I've been way up and down the cartridge scale. I also have family out west and am well aware of the smaller chamberings being used for years, both there and here.
I've not traveled to hunt a bunch. Most of my hunting is around home, but I've been on a few trips.
No. I wouldn't waste my time doing that.
No one said that the Internet does not influence people;you can get information from various sources.Some is reliable and some is not.
The central theme here seems to be whether there is a current trend to smaller calibers....I see it in target shooting.But it's nothing new in BG hunting and has been going on for years.