I can only recall one long kill (350 yards) that I chose while hunting the way I typically hunt. In that instance I was probably too eager and I think I'd have found it more rewarding if I'd made the effort to move closer and earn it.
I've killed 15 elk at about 100 yards distance. The shortest being probably 60 yards or so. These are all DIY, public land, usually close to timberline or above. Those type are the most rewarding to me.
I've killed five more on either damage control hunts or ranches. Those were always at lower altitude, longer shots (long for me), and in nearly every instance I was urged to take the long shot by the hunt coordinator or ranch staff. The longest shot was at 496 at the urging of the ranch staff. I didn't like it. To me it didn't really feel as much fair chase or as sporting as I'd have liked. Being a private ranch I thought there was opportunity to get closer with some added effort but it was their ranch and their rules.
