Amazing how this topic comes to the surface every year LOL. I am somewhat miffed at the military comments about snipers. I went thru sniper training many years ago. The target doesnt matter in the least. Conditions must be right whether its paper, a human, or an animal plain and simple. Would I shoot a deer at 400 yds? You bet and I have several times. Does that harvest mean any less than a kill at 20 yards? Not in the least.
What does bother me is the average Joe that hunts and or fires their rifle oounce or twice a year and blazes away at a deer at all ranges that he/she can see them, standing or running. If Joe wants to stalk and get within his range thats fine and I respect his desires. But I won't except being called a slob hunter if I chose to shoot within my capabilities at long ranges. Ive never lost or wounded a deer I shot at at "long" range. can everyone say that at shorter ranges? I bet not with all the wounded deer I have seen running around. Its all about capabilities and desire to hunt a certain way