Great start for a discussion among the hunting community (all hunters not just trad folks).

We had a 3D shoot here last weekend. Most of the folks shot compounds but some shot traditional. No matter though, this was for everyone. It was an eye opener for folks that thought they were a good shot while in their yards, by themselves, on level ground, and shooting at the same target they always do. But when you have a crowd of folks watching you… The pressures on and compound shooters were missing all over the place at shots greater than 30 yards! I’ve already heard of one guy who has taken 8 shots at deer this season, and doesn’t know if he killed any of those deer, because he’s so far away he can’t see where his arrow hits. Its outrageous, but the new technology gives people a false sense of security. I also heard some folks at the shoot say, “I take 80 yard shots cause I can’t get any closer to deer than that.”

Like you say Shane, it would be great to put numbers on it, but how could it be enforced? Well, we just have to police our own ranks. Openly talk with other hunters about our limits.

It seemed like a well thought out statement, and was written well. I’m glad to see an organization like this take such a position.

While I agree that spelling distances out might be nice, I think they hit the nail when they observed that if the animal has no chance to detect you, you really can’t call it hunting. And I liked the way they touched on the relationship between hunter and hunted : “This is an intrinsic, irrefutable and intimate connection that cannot be compromised if the hunter is to maintain the sanctity of this relationship and any credible claim that hunting is challenging, rewarding, respectful of wild creatures, and in service to wildlife conservation. This connection is built upon many complex components that differentiate hunting from simply shooting or killing.”

We have lots of guys taking 4 and 5 hundred yard shots at deer in bean fields. In fact, I think some of the newer long range rifle designs came from the guys in our eastern bean fields. But those guys are not hunters. They are sharpshooters. And I get the feeling they would be happier shooting at people 😯

Thanks for the link!

It really surprises me that they took this position. I would have thought they would have supported it due to lobbying from gun manufacturers. I was watching a show on one of the outdoor channels where one of the “famous” personalities shot an animal at over 400 yards and all I could think was “That is hunting!!!” No it was just shooting.

If you want to shoot long range to prove you are accurate why not just punch paper. Why risk injuring and losing an animal. I guess I just don’t get it.

Thanks, Shane. Wow, it’s almost as if the author of this is a tradbow.com member, so clearly does he or she echo our majority sentiments. Not even P&Y (who have done nothing but cave in to technology for years now), but B&C. In this case at least, the rifles are ahead of the “bows” in seeing and owning-up to the truth.

So far as “numbers” and what good would they do? First, as the B&C statement points out, they become irrelevant unless we specify numbers for every rifle caliber, scope, etc. (and same for “bows”). Indeed it’s the shooter’s intent more than the weapon or distance. However, some form of formal “official” statement on max ethical ranges, or max ranges acceptable for trophy book entries, might at least keep magazines from proffering the “farther the shot, the better” BS they’ve been spewing in recent years. One techy compound-device rag, a year or so ago, had a cover banner “If you’re not regularly making 50-yard shots, here are some tips.” That establishes 50 yards as the minimum you should be “competent” at.

Regarding the compounders shooting craps at a recent shoot–take away their range-finders and they are babies with no diapers and poop all over their butts.

To paraphrase a well-known Dire Straits tune: “That ain’t huntin’!” That ain’t even archery.

Wow! Thank you B&C for opening the door on this one! I saw this article as a calling out to everyone who pursues wild game with weapon in hand to stop and REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU REPRESENT! The author hit the nail on the head and eloquently stated that technology has replaced the true outdoorsman and those who use and rely on that technology to attain success, should not consider themselves outdoorsman. I would somewhat agree with “recommending” range limits on weapons but there are just too many variables involved. My hat is off to this author. This NEEDED to be said! Now somebody ask if we are managing thousands upon thousands of acres of farmland for the proliferation of whitetail deer, can we also really still use the excuse that we are hunting to “control” their population!?!? Just sayin’.