In my response I want to stay away from the issue of whether or not this is hunting. As others have noted, it's not fair to the discussion, or hunting in general. And perhaps it really isn't the point.

From reading the article it sounds as if these folks are serious about long range shooting. No doubt they've made a significant dollar investment in their equipment and spend a great deal of time working up loads and perfecting their skills at the range.

What is disturbing is that it sure sounds like their primary motivation for getting out there during deer season is to nail a target that bleeds. I would suggest that out of respect to the game that anyone who can take a dozen shots at an animal and not make a clean kill should re-invest their energies is a different hobby. That would be regardless of whether you were shooting from 50, 500, or 1,000 yards.

Again, I want to stay away from the "this isn't hunting" argument. But it seems as if they get their pleasure from being able to kill something from a great distance instead of from getting into the woods, getting back to nature, putting meat in the freezer, etc.