I think hunters should take any shot that they are comfortable with and confident of making. But far too many "shooters" are shooting at long distance for bragging rights and do not care if they hit game that is not recovered.
If there were actual consequences for wounding and not killing an elk cleanly, far fewer stunt shots would be taken. There aren't very many stunt shots taken in big game hunting situations where a trophy fee is charged for every animal that leaks some blood, like in most of Africa.
For me, in normal hunting situations, I would be very reluctant to take a shot further than 300 yards on a elk. I'd get closer or pass on the shot.
