Author Topic: Effective range of Eastern Indian Bow?  (Read 972 times)

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Offline Ranger J

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Effective range of Eastern Indian Bow?
« on: September 25, 2007, 08:40:58 AM »
What do you think the effective killing range of the Eastern Indian Bow & arrow was.  I have an Osage bow that pulls about 68 pounds and it will send an arrow a long way.  What kind of distance would this kind of bow with traditional flint or antler tipped arrows get.  What kind of distance do you think the Eastern Indian hunted deer?

RJ

Offline flintlock

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Re: Effective range of Eastern Indian Bow?
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2007, 09:05:47 AM »
I used to hunt with a Bear recurve, 45 pounds...I killed deer out to 25 yards....I would bet most deer killed by them were within 25-30 yards....

Even with the bows we have today, in the Eastern Woodlands, most deer are killed within 25 yards....

Offline Woodbutcher

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Re: Effective range of Eastern Indian Bow?
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2007, 11:51:10 AM »
 Personal experience answers this question the best.
 Take a brown paper bag from the grocery store. Open it up and place it on it's side in the forest in a suitable spot. Now pace off a suitable distance and have at it. No marks, or aiming references, just the imaginary kill zone, right behind the shoulder. NO misses allowed!! Twenty five yards takes on a whole new meaning. An effective range can be determined without any doubt at all!
 It's close enough to the size and color of a deer, and you will find that different lighting conditions really matter.
 Anyone in the past had the same problems that we have now. Probably more. I agree with Flintlock, 25 yards, give or take. But I would sure rather take a few yards myself.
 I shoot 67 # @ 28" and oh yeah, heavy and fast! But unless I can "pick that spot" I'll get a fast miss. Much beyond 20 yards, there ain't no spot, just a brown fat deer in a winter coat, probably in deep shadow.
 Wern't any different for any hunter anywhere in the world, at any time in history. Just some of them could shoot better'n me.                                      Woodbutcher