I know that we probably all consider ourselves "above-average" hunters/shooters (I know I do) .... and that the average hunting/shooting abilities of a Campfire-member are above those of all the Bubbas we assist at the range, during sight-in days. I understand benchrest shooting and even 1,000 yard target-shooting (with sighters) .... But when it comes to consistently whacking big game at 600+ yards, I must admit ... that armed only with my mostly factory sporter-weight rifles ... I am not worthy .... !
But, I would like to understand better, the Seasons/Conditions that you LR-Hunters pursue your big-game in.
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Could some of those who are true Long-Range-Hunters of Big Game (not varmints), "briefly" answer these questions (kind of a mini-poll).
1) How many years have you been L-R Hunting (arbitrarily defined as > 600 yards ).
2) What state (or states) do you regularly LR-hunt in.
3) What % of the time are you LR-hunting, across various the big game species: Deer/Elk/Bears/other ?
4) How many big-game animals have you shot at (LR) ?
5) How many were first-shot hits (no sighters)?
6) How many were (first)one-shot kills ?
7) What is your average (long-range) shot distance ?
8) Percent of time you have a spotter along ?
9) How long a season do you hunt ... ?
10) What is the bag-limit by species (if more than 1 animal ) ...
11) What does your Go-To LR-Hunting big-game rifle weigh ?
12) Do you also carry that rifle through the woods (or do you only hunt from a truck/road ... or a back-porch or backyard dedicated shooting shed ) ?
13) If presented with a 210 yard shot ... do you pass, in order to later take a longer one (and thus hone your Long-Range skills) ?
One of the things I'm trying to understand, is if this is mostly an East Coast/Midwest practice/phenomena, used predominatley on deer (shooting across plowed fields) into the back-40 acres, where the shooter can hunt/harvest 4 or 5 or more deer per 30+ day season .... (and ride-out on an ATV to inspect for blood) ?
- - - -
Since it takes 8, 10 or 12 years to draw a trophy Elk tag in many Western states, how many are hunting Elk (long-range) out here also ... or are you mostly focused on deer, where longer seasons and multiple harvest opportunities abound ?
Thanks,
.... Silver Bullet
Shoot well ... Shoot Once !
But, I would like to understand better, the Seasons/Conditions that you LR-Hunters pursue your big-game in.
- - - - - -
Could some of those who are true Long-Range-Hunters of Big Game (not varmints), "briefly" answer these questions (kind of a mini-poll).
1) How many years have you been L-R Hunting (arbitrarily defined as > 600 yards ).
2) What state (or states) do you regularly LR-hunt in.
3) What % of the time are you LR-hunting, across various the big game species: Deer/Elk/Bears/other ?
4) How many big-game animals have you shot at (LR) ?
5) How many were first-shot hits (no sighters)?
6) How many were (first)one-shot kills ?
7) What is your average (long-range) shot distance ?
8) Percent of time you have a spotter along ?
9) How long a season do you hunt ... ?
10) What is the bag-limit by species (if more than 1 animal ) ...
11) What does your Go-To LR-Hunting big-game rifle weigh ?
12) Do you also carry that rifle through the woods (or do you only hunt from a truck/road ... or a back-porch or backyard dedicated shooting shed ) ?
13) If presented with a 210 yard shot ... do you pass, in order to later take a longer one (and thus hone your Long-Range skills) ?
One of the things I'm trying to understand, is if this is mostly an East Coast/Midwest practice/phenomena, used predominatley on deer (shooting across plowed fields) into the back-40 acres, where the shooter can hunt/harvest 4 or 5 or more deer per 30+ day season .... (and ride-out on an ATV to inspect for blood) ?
- - - -
Since it takes 8, 10 or 12 years to draw a trophy Elk tag in many Western states, how many are hunting Elk (long-range) out here also ... or are you mostly focused on deer, where longer seasons and multiple harvest opportunities abound ?
Thanks,
.... Silver Bullet
Shoot well ... Shoot Once !