Tip 1: Don’t Believe Your Eyes
A lot of guys think they can accurately tell how far away objects are. They’re wrong. Don’t argue, they’re just wrong. Go to an open area, find objects and write down your, and your buddy’s range estimates. Do at least 10 objects. Then break out a rangefinder and actually measure the distances. I guarantee you’ll be surprised at how bad everyone is.

Tip 2: The Target Matters
Any laser rangefinder can measure to the broad side of a barn, but not all can do so well on a soft, furry moving deer. The rangefinder works when the laser reflects off the target and bounces back to the unit. The side of a barn is large and flat, a perfect reflective surface. The side of a deer, or head, or rump, is not a good reflector, because it has an irregular shape and soft surface. Better rangefinders will do better on the soft targets.

Tip 3: Do a Real-World Test
Don’t evaluate different models by going to the door of the sporting goods store and measuring distances to buildings or cars. They are perfect targets, and deer aren’t. Take a couple of friends (or enemies, if friends are hard to find), drape soft blankets (or a fur coat) over them and have them walk at different ranges. See if different models are better at ranging soft, moving objects. Yes, they will look stupid, but you’re the one spending the money, and you know they will want to play with it.

Tip 4: How Far Is Far Enough
Rangefinders will be accurate within a certain range, 400 yards, or 800 yards, for example, and this will be stated clearly on the box or in the manual. Which one is better for you? It all depends on what you need. If the rangefinder is good to 1,200 yards it will likely be more expensive, but how often do you take that 1,130 yard shot? Just like eyeball rangefinding, a lot of guys think they are a dead shot at 400 yards, but not many really are. I wouldn’t hesitate to go a little longer (you may go varmint hunting), but don’t overbuy. If you use a bow, muzzleloader, shotgun or pistol, (and most rifle hunters) a 400-yard rangefinder will be more than enough.

Tip 5: Use The Alternate Target
If you are in the field and have that trophy right where you want it, but your rangefinder just can’t get a good reflection, there’s an easy solution. Find a hard, flat and/or stationary object near your target and measure that distance. If your alternate target is a rock 10 feet in front of or behind the buck, there will be little difference in your aiming point.

Tip 6: Accurate Range Is Only Half Of the Solution
Knowing that your target is 217 yards away will do you no good if you don’t know where to aim to nail a target at 217 yards. Get to the range well in advance of the season, measure distances and find your aim point at a variety of possible distances. And very importantly, use the ammunition that you will use for hunting. Different brands of ammo or different bullets will have a different drop over distance. A rangefinder will only help you if you know how your bullet travels on the way to the target.

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