I have always had good luck judging yardage. I shoot alot of 3D when I am home and that is a huge help. I have my top pin set for 24 yards and shoot alot from there working on form. I picture that distance to a tree or root or stump and then judge from that point. I am usually within a couple yards and my pins are set in such a way that I am still in the 10 ring. The vitals on a whitetail are much larger than a 10 ring so that translates to a good hit and most deer fall within sight or hearing.
I have and use a rangefinder and I use it when I first get into the tree to range landmarks. I very rarely deer hunt from the ground so ranging and using landmarks is easier.
Alot of the targets that we shoot on the 3D course are deer sized targets. That also helps to judge the distance to a whitetail as you can look and just compare size. This implies that you have done this ALOT and it has become second nature.
Another way to get better is to just go out to the woods and practice judging distance to a stump. Verify with your rangefinder and repeat.
If you have a rangefinder, by all means use it if you have the time. Don't rely on just this piece of electronics to do the job. My battery was dead one day and I had to use old fashioned judging skills to make the shot. I got a nice doe for the freezer that day and have carried a spare battery ever since!
I have and use a rangefinder and I use it when I first get into the tree to range landmarks. I very rarely deer hunt from the ground so ranging and using landmarks is easier.
Alot of the targets that we shoot on the 3D course are deer sized targets. That also helps to judge the distance to a whitetail as you can look and just compare size. This implies that you have done this ALOT and it has become second nature.
Another way to get better is to just go out to the woods and practice judging distance to a stump. Verify with your rangefinder and repeat.
If you have a rangefinder, by all means use it if you have the time. Don't rely on just this piece of electronics to do the job. My battery was dead one day and I had to use old fashioned judging skills to make the shot. I got a nice doe for the freezer that day and have carried a spare battery ever since!