I prefer under twenty but practice beyond that and am confident beyond most people's normal range. Ride up the road to Eatonton and we will shoot some.
15 yds and under. 1st year trad bow hunting I was 1 for 1 on deer and 2 for 2 on pigs. All were less than 15 yds. Said to myself...self...nothing to this stuff. 2nd year...0 for 5. Confidence level was high from 1st season and lots of practice at longer distance. Missed every deer and all were 20 yds or longer. Lesson learned.
I like 20 or less. But I only killed my first last year 17yds. Someone on stick bow created a poll last year was like 1500 votes An the avg was like 23-25yd range long shots. In Ga, with thick woods proficient at 20 or less IMO should result in some solid results. But 20 Is a long shot in my books.
Most of my kills have averaged around 12yds but have some from 3yds to 56yds over the years, but typically try and keep them around 20 or less if possible but prepared to shoot further if I need to.
If I can hit them with a rock. Seriously, Im horrible at guessing distance, i use a recurve thats about as old as I am, with no sights, just the fur patch rest and cedar arrows. Its a Bear Grizzly with the "running bear", i bought it from a friend of my dad's for $25 beer money, and I have yet to feel guilty about that to this day