ETHICS or ELITISM...That is the question

[ghosthunter]

 Back in the 60s we were packing a .22 pistol to pop grouse that showed up rifle hunting elk.
And we used the pistol to tell our buddies we had an animal down with the Meat Shot.
No radios back than.

We still pack the handguns for the grouse.

I enjoy taking the lab out for grouse but have zero qualms of popping one with a handgun on the ground.

Carry on.

[Alchase]

I have probably taken more grouse with my 300 Win Mag (while deer, elk, or bear hunting) than my .22 and shotgun combined. Aim for the head. If you miss close, the shock knocks the crap out of them, walk up and wring their neck. 9 times out of 10 it is a clean decapitation.

[bearpaw]

Great article Dave that brings into question the elitism attitudes that surround so many forms of hunting. Everyone has an opinion, unfortunately some think their opinion should be the law of the land and some just seem to enjoy being abrasive. My opinion, if a hunter is hunting in a responsible legal manner that is what matters most, we all have our own reasons for hunting and they vary greatly!

On a side note: It is no doubt far more challenging to harvest grouse with a pistol than with a shotgun!

[Caseknife]

Shot way more grouse with a .22 rifle than a shotgun.  Never did get to the proficiency of my Dad with his Model 70 30Gov't06 who would head shoot grouse with surplus ball ammo with iron sights off-hand during deer season.  We had a little Winchester 69A that was a sweet grouse gun.  I got to pack that around following Mom deer hunting.