How far will you shoot at an animal?

[cohunt]

well, this chart says 7000yards for a 450 marlin, so I guess that would be a good stopping point

 

[Bigdog425]

Three criteria.
1) the distance to which I cannot with good effort get any closer...Shooting any further hard to justify...and this criteria usually closes the distance most every time.
2) subject to No. 1 the distance to which I know my equipment is capable of accurately shooting a cold barrel/first shot.
3) subject to No. 1 and No. 2, the distance to which I have consistently demonstrated I can accurately shoot in the same or similar position (prone, sitting, standing with same or similar clothing and gun support) and same or similar conditions (lighting, temperature, etc).

The above means that No.1 controls and that I can only extend to No. 2 and No. 3 by regularly practicing realistic hunting positions/conditions.

PS: same goes for bow hunting.

 

[Orange Dust]

Another thing that comes into play. At long range, remaining velocity, energy, sectional density, diameter, and expansion all matter greatly. I don't think there is such a thing as "overkill" at 700-1k yards or more. IF anything goes just a little wrong, and even if it doesn't the animal just may not decide to die right there. It is very difficult to find the exact spot he was standing, especially in an open area with no reference other than ranging back to the spot you shot from. This applies even at 4-500yds. Plenty of blood on the ground is a lifesaver in this situation, and can easily be the difference between success and failure. Big bullet holes are a really good idea here. The bigger the better in this situation. Attempting this with a small caliber is about like hunting ducks with a .410. It can be done. It can also be very frustrating.

 

[Bravo 4]

Bow hunting was mentioned and I use that as a good example. I have had calm feeding deer jump the string at some close ranges. Are you saying that we shouldn't attempt a 20 yard or further shot with a bow due to the possibility of movement? If that's the case then good luck spitting that woo!
If you're saying that the bow hunting example is fine then I'll call that hypocrisy.

 

[Orange Dust]

Nope, not around here it doesn't.
Bow hunting was mentioned and I use that as a good example. I have had calm feeding deer jump the string at some close ranges. Are you saying that we shouldn't attempt a 20 yard or further shot with a bow due to the possibility of movement? If that's the case then good luck spitting that woo!
If you're saying that the bow hunting example is fine then I'll call that hypocrisy.

This forum does not discuss the ethics of long range hunting. We concentrate on helping others to be successful at it, and to learn from each other. There are more than a few here that really know their stuff. I have learned a lot from many of you. AND I AM OLD>>>

 

[Bravo 4]

This forum does not discuss the ethics of long range hunting.

No but it's funny how that awful little word keeps popping up on a daily basis. Makes me want to punch the cat.
I agree that we are here to help and learn from each other. Some just need to check theirselves at the door.
I like to push mine and my equipment's limits.

 

[Toolhand]

Ethics are rarely called into question when it comes to trapping or bow hunting. I am a bow hunter and always will be but animals are wounded and lost more regularly with a bow than with a rifle. That said there is a point when shots shouldn't be taken but that is for me to decide as a responsible hunter and not someone else

 

[Canhunter35]

Conditions play a major part.
Do I go out with my lr rifle, rangefinder, kestrel, rear bag and shoot them under 300 yds, yep. Lol

I can make first round hits out to 1k with my 308, but not in all conditions, but I know my limits within what conditions I can make my shot.

Last year I made a hurried shot on my buck at 501yds and dropped him on the spot.

This year instead of hunting hard for horns, I'm gonna find a decent one and set myself for a longer shot and take it, push my limits on my range instead of just what they score

 

[Toolhand]

Bow hunting was mentioned and I use that as a good example. I have had calm feeding deer jump the string at some close ranges. Are you saying that we shouldn't attempt a 20 yard or further shot with a bow due to the possibility of movement? If that's the case then good luck spitting that woo!
If you're saying that the bow hunting example is fine then I'll call that hypocrisy.

I used bow hunting just as a time comparison as far as how long it is taking the projectile to reach the intended target.
The "how far is to far" debate always stirs the pot, has been covered many many times and will never be agreed upon across the board. You have guys that shoot bows year round and then you have the guys that pick it up day before season starts and make sure their 20 yard pin is close and call it good. Same with rifles some guys shoot a lot some take the gun out of the safe the week before and shoot it at 25 yards and if they hit a pie plate then they are good to go. I wounded two animals in my early teens with a rifle that was given to me and had a very cheap scope that would not hold zero. Both of these animals were under 100 yards but my equipment was not good and I wasn't old enough to know any better at the time. But the two animals were wounded and never recovered just the same. As hunters we learn lessons each and every time we step in the woods whether it be good or bad. I have no problem with the guys that have the right equipment, knowledge, and skills pushing the limit of what these amazing tools will do. I do it myself and truly enjoy doing so. But the guys that "hold it about this high over the back and I might get lucky" give many long range hunters a bad name. Sorry that's the last I will say on this topic and my rants are over for the day. Lol

 

[nvschütze]

I don't hunt. If I did, I'd not take a shot beyond 300 yards because I'm not sure the bullet would still have enough energy to do the job. That, and I'm just not too excited about dressing-out the animal and then having to carry out the meat. Paper targets and steel disks are a lot less trouble...

 

[HARPERC]

..............No but it's funny how that awful little word keeps popping up on a daily basis. Makes me want to punch the cat.............

I was thinking the other day some high tech remedy should be available, not allowing the word, or moderator alert when it is.

 

[762x51]

300, that's as far as i can shoot on my land haha

 

[mountainman83]

For myself, I like to practice long range shots on steel at the family farm, distances range from 100 yds out to 1200 yds. I'll shoot various positions, sitting using hammers shooting-sticks and backpack for rear support, tripod, prone etc. I find as many different angles, quick setup positions with the gear that I'll have with me in Wyoming this fall.
Learn to judge/dope the wind, one of the best things I've ever done was to take a shooting course with Non-Typical Outfitters in western Wyoming. In that class you'll learn how to shoot from various positions in mountainous terrain, along with get exposure to the tricky wind conditions that you'll experience on a western hunt.

Get a quality rangefinder, g7 BR-2 was the best piece of equipement that I ever bought for long range shooting. Validate your yardages and practice every chance you get.

Groundhogs make excellent practice here in WV and PA.
Crop damage whitetail deer permits are an excellent tune-up for the fall hunting season as well. Routinely shoot whitetail in the 400-600 yd range with crop damage permits.

Farthest kill shot on a whitetail was 850, calm conditions.

Elk in the avatar was taken at 535yds steep uphill angle off of shooting-sticks using backpack and small bag for rear support.

 

[LVJ76]

My set max is 500m, that is wjat Inset for my self based on my abilities, not my equipment. Qith my equipment I can shoot to 800m no problem, but the animal I hunt deserves a fast and humane kill. I know that at 500 based again on my skill I can make the kill, but it doesn't mean that I will always take the shot, when the winds start gusting at 30 to 35 mph its time to get closer or move on.

Ethics of long range hunting, another non ending debate Lol.

It is up to each one if us to make the right decision, whether it's letting that arrow fly to reach a target at 50 yds or pulling that trigger at that elk at 750 yds, we each live with our decisions and hopefully we don't regreat any of them.

Happy long range hunting everyone, whatever that range is for you.