Thread: Are hunters taking longer shots these days?

Originally Posted by Daniel L

With the advances in optics, ballistics, bipods/tripods and overall rifle accuracy - is it true that hunters are taking shots at game at greater distances than before (say before year 2000.)
Or is game more wary, facilitating the need for longer shots?
If you can ethically take a 400m shot, is there any need to stalk closer in?

Just interested to hear your views.

I think more people are, but 'long range' shooting was done back in the black powder days.

Look up 'Whitworth Rifle'...

The answer is yes!! I'm not even a gun guy but I believe that many of the trends you folks experience in NZ is being seen 50 fold in the US (or 67 fold if you go by population). Technology is better and rangefinders are the biggest development ever in shooting...BUT the biggest thing for people shooting farther is social media and talking to people that shoot longer distances and that gives people the impression that "anyone can do it" when the fact is that shooting far is hard, especially in a hunting situation. Good groups off a bipod at 200-500m is something that takes a lot of work and dedication and PRACTICE and most people don't want to put in the effort to actually get good at something, they'd rather just go buy a $3000 rifle that shoots 1/4 MOA and assume that means they can shoot at 700m no problem. Of course all my opinions are heavily (roughly 100%) slanted towards the US.
I'm not sure any of that makes any sense and for the record I'm a very shitty shot