When hunting from an elevated stand or ground blind, you can pace off the distance to permanent markers, such as stumps and trees, to get an accurate measure to spots that offer potential shots.
Subtending is determining yardage by comparing the relationship between a distant animal and your fingers or a part of your bow. For example, a normal-size deer in your location may be two-thirds as big as your bow’s sight window at 10 yards, half as big as the window at 20 yards, and one-third as big at 30 yards.
A range finder is an accurate distance measuring tool used by many bowhunters. The devices vary in design and cost. Generally, the better the quality, the greater the accuracy when used correctly. However, most bowhunters predetermine distances in an area where they anticipate spotting game, which allows them to concentrate on taking a shot when game arrives, rather than making calculations. Usually there isn’t enough time to range an animal when it appears, and most bowhunters choose to avoid extra movement in the presence of game. Range finders are highly recommended when hunting in mountainous or tundra-type terrain since judging distances can be very difficult.