Do You Need a Rangefinder for Bow Hunting?

Have you ever experienced such a moment? Even though I had repeatedly estimated the distance in my mind, the moment I drew the bow and shot the arrow, I could only watch helplessly as the arrow either flew past my head or didn't reach the target at all. When you are in a complex terrain, such as a slope or a thick forest, it is completely impossible to guess the true range and you can only shoot by feeling. What is most annoying is that when you see your prey, your heart beats faster. The already tense mood makes your judgment of distance even more wrong, and in the end, you can only watch helplessly as the prey disappears from your sight. In fact, the truth is that 90% of archery errors are not due to your poor skills, but rather due to misjudgment of distance!

rangefinder for bow hunting

The Cost Of Not Using a Rangefinder: These Lessons Are Worth Being Vigilant About

Don't believe it? Then let's take a look at these real cases:

Case 1: A deer 30 yards away was misjudged as 25 yards by a slope, and its arrow missed. The prey became alert and fled. What could have been a perfect hunt turned out to be a mistake in distance judgment. Not only did they fail to catch any prey, but for a long time to come, the prey in this area might have been too alert to approach.

Case 2: Overestimating the distance in low-light conditions, an arrow hit a branch, startling the entire herd. This situation not only wastes time, but worse still, it may scare all the prey in the entire area, disrupt the hunting environment, and even cause the prey to escape in pain after being injured because the arrow hits the prey but fails to kill it. This seriously violates hunting ethics.

Such a result not only wastes a great deal of time and energy, but also greatly undermines your confidence. What's more serious is that it may violate hunting ethics, resulting in a situation where the prey is seriously injured but not killed.

How does a rangefinder accurately solve problems: Is its core value clear at a glance

(1) Precise shooting: Say goodbye to the anxiety of guessing distances

With a rangefinder, you no longer have to rely on guessing to determine the distance. Just press a button gently and you can directly lock onto the true range. Especially its oblique Angle compensation function can help you accurately judge in complex terrains. For instance, on sloping terrain, ordinary distance estimation is difficult to be accurate. However, the slope compensation function of the rangefinder can calculate the precise horizontal distance based on the actual slope, allowing the arrows you shoot to hit the target precisely.

(2) Enhanced concealment: Reduced risk of alerting prey

With a rangefinder, you don't need to repeatedly move around to estimate the distance. This can reduce movement and lower the risk of disturbing the prey. In hunting, prey are highly alert. Even the slightest movement can make them sense danger and run away.

role of rangefinder in bow hunting

Comparison of actual combat scenarios: The gap is obvious

With a rangefinder: One-click distance measurement Adjust the aiming point Calm down and kill.

No rangefinder: Hesitation Estimation Mistake Regret.

Refutation of the misconception that "I don't need a rangefinder" : Breaking the established perception

Misconception 1: "Experienced hands can rely on their experience."

Fact: No matter how experienced you are, terrain, light and pressure can all affect one's judgment. Even professional hunters need to rely on tools to improve accuracy. For example, under different weather conditions, the intensity of light can affect people's judgment of distance. In complex terrains, visual errors can also cause experienced hunters to make misjudgments. As a professional tool, the rangefinder can accurately measure the distance without being affected by these factors, providing reliable references for hunters. 

Misconception 2: "Too expensive/too troublesome."

Response: Although the price of a rangefinder might seem a bit high to some people, a single investment can last for ten years or even longer. Compared with missing a precious prey or a failed hunt due to misjudgment of distance, this is nothing at all. Moreover, the design of rangefinders nowadays is becoming increasingly user-friendly. They are easy to operate and convenient to carry, and will not cause too much trouble for hunting. On the contrary, it can make your hunting process more relaxed and efficient.

bow hunting with rangefinder

How to Choose the Right Rangefinder: A Quick Guide to Keep Well

Key Features Must-read:

Bow Mode: This is the core function for dealing with complex terrains. It can calculate the accurate horizontal distance based on the actual slope, allowing you to shoot precisely even in complex terrains such as slopes.

Quick response: Ensure that the distance can be quickly locked when the prey appears. During hunting, the appearance time of the prey may be very short. A fast-response rangefinder can enable you to obtain distance information in time and seize the hunting opportunity.

Waterproof and anti-fog: Adaptable to all kinds of harsh weather conditions. Hunting is often carried out outdoors, and the weather conditions are complex and changeable. The waterproof and anti-fog functions can ensure that the rangefinder works normally in bad weather such as rainy and foggy days.

gogogo sport vpro rangefinder for bow huntingOther precautions:

Ranging range: Select an appropriate ranging range based on the scenarios where you frequently hunt. If you often hunt at a long distance, you need to choose a rangefinder with a larger ranging range.

Accuracy: The higher the accuracy, the more accurate the measured distance will be. Generally speaking, it is more appropriate to choose a rangefinder with an accuracy within ±1 yard.

Display screen: The clarity and brightness of the display screen are also very important, especially in low-light environments. A clear display screen can make it easier for you to see the measured distance.

Conclusion

Hunting has never been a gamble, but a contest that requires precise judgment. Having a suitable rangefinder can give you an advantage in hunting and win the ultimate victory. It can not only increase your hunting success rate, but also make you more composed and confident during the hunting process. At the same time, it can better abide by hunting ethics and avoid seriously injuring the prey due to misjudgment of distance. So, don't let distance misjudgment become an obstacle on your hunting journey. Choose a rangefinder that suits you and start a new experience of precise hunting!

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