At what range do you typically take deer?

Deja vu · April 3, 2012, 09:44 PM

I am from Idaho but the area I hunt is heavily forested so a long shot is about 100-120 yards and typical shots are between 20 and 75 yards.

I have been reading a few hunting forums and out there are there are people talking about getting deer at 700+ yards. To me that seems crazy. I can see hitting targets at 700 yards if you have a bench, but shooting from the shoulder I doubt I could do much past 250 yards on a good day even with a rest such as a tree.

how far do you shoot when shooting at game?

Bel5191 · April 3, 2012, 09:51 PM

I'm from southwestern Pennsylvania so most shots are between 50-150 yards for me. Not many opportunities to take something out at 500 even if I trusted myself to.

BIG P · April 3, 2012, 10:38 PM

I hunt power lines & cutover timber by choice. Here in GA. Its one of the best ways to see a good number DEER so there is a big yardage spread in a given hunt. Most of the time theyre between 150 & 400 yds. These shots are off either tripods or bench with the rifle set up for that reason.

At the same time I do carry another rifle for hogs at longer range while i'm in the blind set ups I have taken hogs @ 700 & beyond a few times the 300WIN MAG is good for that. The 270 Win & 25-06 REM are the Deer rifles.

Beagle333 · April 3, 2012, 10:43 PM

30-45 yards. I like them close. 'Not that hard to do here in the thick bottoms in AL.

warbirdlover · April 4, 2012, 12:17 AM

About 200 yards is the longest shot I've made on our wooded land in Wisconsin and most are around 50-100. I've shot a muley in Wyoming at 300 yards but that was in the open.

farmerboy · April 4, 2012, 01:02 AM

Here on central Texas, alot of oaks and open fields too. I like to hunt half and half and usually take all head shots at 100 to 200 yards. Don't really shoot at deer further because I don't shoot then in front shoulder and don't like tracking. But shoot hogs at 0 to endless yards. I sometimes hear ones out there who shoot deer at 700 yards or beyond and not saying they can't but who almost have to see it to believe it. I wouldn't want to attempt it for wounding the animal. There are deer everywhere here so if they're too far for a safe shot wait 10 minutes and others will be there. I almost always shoot does or young bucks anyway because of better eating and wouldn't give you 15 cents for a wall hanger. Just me

BloodOmen911 · April 4, 2012, 01:09 AM

I live in east texas, so normally it's no longer than 100 yards for me, unless i'm hunting on a pipeline right of way. On the right of ways, i sometimes take 200-450 yard shots with my 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser.

bswiv · April 4, 2012, 05:05 AM

Close.......usually less than 50, and often less than 25.

We've got some open areas, chops and the like, but I find it much more rewarding to be close up in the thick stuff......creek bottoms and swamps. Don't see as many deer because you can't see as far but there is something about having one up close, even if it's a doe, where you can hear the acorns getting crunched and closely observe all their activities.

Just adds to the experence of being in the woods to get close. Beyond that when it is time to shoot one it's a rare thing to not have the bullet go exactly where it's suposed to.

All that said we've been pheasant hunting in the Dakotas a couple of times and in driving about the West I can see where you'd have to do things differently there. And it's also worth admitting that the rifle skills necessary for that long-range hunting are something me and my old .35 Rem do not possess.

deerslayer303 · April 4, 2012, 05:17 AM

Most often its 100yds thereabouts or less. We do have 1 stand thats a buck and a quarter at its furtherest point. A few years back we had a lease with a bean field and a cutover so there was distances further than I cared to try. But man I miss that bean field in the early season.

Saltydog235 · April 4, 2012, 06:27 AM

50 to 150 yards at my hunt club. Every so often I hunt a beanfeild or two with shots possible to 6-700 yards but have yet to trigger one at that distance and doubt I would.

AllenJ · April 4, 2012, 08:49 AM

In my home state of California the area I hunt is National Forest and to date I have never even shot at a deer over 100 yards away. Most shots are in the 75 yard range and my shortest shot was a whopping 5 yards!

I'm lucky enough that I have also got to hunt a lot in Utah and Colorado but even there I would bet my average shot is less than 150 yards. I have taken one deer at 300 and one elk at 800 yards but everything was perfect for both of those shots.

BikerRN · April 4, 2012, 09:09 AM

I plan for, and train for, anything out to 500 Yards.

Last year deer was 300 Yards from sitting and at a steep angle. That was the closest opportunity offered all season. Different areas breed different techniques and may require different tools.

Hansam · April 4, 2012, 09:20 AM

I train for shooting deer out to 500yds but to date (after 20yrs of hunting) my longest shot taken was 290yds (according to my pacing). In fact that was my ONLY shot over 125 yds. 125yds or thereabouts was my next longest shot. Most deer I've taken though were within 100yds and the closest shot was about 25ft.

dlb0412 · April 4, 2012, 09:35 AM

10 to 100 yards most around 50 longest for me 160 yards closest about 7 yards.

Rifleman1776 · April 4, 2012, 02:45 PM

Here in the Arkansas Ozarks, my longest was 72 yards. Typically about 60.

Pahoo · April 4, 2012, 03:05 PM

Typically, it's under 60yds. The longest shot I have ever taking was about 125yrds. Keep in mind that I started out as a Bow-Hunter and feel that it has made me a better hunter, overall. We like to get close and personal. No longer get buck fever. Was helping out a guy, at the range and he stated that the closet shot he was setting up to take, was for 200yds. Asked him where he was hunting and he said; Iowa ....

I have also hunted Alabama, SC and most of the Midwest states, same yardage.

Once saw a video of a guy taking a Mountain Goat at 500yds. with a large M/L. Now that I understand .. ....

Be Safe !!!

TheNatureBoy · April 4, 2012, 03:50 PM

Typically within 100 yards. The longest for me is 120 yards with a Ruger .243.

Cemo · April 4, 2012, 04:22 PM

Typically about 40 - 80 yards. Once at about 300 from a steady rest with my Browning A-Bolt .270, which I use to shoot a lot. I respect the game I am hunting and try to get a very quick and humane kill, as do most other hunters. Currently my favorite deer guns are my Ruger Deerfield .44 Mag. and Rem. Model Seven Stainless in .260 Rem. I can ring a 12" steel plate at 170 yards with the Ruger Deerfield .44, but when deer hunting I limit my shots to 100 yards, which is about all distances that I can muster from my woods stands. I think the .243 Win. just may be the best deer cartridge for all around whitetail hunting, but so does the wife who took mine over. lol

603Country · April 4, 2012, 04:51 PM

Like somebody else said, I keep the deer shots relatively short (inside 200 mostly), but if I see a hog I'm going to send one his way if he's inside 500 yards. Just seeing hogs in one of my pastures gets me to grinding my teeth and muttering threats.

I was at the feed store last week, buying seed to reseed what the hogs had messed up, and I got into a chat with the guys there. One of them had a special 308 caliber hog gun made up, with long range scope (and attach/detach Gen II night vision). He said that he'd just nailed a pig at 800. That's pretty impressive.

Ya know...I used to say I was a deer hunter. Now I think I'm more of a hog hunter.

Keg · April 4, 2012, 06:24 PM

Normally 200 yrds or less....I have made some over 300..but don't normally take those....We have a management lease..so best to be close in order to fully judge....

BUFF · April 4, 2012, 06:54 PM

Anything under 300yrds. Hunted central Texas when I was younger. Now live in Kansas. It's usually windy here so I keep it short. Besides if you just wait a little while they're be another one around soon enough. I've killed a lot of deer under 100yrds.

spraynbuckshot · April 4, 2012, 06:59 PM

Coastal Georgia hunter here. Closest shot was 20 feet using a muzzleloader while sitting on the ground and longest shot was probably 90 yards with .243. I like to see the whites of their eyes! I have never had the opportuntiy to take a shot longer than 125 yards or so.

Kreyzhorse · April 4, 2012, 08:07 PM

I've taken deer between 25 and 75 yards max. I hunt in the rolling hills of Kentucky so I don't have a chance at shots any longer than that.

Art Eatman · April 4, 2012, 09:10 PM

The majority of my whitetail have been around 75 to 150 yards. One at 350 and one at 450. Walking hunting for mulies in the Davis Mountains, one at about 90 yards across a clearing in timber and one at maybe 25 yards in a telephone line sendero.

phil mcwilliam · April 4, 2012, 09:54 PM

Depends on what species of deer & where I'm hunting. Closest was a Sambar deer at 5 yards in thick fern/rainforest vegetation. Furthest was a Red deer stag at 320 yards, as it came out of the forest at sunset to feed in the open- I was waiting on the next hill with a fallen log as cover & rest.
I've culled plenty of Fallow deer in open farmland with rolling hills where shots are typically 125 to 200 yards, hillside to hillside.
While I've limited myself to 320 yards on deer, I will shoot at varmits & feral hogs & goats at greater ranges.

April 3, 2012, 09:44 PM	#1
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	At what range do you typically take deer? I am from Idaho but the area I hunt is heavily forested so a long shot is about 100-120 yards and typical shots are between 20 and 75 yards. I have been reading a few hunting forums and out there are there are people talking about getting deer at 700+ yards. To me that seems crazy. I can see hitting targets at 700 yards if you have a bench, but shooting from the shoulder I doubt I could do much past 250 yards on a good day even with a rest such as a tree. how far do you shoot when shooting at game? __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

April 4, 2012, 01:09 AM	#7
BloodOmen911 Member Join Date: April 3, 2012 Location: Longview, Texas Posts: 35	I live in east texas, so normally it's no longer than 100 yards for me, unless i'm hunting on a pipeline right of way. On the right of ways, i sometimes take 200-450 yard shots with my 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser. __________________ Anyone who trades freedom for security, deserves neither. - Benjamin Franklin

April 4, 2012, 05:17 AM	#9
deerslayer303 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Location: Leesville SC Posts: 2,652	Most often its 100yds thereabouts or less. We do have 1 stand thats a buck and a quarter at its furtherest point. A few years back we had a lease with a bean field and a cutover so there was distances further than I cared to try. But man I miss that bean field in the early season. __________________ "I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery." - Thomas Jefferson

April 4, 2012, 09:20 AM	#13
Hansam Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2012 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 763	I train for shooting deer out to 500yds but to date (after 20yrs of hunting) my longest shot taken was 290yds (according to my pacing). In fact that was my ONLY shot over 125 yds. 125yds or thereabouts was my next longest shot. Most deer I've taken though were within 100yds and the closest shot was about 25ft. __________________ This is who we are, what we do.

April 4, 2012, 03:05 PM	#16
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Iowa Here !!! Typically, it's under 60yds. The longest shot I have ever taking was about 125yrds. Keep in mind that I started out as a Bow-Hunter and feel that it has made me a better hunter, overall. We like to get close and personal. No longer get buck fever. Was helping out a guy, at the range and he stated that the closet shot he was setting up to take, was for 200yds. Asked him where he was hunting and he said; Iowa .... I have also hunted Alabama, SC and most of the Midwest states, same yardage. Once saw a video of a guy taking a Mountain Goat at 500yds. with a large M/L. Now that I understand .. .... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

April 3, 2012, 09:51 PM	#2
Bel5191 Junior Member Join Date: December 28, 2011 Posts: 13	I'm from southwestern Pennsylvania so most shots are between 50-150 yards for me. Not many opportunities to take something out at 500 even if I trusted myself to.

April 3, 2012, 10:38 PM	#3
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	I hunt power lines & cutover timber by choice. Here in GA. Its one of the best ways to see a good number DEER so there is a big yardage spread in a given hunt. Most of the time theyre between 150 & 400 yds. These shots are off either tripods or bench with the rifle set up for that reason. At the same time I do carry another rifle for hogs at longer range while i'm in the blind set ups I have taken hogs @ 700 & beyond a few times the 300WIN MAG is good for that. The 270 Win & 25-06 REM are the Deer rifles.

April 3, 2012, 10:43 PM	#4
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	30-45 yards. I like them close. 'Not that hard to do here in the thick bottoms in AL.

April 4, 2012, 12:17 AM	#5
warbirdlover Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2009 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 2,324	About 200 yards is the longest shot I've made on our wooded land in Wisconsin and most are around 50-100. I've shot a muley in Wyoming at 300 yards but that was in the open.

April 4, 2012, 01:02 AM	#6
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	Here on central Texas, alot of oaks and open fields too. I like to hunt half and half and usually take all head shots at 100 to 200 yards. Don't really shoot at deer further because I don't shoot then in front shoulder and don't like tracking. But shoot hogs at 0 to endless yards. I sometimes hear ones out there who shoot deer at 700 yards or beyond and not saying they can't but who almost have to see it to believe it. I wouldn't want to attempt it for wounding the animal. There are deer everywhere here so if they're too far for a safe shot wait 10 minutes and others will be there. I almost always shoot does or young bucks anyway because of better eating and wouldn't give you 15 cents for a wall hanger. Just me

April 4, 2012, 05:05 AM	#8
bswiv Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: NE FL....... Posts: 1,081	Close.......usually less than 50, and often less than 25. We've got some open areas, chops and the like, but I find it much more rewarding to be close up in the thick stuff......creek bottoms and swamps. Don't see as many deer because you can't see as far but there is something about having one up close, even if it's a doe, where you can hear the acorns getting crunched and closely observe all their activities. Just adds to the experence of being in the woods to get close. Beyond that when it is time to shoot one it's a rare thing to not have the bullet go exactly where it's suposed to. All that said we've been pheasant hunting in the Dakotas a couple of times and in driving about the West I can see where you'd have to do things differently there. And it's also worth admitting that the rifle skills necessary for that long-range hunting are something me and my old .35 Rem do not possess.

April 4, 2012, 06:27 AM	#10
Saltydog235 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2010 Location: Pawleys Island Posts: 1,563	50 to 150 yards at my hunt club. Every so often I hunt a beanfeild or two with shots possible to 6-700 yards but have yet to trigger one at that distance and doubt I would.

April 4, 2012, 08:49 AM	#11
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,766	In my home state of California the area I hunt is National Forest and to date I have never even shot at a deer over 100 yards away. Most shots are in the 75 yard range and my shortest shot was a whopping 5 yards! I'm lucky enough that I have also got to hunt a lot in Utah and Colorado but even there I would bet my average shot is less than 150 yards. I have taken one deer at 300 and one elk at 800 yards but everything was perfect for both of those shots.

April 4, 2012, 09:09 AM	#12
BikerRN Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2007 Location: "State of Discombobulation" Posts: 1,333	I plan for, and train for, anything out to 500 Yards. Last year deer was 300 Yards from sitting and at a steep angle. That was the closest opportunity offered all season. Different areas breed different techniques and may require different tools.

April 4, 2012, 09:35 AM	#14
dlb0412 Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2012 Posts: 136	10 to 100 yards most around 50 longest for me 160 yards closest about 7 yards.

April 4, 2012, 02:45 PM	#15
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	Here in the Arkansas Ozarks, my longest was 72 yards. Typically about 60.

April 4, 2012, 03:50 PM	#17
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	Typically within 100 yards. The longest for me is 120 yards with a Ruger .243.

April 4, 2012, 04:22 PM	#18
Cemo Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2010 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 245	Typically about 40 - 80 yards. Once at about 300 from a steady rest with my Browning A-Bolt .270, which I use to shoot a lot. I respect the game I am hunting and try to get a very quick and humane kill, as do most other hunters. Currently my favorite deer guns are my Ruger Deerfield .44 Mag. and Rem. Model Seven Stainless in .260 Rem. I can ring a 12" steel plate at 170 yards with the Ruger Deerfield .44, but when deer hunting I limit my shots to 100 yards, which is about all distances that I can muster from my woods stands. I think the .243 Win. just may be the best deer cartridge for all around whitetail hunting, but so does the wife who took mine over. lol __________________ Cemo Life Member NRA, VFW. Vietnam Vet, Hq Trp 1/1 Cav & H Trp 17th Cav., 1967-68.

April 4, 2012, 04:51 PM	#19
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	Like somebody else said, I keep the deer shots relatively short (inside 200 mostly), but if I see a hog I'm going to send one his way if he's inside 500 yards. Just seeing hogs in one of my pastures gets me to grinding my teeth and muttering threats. I was at the feed store last week, buying seed to reseed what the hogs had messed up, and I got into a chat with the guys there. One of them had a special 308 caliber hog gun made up, with long range scope (and attach/detach Gen II night vision). He said that he'd just nailed a pig at 800. That's pretty impressive. Ya know...I used to say I was a deer hunter. Now I think I'm more of a hog hunter.

April 4, 2012, 06:24 PM	#20
Keg Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2011 Location: Freestone County, Texas Posts: 1,133	Normally 200 yrds or less....I have made some over 300..but don't normally take those....We have a management lease..so best to be close in order to fully judge.... __________________ Hog Hunters never die........They just reload.........

April 4, 2012, 06:54 PM	#21
BUFF Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2011 Location: Augusta, KS Posts: 226	Anything under 300yrds. Hunted central Texas when I was younger. Now live in Kansas. It's usually windy here so I keep it short. Besides if you just wait a little while they're be another one around soon enough. I've killed a lot of deer under 100yrds.

April 4, 2012, 06:59 PM	#22
spraynbuckshot Member Join Date: October 7, 2006 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 50	Coastal Georgia hunter here. Closest shot was 20 feet using a muzzleloader while sitting on the ground and longest shot was probably 90 yards with .243. I like to see the whites of their eyes! I have never had the opportuntiy to take a shot longer than 125 yards or so.

April 4, 2012, 08:07 PM	#23
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	I've taken deer between 25 and 75 yards max. I hunt in the rolling hills of Kentucky so I don't have a chance at shots any longer than that. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

April 4, 2012, 09:10 PM	#24
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	The majority of my whitetail have been around 75 to 150 yards. One at 350 and one at 450. Walking hunting for mulies in the Davis Mountains, one at about 90 yards across a clearing in timber and one at maybe 25 yards in a telephone line sendero.

April 4, 2012, 09:54 PM	#25
phil mcwilliam Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2007 Posts: 573	Depends on what species of deer & where I'm hunting. Closest was a Sambar deer at 5 yards in thick fern/rainforest vegetation. Furthest was a Red deer stag at 320 yards, as it came out of the forest at sunset to feed in the open- I was waiting on the next hill with a fallen log as cover & rest. I've culled plenty of Fallow deer in open farmland with rolling hills where shots are typically 125 to 200 yards, hillside to hillside. While I've limited myself to 320 yards on deer, I will shoot at varmits & feral hogs & goats at greater ranges.

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