To shoot or not to shoot? What a question about long range hunting. I see nothing wrong with long range hunting as long as you have the skills and the equipement. On occassion I will take a long shot. However, people are not born as marksman, they are trained and unfortunately trial and error comes into play alot of time. I started shooting as a kid and I was a terrible shot. I had a limited range of about 100 yards. I practiced and experimented with equipement and done quite a bit of research over the years on internal and external ballistics. I had increased my ability slowly over the years. I graduated from the US Army Scout Sniper Course with a lot of new found knowledge and I had perfected my craft. I was hooked just like a crack addict. There is something so special to those few who can connect on long shoots, that most people know nothing about. People who are just trying to BS someone on these forum's are pretty easy to spot for those that have the knowledge about long range shooting. It is also our duty to be ethical and bust their bubble. Being that I have said, I actually prefer hunting at very close range, not that I lack the skills or ability. I have just became addicted to the adrenalin rush that I get from being in close quarters with my intended target. Then again its a personal issue and opinion. Happy hunting and good shooting. I think I just realized the real debate here though; I believe that the sport of hunting has become to commercialized. It is a shame because as hunters we have let big bussiness get there fingers and greedy fingers into our pockets. There is nothing wrong with making a profit within the sport of hunting, but what is really happening is that is becoming a rich man's sport. There are alot of subsistant hunters out there in our great nation. Its a shame that we have to have the best scent free clothing and boots let alone the top of the line gun that just came along. How far as sportsman are we willing to go? Will our grandchildren be able to hunt? I think the real debate is not about long range hunting, but the fact that we are slowly but surely loosing ground to hunt. When a person has to apply for the right to buy a firearm and spend what little money they have worked so hard to earn and then be suckered into spending every dime to keep up with the likes of Bill Jordan and team realtree. I am in no way slamming Bill Jordan or team realtree. I remember as a kid hunting and I didn't have all the fancy hunting clothes and weapons that I have now. Yes, I have worked and bought what I wanted only after supporting my family. The real question is more about Big bussiness with a death grip on the hunting sport. Gee, do you realize that hunting is a industry now? So, where does questions and answers lye? In the sportsman and how deep we are willing to go into our pockets. I didn't mean to get on a rant but I think we should look at some of these issue's. Do you all realize that ammunition has more than doubled in the past 10-15 years? What about the average hard working people that like to hunt but can't afford to buy a decent rifle or hunting clothes.