why take a shot you can't make

[TKC]

Why are we bashing how people choose to hunt? How many animals are missed or wounded inside 100yrds every year? Some choose to use a bow or muzzleloader, is that ethical? Some shoot at running game, is that ethical? Some would say using bait or dogs is un-ethical. Traps are of course un-ethical, right? It just blows my mind how one hunter can call another hunter un-ethical just because they hunt a different way. If you can make the shot then do, if you can't then don't, simple as that. If you are unsure then pass, distance does not matter.

[hntr4life]

This topic got a little carried away. I think what the basic message here is know your limits. If you can't hit a 12" target at 100yds than maybe you should try for a closer shot. Everyone hunts differently, I agree with that. Some people road hunt and cover alot of ground and others get out on foot and walk for 10 miles, but the same rules apply. Personally my rifle is zeroed at 300yds, but I like to hunt open ground for deer. I hunted in Idaho in 2008 and most of the time you couldn't see 100yds, but where I hunted in Colorado you could see for miles! Hunting bear with hounds seems to be pretty close range work. I don't believe biggame and upland bird hunting is a very good comparison, but I also wouldn't shoot at a bird thats too far out. I let dove and duck fly that I think is out of range and it pisses my buddies off, but I don't want to miss out on a good shoot because I had to spend an hour chasing around a wounded bird. AS far as kids, I think it's important to take them out to the field for the exprience. They are the future of hunting, but they should be taught right. They need to understand that a shot in the ass isn't a good shot! I have a buddy that was told as a kid, just hit'em and draw blood and we'll find him! That's unethical hunting. If he still hunted like that, I wouldn't be hunting with him. I love to hunt and will hunt just about anything, but the people wounding animals and not able to retrieve them makes all of us look bad! JMO!

[jcalder]

ethical is a tough thing to judge because everybody has their own opinion.I dont think I have ever r killed a deer at over two fifty, I have shot lots of ground hogs at two fifty plus with a sandbag rest and a twelve power scope. I once shot a running coyote at 390. very lucky shot and an unlucky yote. I practice on the smaller things which makes it easier on big game. when I moose hunt I wouldnt hesitate taking a four or five hundred yard shot but for me that would be far enough because you should be able to get closer than that.All you can do is no your limits which some people dont. But the again everbody misses. A friend of mine always says the more he shoots the luckier he gets.I agree with that.