Elevation/arrow flight

[billya]

I have a trip to Colorado for a mule deer hunt in a couple of weeks planned and I am wondering if there are adjustments that I will have to make due to the elevation. I will be hunting at roughly 6500 feet above sea level.

Will I have to take this into account along with angle of shot and distance?:confused:

I plan to shoot once I get there but would like to know what to expect once I land.:)

Thanks

[Michihunter]

I couldn't say with any certainty but I can't imagine there would be too much difference. Gravity is gravity.;)

[Skibum]

I couldn't say with any certainty but I can't imagine there would be too much difference. Gravity is gravity.;)


Actually the force of gravity is less at altitude;) The air is less dense as well. Doubtful it's enough to significantly affect arrow trajectory but shooting to be sure is a good idea.

[Chuck]

Elevation alone will not change your trajectory. So dont worry about that.

The 2 things to worry about are things can look farther than they are so a range finder is almost a must for a flatlander. A animal at 20 yards can easily look like its 30 depending on how steep the area is.

Also shooting at extreme up hill or down hill angles may change where your sites hit.

I cant remember (not awake yet) for sure but I think you aim high shooting up hill and low shooting down. This is even debated to death as to if you do or not.

You can try a search or post the question about shooting in the mountains on archery talk or bowsite. You will get alot of differnt answers that will be sure to confuse even more. lol

[Michihunter]

Both up and down angled shots are gonna be shorter than the actual distance to them. But as Chuck said, it's a very small difference. The horizontal distance (parallel to level ground) is the actual distance to place the pin at. Goes like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v462/Michihunter/aNGLEDDISTANCETOTARGET.jpg

[billya]

Michihunter, that is a great way to illustrate that at the same angle either up or down is the same. The arrow will shoot higher due to the actual distance on level ground is shorter.

I know a golf ball goes farther with the less dense air in the higher elevations. I thought that an arrow might do the same.

I do have a range finder but do not have the angle adjustment!