Bow sights work best when you know or can accurately estimate the distance to your target, since their primary purpose is to help you adjust aim for different ranges. In practical terms, the top scenarios where bow sights shine are:

• From fixed positions with reliable distance references: tree stands, ground blinds, or open clearings where you can measure or estimate how far the target is before you draw. This lets you pick the correct pin or sight setting quickly.
• When using a bow with a known sight-in distance: if you’ve sighted in your bow for a specific yardage (e.g., 20, 30, or 40 yards), you can more reliably hit at those ranges, provided there are no significant changes in stance, wind, or bow handling.
• In situations where distance is relatively stable: hunting or shooting from a position where the target doesn’t move significantly during the aiming process, allowing you to take advantage of your pinned references.

Important caveats:

• Bow sights are most beneficial once you’ve developed a dependable distance assessment skill. If distance estimation is uncertain, instinctive aiming or practice with range-finding methods will help you improve this, which in turn makes sighting more effective over time.
• Multi-pin and adjustable-pin sights add flexibility for varying ranges, but they require proper setup and practice to avoid aiming errors when switching between pins.

If you’d like, I can tailor these points to your gear (type of bow, fixed vs. multi-pin sight, hunting vs. target shooting) or walk you through a simple step-by-step setup and practice routine to maximize your sight’s effectiveness at known distances.