if a hunter says...

As most have said, this guy would be a respectable,ethical hunter. The terrain usually dictates(most of the time) the hunting techiques and distance we shoot. I like to bow hunt but would probably have alot less success bowhunting in the Sahara Desert. As long as hunter knows his( her) capability limits and abides by them, kills their prey as humanely as possible and hunts legal why wouldn`t we want to hunt with them.
 
+ for all. Remember too that some of us 'old fellers' just can't do what we used to do in terms of recoil and offhand steadiness. We also shoot within our range in respect for our quarry.

In my case I concentrate on getting closer and am getting better at it. Ever been within 30 ft. of a turkey and it never seemed to have a clue that you were there? Maybe she knew that she was a hen and thus safe but I like to think that I've become a better hunter.
 
I would be honored to hunt with such an individual. And i think a lot of noble sentiments have been expressed in this post. However on the practical side, who wants to track a poorly hit, wounded deer? I believe every hunter loses(and learns from the experience) at least one deer to a poorly placed shot, beyond the hunters capabilities,( or circumstances at the time) whether that be 500 yards or 5. It takes a big man to know and express his limitations. Who here has not known a hunter who insists on slinging lead whatever the range, sometimes even after the first shot mortally wounded the animal. Dern waste of meat!
 
He sounds like the kind of feller that says howdy and that's about it on the drive to the lease. Heck, a guy like that is welcome to share my tent if he doesn't snore, have athlete's foot or a bad case of flatulence and keeps on his cot. My kinda guy. I might even spot him a small case of flatulence as long as I'm up wind.
 
I would not confuse "I prefer not to" with"I don't think I can"

I have access to a 4 section piece of private land .I have many different spots on it to shoot.I have killed many pronghorn and prairie dogs on it.
There is an old bone pile that lasers 1090 yds from a fallen down old homestead.On one occasion I put 3 rounds through an old bleached cow shoulder blade at 1090 yds.A hand would cover all three shots.I have taken two over 400 yd pronghorns there ,lasered,using a .257 AI.It is not that I lack confidence in my ability to hit at long range.

It is just that I have taken the laser rangefinder ballistic software altitude BC over .500wind meter BDc reticle target knob , .75 MOA over 3000 fps etc,etc,far enough it is ridiculous.Everything about my 30-338 is geared to a 600 yd tool.I went to great pains to gather data for the 1400 yd Kenton knob on my Laredo.
How many folks actually dial zero at a measured 300 and then check elevations at 400,500,600? I do. I have also found at very long ranges,mirage and fickle winds can fool me.
I've shot enough,I can choose to not shoot.It don't matter!.Seeing a critter and moving 100 yds closer is more fun than seeing and shooting.

There is something to a modest rifle and a 4 X scope and 300 yds.
Not saying that is what you must live by,but I think it is a good place for most folks who only practice at a rifle range with a 200 yd max range.
And,it is not a bad limit for me,most of the time.A line from another thread,someone said "Don't tel me how far you can shoot,tell me how close you got!
 
He would have my respect. Here in Indiana we are limited to shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun, and in the last couple of years rifles chambered for legal handgun cartriges. Very rarely to we have an area where you have a shot much over 100 yrds. At the range I know I can hit the center of a bowling pin at 100 yrds with my iron sighted 44 blackhawk. When huntig though I try to get as close as possible, preferably within 30 yrds. That just my choice. I enjoy the challenge of getting as close as possible, its one of the reasons I hunt with a handgun. I have friends who routinely shoot deer out to 100 yrds with teir scoped muzzleloaders, thats their choice and I don't hold it against them. The main thing is to treat the animal with the respect it deserves and to dispatch it as quickly and humanely as possible.
 
Wanting to challenge himself may or may not be commendable. I don't know him or his motives.

But the second he opens his mouth and makes the statement quoted indicates that he is an elitist ass that thinks he's better than those who take longer shots.

Big difference between wanting to challenge yourself and someone who openly refers to HUNTERS that take longer shots as "shooters". It speaks volumes about his state of mind.
 
Makes me wish we had more hunters like him than the ones who buy a big magnum cannon and glass that looks like it came from the Hubble space telescope, fire 10 shots at the range to sight in, and think they're good to go for 400 yard shots on game. He may be an elitist ass, but at least he's not leaving deer to starve to death with their jaw blown off.
 
I would give him my respect.

Anyone with a good rifle can shoot 400 yards and kill what you want.
However, its unlikely for people to stalk their prey and kill it. I prefer stalking myself.
 
I would mostly agree with him. While one may be capable of a clean, ethical kill at that range, can it really be considered 'hunting' in the literal sense of the term? I understand there is a large amount of skill needed to accurately shoot at 500 yards, but to just spot an animal at that distance, set up and shoot it, how much of a chance did that animal really have? Just because it is difficult doesn't make it sporting. I don't think anyone can argue it is a hell of a lot more sporting to sneak up on your animal, get within 100 yards and take it, than just set up the bipod and rattle off a shot at 500 yards, and hope it doesn't drift a little bit and gut shot it.
 
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I admit 400 yds is beyond my range
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Mine too. If it's much over 100 yards I start looking for some kind of rest. I might try at 300 if I can get settled on something, that's about it.

You can tell pretty quick when you get the scope on the animal whether or not you have the control to make a good shot.

Every situation is unique. If somebody is saying they are going to do this or that they are probably just talking.
 
Fisherman, My luck says it would go "broken arrow" and circle back for me or my fart signature!:o
Brent
 
PHP: 
As Clint Eastwood put it in the movie, Jossie Wells, "A man must know his limitations."


Actually, that was from Magnum Force.
 
I would respect him for knowing his limitations and staying within them. This is one mark of a good hunter.
I am a lot like that myself. I don't like long shots when I can take a shorter shot with a little perserverance.
 
No doubt Daryl stated it right. Each hunter has his or hers limits for alot of differnt reasons. I think if a hunter passes on a shot you got to give them credit for knowing there limits or safety reasons. To many hunters making bad shots. If you dont have placaement there is no way you have a shot.
 
I'll admit I'm a crappy shot when hunting because I always hurry up the shot. If I don't take the time to slow myself down I'll miss every time. I know if I were to say such a thing it would be because of my minds limitations not my rifle. Someone else wants to shoot 400 yards with a 30-30 go for it.
 
The only problem I have w/that statement is the inference that people who do take shots past his self-imposed limit is less of a hunter. I have killed very few animals over 150yds. but I have a friend who is a very good shot that routinely kills deer at 300-400yds. He is no less a hunter than I.
 
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