I'm getting sick and tired of the constant opinions of lots of hunters to cast judgements on people who must make a legitimate long range shot. Whenever I hear a woods hunter or bowhunter claim it's unethical to shoot at these distances I realize they have no appreciation for western plains hunting on cedarless prairies or tabletop wheat and cast judgments far too quickly on us capable shooters. I live in Oklahoma and I practice all day at 300 yards and can make 10 ring shots of over 500 yards with my 7mm RUM. My personal restriction for deer hunting is 400 yards. Our range is 1000 yards and I practice from 500 yards and "in". There are times when in Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Texas you are not able to stalk in open grasslands. I submit there is great sport in making shots of fine riflery if one is practiced. I feel a sense of great pride in knowing I'm going to take the animal before I shoot at a great distance. With the use of bipods, 14 or higher power scopes and rangefinders and proper gun/bullet combinations there is just as much skill of fine riflery at 350 yards as in the mastery of the 35 yard bowshot.

I plan on teaching my son the art of stalking and stand hunting but also plan on some long range practice to see if he's capable of 200 yard plus shots after first staying on the range for a couple of years until he gets totally familiar with his rifle and load.