quote:

Originally posted by KPete:

... And that is part of the reason that Marc Watts' approach to hunting is less than appealing to me: By pushing the limits on how far away you can shoot your quarry (particularly dangerous game), the more I feel you remove yourself from what should be an intrinsic and fundamental element of the experience: Risk.

Kpete,
Another nice post, but bordering on misleading with your comment about Marc Watts.

Marc Watts is no proponent of shooting dangerous game at long range.
He has taken Zebra and such at ranges over 500 yards.
So has Saeed.
When you and your equipment are that good, that is O.K., but we all must know our limitations.

Marc Watts HUNTS the Big Five at close range, even uses a double rifle. No stunt shooting there.

I will continue collecting all of the Watts and Boddington videos and books.
But the Braggadocian Sullivan (BS) got boring a long time ago. I am no sucker for that anymore.
I have seen enough of those wrecks.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
As a hunter, Mark Sullivan and his kind are the complete opposite of what I consider either as a hunter or a PH.

You must give him credit for (a) getting close to buffalo and not shooting them at 200 yards, (b) standing his ground during a charge, and (c) shooting from his two hind legs rather than using shooting sticks like a wimp.

quote:

using shooting sticks like a wimp.

...or another way to say it would be a person who is responsible and wants to avoid wounding animals and needlessly endangering peoples lives.

Brett

If your shooting skill is that bad, you have no business going hunting. No wonder the anti-hunting folks are so rabid!

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:
Kpete,
Another nice post, but bordering on misleading with your comment about Marc Watts. Marc Watts is no proponent of shooting dangerous game at long range. He has taken Zebra and such at ranges over 500 yards. So has Saeed.

When you and your equipment are that good, that is O.K., but we all must know our limitations. Marc Watts HUNTS the Big Five at close range, even uses a double rifle. No stunt shooting there.

I will continue collecting all of the Watts and Boddington videos and books. But the Braggadocian Sullivan (BS) got boring a long time ago. I am no sucker for that anymore.
I have seen enough of those wrecks.

RIP:

Having revisited this issue, I've come to see that you're right (meaning I was wrong) about Marc Watts and his approach to dangerous game. Marc is a true professional and an ethical hunter. I may have reservations regarding his approach to taking extremely long shots on plains game, but when it comes to dangerous game I only wish I had his skill. Sorry Marc.

Gentlemen,

I cannot speak for others, but for me, I prefer to get as close as I can, whether it is dangerous or none dangerous game.

Sometimes, though, one has absolutely no choice.

You either take a long shot, or go home empty.

I have also turned down shots that were relatively close, because I did not think I could hit them under the conditions we were in.

Other comments I have heard about my hunting was about shooting animals in the head or neck.

Again, I only take those shots when I am absolutely certainly of making a clean kill. And so far I have had a 100% record.

One should know his capabilities, as well as his limitaions, and apply them accordingly.

I have hunted with friends who are extremely good shots at targets. During the hunt, however, things turn out different. Mainly because they get nervous. Once they have calmed down, they shoot just as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Yankeegirl:
If your shooting skill is that bad, you have no business going hunting. No wonder the anti-hunting folks are so rabid!

The point isn't how good of a shot you are. The point is being the best shot you can be and then stacking the odds in your favor by getting as close as possible, with as good a rest as possible, to an animal that is unaware of your presence as possible. We don't do this to be unfair SOBs. We do this to ensure a quick, clean kill and to reduce danger to yourself and others from dangerous game.

Brett

PS. Do we have another troll?