Chapter 5: Preparation Before the Hunt
Distance Judging Methods

Actual Distance Judging: Follow this procedure.

• Ask a companion to set out life-size, 3-D models of game animals in 5 to 10 spots between 5 and 50 yards from a single observation point and to measure the actual distance to each model.
• Stand at the observation point, and estimate the distances to the models; then compare your answers to the actual distances. The difference between your estimate and the actual distance is your score for that target. Total your score for all targets.
• Add up the total actual yardage to the targets, and divide your total score by the total actual yardage.
• Subtract the result from 100% to find the percentage you estimated correctly. Most beginners do not score above 75%. Your goal is to practice this method or use other estimation methods to increase your accuracy to more than 90%.

Markers

When hunting from an elevated stand or ground blind, you can pace off the distance to permanent markers, such as stumps and trees, to get an accurate measure to spots that offer potential shots.

Subtending

Subtending is determining yardage by comparing the relationship between a distant animal and your fingers or a part of your bow. For example, a normal-size deer in your location may be two-thirds as big as your bow's sight window at 10 yards, half as big as the window at 20 yards, and one-third as big at 30 yards.

Range Finders

A range finder is an accurate distance measuring tool used by many bowhunters. The devices vary in design and cost. Generally, the better the quality, the greater the accuracy when used correctly. However, most bowhunters predetermine distances in an area where they anticipate spotting game, which allows them to concentrate on taking a shot when game arrives, rather than making calculations. Usually there isn’t enough time to range an animal when it appears, and most bowhunters choose to avoid extra movement in the presence of game.