Steep angled bow shots

[Huntseverything22]

Does anyone have experience with steep incline and declined archery shots? I have recently moved into the mountains and do not have much experience shooting these steep shots. I have heard that if it's a steep down hill shot add 5 yards and if it up hill take away 5 yards. Is there any truth to this? I am planning on practicing steep shots a lot probably starting this month and would like any information so I spend more time shooting instead of searching for arrows. Any help would be great.

 

[cozy23]

I think you have it flip flopped. Steep down hill, just like from a tree stand, you would want to lower your point of aim. When a deer is at 10 yds in front of me and I'm 18 ft above him, I am going to put my 20 yd pin at the bottom of his chest. Gravity is going to play less of a role on how the arrow flies in this case because you are shooting downwards. I don't have experience shooting uphill but I would assume that gravity is going be pulling downwards on the arrow more so than a flat shot. I would think you would add yardage, or hold high, on the uphill shots.

 

[stik]

the difference is negligible.

 

[gobblinfool]

Another key aspect that is overlooked for uphill/downhill shots is that you draw your bow, then bend at the waist....many people bend at the waist, then draw, which affects there anchor point

 

[woodsman87]

I about have to aim under them if they are almost right under me, within 12 yards of my tree.
If they are any close than about 7 from my tree I can't hardly get a shot off. I try not to let them get close.
I have no idea what it is like shooting up.

Sent from my Lumia 900 using Tapatalk

 

[WRbowhunter]

Should not make that much difference. Just make sure you bend at the waist. If you drop your bow arm you will shoot high.

 

[TLRanger]

The most gravity pull is a horizonal shot. Up or down is the same pull. Example: a 45 degree angle up and a 45 degree angle have the same gravitational pull. Seems odd, but its true. It has been proven by long range rifle shooters.

 

[callemquacktn]

An angle compensating range finder is a great investment.

 

[landman]

Well I will say I really don't like them "under the tree" less than 5 yards, myself....cause I have missed the crap of out them kill that, not lately but in the late 70's and mid 80's..... :drool:

 

[Crappie Luck]

the difference is negligible.

This.

The problem with steep shots is if you miss the heart, you can usually only hit one lung and they'll run off. They often require a follow up shot if you can get close enough to get one.

On steep hills, it's better to position your self down the ridge, climb high and shoot at them straight out in front of you.

The other problem is perceived yardage. A deer down the hill but 10 yards out looks like it a 40 yrd shot. Always look straight ahead at a tree about 10-20 yrds out and follow it down to the ground. It might look 50 yards away, but it's still the 10-20 yard shot you would use if the deer was 30 ft up that tree.

 

[catman529]

10 yards from the tree you almost aim under the deer. 5 yards and closer you just put the pin where you want it. I've shot two at 5 yards from 20 feet high and both were dead perfect shots, but I've shot over deer's backs at 10 yards from 20 feet high.


Sent from the talk of tap

 

[Andy S.]

The problem with steep shots is if you miss the heart, you can usually only hit one lung.....

This would be my biggest concern. The steeper the angle, the higher the odds of just getting one lung. Furthermore, if the angle is too steep, you can guarantee you won't hit both lungs, it is not physically possible.

 

[catman529]

The problem with steep shots is if you miss the heart, you can usually only hit one lung.....

This would be my biggest concern. The steeper the angle, the higher the odds of just getting one lung. Furthermore, if the angle is too steep, you can guarantee you won't hit both lungs, it is not physically possible.

the steeper the angle, the closer you aim to the spine. It's possible to get a double lung with a very steep shot. The lungs do touch at the middle and it doesn't take that much to cut through both of them.


Sent from the talk of tap

 

[Buzzard Breath]

An extremely steep angled shot is a lower percentage shot than I prefer. You are pretty much shooting for the heart since you can't get a good angle for both lungs. If you are going to take the shot, I recommend you study deer anatomy and practice the shot until you are positive you can do it.

 

[Andy S.]

the steeper the angle, the closer you aim to the spine. It's possible to get a double lung with a very steep shot. The lungs do touch at the middle and it doesn't take that much to cut through both of them. Sent from the talk of tap

This is a careless approach to shooting a deer if you ask me. The majority of hunters have VERY low odds of pulling this shot off day in and day out (TINY bullseye with no room for error) as there are too many variables out of the hunters control (to increase odds for a double lunger). I would rather let the deer walk away from me so I increase my odds of a double lung pass through, or let the deer walk off completely, rather than chance wounding it and feeding the coyotes. My .02

 

[Andy S.]

An extremely steep angled shot is a lower percentage shot than I prefer. You are pretty much shooting for the heart since you can't get a good angle for both lungs. If you are going to take the shot, I recommend you study deer anatomy and practice the shot until you are positive you can do it.

Amen!

 

[catman529]

the steeper the angle, the closer you aim to the spine. It's possible to get a double lung with a very steep shot. The lungs do touch at the middle and it doesn't take that much to cut through both of them. Sent from the talk of tap

This is a careless approach to shooting a deer if you ask me. The majority of hunters have VERY low odds of pulling this shot off day in and day out (TINY bullseye with no room for error) as there are too many variables out of the hunters control (to increase odds for a double lunger). I would rather let the deer walk away from me so I increase my odds of a double lung pass through, or let the deer walk off completely, rather than chance wounding it and feeding the coyotes. My .02

I've lost deer from shooting them too far back but I've yet to lose one that was standing next to the tree. 20 feet high and 5 yards (15 feet) from the tree is a very close shot but still has plenty of angle for a double lung shot. Aim for the offside armpit and the arrow will go in high and come out low


Sent from the talk of tap

 

[Andy S.]

...but I've yet to lose one that was standing next to the tree.

Congrats on your success, but the devil is in the details. How many deer have you shot right under you? If it is a few, I'm not impressed as the sample size is not big enough to read much into, but if it is 30-40 kills right under you at a steep angle, then you are an exception to the rule.

 

[fairchaser]

The most gravity pull is a horizonal shot. Up or down is the same pull. Example: a 45 degree angle up and a 45 degree angle have the same gravitational pull. Seems odd, but its true. It has been proven by long range rifle shooters.

This is correct. The tendency is to shoot high on any steep angle up or down.

 

[catman529]

...but I've yet to lose one that was standing next to the tree.

Congrats on your success, but the devil is in the details. How many deer have you shot right under you? If it is a few, I'm not impressed as the sample size is not big enough to read much into, but if it is 30-40 kills right under you at a steep angle, then you are an exception to the rule.

yes only a few, and depends on what you mean by "right under". I've never shot a deer directly underneath me, closest is 5 yards which is plenty good angle for a double lung. I'm not a very good shot and don't shoot a deer past 20. The 5 yard shots are chip to me, because there's less room for the arrow to run off from a pulled shot.


Sent from the talk of tap

 

[WRbowhunter]

5 yds is a tough shot no matter how many times you shoot. Form really comes into play as there is not a lot of room for error. I shot my 2nd biggest buck at 4 yds from 18 feet up in a tree. I made a great shot and he went maybe 20 yds. If I had a choice I would much rather shot at 15 to 20 yds but the dude walked almost straight at me. I do practice this shot. Its all about form , bending at the waist and not dropping your bow arm. But it is a tough shot and I think the next closest deer after that one was maybe 10 to 12 yds as its something I would not like to do often but it is doable.