RE: Long range hunting! *VIDEO*
 

very well said LSR!

RE: Long range hunting! *VIDEO*
 

Okay I'll say why I won't "congratulate" someone who pushes the limit like what you and some of these fellows are doing on big game on very long range shooting at big game.
There are always variables in taking any shot, even at closer ranges of 100-200 yards (cross winds, down drafts, elevation changes, small unseen things that can affect the accuracy of a shot). We all know that.
All things being equal the shot at a closer distance will be influenced proportionally less than forces on the bullet over long distances will exert for a longer time to change the bullet trajectory many more inches and even feet than cananticipated
Because the person squeezing off the round has no way of telling what those variables, such as,differences in wind direction and speed are allalong the600, 800 or more yards, they are really taking a guess at what the result is. So, they and you seem willing without a second thought to take those shots that have a lower rate of probability mathematically and by the laws of physics from hitting the intended kill zone than shots taken at relatively shorter ranges.
I and many others who've expressed it differentwaysthink that is not ethical and does not respect the game we hunt.
There used to be something else that told a hunter inside what "too long a shot was"... it was called "common sense".

RE: Long range hunting! *VIDEO*
 

I just have to add that I have DEEP respect for every single animal I hunt. There are such things as calculations, etc, and no, we can't always predict what Mother Nature is going to do. It is up to each individual hunter to determine what his own ability is and knowing where his shot is going to end up.
[&:]

RE: Long range hunting! *VIDEO*
 

I think with more years of experience, many of us have found that having the chance to take a marginal shot at longer range or on a moving animal andinstead refrained brings a great sense that you've done the right thing. Dropping the animal that you're hunting is only part of the whole experience... the hunt.
Once that long shot bullet is headed down range and if you find out after it busts a leg because the animalreally was beyond your reasonable limit and you lose that animal, that'll stay with you for years. It's your choice. I hope you and the other seemingly confident long rangers make the right choice. Don't make the deer suffer because you didn't.

RE: Long range hunting! *VIDEO*
 

I agree 100%!!!

RE: Long range hunting! *VIDEO*
 

RR - As you look back at the post that started this and many posts including your own, this discussion was started about and has centered on "long range deer" shooting (not hunting) and not long range varmint shooting.
You said in your first post in this thread, "I hunt deer from long range, don't care what you think about it..." Shooting big game from the ranges you all are throwing around like "it's not big deal" id taking a bigger risk that you're going to cripple, bust a leg, belly shoot, etc. big game that will go much further and days, sometimes weeks before dieing.
The first shot of this character in the video wasn’t a clean shot in the chest or shoulder. He wasn’t set up to track that deer if it went ¼ mile to over a mile. He was having a party there with the “good ole boys” whooping it up.
Like this fellow in the video shooting through the limbs of the trees that were barely visible on at least 2 shots, not easy to see from 800, 600 or even 400 yds, but hit one and the bullet sure won't hit what you're aiming for. That’s what can easily happen when you’re trying to hunt like you’re playing some remote control video game.
I noticed you accused others of "flaming" you and others like you for doing something different or at least when they dared to challenge your reasons for shooting animals, apparently from long range as a rule, rather than the exception. Then you turned right around and insulted someone's intelligence.
I'll tell you what I have found from reading the posts of "long range shooters";you for the most part seem to be easy to get be upset. If this really wasn't a controversial subject, with a large number of hunters who take the time to learn all of what it takes to get in close and hunt their big game questioning you, there wouldn't be anything for you to get upset about. But it is controversial, as it should be.
About common sense being uncommon...well I don’t see that I mentioned any name specifically about this, but if the shoe fits ...

RE: Long range hunting! *VIDEO*
 

Actually RR - I did have experience at long range shooting a number of decades ago in the US Army. So, I do know something of what I speak, too.

I can tell this does really get under your skin. So, I think you know in your heart of hearts that there is some truth to the questions and challenges that I others make to you for this.

I've not ridiculed you. I'm not sure where you got that from. I've not questioned your intelligence like you called names others who challenged you.

I think that long range shooting at targets can be a challenge and interesting, even though I don't do it to the extent you speak. And I wouldn't do it forbig game hunting for a number of reasons. I've enumerated only a few.
But I have every right to question you and even say that I think that routinely seeking out,apparently almost exclusively, totake the long shot on big game that you could take at a closer range if you worked on it, is not ethical.If a personworks at the other skills of hunting, knowing the game and habits, how to work the terrain to get closer, etc. it produces a more rounded hunter in my opinion. Yes, it's my opinion. But I sure have every right to express it as much as you. I'm not sure what you mean by "it will not be forgotten." That's sounding less than level headed and calm that anyone with a firearm, hunter, long range shooter or other should practice.

Oh, by the way, you don't know me either. I don't hunt from "a tower" or stand or hunt over bait. I hunt and stalk, stop and listen, smell and look for sign, like my dad and uncles and grandfathers for many generations have done and taught me how to hunt. I put my boots on the ground and put many miles a day on and sometimes am blessed to have an opportunity at a deer or Elk that I can see all their movements and eyes and hear them.

RE: Long range hunting! *VIDEO*
 

Sigh* Okay. I'll just write this to those who have a willingness to listen and who can take scrutiny of what they say and do, then.

No no one has said that my "way is the only way". Itis a way with all other things being equal (e.g. practice for accuracy, knowledge, experience, etc.) willhave a greater likelihood of a successful,clean kill of abig game animal.
Ignoring the basic Physics that no matter how much you practice and no matter how much expensive equipment you have can over come.
The deer or Elk has probably nearly a second longer to take another step from the time you let that round go for an 800 yard shot than at 100-200 yards. At 800 yards you cannot know what the wind direction, small branches, that can dramatically affect your shot by the time it reaches the animal have. No one can change that.
I'm not will to take those risks on an animal that will live or die quickly or not. You apparently are. I forgot though, you've stopped listening.

RE: Long range hunting! *VIDEO*
 

As far as an animal moving or twigs, the same can be said on lots of shots (i.e. bow shots, low light, etc.)if the shooter feels he has the ability and the circumstances are right then it is his choice.It is notalways what people are saying but how they are saying it and their underlying tone that bothers people.
You are basically implying he is taking unnecessary risks with his shotsand I know that is your opinion and you are entitled to it but some might saythat the shots hemay or may not be taking are his business and not yours. His decisions/actions and the results of those decisions/actionshe will have to live with not you and I'm pretty sure most here care aboutmaking clean kills and choose what they believe to be ethical shots with minimal risk of wounding and when you imply otherwise you areattacking their ethics/morals (in regards to hunting anyway). This thread is a perfect example Ridge Runner isfrustrated due to umpteen pages of beating his head against a wall and that is why I left this thread like 10 pages ago and have only been reading.Ridge, I would probably suggestto chalk this oneup as an agree to disagree thread and don't take unfounded comments on your ethics or"risk taking" to heart, some people just loveto pass judgements within their opinions.

RE: Long range hunting! *VIDEO*
 

My Kind of Shootin Boys.Can't argue with this