ORIGINAL: game4lunch
Factor this in gents . . . hunting out west is far different than sittin' in a tree stand in Georgia or Indiana. Unbelievably different. We can't bait or use feeders (even game attracting crops), we can't hunt during the rut, we are scouting/hunting/covering 1000's of square miles to your "40 acre woods" . . . just to mention a few.
You have to practice 300+ yard shots in the unlikely event that it is your only "shot" at that prize. No self respecting hunter takes unethical shots. Please don't think this is common place. Hunting is still the sport of finding game and putting the stalk on them. Those shows or video better say "Don't try this at home" at some point because it is not common to have to do that, but exciting as hell when it works!
It's one thing too to lob 100 yard shots at yotes or prarie dogs or the neighbor's dog (oops!), it's wuite another to try it on an elk, mulie, or whatever.
Again I emphasize . . . those guys have highly sophisticated equipment (who even owns a range finder that goes that far?), and have practiced it many, many times.
I agree. I see most on here make some rather silly comments, I would bet have not hunted out west. So basically what some are saying is, "I don't hunt that way and don't know how, so its not ethical". East hunting is very, very different from west hunting. I learned that the hard way. 500 yards seems like 200yards here in the east.
I bet pushing shots out to 800 yards would be fun. I used to long range shoot when I had a farm available to do it. But for someone with the skill to do it, why not. To me, its no different than someone trying to make a 30 - 40 yard bow shot. Not everyone can or should try it.