It's Called Hunting

[MikePal]

Reading thru some of the reviews coming out of 'SHOT Show 2018', I caught this article from David Maas;

He's right; I see the drive by hunters to shot Turkeys out to 75yd and bow hunters that push the envelope out past safe string jump range.

SHOT Show: 1 Thing I Hate

Instead of saving the best for last, I’m saving the worst. Perhaps “hate” is too strong a word, but I wrote it, so I’ll own it. The one thing I hate at SHOT Show is the never-ending trend toward taking longer and longer shots on animals with rifles and archery equipment. You hear it when listening to manufacturer’s reps as they talk about their latest long-range rifle or optic, and you certainly hear it when so-called experts are boasting about the recent record-book animal they tagged with either gun or bow.

Animals aren’t paper, steel or foam targets, and we as hunters have no business pushing the limits on shooting at them. So, how far is too far? In my opinion, if an animal takes an unexpected step while you press the rifle trigger or release an arrow, and that resulting step can result in a less-than-perfect hit, then you have no business shooting. Period.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: That means gun hunters wouldn’t shoot beyond about 250 yards on game, and bowhunter would be limited to about 30 yards. Exactly.

It sickens me to see “marksmen” guess-timate the wind and then take 600-, 700- and even 800- yard shots on big game. If their wind call is wrong, or if the animal takes a step while the shooter is pressing the trigger to the rear, the result is a gut-shot animal. And of course, these errant shots end up being cleverly edited out of the TV show.

Let’s remember — it’s called hunting. If you want to puff out your chest and impress your buddies, try this: If you spot a big bull elk at 600 yards, instead of going prone and pulling out your wind meter and smartphone ballistic app, see if you can sneak inside of 60 yards before sending the bullet on its way.

Bowhunters: If the buck you’ve been pursuing all fall steps onto your food plot at 55 yards, in my opinion, he’s won that battle. I don’t care if you can hit a poker chip repeatedly at the range at 60 yards, and a softball-sized circle at 100. If the buck takes a big stride just as you squeeze your mechanical release, then the result will be ugly.

Improvements in gear is fantastic, but that doesn’t mean we must continually extend our shooting range. It’s okay not to shoot. It’s okay to come home empty-handed. It’s called hunting.

[greatwhite]

Totally agree with that.

[Stu]

Very good article.
Calls it like he sees it and the way we all should.
Stu

[JMatthews]

It’s just common sense and a more ethical approach towards hunting.

[cmc]

I agree with that statement. All too often I see some of the bowhunting personalities out on tv or social media taking some pretty wild shots (60,70, 80+ yards) on game. Now some of these shooters excellent shots, but I have always felt that between string jumping and all the unexpected things that can happen in the field, its a bit too risky for my liking.

[Thrillhouse]

Very well written. I would rather pass on a opportunity at a questionable range than spend a sleepless night wondering on an injured animal. Ethical Range>Effective Range like David writes, just cause you can hit a poker chip at 60 yards doesnt mean the animal wont move during the time it takes for the arrow to get there.

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

Most hunters eventually find themselves in a situation where the target animal may be out past what most would consider an ethical range.

During the controlled muzzleloader only hunt I had a great mature 10 point buck out @ 175yards. After putting a lot of time in @ the range and knowing what my Savage was capable of I felt comfortable in taking the shot. The end result was a well placed bullet & a nice buck @ the end of the blood trail.

My point is only you know your limitations & don't be too quick to judge what others are doing unless you know more about them than you do yourself. :0)

[fieldtrip]

Well said.

[SK33T3R]

Mike
One of the best threads you ever started!
Too many new hunters are getting convinced that the answer to poor hunting skills is ..
just get a bigger, faster, longer shooting piece of equipment.
I absolutely will not watch those long range sniper shows on Wild or any other channel.
In a war time scenario it matters not if you kill'em or wound'em at long range. Both work for me!
But this is hunting and the animal deserves at least a little consideration!
Too much can go wrong by the time the mind says squeeze and the bullet/arrow gets there!

[jim]

Good philosophy to live by.