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Mil-dots in the hunting field
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<blockquote data-quote="Len Backus" data-source="post: 110" data-attributes="member: 1"><p>There is virtually no info available on using Mil-dots on four-legged critters - seems the common instructions are intended more for up-right two-legged targets. I have been working on this, have found that there are several doable "mil-ing" locations and would like to share them with the forum. I am also asking for some assistance in obtaining measurements for field use. Here are my measureing locations.</p><p>a. nose to back of tail</p><p>b. back line to chest line just back of foreleg</p><p>c. brisket to back of tail</p><p>d. ground to back line</p><p>e. gound to belly line</p><p>f. end of nose to back of head behind ears</p><p>g. ear width - head-on perspective</p><p>h. chest width - head-on perspective</p><p>Question, is the chest width comparable to the hip width, ie head-on vs tail-on perspective? Obviously the barrel or guts would probably be wider, not sure about this as I have not worked on it with critters.</p><p></p><p>I have compared a wide variety of readings taken on live deer and on my decoys against laser readings. The poorest readings usually are obtained from the ground to backline. I have excellent reading working with ear width, chest depth and nose to tail. I like to imagine that I am working with a series of boxes or rectangles when I am Mil-ing. The body position is critical, you should wait until the critter is at directly head-on or at right angles.</p><p></p><p>The challenge is to have some good body measurements, although there is some latitude as the Mil-dots are usually much more accurate than my field estimate. Lets say we get a reading of 1.0 mil using an 18 inch chest depth so the distance is about 495 yards, lets call it 500. If the critter's chest is closer to 17 inches the mils will read 465 and if it is 19 inches the mils will give 520. We found that taking two or three different measurements will enable determining an average that is very close.</p><p></p><p>Obviously 400 pound Canadian whitetails will have larger dimensions than 110 pound Alabama critters, so one needs decent numbers to work with.</p><p></p><p>Does anyone have any actual measurement that they would share? I think that as a group we should work at coming up with a directory of big game measurements - don't bother looking for one as it does not exist. You will be amazed at how little good info there is re the above measurements. Biologists obviously don't need most of the above measurements, at least I could not get much from any of my bio contacts.</p><p></p><p>If you have any please post them and we can create a workable list. I suggest that Mil-dot reticle users start measureing critters on the ground when they have a chance. I will post some of my numbers separately.</p><p></p><p>By the way, Mil-dots will never replace laser rangefinders, BUT there are all too many days afield when lasers don't to the job - particularly when we are talking long range. I have used most commercial laser rangefinders and they are just plain great - when they give readings. </p><p></p><p> posted April 14, 2001 11:14 AM </p><p> </p><p>IanM </p><p>Member</p><p></p><p>From: Canada</p><p>Registered: April 13, 2001</p><p>Posts: 7</p><p> Mil-dots in the hunting field </p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>Here are some measurements that I am using. There ares some sources such as the Kahles TDS instruction sheet that provide chest depths of a wide range of critters. Seems that the industry standard for chest depth is 18", at least that is the space useable with most duplex reticles. I have some more critters measured, will send them when I find my field notes.</p><p>SPECIES - WHITETAIL DEER (NORTHERN BUCK)</p><p>HEIGHTS BIG MEDIUM</p><p>Ground to Bottom of Chest 24 20</p><p>Ground to Top of Shoulders 42 40</p><p>Backline to Belly line 20 18</p><p>LENGTHS</p><p>Tail to Nose(Over-all) 95" 80"</p><p>Tail to Brisket _____ _____</p><p>WIDTH </p><p>Outside Shoulder/Shoulder 12 10</p><p>Ear Width 18 17</p><p></p><p>SPECIES - WHITETAIL DEER (SOUTHERN BUCK)</p><p>HEIGHTS BIG MEDIUM</p><p>Ground to Top of Shoulders 36" 34"</p><p>LENGTHS</p><p>Tail to Nose (Over-all) 65" 60" </p><p></p><p>SPECIES - ELK (BULL)</p><p>HEIGHTS BIG MEDIUM</p><p>Ground to Bottom of Chest 36" _____</p><p>Ground to Top of Shoulders 60" _____</p><p>LENGTHS</p><p>Tail to Nose (Over-all) 65" 60" </p><p></p><p> posted April 14, 2001 06:18 PM</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Len Backus, post: 110, member: 1"] There is virtually no info available on using Mil-dots on four-legged critters - seems the common instructions are intended more for up-right two-legged targets. I have been working on this, have found that there are several doable "mil-ing" locations and would like to share them with the forum. I am also asking for some assistance in obtaining measurements for field use. Here are my measureing locations. a. nose to back of tail b. back line to chest line just back of foreleg c. brisket to back of tail d. ground to back line e. gound to belly line f. end of nose to back of head behind ears g. ear width - head-on perspective h. chest width - head-on perspective Question, is the chest width comparable to the hip width, ie head-on vs tail-on perspective? Obviously the barrel or guts would probably be wider, not sure about this as I have not worked on it with critters. I have compared a wide variety of readings taken on live deer and on my decoys against laser readings. The poorest readings usually are obtained from the ground to backline. I have excellent reading working with ear width, chest depth and nose to tail. I like to imagine that I am working with a series of boxes or rectangles when I am Mil-ing. The body position is critical, you should wait until the critter is at directly head-on or at right angles. The challenge is to have some good body measurements, although there is some latitude as the Mil-dots are usually much more accurate than my field estimate. Lets say we get a reading of 1.0 mil using an 18 inch chest depth so the distance is about 495 yards, lets call it 500. If the critter's chest is closer to 17 inches the mils will read 465 and if it is 19 inches the mils will give 520. We found that taking two or three different measurements will enable determining an average that is very close. Obviously 400 pound Canadian whitetails will have larger dimensions than 110 pound Alabama critters, so one needs decent numbers to work with. Does anyone have any actual measurement that they would share? I think that as a group we should work at coming up with a directory of big game measurements - don't bother looking for one as it does not exist. You will be amazed at how little good info there is re the above measurements. Biologists obviously don't need most of the above measurements, at least I could not get much from any of my bio contacts. If you have any please post them and we can create a workable list. I suggest that Mil-dot reticle users start measureing critters on the ground when they have a chance. I will post some of my numbers separately. By the way, Mil-dots will never replace laser rangefinders, BUT there are all too many days afield when lasers don't to the job - particularly when we are talking long range. I have used most commercial laser rangefinders and they are just plain great - when they give readings. posted April 14, 2001 11:14 AM IanM Member From: Canada Registered: April 13, 2001 Posts: 7 Mil-dots in the hunting field -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here are some measurements that I am using. There ares some sources such as the Kahles TDS instruction sheet that provide chest depths of a wide range of critters. Seems that the industry standard for chest depth is 18", at least that is the space useable with most duplex reticles. I have some more critters measured, will send them when I find my field notes. SPECIES - WHITETAIL DEER (NORTHERN BUCK) HEIGHTS BIG MEDIUM Ground to Bottom of Chest 24 20 Ground to Top of Shoulders 42 40 Backline to Belly line 20 18 LENGTHS Tail to Nose(Over-all) 95" 80" Tail to Brisket _____ _____ WIDTH Outside Shoulder/Shoulder 12 10 Ear Width 18 17 SPECIES - WHITETAIL DEER (SOUTHERN BUCK) HEIGHTS BIG MEDIUM Ground to Top of Shoulders 36" 34" LENGTHS Tail to Nose (Over-all) 65" 60" SPECIES - ELK (BULL) HEIGHTS BIG MEDIUM Ground to Bottom of Chest 36" _____ Ground to Top of Shoulders 60" _____ LENGTHS Tail to Nose (Over-all) 65" 60" posted April 14, 2001 06:18 PM [/QUOTE]
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