Hunting is having the ability to get close enough to make a good shot on an animal reguardless of if you are in a stand or on a stalk. Many of the best hunters I know are not good shots, some use guns incapable of 3 MOA as their rifles are 3 generations old and only shoot during deer season, however they will put just as much meat on the pole as anyone else. Shooting an animal from so far away they have no chance what so ever of detecting you isnt really hunting, its just shooting at a living target, a differnt skill set to be sure, but I dont think I would call it hunting.
That's your opinion. I don't make shots that far, especially now days, but I avoid blanket statements like this, calling this and that "unethical". I've come to understand that not everyone shares my idea of ethics. Hell, I hunt with a feeder on MY place. Nuf said? But, I also hunt occasional public land that's restricted on baiting, just find sign or a trail and sit.
I'm a good rifleman. I've prided myself in my marksmanship, I just don't get any practice at ranges past 300 yards, so I don't stretch it. I agree with you in that I pride myself much more in my ability to get close, either with a stalk out west or on a stand back here, than I do in my marksmanship skills. I don't use all the whiz bang scent blockers and such on stands either, just sit still and don't make noise. When I spot and stalk hunt, I try to get inside my comfort zone with whatever weapon I'm carrying, be that front stuffer, stick and string, or 7mm Rem Mag. Lately, I've been all off into black powder, took one this year at 30 yards with it, nothing special, but venison never-the-less.
I won't berate someone anymore that's truly skilled at long range marksmanship if they're "inside their comfort zone" when they take the shot. I won't shoot over 400, though, and it's got to be windless and no down or uphill incline for me to take a shot THAT far, perfect conditions. I know my limits. A man's got to know his limitations.
I think all these sniper vids from Afghanistan have brought about this long range stuff. I see it on TV outdoor channel shows, taking game out 800-1000 yards. Not me, but more power to 'em. I think all the mid east wars have brought on the popularity of all the tacticool stuff, too, mil dot reticules, rails, pistol gripped stocks, folding stocks, 1000 round magazines, etc. Too many mall ninjas running around. Most of 'em don't hunt, though, I'm guessing.
This is all just MHO. Don't get excited, i'm not saying all this is so and I can't be wrong, just that's how I see it.
Mine's a Savage 110. Got a Weatherby Supreme 3x9x44 on it, good, bright glass, but no elevation adjustment. I just estimate hold over, so that limits me, too.
