AZ Diamondbacks player shoots elk at 703 yards..

I wouldn't go out and openly advocate a shot at that range, but it doesn't "piss me off" either. If he knows he's able to make the shot, then oh well. Its risky, but whatever. Its not like he's askin me for advice.

If you know your limitations as well as your equipment, there is nothing wrong with it. In fact, there is a very popular website, LongRangeHunting.com, that is a wealth of information on this type of hunting.
Granted, it is not for everyone. But, I would not criticize others without first knowing all the training and time spent to ensure an ethical kill.

I personally have no desire to shoot an elk or anything else at 700 yards. With that said I have some very close friends who build their shooting fields with ranges and it is competitive for them. They routinely shoot deer at over 800 yards.

I am not really a big fan of elk hunting with a rifle anyway. Hunting a herd animal with a rifle, be it 200 yards or 900 yards, is not something I care to do on a regular basis. For filling the freezer it is great and I understand, and have enjoyed, the mountain scenery and the challenge of getting way back in the outback but shooting a cow with a rifle at 300 yards is not for me.

Aside of an outright survival scenario it seems a bit irresponsible even if it did work out.

The opposite makes me angry, but to each his own.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-yfUfGNG3g


Posted via iPhone so the link is probably to the mobile site.
I guess it'll work?

DeepSouth, what is the link supposed to show us?

Go to you tube and search 2012 Montana buffalo hunt.

I'll fix the link up when I can get to a real pc.
Can't get on the full you tube site with my phone, at least I don't know how.

to your post there Deepsouth I can sure see how they were allmost wiped out though.

If he's a knowledgeable, experienced shooter using good equipment that he's practiced with a lot, he's not acting in any less of a responsible way than the average deer hunter shooting at one 200 yards away. A challenging shot, but if he's up to it (and results indicate that he IS) -- why would anyone bother themselves to get upset?

I'll wager that whole boatloads more deer are wounded and lost each year at 100 yards than are even SHOT AT at ranges greater than 500 yards each year. Which is more unethical?

I'm with the "as long as he knows what he is doing crowd", after all we don't want Biden telling hunters all we need is a double barrel shotgun...

If he makes the shot, was he wrong to attempt it?

A coach says go for it on fourth and 17 from his own 23, leading by 6 with 1:35 to play, and the opposing team has no timeouts remaining. Completely fooling the defense by running off tackle, the team nets 18 yards and can now run out the clock. Was it a dumb call?

Is there any difference between the guy that practices at and is proficient at 800 yards taking a 703 yard shot at an elk and the guy with the borrowed gun he's never shot taking a 80 yard shot at a whitetail? Yeah, the guy with the borrowed gun shouldn't be in the woods. With today's modern firearms, ammo and optics, a 700 yard shot at a target as large as the kill zone on an elk, is very doable by someone that has practiced at that range. I know I couldn't do it, but I know there are many out there that can.

If he's a knowledgeable, experienced shooter using good equipment that he's practiced with a lot, he's not acting in any less of a responsible way than the average deer hunter shooting at one 200 yards away. A challenging shot, but if he's up to it (and results indicate that he IS) -- why would anyone bother themselves to get upset?

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My thoughts as well.

You said yourself that he's a crack shot. If he's properly equipped, well-practiced, and highly confident, why not?
I can't make a 700 yard shot with enough confidence using my old -06, but 500 yards is within my limited skill. I can, and have, made a 460 yard one shot kill.
A man has got to know his limitations. 700 yards is not his limit, apparently.

I am pissed off at this article and the shooter, am I wrong?

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Yes, it appears that you are.

I cannot do it, but have a BIL that has spent the time, money and put in the effort to be able to make such shots. He has taken several deer and elk between 600-700 yards. All were 1 shot kills on bedded animals who never stood up after being hit.

I respect folks who can do such things.

If that bothers you this really will really make you mad. Almost 700 yards with a lowly 243.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY0w1c-gf18

I have witnessed some of the buffalo "hunts" and they are not actually designed to be hunts at all. As I said in post #4 you are shooting with a modern weapon at an animal that uses the herd mentality as it's greatest defense against predators.

Most of the hunts for buffalo today are on a ranch and the buffalo is owned by the rancher. Once you pay the money then the animal actually belongs to you and most people are there for the meat rather than the sport. I have seen guys shoot them in the corral which is okay since it is a meat hunt. I have also seen guys shoot them with a .270 inside a corral and then give high 5s about what a great shot it was. They are basically considered the same as a cow so game laws do not apply.

I have also been on a couple of hunts for bull bison and that is a different game. They are solitary animals and don't hang around when they see you. The only buffalo I ever killed was a bull from horseback with a bow. Slightly different scenario and you need a horse that can clear the area quickly.

If the person can do it, and their equipment can do it, why not? One thing that's important to consider is positioning. You can try getting closer but you may not have a clean shot, OR you may not be able to track it if it runs due to low hills that will obscure your sight up close, but not from the better position farther away. If you've got an excellent overwatch position and can both hit and track it, sometimes the long shot is best.

beatledog7 said:

If he makes the shot, was he wrong to attempt it?

A coach says go for it on fourth and 17 from his own 23, leading by 6 with 1:35 to play, and the opposing team has no timeouts remaining. Completely fooling the defense by running off tackle, the team nets 18 yards and can now run out the clock. Was it a dumb call?

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Yes, that is a stupid coach!

I have taken 2 elk at a little more than 400 yards but doubt that I could see one's kill zone at 700.
What about crosswinds?

Yes, that is a stupid coach!

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Ah, but what I didn't tell you is the other team has already run back three punts for touchdowns in this game, they have an all-pro QB and three all-pro receivers, and all this coach's defensive backs are injured. In short, punting has been ill-fated the entire game, and his defense is unlikely to hold.

Now is he stupid? After all, his decision won the game.

The analysis of such decisions is often outcome based. Make what is normally considered to be an unwise call, and fail, you're an idiot. Succeed, and you're brazen and brilliant.

Who is to decide what an "accepted" range for a shot is?

There are so many different 'objectives' of hunting that it is impossible to apply a single standard to them all.

So long as it is a humane and legal kill, then I don't see why anyone should be 'pissed off' at how someone else chooses to do it.

I don't care what the range is(within reason) If you are confident and truly good, and ,obviously, have shot at that range before, I say go for it. I personally wouldn't shoot at that range, but if your comfortable with it I really don't see what the big deal is. What makes me mad is the opposite. Like the guy shooting the buffalo at 10 yards. Go by a freakin cow and shoot it!

If this pisses you off, then I'm thinking this is a first world problem. Too much time on your hands.

Direct your energy to gun owner's rights.

Ditto. He knew the range and made the shot. Go shout down gun control and stop picking on other hunters.