B&C statement: Ethics of Long Range Shooting

[infoman jr.]

Until they quantify "close," that article doesn't mean anything.

 

[DaveB]

I thought they addressed this a few years back when .50's were being used to kill elk our west.

Just about any shot over 300 is risky. But if the deer is on THAT side of the beanfield and you are on THIS side, that 400 yard shot isn't out of the realm of consideration. With my 243, no shot. With my 06, how much wind I got? With my 300, its bang dead.

 

[landman]

So if I shoot one at a longer distance that grosses 200" but nets 180" I'm in the club

But if I hunt it down from half a mile away to 75 yards and he nets 165" I'm out

"The Clubs" should drop the net scores and stay quiet one some other issues
IMO

 

[MUP]

Re: B&C statement: Ethics of Long Range Shooting

I don't have any other choice than to get at least within 100 yds for a shot, and even that is stretching it thru the actual trees. I like it that way tho, getting close enough that the deer can potentially detect me by scent or sight. But on the long distance side, I can really see it coming into play out west where there might be one tree in a 1000 yd stretch between the hunter and animal. Ymmv.

 

[redblood]

I agree with B and C's statement, I just don't understand why they feel they are qualified to make it.

 

[Hunter 257W]

I get a kick out of how the distance of 100 yards is always talked about as if it's so close that anybody can make the shot. I'd bet that at least half the deer hunters in the country can't hit a deer at 100 yards 2 out of 3 shots if shooting offhand. 300 yards might as well be 10 miles. A deer looks like a coyote at 300 yards and is easy to miss even from sandbags. Long range shooting is easy on the internet but what constitutes long range gets a lot closer in real life. I've spent enough time with heavy barrel varmint rifles to know that 300 yards is longe range to such a majority of hunters that anything beyond should never be attempted on big game except for that tiny little minority of rifle nuts who live with a rifle in their hands.

 

[7mminatree]

I get a kick out of how the distance of 100 yards is always talked about as if it's so close that anybody can make the shot. I'd bet that at least half the deer hunters in the country can't hit a deer at 100 yards 2 out of 3 shots if shooting offhand. 300 yards might as well be 10 miles. A deer looks like a coyote at 300 yards and is easy to miss even from sandbags. Long range shooting is easy on the internet but what constitutes long range gets a lot closer in real life. I've spent enough time with heavy barrel varmint rifles to know that 300 yards is longe range to such a majority of hunters that anything beyond should never be attempted on big game except for that tiny little minority of rifle nuts who live with a rifle in their hands.

+1 on that, Almost every one of my rifles I own is capable of shooting 1/2 inch groups from a benchrest at 100 yards with my reloads. But, shooting offhand I'm lucky to keep three shots within 6 inches. Add certain conditions in the field to that such as excitement or adrenaline and one can easily pull a shot for a miss or worst, wounding and loosing the animal.

 

[KPH]

I Have shot P-dogs at 600 yards and didn't think a thing about it. That is a whole different thing that shooting a deer. I do a lot of target shooting at 200 yards plus and again that is different from deer. The most I would take a deer is 200 and feel right. If the truth was known most deer hunters only shoot couple times a year and that is not enough to try past 50 yards but I bet if you asked them they are great shots.

 

[BSK]

If the truth was known most deer hunters only shoot couple times a year and that is not enough to try past 50 yards but I bet if you asked them they are great shots.

I would bet good money that the average hunter--from a seated position, no rest, and heart pounding--cannot make a killing shot at 100 yards. Making the deer moving and the percentage who can't make the shot increases to 95%.

 

[farmin68]

Re: B&C statement: Ethics of Long Range Shooting

I would bet good money that the average hunter--from a seated position, no rest, and heart pounding--cannot make a killing shot at 100 yards. Making the deer moving and the percentage who can't make the shot increases to 95%.

I agree. It's more difficult than one would think. My first two kills were between 90-100 yards and I didn't connect until the 3rd shot on both. Thankfully the deer stood relatively still for it!!

I VERY rarely take a shot without some kind of a rest. When I do attempt one, I will not fire if I'm not confident in the shot.