Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Is Short Range More Fun?

First, a few exculpatory comments

This is not intended as a condemnation of LR BG shooting.As a western hunter for 40+ years I completely understand the occaisional need and urgency of certain circumstances when long shots are a necessary part of a hunter rifleman's agenda....reaching a long ways across yawning canyons or windy prairies is a skill set all its' own and I am mesmerized by the abilities displayed by those who can read conditions,and send a projectile where it needs to go and get the job done at great distance.I am not opposed to it.

OTOH,there is a great deal to be said for getting close enough to a bull elk to smell him;closing in on a whitetail buck or mule deer and killing them at handshaking distance.

Maybe the ultimate is being so close to a grizzly or brown bear in the wild that you can watch its' eyes roll and see the wind ruffle its' fur.And for those lucky enough to have done it,could there be anything more spine-tingling and shocking than having the bulk of a Cape Buffalo or elephant looming just yards ahead?

I know that this stuff may not be as interesting to talk about from a technical standpoint than the gear and tecniques involved in reaching 700-800 yards,but I bet it is more than made up for in adrenalin overload and excitement.

Thoughts?

That's why bowhunting is fun.

Totally agree.

For me, tracking and shooting a bull elk up-close and personal in the dog hair is the ultimate in BG hunting.

Bob, I'll let you know after archery season this year

Tanner, you know it isn't illegal to shoot them up close with a rifle as well.....just wanted to make that point...

I don't know if I've got the quietude mojo down yet to shoot 'em up close with a rifle...

Just like longer range....pool da trigga!

I don't really ever got off the roads or my ATV so I don't know if I should even weigh in. I've heard the big bucks and bulls hang out close to the roads.

Nothing like making a turn around a tree and smelling rut, blowing a call and bowling one over at 50 feet.

2 deer this year and the longest shot was 20 yards.

Scott: Fun...ain't it?

I like in your face stuff. Always laughed at the bowhunters that say it's more challenging than a rifle. Seems a person with a rifle can opt to not shoot at something past 30 yards if they wish.

I'll take up-close-and-personal every time - and, it generally is for the majority of the hunting that I do.

I dont mind gettin powderburns on them. At all.

The last two bulls I killed were under 50 YDS, yes it's a blast.

On the other hand I had a very good bull at 325 YDS with no where to go. (muzzle loader) Still have nightmares about it.

Yep

Repertoire......

A rutted up stink buck at 10 yards makes my socks go up and down.

I like the up close tight stuff.

I don't have much choice but to get close given that my hunting grounds don't allow me the option of shooting far.

Yes, shorter range is more fun