Brad and VapoDog,

You guys sum this up perfectly.

I shoot offhand with my hunting rifle at 500m in very KNOWN conditions at my silhouette matches and can hit Elk vital sized objects regularly, but certainly, not every time. Put me against a tree or on the ground and the hit ratio goes way up. However, in the field after alot of time on my feet, many shots are with plenty of wind and if its in the mountains across draws and ridges where the thermal/wind/mirage direction/speed can change up/down/sideways UNSEEN several times between me and the target and it is a whole different story! If you are operating under the pretense that you are confidant you can put it in the vitals, a 500yrd shot is a foolish thing to attempt unless you are set up like vapodog and/or like Brad says, the wind is cooperating (hmmm, not often that I find a benchrest/flags/calm when I hunt.... ).

I know the Deer sniper is what alot want to be these days and you see videos of it, but be informed that they are not showing you the gut shots that DO happen when long range deer sniping.

Deke.

There were some details already addressed why these are difficult. When I was younger I have performed several long range shoots at big game animals. Three hunts come to memory and anytime I am in the field I just need to think back to any one of those hunts to know why I don't do them anymore.

1. Elk bull across a canyon, one shot dumped him but it was late in the day, pitch black dark by the time we got to the animal to perform a crude field dressing. Back in a dawn the following morning but a mountain lion had visited in the darkness and scatted all over the carcass. 600+ lbs of wasted elk meat.

2. Another elk, that by the time I got down to it I knew this was a big mistake. Just about killed me getting it back up a incline, and really only made posibble by a chain saw winch. God that was the worst packing job I have ever had to do, at least it didn't have cougar shit and piss all over it.

3. Really nice Muley sitting in the bottom of the Missouri Breaks, straight up getting it back out, although it is still my best rack.

Anymore before I even think about dropping a game animal I look whats in between the two points. I have worked on stalking skills, the only game animal I hunt that the long distance shots are neccesary anymore is antelope, and a 350-400 yard shot is sometimes is a close as it ever is going to get, but they don't habitat straight up and down and I have never had to bust my butt packing a goat out.

My feet are a real good guide on what I need to do to retrieve a animal and I am not saying I won't ever take a long shot but I am a LOT more choosey about them anymore. After the above three I have kept my shoots to under 200 yards and I really got to say that I get more game that way. On an average over the last 5 years 75 yards is a long shot. Works for me.

Edit: Number one above was a double burn, I ended up wiith half a royal, beautiful on one side, and 3" broken stub on the other. I seriously thought about having it mounted sideways.

There are those who can hit game reliably at those ranges,many,many can't do it on a regular basis.I've taken my share of game,but prefer to get as close as possible,I really like to stalk game,and have never not been able to get within 250yds.There is a difference between just shooting animals and actually huting them.I don't hunt prairies so can't speak for that type of hunting though.I would guess though that for every animal shot at 500yds during hunting season at least 1 is wounded, maybe more.

[quote]My feet are a real good guide on what I need to do to retrieve a animal.quote]

That is a good guide regardless of shot distance. I've passed up some fairly short shots at times whe I've thought about the consequences of getting an animal out of the spot I was in.

Jeff

quote:

Originally posted by 416 taylor:
I would guess though that for every animal shot at 500yds during hunting season at least 1 is wounded, maybe more.

The same thing is true at shorter ranges also (how often have you heard someone empty there rifle on a runner?), so for every animal shot at under 100yd, is at least one wounded also? At least those of us that practace longer range hunting are willing to wait until the conditions are to our liking, and pass on the shot if they arn't (something I can't say about the any "up close" advocate that I know personaly).

If you practice and shoot alot at those ranges and know your limitations,I don't see a problem with that.My problem is with picking up a 300 ultra and a 4x-12x scope and thing 500yds is an easy shot.If you practice enough to make those shots-great,but most shouldn't try.

Brasso, I'm always careful about responding to inquiries like yours and usually don't but yours seems like an honest opinion honestly held. Anyway,, there are shooters who make shots at the ranges you mention and considerably further on a regular basis. Given the right equipment and considerable practice it is really no big deal. My standard practice distance is 400 yards off the same cross sticks I use in the field. Many people say shooting long either can't be done or is just a stunt and they may be right - for them. I think - I know it is a very useful skill. Many times I have been in situations where getting closer was simply not an option. All that being said, this year's Mule Deer came at 185 yards and I would have gotten closer if I could have. However, I had a rifle and scope combination in my hands that could have taken him at much greater distance than 400-500yards had that been necessary.