RE: Is it hunting??..........or Shooting??
 

I think I am confussed...
I try and shoot all my game as close as possible. Most of the ones I do harvest don't know I am there so regardless of weapon choice am I shooting or hunting?...Wait a minute I may have just figured it out!
Is it really "Luck" (hunting) when you see your game "Skill" (shooting) when you harvest...well either or the work starts when it's down.

RE: Is it hunting??..........or Shooting??
 

Interesting outlook...

RE: Is it hunting??..........or Shooting??
 

Iowa, PA, and NY...........bow, muzzleloader, shotgun, rifle.........from the thickest crap to wide open farms. Next year hopefully a NM Elk tag.


I don't know if Iowa is considered a prairie......if not then no.


I wouldn't walk upwind of a big buck if I was hunting him ;)

I have seen tons of deer at ranges of 300+ yards...........and I have seen tons of deer up close. The ones up close tend to spook a little easier. I have put my scope on numerous deer way across the farm field we hunt and just smile when I know I would have greased them with a 270.......then I put my gun down and hope they head my way :)

It's MORE shooting then hunting........it's all hunting. Geesh guys don't get all defensive about being a hunter.......no one said you weren't.

Taking a deer with my shotgun is more shooting skill because my range is extended dramatically........this allows me more forgiveness in movements, scent, sound......all things I could NEVER get away with while hunting with my bow. Just like a rifle allows an even more forgiveness because of it's even greater range.........you don't have to worry about a deer seeing you blink or hearing your sfety click if it is 1,000 feet away.

RE: Is it hunting??..........or Shooting??
 

I have zip squat experience KILLING deer at very long ranges......I have SEEN tons of them out that far.

See above. If a deer is 350 yards away you would have to be doing any of the mentioned activities in excess to draw it's attention.......even then minimal cover would at least give you enough time to make a shot before they got outta dodge.

And I have had deer come up to me while I was taking a dump...........doesn't make it a good hunting strategy ;)

You're missing the point.

RE: Is it hunting??..........or Shooting??
 

I don't remember anyone saying anything about the west.

RE: Is it hunting??..........or Shooting??
 

My way is every way. Maybe that's why my opinions are this way.

When I shoot a deer at 60 yards with my gun I don't kid myself and pretend it took just as much hunting skill as killing one at 60 feet with my bow. It still took hunting skill........just a little more shooting skill.......and the farther away you get the less hunting skill is invloved and the more marksmanship comes into play.


Would you still have the same opinion if there was a rifle that shot accurately at 1,000 yards??? 2,000?? 3,000?? Surely you see my point.

RE: Is it hunting??..........or Shooting??
 

it was mentioned in your second post on this thread
not that it matters

however make sure you bring your tree stand if you get the chance to hunt elk in NM
its always brings a good laugh to the locals

RE: Is it hunting??..........or Shooting??
 

I have read this thread with with a whole lot of personal believe's, some laughs, and some bewilderment, but I just don't beleive for one moment the above quote was the reason for the game taking off. At a distance of 1-2 miles there would be no scent as it is dispersed and broken up long before it reached the animals. At that distance how in the world would you know what spooked them anyway, could have been an unseen hunter or an unseen preditor or maybe they were even shot at, if the wind was in the right direction you wouldn't hear the shot which it must have been blowing from you to them as it carried your fart to them:D I mean come on man, 1-2 miles? geeez.

RE: Is it hunting??..........or Shooting??
 

I believe you are the one missing the point. You started this whole thing stating one set of parameters then altered it bit by bit as it progressed. You put down others because they are not in agreement with your own set of hunting tactics/ethics. Every hunt in which an animal is ultimately taken eventually comes down to a test of marksmanship whether with a bow, rifle or handgun. This regardless of whether the shot is from 15 yds. or 315 yds. If you don't think you will like all of the possible answers, don't ask the question.

RE: Is it hunting??..........or Shooting??
 

First we should agree on definitions.....if the guy/gal can't make that shot (300+/- yards)...I wouldn't call him/her a "great woodsman/hunter"! That definition is reserved for the person that has the skills...including the skill to make such a reasonable shot! They might be a good woodsman...but if they can't shoot at that range with a decent, properly sighted, set up centerfire rifle...they certainly don't deserve to called a "great hunter" (A "great" hunter is one that spends the time needed to excel in "all" of their craft...not just part of it.). And yes...it would also be a fine display of shooting skill!

And before any one misunderstands....I don't personally believe in titles like "great hunter". Instead I prefer, a good hunter...an ethical hunter...a conscientious hunter...a thoughtful hunter...and the list goes on. (Great people are people that find cures for Cancer....Diabetes....or find ways to bring meaningful improvements to the lives of others.....there are not "great hunters". They are "well known hunters"....or well crafted hunters...etc.)

And I still think this thread is "about satisfying egos"......period!

P.S. What's that old saying? People with big egos..(er was that drive big cars)...have little we****.........;)