Exactly, open sights are very very easy to quickly aquire a fast moving target at a close range with. I can do it a lot faster than with a scope.

As to the hunting rifles and having a nice looking one. I used to feel the same way. I used to only really like Walnut stocked rifles with a nice blue finish. I bought a Browning BAR to hunt with that was beautiful. It stayed that way for about 3-4 weeks after I got it. Then I got a gouge put in the side of the stock about 2" tall and goes like a z kind of so it's about 2" wide too. Then I've gotten other knicks and dings all over it. Don't get me wrong, it's a great looking gun still, but it's well used looking. I hate to see such a nice looking gun have and scratches or dings, but I guess I'm okay with it since I did buy it to use to hunt with. Synthetic stocks on the other hand don't scratch or show scratches near as easily. While they don't look great anytime, after years of abuse they don't show it near as badly as wood does. I think for a hunting rifle in the future I'd actually prefer synthetic.