range finders

[10 point]

What do you think the nikon pro staff 550 rangefinder? Does this help your bow hunting any?

[Southern Man]

I have a Nikon Monarch 880 and love it. I don't range the animal, I range spots all around me. It's amazing how distance looks in different types of woods.

[wmi]

They are a new school must have period.

[BruceBruce1959]

I think a Rangefinder is a great tool if a hunter is in areas where he may take 250 - 300 yard shots often.
But for the average woods BowHunter a rangefinder is just expensive gadgetry.
If a bow hunter knows where he's going to be hunting he could already have his shooting lanes
pre-measured and marked.
Keep in mind 40 yards is all a Bowhunter is concerned with,
you surely dont need a 200+ dollar gadget to handle measurements up to 40 yards.

Now that's just my Opinion and I'll never own one until I start hunting on a prairie,
where I might be able to get off those long range shots often.

[wmi]

I don't know Bruce they really do help if you cannot open up shooting lanes and the shot has to be sneaked in just right. 5 yards can be make it or break it. How many hunters spend the time we do at the range or in the field? If it helps make for a more clean harvest and less wounding I'm all for it. Realistically we all know it and them, the yahoos that just won't take the time necessary to become great hunters. I don't condone this but it is the real world.

[BruceBruce1959]

Oh I understand their benefits but most Bowhunters choose areas with easy shooting
and Once the location is chosen the hunters first order of business should be to measure his zone,
know his ranges and clearly mark off some spots.
And like I said a rangefinder is a great tool but it isn't the one tool that's going to make the hunt
better or more successful for a bowhunter,
it would make a world of difference if you saw a muley at 250 yards but a buck at 10,20,30 or 40 that's the big big difference,,
BUT then again if a guy has loads of extra cash and isnt going to go hungry for buying it I'd say sure, get it why not?

[Hunting Man]

or one that was chosen as a 30 year service award! I really wanted mine for out west hunting. As Bruce explained, I also don't have a need for a rangefinder for bow hunting. This is not to say others won't find them to be a great tool, I just don't need one. A couple of my seasoned buddies wouldn't be in the woods without their rangefinders. I could be using mine to mark shot distances from the stand. For bowhunters, this is probably a good reason to have one.

[joel the signman]

i cant justify the expense for the type hunting i do.i dont shoot anything past 100 and most of the time its under 50 with the gun.20-30 with the bow.besides i want my hands free.Im not knocking them,if i lived or took longer shots i might get one

[WHITETAILFEVER]

Originally Posted by brucebruce1959

oh i understand their benefits but most bowhunters choose areas with easy shooting
and once the location is chosen the hunters first order of business should be to measure his zone,
know his ranges and clearly mark off some spots.
and like i said a rangefinder is a great tool but it isn't the one tool that's going to make the hunt
better or more successful for a bowhunter,
it would make a world of difference if you saw a muley at 250 yards but a buck at 10,20,30 or 40 that's the big big difference,,
but then again if a guy has loads of extra cash and isnt going to go hungry for buying it i'd say sure, get it why not?

good point!! If you can't open up shooting lanes at least 40 yrds you know the shots will be close if not under the stand.i don't think anybody would need one if the animal is under the stand.and a seasoned bowhunter should be able to cleanly take an animal under 40yrds with out one.i've done it and still do it t this day.i do measure 20,30,40 yrds from my stand though but don't need a range finder.i guess if you had money out the wazzoo by all means.just my opinion.

[Rozman62]

I am with Joel. My max shot may be outwards of 150 yards but rare. I sight my rifles slightly high at 100 yards. I only take 30 yard max bowshots and pre-measure distances with flagging tape. I have no need for a range finder.