Just an opinion - I really think this is indicative of a sad shift occurring in the sport. I don't think it necessarily a good thing that "long distance" shooting is becoming the new "cool" thing to do.
I grew up with an entirely different focus and that was getting close enough to make a high probability ethical, one shot kill. It hasn't always worked out that way, but the goal remains get close and execute a one shot kill, while utilizing the skill of a hunter - stalking carefully, paying attention to stealth and what your stepping on, minimizing noise, mindful tracking, understanding the habits and movement of the quarry, noticing wind direction, applying scent control, and out maneuvering the animal to get close enough to it. Respect for the evolution of becoming a good hunter, and the trials and tribulations along the journey-- made success something enjoyable. Meat in the freezer is a reward for all of those factors coming together.
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Anecdotely - in the last 4 years I have seen more wounded elk and deer, or found more dead/ elk and deer in the woods than in the past 10 years prior. I'm seeing an average of 5+ a year, whole animals that were shot and not recovered.
I can't say that this is directly related to the increase in long range hunting, but I can say that every year I see at least 2 or more people shoot from distances greater than 400 yards, they don't see an animal drop, and don't even go to check out if they hit the animal. As one of my buddies said to me, "some people just suck- doesn't matter if you meet them in the woods or while they are yelling at their 5 yr old at a t-ball game."
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I personally watched that video over 1.5 years ago and commented to friends on what I thought was an extreme injustice to an impressionable young hunter.
To me it was a story of commercialism (gunwerks advertisement), exploitation of a young boy, and sad to see that was his first elk harvest.
Hunting IS and should BE , much more than a trigger pull and a harvest. The boy in the video was robbed of the journey of becoming an ethical hunter. By offering a short cut, the boy was forever influenced that his focus should be shooting and harvesting...foregoing the skill required to outsmart the quarry, and IMHO earn the animal/trophy.
