How many of you are planning to shoot a deer over 300 yards?

[Griiz]

I practice out to 700 yds, but don’t really want to shoot past 250 but would in a heartbeat if I had a solid rest. Most of my blacktail are harvested in archery range and mule deer under 250 ballistically but further true bullet flight because it is so steep. I stand hunt for both species and usually have time for a good clean shot. Shooting solid groups at distance help with confidence and makes closer shots seem easier.

[Skyvalhunter]

I am with you brokentrail

[MADMAX]

I don’t plan on shooting over 300
But can

[pbg]

At what point is it no longer hunting and it becomes just shooting , are we loosing the art of stocking our game?
I'm amazed at people that can hit targets at 600- 700 yards and beyond, but thanks to the equipment that is available today, scopes and rifles advancements makes it possible for just about anyone to become proficient in long range shooting but is it ethical to shoot an animal at extreme long ranges and still call it hunting ? That being said Im just asking a question not judging anyone .

[brokentrail]

Thanks for all of the replies, definitely appreciate it.  I am not against an over 300 yard shot btw, that is just my current comfort zone with non-dial scopes.  I had to pass on a pretty good deer this year at 416 yards and there wasn't any way to get closer that didn't take 2 hours, so that got me thinking about it.

[High Climber]

https://www.boone-crockett.org/bc-position-statement-long-range-shooting

Here is BandC’s take on it I tend to agree. It’s not a set distance but at some point it becomes “shooting” and is no longer “hunting”

[jrebel]

So at what range do you take away an animals innate will to live and sense danger?  I have seen bear smell hunters at 1000 yards and further and run the other way without hesitation.  My son's elk this year was at 500 and they had us pegged at one point and got up to get out of town.  I just so happens that one stopped w/in range. 

I think we as hunters are treading thin water when we question others hunting methods.  If it is within the law....it is hunting and we should all be acceptant of that method.  Doesn't mean you have to hunt that way, but I wouldn't say it is isn't hunting.  Calling it "shooting" is just one more method we as hunters can continue to divide each other. 

[bobdog86]

Who wouldn’t love to have a broad side, standing, flat, lots of time 80 yd shot? Reality says otherwise. Like one responder said, you shoot em where ya find em. I don’t hunt on the west side, but do hunt mule deer on the East Side. Im comfortable to about 450yds, but I know my weapon. A lot of glassing.  And honestly, I’d also venture to add, as I get older, it’s more about the hunt than the killing. I get far more enjoyment helping the younger kids find success. I have probably missed more at closer range, due being caught off guard than longer range with a rest.

[Fidelk]

At what point is it no longer hunting and it becomes just shooting , are we loosing the art of stocking our game?
I'm amazed at people that can hit targets at 600- 700 yards and beyond, but thanks to the equipment that is available today, scopes and rifles advancements makes it possible for just about anyone to become proficient in long range shooting but is it ethical to shoot an animal at extreme long ranges and still call it hunting ? That being said Im just asking a question not judging anyone .

I think it is ethical if you can deliver a bullet to a big game animal's vitals at a velocity that will allow that bullet to expand according to specs and result in a clean (and quick) kill. You also do the "hunting" part before you put rifle and scope on the animal that you intend to shoot.

[crabcreekhunter]

I’m a firm believer in energy and where it is placed, on a deer if I’m confident I can put 1000+ ft/lbs into the vitals I’ll take the shot.  That depends on a lot, elevation and most importantly wind.  Lots of practice with your set up, closer the better in my opinion, but sometimes that isn’t an option.

[huntandjeep]

At what point is it no longer hunting and it becomes just shooting , are we loosing the art of stocking our game?

Same could be said about sitting in a ground blind or tree stand 

[Magnum_Willys]

https://www.boone-crockett.org/bc-position-statement-long-range-shooting

Here is BandC’s take on it I tend to agree. It’s not a set distance but at some point it becomes “shooting” and is no longer “hunting”

Having grown up taking game to feed our family I always looked down on the Boone and Crocket as being an elitest group focused on killing and scoring trophies vs hunting in manner true to America’s heritage.

They may be the last ones to be an authority on fairness and ethical “Hunting” imo.

[jamesfromseattle]

I'll admit to being one of those guys that doesn't have any business taking longer shots.

I wish it were easier to find a place to practice longer shots on the westside. Because its a long drive to get somewhere I can practice holdover shots, I don't do it often enough to get good at it. I have a hard cap at 250 because that's comfortably within mpbr for my rifle.

Time off is precious right now, and I'd rather save it for hunting and scouting, which I enjoy more than shooting. Some day I'll work more on shooting--I have certainly had to pass on animals in the 300-500 range that would have been easy for some folks. Maybe when the kids are out of the house.

[baldopepper]

Hunt often with a couple of younger guys who I kid about  being shooters who hunt. There main emphasis is way more about the shot than it is on the animal they're shooting. They hunt because it allows them to prove how proficient they are with their rifle.  Ranging, setting up and dialing in their scopes seems to take forever. Doesn't really bother me, they're good guys and fun to be around.  Not what I personally enjoy about hunting, grew up shooting open sights, so I kinda like getting a little closer and the hunting skills involved in doing that.  To each their own thougn, so long as it's legal I'm OK with it.

[Skunkedoutdoors]

Confident at 650 all day and practice to 1000. That said my last three mule deer have all been taken with the long range set up at less than 100 yards. why shoot far if you can get closer.