Outdoors Solutions: Hunting and Fishing Destinations specializes in sending clients on hunting and fishing trips. One of the company’s most requested outings is a Western States hunt for elk, mule deer or pronghorn antelope. 

“For a lot of people, it is the hunt of a lifetime,” says Greg Ray, Outdoor Solutions founder and co-owner. “We warn them; given the wide-open spaces you will be hunting, you need to be able to make a shot out to 400 yards at least.”

He soon discovers; most clients haven’t shot deer-sized game much past 100 yards, and the 400-yard requirement scares them. 

And notice that Greg tells clients, “at least” 400 yards.

If you are plan that hunt of a lifetime in the huge expanses of the West, do yourself a big favor and buy a quality range finder. Use it repeatedly before your hunt, and use it in conjunction with Ballistic, the Number 1 long-distance shooting app.

Distances can be very deceiving. So, once you get used to your range finder’s controls, locate a piece of higher ground and start picking out various objects in the distance with your naked eye. That tree, for example, you guestimate at 300 yards and that building at 650 yards. Then, use your range finder to how far away they are.

Keep practicing until you can get within 50 yards of being correct on your distance calculations.

But, if I spot game at a distance, you say, I’ll use my range finder. You will-if you have time, and the above practice session will give you the hands-on experience is doing just that.

Game animals are very unpredictable. A mule deer can suddenly stand up out of the brush or an elk may wander into sight just before dropping into a ravine. You may have to shoot at a moment’s notice, literally, and having done your due diligence; you will be able to tell yourself, “That’s a 350-yard shot,” and know the correct holdover.  

How do you know the correct holdover to compensate for bullet drop at various distances? The best way to learn is by using Ballistic. You zeroed at 100 yards, using your hunting ammunition, of course, and then Ballistic calculated your holdovers needed out to whatever distance you are comfortable shooting.  

Good luck is well, good. However, with Ballistic, a quality range finger and lots of pre-hunt practice will make your Western hunt of a lifetime a truly great experience!