Uncle Matt, I hear ya.
I have hunted for close to 20 years in Indiana and it's been all shotgun, untill 3 years ago when I bought my Encore M/L. And everything's been just fine.
I'm not saying that I want to go out with my Model 70 300 Win mag and bust one at 500 yards. Long range shooting doesn't really turn me on anyway. Just personal preference! Maybe it's because I'm not that good of a shot past 200 yards!!!!

What I want isto be able to bring out what I call my cowboy rifles.
I've had dreams about grabbing one of my 94's (like my 44 mag or 30/30) and go out and bring a nice buck, or doein and take a nice 50-75 yard shot onem and watchem fall!!

I just don't really like them saying NO RIFLES because they shoot too far when my Encore M/L will out shoot either of my above mentioned rifles by 100 yards or so.