that I seen they can be helpful bowhunting also. Although they were probably intended as a long range tool, they work well at short rang also. I'd say if you have the money to spend, go for it. They're not a necessity for most folks, but can be nice in the right situation. Whatever you do, don't let a rangefinder take you away from practice at different ranges and practicing judging distance. A range finder is a tool, not a substitute.

Amen Southern Man

[joel the signman]

well that makes sense.i could see it for that situation

[Hunting Man]

don't forget to remove the battery at the end of the season.

[Predator]

I would kinda like to have one. I can see the need if you hunt unfamiliar terrain, dont have the time to create shooting lanes or don't want to get you scent all over doing that. You cant always count on following you intended game plan anyway. they may show up in a unforeseen shooting lane and it would be nice to be able to range it quickly.
but my reasoning is also twofold. My son is going to start hunting this fall and I will be able to confirm range from his stand to the target with a range finder even if I am over 100 yds away.

Originally Posted by AIRBOURNE

I would kinda like to have one. I can see the need if you hunt unfamiliar terrain, dont have the time to create shooting lanes or don't want to get you scent all over doing that. You cant always count on following you intended game plan anyway. they may show up in a unforeseen shooting lane and it would be nice to be able to range it quickly.
but my reasoning is also twofold. My son is going to start hunting this fall and I will be able to confirm range from his stand to the target with a range finder even if I am over 100 yds away.

you can confirm? how? if both are 100 from you how? you lost me.

[Predator]

Bluetooth .

[Predator]

I finally decided to pick up a range finder. Got the NIKON archers choice with id. It really elliminates the guesswork.

[flexj]

I got one last year, but I think it is a leupold. Anyway, it is handy to double check from the stand on the distances that you should already know. Otherwise you might be like me and continually wonder "was that tree 20 or 25???" Helps for a little peace of mind. Just make sure that you are aiming horizontal or it throws the distance off.