The obvious answer is to use a range finder but say you forgot it and your in a new spot. Are there specific techniques that you use to judge distance or do you just guess? Judging by my practice, being one or two yards off on my estimate can be the difference between a heart shot and a complete miss.

Practice

1) When in a treestand pick a tree or something else about level with you to reference the deer that is standing near the base of it. (This based on the assumptoin that you are practiced at flat distances.)

2) Pace it off and place markers before climbing.

3) Practice when going to the mailbox, mowing or walking across a parking lot.

Obvious answer, don't forget your rangefinder. With the speeds today's bows are shooting being 2 yards off at distances under 30 yards will not be enough matter. The only way to get better at judging yardage is by practicing with a rangefinder. With enough practice you will be able to pick out 20 or 25 yards fairly easy. Another thing that will help is by shooting some 3D tournaments. It's against the rules in most all of them to use a rangefinder. So you have to judge the the yardage with the naked eye. My technique is to find the halfway point to the target, then judge it. Then I judge from the target back to me, instead of from me to the target.

Sitting and practicing with your rangefinder in a tree will help big time on those days you forget it (or drop it while climbing up, done that!) I range a lot of stuff beforehand in case I'm unable to when a deer is close. When I'm doing that I just guess the distance then range it and see how close I am.

What helped me is to pace out 10 yards, usually there is a tree or something that close. Once in the tree, I'd look at that distance and add 10 yards to it. Then you would have 20 yards ranged. Then add 10 more yards and so on and so on.

That was easier for me, than just looking at something and guessing 32 yards.

I got 5 yards marked off in the yard at home. Every morning when I lock the front door. I look at the mark every time I leave. But like everyone else. I keep that Nikon around my neck while hunting to make double sure.

I don't have a range finder...wish I did, but never had the money for one. I just play a mental game when I first get in my stand and start ranging trees, rocks, stumps...whatever. Then if something shows up I have a range mark already.

Yep if I'm in a field ill grab 3 sticks and step them out 20,30,40 yds. If I'm in the woods or some where I can step of something natural like a tree or bush I will.

I use the 10 yard incraments myself. Find trees in each direction I think is 10 20 & 30 & sorta make a circle around my stand in my mind before a deer comes in. Heck most places I wind up hunting I dont have to worry cause I cant see to shoot over 25 yards anyway.

Now fields really screw me up if im not paying attention. specially if im 25 to 30 foot up. 50 yards looks like 30.

Tie your rangefinder to your safety harness. Mine stays attached to front right pocket for easy access. No vest, shouldn't be in stand. Wait till good light, pick out leaf on ground 20-30 yrds, take practice shot. Should be able to judge how close you were to right.

Try to pick the midpoint and estimate to there and double.

This is what I do!!

^^^^^^ This...I don't shoot over 40 yards. I feel there is to much that can go wrong and there's no worse feeling to me than making a bad shot on a deer.