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Range Estimation Techniques and
Tricks
Range estimation can be one of the
most frustrating aspects in archery. In 3-D Bowhunting tournaments, an
archer who is a very good shot but a very poor judge of distances, will
most probably lose a lot of arrows. Of course this applies to bowhunters
and archers alike. If you know of any other technique to help estimate
range or ways to practice, send me an E-Mail at mfoster@spots.ab.ca.
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Note:
That archers should read the rules before entering a tournament.
The IBO has sent warnings out that it will not permit the use of range
finding devices, even if that device is an integral part of the archer's
bow, sight, ect. Most people competing in these events would already know
this, but it could save a beginning archer some embarrassment.
Stump Shooting
This is not a technique, but more of
a way to hone your skills. To practice this activity one must have good
blunts and excellent arrow finding skills. First you and a few friends
join up and go to an area that is
This activity is usually done
with more than one archer. One member of the group selects a random target,
such as a tree stumps, groups of weeds, tree trunks etc. Once the group
has agreed to the target, the archers estimate the range, aims and then
shoots. After the shots are taken, measurements are taken of the actual
distance. This will allow the archer to learn from his mistakes improve
his estimations.
Instinctive Method
Archery is 10% technical and 90% instinctive,
and range estimation is the same . The key to this method is practice,
and plenty of it. The archer, must go stump shooting, 3-D bowhunting, walk-thru
and practice on a daily basis. The archer must practice under different
weather conditions, so that one can estimate under every condition and
still make an effective shot.
Every day, I would go down to
the walk-thru range (targets placed in random terrain), and shoot the targets
at unmarked distances. I would judge the range and without hesitation (this
is important) shoot a the target. Once the arrow hits the target, I would
calculate the exact distance by using a range finder. This like stump shooting
this will help the archer make mental corrections, so that the same mistake
will not happen again.
I have heard of an archer who, while
going to work or going to school. Will pause a second, estimate the range
on a signpost, lamp, etc. Once the range has been calculated, he would
pull out a range finder and get the exact distance. This may sound absurd,
but the practice he got from this made him quite efficient and a deadly
shot.
Ground Divisions
This techniques requires the archer
to have a clear line of site with the target. To calculate this, the archer
must look at the ground and separate the ranges of 10 or 20 meters. Once
the separations are done, the archer adds up the sections to get the proper
range. Unfortunately this technique will play tricks on you, if the lighting
is different than practiced and if there is an inclination in the ground.
The Thumb Technique
Close your subordinate eye and hold
your hand out flat in front of your face. Then put the tip of your index
finger on the rightmost edge of the target. Now, repeat the step by closing
your dominate eye. You will notice that the tip of your finger will shift
towards a certain direction. The distance from the tip of your finger to
the edge of the target is proportional to the distance you are from the
target.
Variations on the Triangulation
Technique
The easiest one is to use the tunnel
of the sight. When you are in position to shoot, you can observe the size
ratio of the target and the tunnel. As the size of the tunnel is fixed
and known, as soon as you have estimated the size of the target, you will
be able to estimate the distance. Of course, this technic requires some
preparations to determine the ratios of the target and the tunnel at each
distance. This technic is relatively easy to implement and give a pretty
good estimation as soon as you are able to determine the size of the target.
The spot and the writing may also give you some hints. The point of your
arrow may also be used instead of the tunnel.
Another one is to use the window
of your bow in a similar way.
But these two technics are in fact
only an adaptation of the painting technic which use the fingers or pencil
to keep proportions.
I know some people who are using
a third technic based on the floor. They count the number of hands (or
fingers) they can adjust form them to the target following the floor, like
astronomist do with the stars in the sky. It's also based on a triangulation
but the errors increase quickly with the distance.
Size Estimation Technique
I also met several people who are trained
to estimate the distance just looking at the target. They trained at known
distances (generally form 0 to 60 meters) and after, they are able to determine
the distance with an error less than 1 meter. I'm not mastering this technic
but I observed them. I noticed that they all have a very good visual quality
at long distance. I think it's possible because the eyes are able to focus
the image on the correct distance alone. The problem is to be able to access
this information... the training seems to be an answer.
Half Way Estimation Technique
Another way that you can estimate
the range. Is to estimate the half way point between yourself and
the target and estimate that distance. Then just double your estimate.
The idea being that the shorter distance is easier to accurately estimate
and thus your actual estimation will be more accurate over all.
The following people helped make this
possible...
Eric Barthelemy
(barthele@aonix.fr)
Laurent Le Goff (legoff@pitcairn.meteo.fr)
J. Horn
(jhorn@mail.bright.net)
Steve Pickett
(spickett@hydra.acs.uci.edu)
Terry Trier
(trier@pilot.msu.edu)
