Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting LR Hunting - Why?

Don,
I doubt if most people who are supporting LR hunting would disagree with you.
The majority of LR hunting I have seen has been in Colorado on the plains antelope hunting or in the mountains elk/deer. The things that have disgusted me is the "hail mary" shooting, and it seems to be worse in groups (at least what I have witnessed). You may not have been talking about this kind of shooting but these guys just keep elevating/kentucky windage until they get close or if they are lucky get a hit somewhere. A hunter my partner and I visited with a man this past November who uses a semi-auto rifle with this very purpose in mind.
Get a hit anywhere then just keep pumping lead. He also considered himself a LR hunter <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
Earlier that day we witnessed a doe muley that was killed by a couple of guys (range 350-400 yards). All I can say that there was a lot of shots (more than 6). We had glassed and ranged some of the area earlier and were in the midst of making a stalk. We could have shot from where they were, but they were shooting from the road or just off of it.
I have never shot a big game animal beyond 700 yards myself, but some of those who have consistently do it, will intentionally use a spotter shot 25 yards or so to the right or left of the animal or even above it to confirm the dope. If correction is needed it is made and then one shot is made on the animal.
You may disagree with the style and you may not call it hunting, but can you give credit to these guys who are serious about it that they want that animal to be killed cleanly with a lethal shot on the first shot?
Also, not everyone who uses SMK's, say any and every SMK is suitable for game. I have used SMK's twice on deer to date with good results (1-shot kills) and one A-Max with the same results. Berger even considers some of their bullets suitable for hunting.
IMO there will be what has been called "slob hunters" who sling lead at both short and long ranges and everything in between.
Although I have not done it yet myself, I am not opposed to making a "spotting shot" to confirm my dope is correct. If the animal runs and I lose the opportunity-so be it. The guys I am familiar with want a lethal connection on the first shot, not just a hit somewhere.
There will always be people who will pull the trigger hoping to get lucky at all ranges.
I also believe it happens more often at shorter ranges, because many hunting areas (terrain) do not even allow for longer distances and many hunters who would be willing to take a snap shot at a deer know they don't even have a prayer at a deer at 500-700 yards. But since they think they have a chance a deer at closer ranges they will attempt it.
I think there is more people attempting LR hunting because of the technology, but that alone does not mean they have any business doing it.