Getting The Range

Tip : Basically a bow is a short-range weapon. Compared to bullets and slugs, arrows from even the most modern, high-speed bows fall fast and fall short.

The steeply gaining curve of arrow drop limits the archer's maximum effective range. It also requires precise range estimation and aiming calculation at various points within the bow's effective range. For instance, the aiming points on a 20-yard buck and on a 35-yard buck are very different sight pictures.

With steep, angling shots from treestands, another geometric factor comes into play. With a steep-angle shot, the straight-line diagonal distance to the target doesn't matter. The projectile (bullet or arrow) is affected only by the actual horizontal distance. Thus a buck that is 20 yards away from and 45 degrees below your stand is only 14 actual horizontal yards away and that's how you should hold.

Understanding angles and a good rangefinder, coupled with a bow having multiple range pins and pre-sighted from an elevated position, will increase your stand-shooting percentage.