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I killed one at 45 yards back in my youth with a 45# round wheel bow. I don't why that deer didn't just step out of the way.....It took quite a while for the arrow to get there.

Since then, I limit my shots to 30 yards and under. Every deer I have ever shot at within that range, I have killed, tagged and eaten.

I've left a lot walk over the years, but I'm okay with that.

Downhill.... treestands....
Lots a folks dont bend at the waist.
Then theres the change in feel, dropping the arm or pushing up to counter the feeling.

Back in the 80s a club nearby had a steep 60 yarder.
It was an eye opener.

Even today, a lot of folks think shoot the hypotenuse and not the horizontal leg.

Even had a math major ( graduate ) tell me i was wrong, and that gravity helped on downhills.

I asked him why you shoot it the same uphill? And handed him a Lyman reloading manual w the diagram/ explanation.

I’m a 30 yard shooter.

If a totally unsuspecting, calm relaxed deer with no wind and looking away from me I would say 50 yards. On a pig I might stretch it to 75 yards when I practice at that distance and they need to be reduced on my lease

good point.
platform piviot..
set up a decline target off the deck.
that way I can sneak out for a couple..

good point.
platform piviot..
set up a decline target off the deck.
that way I can sneak out for a couple..

Lots of variables, what critter, wind, level of alertness and more. Deer and Whitetails 50 yards, Antelope 90 yards is my furthest. I practice to 120 with the compound daily. My recurve I won’t shoot past 20. I practice to 50 with it.

I killed one at 45 yards back in my youth with a 45# round wheel bow. I don't why that deer didn't just step out of the way.....It took quite a while for the arrow to get there.

Since then, I limit my shots to 30 yards and under. Every deer I have ever shot at within that range, I have killed, tagged and eaten.

I've left a lot walk over the years, but I'm okay with that.

Many years ago I shot an 80# Hoyt. I was shooting 3 or 4 days a week and regularly shot broadheads at 60 yards. I did shoot a small buck at 53 yards. BUT it was across the corner of a soy bean field from one edge to another AND he gave me time to use the range finder.
It is a whole lot diferent than try to shoot in the woods where your arrow has unseen branches along the path of the arrow's arc. Have you noticed how 3D shoots offer longer shots, but the trails are cleared to be wide open? There is a reason for that.
Since going to recurves, my shots now have to be 20 yards and under.
I often hear crossbow guys tout the range of them, but their trajectory is no better than a good compound. And once you get to 40 yards, the momentum is less.
Stay under 30...

Heck, my last two deer taken with a rifle were 16 and 25 yards... if it were not for antler restriction here in PA, I would not even have a scope mounted rifle.

HunterShooter58, Yes, when I said traditional shooter, I meant recurve. However, now I find myself shooting my longbow almost exclusively. It's 64" and #51 at my 28" draw. "D" style longbow with slightly backset limbs. It's a bow I made and a copy of an old Louie Armbruster Zebra longbow, other than the slightly dished handle. I shoot off the shelf, split finger style, wood arrows (mostly lodgepole pine) and three 5" feathers in a left wing helical. Also, I shoot Fred Asbell instinctive style, not gap or "three fingers under" and don't use the tip of my arrow as an aiming point. I've shot this way for over 50 years and for me it works. There's nothing quite like the "mystical flight of the arrow" to quote Ted Nugent. If you want to try traditional shooting, get yourself a copy of G. Fed Asbell's book, "Instinctive Shooting". It's geared towards recurves and gives all the basics. His follow up book, "Instinctive Shooting II" is more directed towards longbows. I highly recommend both.

What is the longest shot, that you feel comfortable taking at live Game?

Has been 70 yards back in the day , more like 40 now a days with aches and pains limiting confidence inspiring daily practice.

Ill proly shorten my max a little since my new bow is of lesser #.

Dont care what system a trad shooter uses.
Its all about hitting your target.

Seen too many supposed purists shoot like chit.

What is nice about trad, theres more than one way to shoot a bow well. Experiment and find what system works best for you

35 yards with a compound but I rarely hunt with one anymore. Inside of 20 with my recurve. I like hunting with traditional archery but Michigan archery has almost turned into an extension of rifle season. Most of my “archery hunting” now is with a crossbow to extend the season and take advantage of the rut. My longest crossbow kill was 50 yards with perfect conditions, plenty of daylight and a relaxed broadside deer. He jumped the string a bit but it was still a good double lung shot I’m not sure I’d do it again.