there seem to be a wide variety of limitations that hunters here self impose, what are yours and why?

please include type of weapon, distance, caliber, sights, terrain ect

Limitations vary depending on what I am hunting.
Since I get few chances to practive at over 100 yrs I won't try a shot over 250 yrds (depending on the rifle and conditions). I have 3 single shot rifles and 3 muzzle loaders so that sets the tone. Caliber wise I would not hesitate to take a 250 yrd shot with me .223 or my 6.5 swede, both are 1 MOA or better. 06 and 35 Whelen are not there yet. All rifles are scoped due to old eyes. Terrain does make a difference, a 250 yrd shot between hills or mountains on a windy day would be a no. Deer locally, prefer to shoot a doe (too many in my opinion) and let the bucks mature...Late in the season, its whatever walks past the stand. Took two trips to NW Montana 2 yrs ago for bear and turned down a stalk on a 150 lb (approx) chocolate bear that was beautiful. Had my sights on 250lb plus or nothing....and thats what I brought home...Pics, stories and experience, no bear.

I allow myself no limitations except for financial

I like to do something different all the time. I hunt most all the western states for deer, elk, pronghorns, pigs, mountain lions, and anything that's different.

I'll get in a float plane to the arctic for caribou and whatever fits the current budget. There can be no limitations then....only the ones that keep you home and those are usually BS

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
... type of weapon, distance, caliber, sights, terrain ect

Bow: 60 yards, Vertical sight pins, any terrain.

Rifle:
270---400 yards, Lpld scopes, either 4.5x14.40 or 6x18.

30.06---400 yards, all else same

7 Rem Mag---600 yards, scopes the same

300 RUM----800 yards.

270 A.M.(NightForce 5.5x22x56 NPR-2 Reticle, Badger Ord base/rings, #5 fluted Lilja, 1-8" twist)----1000+ yards, Wildcat bullet.

Rifles, any terrain.

Knight muzzleloader disc extreme: Nikon 3x9, 285 Knight/Barnes bullet, 150 grains Am. Pioneer sticks----250 yards, any terrain.

vap, i am more specificly refering to fair chase and hunting ethics, thanks

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
vap, i am more specificly refering to fair chase and hunting ethics, thanks

Meaning what?

doc, just what are your ethical limitations e.g. no deer past 300 yards with rifle for the sake of losing a wounded animal ect

Ok.

300 yards or less, less is preferred, legal game only, bulls only, unless I have landowner permission and doe tags, doing what is right, not just legal.

Legal game only. Which means what I personally have tags for. No party hunting.

As far as shooting goes each shot is different. The last shot I passed on was a sitka blacktail strait on at @ 400 yards. I was hunting with a 22-250 and speer 70 grain semi spitzers. I was sure that I could make a hit but I let my buddy bag the deer with his 300 win mag instead. I did get four other deer with my rifle that trip including one buck at @ 200 yards strait on that seemed like a surer shot that the longrange buck (went fine).

Legal game only, meaning that I shoot what I have tags for, and everyone else is on their own.

I watch shooting times closely. The regs do not say "somewhere in the neighborhood of one-half hour before sunrise...."

I won't knowingly violate the law, meaning that I don't shoot from the truck even if no one is watching, I don't trespass, etc.

I won't shoot at a running animal unless it's running because I hit it badly. I won't shoot anything up its bunghole, ever. I have to be reasonably certain of putting a bullet in the vitals or I don't shoot.

I will limit my shots to 300 yards or less, except in pretty rare cases where I might go out to 400 - a good, solid rest, no wind, an undisturbed animal, the right rifle in my hands loaded with the right bullets, etc. The longest shot I've taken to date is 380 yards.

I won't tag an animal unless I drew first blood. If I put down an animal initially shot by another hunter (which I have done a few times), I wait for them to show up and then say "here's your deer."

These are MY standards. I won't comment on anyone else's. Over the last 25 years, I've gravitated towards partners who pretty much share these beliefs and away from those who don't

My standards are pretty simple.

Hunt with good people, and every one leaves their egos at home. And all in camp are team players.

Respect the game and respect the land.

When it comes time to kill, take it in a manner in which I would want to go. Quick and without suffering.

That is it in a nutshell.

I will enjoy my time on the hill or I won't go.

MD

One of the things I do is try and be mindful of where other guys/gals are hunting so as not to "screw up there hunt" meaning If I see someone sitting over looking a ridge or valley I want go sit on top of them 30-50 yards away. This is probably not a big deal in many most areas but I used to hunt in Washington near Yakima and I have had hunters come in and sit 20 yards from before and wave. It is certainly "legal" to do so but I always found it kind of rude.

IV

The two that quickly come to mind is I won't "hold air" on an animal and I won't use my 2-way radio with others to help chase game, even though it's legal in my state.

If the buck is so far away that I have to hold over and above his back, then I just have to practice my stalking skills and get closer. Also using a 2-way radio to guide a "hunter" across the canyon from you in on a buck or bear that they can't see is not my idea of fair chase hunting.

Make a good shot. That's the rule I'll always live with. I'm lucky enough to have my own shooting range. I have 25,100,200 and a 300 yard gong. The gong is 18" x 18" and I feel that if I can consisitantly hit it I'm good to go.

Will not hunt over corn feeders etc. I do not
have a problem with those that do. The way I was raised,that's all. I am a fair chase nut.
I do what is right, as i learned as a child from granddad who would be upset as i no longer where a tie in the field.

I don't do culls. I don't agree with them. Or deer drives. I prefer spot-and-stalk hunting or hunting from a tree stand. I hunt only deer, black bear, grey wolf, elk, moose, and caribou as far as big game goes. Use plenty of caliber and make good shots. Bottom line, kill quickly and humanely and give them a fair chance.

quote:

My standards are pretty simple.

Hunt with good people, and every one leaves their egos at home. And all in camp are team players.

Respect the game and respect the land.

When it comes time to kill, take it in a manner in which I would want to go. Quick and without suffering.

That is it in a nutshell.

I will enjoy my time on the hill or I won't go.

MD

Well said Mark.

Jeff

One thing that really irks me is the number of people I see who use the scope on their rifle as a set of binoculars.

the guideline I self impose, in addition to being legal, is that I know exactly what I am shooting at, and that there is absolutely nobody else in the vicinity that I am going to shoot, before I raise the weapon. If its a split second chance at something that I don't have time to look at first I let it go.

I will not hunt/shoot over bait. Thought of setting salt blocks but I think Moose would probably be a little to salty to eat I choose to do a spot and stalk most times early in the season and in the latter use my calling techniques. Don't use radioes-do use a GPS in case the weird situation of gettting lost takes place or rather if I can't figure where the heck I am at, and that has happened a few times here the bushes of Alaska. 45-70 "take" shots less than 100yds. and not more that 400yds for my .375RUM Only hunt with those that can laugh,tell a joke or talk ya to sleep, but still can shoot and skin. Got to be damn good in a boat as it should be. Read sign. Being confident--but that is how were raised anyways. Always carry a pack board and BE READY! Good shootin!

What I have and have not done.

I have not shot an animal over bait or drawn in with scent.

I hunt on foot. I used vehicles for transport to a hunting area but have not shot game sighted from a vehicle.

I have shot game which moved because of a one person drive by a hunting partner. I have not participated in large drive hunts.

I have not hunted in a game ranch.

95% of my deer hunting I has been done in the spirit of game control, not trophy hunting. That means I usually shoot does.

The longest shot- 300 yards off a backpack.

The longest lucky shot- 200 yards at a running blackbear in Alaska, My son had taken several shots first.

I do not knowingly break game laws.

I have had two big game rifles which would regularily group under 1" with hunting loads, and sometimes throw a group under .5 inch, not twenty (A Ruger #1 375 and a Tikka 308). That is, I don't inflate my accomplishments on forums like these.

The kill I'm most proud of is my son Corey putting two 160 gr Noslers into the boiler room of a moose at 350 yards with his Mom's 270.

Paul

I personally kinda liked the direction Vapodog was taking.... otherwise:

Killing:
**Never go undergunned & use premium ammo.
**Always check your sight in & stay within your limits.
**Perform at showtime, kill with overwhelming lethal force or don't play.

In camp:
**Show up Early (no getting there the night before the hunt)
**Leave Late (no running off to home thus leaving others to pack up)
**Carry your own weight and then some
**No whining
**If you get bitchy or misbehave, don't forget to apologize once you've got it out of your system

In general:
**Safety first
**Stay out of trouble with the law
**Have fun

More guidelines than anything I guess, but does involve limits.

I have never shot an animal that I didn't draw first blood on, nor have I ever lost an animal that I wounded only to find someone tagging it.

However, if I shot a deer and then discovered it had a wound on the leg, or even the guts, I would have no problem tagging it. If you can't kill it within a few hundred yards, you don't deserve it. Period.

I guess my pet peaves are;

#1 first and foremost is to always observe and be mindfull of gun saftey. No hunting trip I have ever been on has been worth someone being shot over. Always know where your muzzle is pointing, always know where your bullet is going to come to rest, I never pop a top on a beer until the sun goes down and the guns are put away, etc. etc. The glassing across a canyon with ones rifle scope is a good point as well, it is not a good feeling when you find yourself in someone elses crosshairs.

The rest of my standards dont have any further specific order but I am kind of anal about leaving the area as I found it and I also feel it is important to make an effort to be considerate of others on the hill.

As far as shooting at distance I simply try to get closer if Im not comfortable with the shot. No particular range, terrain always seems to play a part. Nothing good ever came from wounding and loosing an animal and Im not that fond of tracking such animals. Best to come back for those animals another day. Know your weapon and get a clean shot!

quote:

Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:
I never pop a top on a beer until the sun goes down and the guns are put away, etc.

I love my alcohol but I won't hunt with anyone who drinks before the shooting day is done.

quote:

When it comes time to kill, take it in a manner in which I would want to go. Quick and without suffering.

The more I think about it Mark I have to disagree with you. I want to go at age 90 in bed with a squad of naked cheerleaders rather than by a high powered rifle bullet through the chest

Jeff

I like the way you think Skibum...