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An Outdoor Life report published Oct. 9 examines a video of a hunter killing a whitetail with a 70-yard arrow shot. The report says the deer dropped as the arrow arrived and argues the outcome does not show that the shot was reliably within the hunter’s ability. The hunter’s experience, exact setup and full account are not established in the source material.
Outdoor Life published an analysis Oct. 9 of a video showing a hunter killing a whitetail deer with a 70-yard bow shot, arguing that the deer’s downward movement as the arrow arrived may have contributed to the lethal hit. The report says the video shows a difficult, low-percentage shot, not proof that a hunter can reliably make such a shot under field conditions.
The report describes the deer as feeding with its head down before it jumps the bowstring and drops as the arrow travels. The arrow lands low in the chest. Outdoor Life says the hunter reported that the deer went down quickly, but the report does not independently document the recovery or provide the hunter’s full account.
Outdoor Life’s writer says the arrow struck about a foot below the deer’s vitals as they appeared before the animal moved. The analysis offers possible explanations, including an execution error such as grip pressure or follow-through, or a sighting or range-estimation problem. These are the writer’s interpretations of the footage; the video alone does not establish which, if any, caused the low impact.
The report also notes that the hunter used Easton FMJ arrows, which it describes as heavy and more affected by distance-related drop than lighter arrows. It says even a small range error can matter at 70 yards. Outdoor Life reports that the original video was removed shortly after the article appeared, while a screen recording of the shot remained on the page.
Why Long Bow Shots Leave Less Margin
The issue is not simply whether an archer can group arrows at a target from 70 yards in practice. In a hunt, range, wind, body movement and pressure all affect the shot, while an animal can react between release and impact. The report argues that these factors combine to leave little room for error at long distance.
That distinction matters to bowhunters because a successful outcome can be mistaken for evidence that the decision was sound or repeatable. Outdoor Life’s position is that the deer’s movement may have changed where the arrow landed, turning a poor shot into a lethal one. The report frames the video as a warning against judging a hunter’s capability by a single result, rather than as proof of the shooter’s skill or lack of it.
For readers, the practical takeaway in the report is to assess ability under realistic conditions and avoid taking a shot when a reliable hit cannot be expected. It also points to the ethical stakes: a miss or poorly placed arrow can wound an animal, even when a particular shot ends successfully.
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The Video and Its Limits
The article is an Outdoor Life analysis of footage that the writer says appeared in an Instagram recommendation. The source says the hunter appeared to present the shot as a success and to use it in connection with a broadhead sponsor. That characterization comes from the writer’s reading of the post; the source material does not include a direct statement from the hunter explaining the post or its purpose.
Outdoor Life explains that a long shot requires an archer to account for exact distance, arrow trajectory and wind, as well as to maintain consistent form. It says a deer’s response to the sound of a bow and arrow adds another variable. The report cites experts who said deer jumped the string 80% of the time, but does not identify those experts or provide the underlying study in the material supplied here. That figure should be read as a claim attributed by the report, not as independently verified data in this article.
The source focuses on this single video. It does not establish the hunter’s experience, the conditions at the moment of the shot, or whether the shot reflects a broader pattern in bowhunting. Its assessment is therefore about the risks visible in the footage, not a complete account of the hunt.
““A good group doesn’t mean you’re ready to put an arrow in a deer’s vitals at that distance.””
— Outdoor Life report
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What the Footage Cannot Establish
The source material does not identify the hunter or include a direct response from them. It is not clear how the deer was ranged, what the wind conditions were, whether the sight was properly set, or what the hunter intended to aim at. The report’s suggested causes for the low impact remain possibilities, not confirmed findings.
Outdoor Life says the hunter reported a quick recovery, but the material supplied does not include independent confirmation of that account or details about the recovery. It also does not establish whether the deer’s movement was the main reason the arrow struck where it did. The original post’s removal is reported, but the reason for its removal is not given.
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A Hunter Response Remains Open
The source material does not announce a follow-up investigation, a response from the hunter, or a new video release. The original footage was reportedly taken down shortly after Outdoor Life published its report, while a screen recording remained available on the article page at that time.
Any fuller account would need details not available in the supplied report, including the hunter’s explanation, the conditions and equipment settings, and confirmation of the deer’s recovery. Until then, the video supports discussion of the risks of long-distance shots, but it does not settle exactly how the shot was made or what caused its low impact.
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Key Questions
What happened in the 70-yard shot video?
A hunter shot a whitetail from 70 yards, according to the Outdoor Life report. The deer moved downward as the arrow arrived, and the arrow hit low in the chest; the report says the hunter described the deer as going down quickly.
Does Outdoor Life say the shot was a success?
The report says the deer was killed, based on the account provided, but argues that the outcome does not show the shot was dependable. Its description of the shot as low-percentage is the writer’s assessment.
Why can a 70-yard bow shot be difficult?
Outdoor Life points to range estimation, wind, arrow drop, shooting form and pressure. A deer may also move after hearing the bow, making the point of impact harder to predict.
What caused the arrow to hit low?
The source does not establish a cause. The report lists possible factors, including a form or follow-through error, an inaccurate range estimate or a sighting issue.
Is the original video still available?
Outdoor Life reported that the original video was taken down shortly after publication. It said a screen recording remained on the article page, but the reason for the removal was not stated.
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