How well does the average big game hunter shoot?

[COBrad]

I guided elk hunters for 38 years. Completely agree with OP. It was a rare hunter who could shoot a factory rifle and ammo anywhere near its potential. For most a 200 yard shot was too long. I have an 1800 yard range on the ranch I manage and tend to spend way too much time shooting prone at long range and not enough on basic field positions.

 

[RockyRandy]

I guided elk hunters for 38 years. Completely agree with OP. It was a rare hunter who could shoot a factory rifle and ammo anywhere near its potential. For most a 200 yard shot was too long. I have an 1800 yard range on the ranch I manage and tend to spend way too much time shooting prone at long range and not enough on basic field positions.

Truth to be told , if you can shoot prone with good fundamentals you can shoot any other position just fine.

 

[memtb]

Truth to be told , if you can shoot prone with good fundamentals you can shoot any other position just fine.

I would love to say that I agree 100%….but, my stiff old body doesn't do kneeling or sitting (except behind shooting sticks) well in field position! memtb

 

[Rosebud]

My field position is setting in a swivel chair behind a bog pod death grip. I too am far to old to contort my bloated old butt into odd shooting platforms. If you set beside farm equipment you become part of it and are ignored. Beside a center pivot tire.

 

[memtb]

Prone works really well for me……though I keep nodding off to sleep! memtb

 

[LRNut]

Truth to be told , if you can shoot prone with good fundamentals you can shoot any other position just fine.

I completely disagree; you won't learn to shoot standing unless you shoot standing. You won't learn to shoot sitting with a sling unless you practice it. I also spend too much time shooting prone at LR; a hunter who can hit a 10x10" gong every time at a range of, say, 360 yards, from a sitting position will be more successful than a guy who can do it every time from a prone position at 800.

I am also convinced being able to connect at 600 in any wind condition is far more valuable than being able to connect at 900 but only when the wind is less than 5 mph.

 

[Buffalobwana]

Clients who brag about their shooting, almost guaranteed either misses or gut shot.

Guys who say "200-250, if I have a good rest and I'm not winded" can almost always hit stuff at 350 regularly. Sometimes, farther.

200 is about max for a client I'm unsure about.

 

[memtb]

I completely disagree; you won't learn to shoot standing unless you shoot standing. You won't learn to shoot sitting with a sling unless you practice it. I also spend too much time shooting prone at LR; a hunter who can hit a 10x10" gong every time at a range of, say, 360 yards, from a sitting position will be more successful than a guy who can do it every time from a prone position at 800.

I am also convinced being able to connect at 600 in any wind condition is far more valuable than being able to connect at 900 but only when the wind is less than 5 mph.

You pretty much described my wife. She exercises and stretches regularly, well did a lot several years ago…..I've seen her make shots from a sitting position that I'd be happy with while shooting prone.

I simply can't get into a proper shooting position when sitting! Perhaps "if", a very big "if", I were too get serious about working at proper form while sitting ….I could achieve it! But, as I'm opposed to discomfort in any form….I'll stay with my sticks! memtb

 

[Rosebud]

You pretty much described my wife. She exercises and stretches regularly, well did a lot several years ago…..I've seen her make shots from a sitting position that I'd be happy with while shooting prone.

I simply can't get into a proper shooting position when sitting! Perhaps "if", a very big "if", I were too get serious about working at proper form while sitting ….I could achieve it! But, as I'm opposed to discomfort in any form….I'll stay with my sticks! memtb

The only thing my wife would shoot is some dumb a@@ breaking into the house and any snake that scares her. But only if she can't get a hoe into her hands. Never knew you could chop a snake into that many pieces. No she likes to eat everything I kill, but would only shoot it to keep me our her alive.

 

[akdad]

I have a 3in steel at 200yds from porch. This thread made just grab the rifle in living room and try to get a shot off in as little time as possible. Surprisingly how unstable I was. I missed first shot. It's a lot different when you are all set up..

 

[birddog 68]

Prone works really well for me……though I keep nodding off to sleep! memtb

For me the problem with prone isn't getting down but it's the getting back up part!

 

[bamban]

For me the problem with prone isn't getting down but it's the getting back up part!

Hey, are you mocking me??? lol

 

[tony d willIiams]

The number of unskilled "hunters" is much higher around Los Angeles than anywhere I have seen. Prior to deer season the public ranges are packed with guys trying to sight in scopes and they can't even get on paper at 100 yards having burned thru a box of ammo and most don't know how to zero the scope.
Most modern cartridges if sighted in at 200 yards will be ~6" low at 300 yards, ~20" low at 400, and ~36" low at 500 yards you will definitely be minute of elk but nobody puts the time in to learn this. Often heard is the "I took a shot at it but I missed" because they had no idea what to do past ~150 yards. I help as much as I can and direct people to this sight or youtube "how to" videos but for my own safety I rarely hunt on the weekends.

 

[tony d willIiams]

I have my tags come opening day, usually. I come to scout, watch, and not get shot at, noticed, or disturb other hunters. Where are the animals found, where do they run, eat and water after being shot at, or hearing the reports?

Sometimes I hear two or more shots in rapid succession. Then a bit later more shots from same general area, and then another report or two. Congratulations for tracking skills, but why so many shots? Hoping the animal was not wounded, just scared.

I have been called from my hunt a few times to track down a wounded animal. Many times the animal was not wounded, just scared silly from a miss.
Dad taught me that if you cannot drop the animal in its tracks with the 1st shot, you don't shoot.
My son and I go out practicing, pistols at 10 & 20 yards, rifles at 60 yard out to a half mile. Different directions, altitudes, wind conditions, times of day, parallel locations, and temperatures. We get better each time. And he, being a grown man with wife and child, doesn't have as much time for visiting anymore, (we live 540 miles apart). The practice sessions are great for muscle memory, thought processes, and for us to share time and memories together.
I began reloading, rather than using factory rounds. Went from "lucky to hit paper" to holes the size of a quarter. Repeatability and consistency.

Hoping all y'all get in lots of practice sessions.