I have to disagree with you on the emboldened part of your statement above. The opposite is far more accurate--Most members seem to like having outfitters on this site as it enables members to get an outfitter perspective and tap into their experience and knowledge (me included). I like seeing what kinds of hunts they offer, from the pricing to the accommodations, expectations and descriptions or the hunt, terrain, etc.

When an outfitter posts about a hunt, I can post a question in the forum or use a PM to ask more questions, just like being at a sportsman's show. In my neck of the woods, the sportsman's show only comes around once a year whereas on HNI, that opportunity exists all year long (extended response times expected during hunting seasons of course). That is a unique opportunity for all of us members who are interested in going on an outfitted hunt.

From a moderator point of view, I wish we had a 1,000 more outfitters actively posting on this website. How many hunting websites have that many outfitters posting and offering other members all of the above mentioned benefits? Not very many. From a website point of view, outfitter members bring a whole lot to the table, just like experienced hunters, shooters and all kinds of other members do. That's my .02 on your opinion about outfitters on this site--I respectfully disagree.

Now when you look at all of your experience with your personal hunting/shooting and watching all kinds of outfitted hunters hunting/shooting, it brings even more to the table. I'm not trying to blow smoke but couldn't let your above assumptions about opinions on outfitters go unrefuted.

Now going back to the side topic that has come up in this subject (long range hunting), there is no simple answer other than what Clint Eastwood/Dirty Harry said--A man's gotta know his limitations. Different people will have different limitations. That's just how life works.

Putting buck fever aside, there are probably a lot of hunters who don't practice much and should probably keep their shots to 150 yards or less. Many varmint hunters routinely practice and hunt out to 400-500 yards and would certainly be capable of accurately shooting a buck at those distances. Then there are people who regularly compete at distances from 600-1,000 yards and would certainly be capable of hitting a buck accurately at those distances. There are some who shoot over 1,000 yards on a regular basis and would be capable of accurately shooting deer at those ranges but that is a much smaller % of the hunting/shooting community.

I say accurately hit a buck at the various distances above as things can happen to blow a shot. The wind changes (has more affect at longer ranges obviously), the buck spooks at something else (not the hunter) or just about anything else that can cause us to miss a shot. That's part of shooting and part of hunting. It can happen at any range although it is far more common with shooters who practice less and those who aren't as capable (some people will never become good shots).

The range at which you limit yourself to shots at a buck is partly dependent on your long range shooting skills (or lack thereof) but is probably more dependent on whatever arbitrary range YOU think is ethical, etc. That's an individual decision although some states do impose some limitation depending on what weapons they allow for deer hunting (like blackpowder, shotgun only, etc.).

Arguing about what you think is an ethical range limitation for shooting deer is kind of pointless. If you honestly have a reasonable chance of hitting the deer, it's an acceptable range (your personal beliefs/preference notwithstanding) and an ethical shot. If you can't reasonably expect to hit a buck at whatever distance you're contemplating, I think all of us would agree that taking such a shot is unethical.

I've met some hunters who think it's not hunting unless you use a bow. Others limit it to blackpowder. Some limit it to pistols. Some prefer rifles and some prefer long distance (over 500 yards). It's all hunting and therefore enjoyable. In my lifetime, I hope to hunt with all methods. Regardless of the distance, you still have to locate the animal, get into position for a good shot and hope all of those other variables (nerves, shakes, wind, other animals, other hunters, etc.) don't mess up your shot.