I have a simple tip for an archery setup that allows me to know my yardages without keeping a rangefinder in my hand when a deer approaches.
Before the season begins when I am setting up my bow stands, I head to my hunting property with a rangefinder, a buddy, and several different colors of hair ribbons, flagging and/or surveyor’s tape.
When we arrive, I climb into my stand and use my rangefinder to accurately determine the yardages for several strategic marker locations.
These are spots where a deer is likely to present an unobstructed shot, and where the ribbons are easily visible from my stand.
The yardages are color-keyed so I will easily know the distances later.
For instance, I might use bright yellow ribbons to mark off shots that are 40 yards, orange for 30, green for 20, and so on.
I will use my rangefinder to pinpoint these spots, then call out the yardages to my friend on the ground. He will tie the appropriate colored flagging to an overhanging tree limb or some brush.
In the event there isn’t suitable brush to tie onto, you can bring some wooden stakes and a hammer along to tie or staple your markers.
In addition to using ribbons to quickly tell how far away a deer is, I can also watch them when the breeze kicks up and easily tell which direction the wind is coming from.
These color-coded markers have helped me the past two seasons when I used them to determine the yardages of several does and a nice 8-pointer that I arrowed.
It doesn’t take long to create this setup, and I hope my tip will help others have more success from the bow stand.
More Tips for Creating Yardage Indicators:
Open Field Yardage Markers
No-brainer Yardage Marking
If you have a unique or special tip you’d like to share with Buckmasters fans, please email it to huntingtips@buckmasters.com and, if chosen, we will send you a cap signed by Jackie Bushman, along with a knife!
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