Maximum Range for Stalking

[Lateral]

What? But nobody is saying it cannot be done, they are saying that it should not.

But WHY ? This opinion is based on current thinking, based on current experience, and what some people choose to say is acceptable !

In other countries, they shoot way further. For them, it is the norm ! Not because they have better equipment, not because they value the animals any less, but because from when they first started hunting, this is what they have been taught to do.

Your opinion is based on what you have been taught/told is acceptable

There are some people in this world that just accept what they are told, and don't feel the need to question it. There are others, who do question things, who want to push limits, and abilities, who want to be better than "Mr. Average". They will spend the time learning, practising, training, to achieve this ! Not talking about me

And then there are people who just say "you can't, you shouldn't, it's not possible, it's not sensible".................... but somehow, they do !

 

[bogtrotter]

In my opinion it is not Stalking.
The question is how close can you get? That’s Stalking.

I don’t dispute that some can get clean kills at longer ranges, but it is not Stalking.

My opinion exactly.

 

[Stringer]

And yet down they go .

Undoubtedly some do but no-one will post their **** ups and blown off jaws. I admire the skill involved but it’s not for me.

 

[Dalua]

Fair comment but given a still day ,right kit and confidence ,around we go again .

I'd remove 'confidence' and substitute 'competence'.
I would expect a competent person to be confident.
A confident person, on the other hand....

And then there are people who just say "you can't, you shouldn't, it's not possible, it's not sensible".................... but somehow, they do !

I wouldn't say all those things at once - just 'You shouldn't, it's not sensible' if a realistically-considered answer (i.e. not necessarily the shooter's answer) to 'Can you hit the kill-zone reliably at this range in these conditions?' is 'You can't, it's not possible.'

 

[howa243]

There are others, who do question things, who want to push limits, and abilities, who want to be better than "Mr. Average". They will spend the time learning, practising, training, to achieve this !

I for one, will not be pushing my limits and abilities on live targets...but thanks.

What kind practice/training do you undertake, to shoot a potentially moving target at 500 yards?

 

[foxdropper]

I don’t think many are disputing what stalking is and that the stalk is in many cases the reason we do it .The ethics of it are purely related to skill not someone’s own blinkered take on the scenario which is what we are reading here .
If I’d stalked several miles into something that was in the open with no chance of reducing the gap and the shot was within my skill set then that’s fair stalking as far as I’m concerned .Seeing the whites of its eyes is great but not essential .
England reduces the need for ranges shots and in many cases prohibits same ,Scotland less so but some of the countries elsewhere have the topography that necessitates long shots .
Too many on here trying to impose their own values ,their limited skill set ,on others under the veil of ethics and best practice .Very same lads that wouldn’t think twice shooting at a fox at much longer range than an ethical deer in their eyes .
But sad when we have to criticise ethics and a wider skill set than our own .

 

[Dalua]

And yet down they go .

Absolutely - every shot. It's all over Facebook and YouTube.

Clinical trails for pharmaceuticals have to be registered before they start, so that if the results are unfavourable they can't simply be swept under the carpet by the sponsors. Perhaps YouTube and Facebook could run a similar system?

Too many on here trying to impose their own values ,their limited skill set ,on others under the veil of ethics and best practice .Very same lads that wouldn’t think twice shooting at a fox at much longer range than an ethical deer in their eyes .
But sad when we have to criticise ethics and a wider skill set than our own .

It is sad to have to criticise ethics - but if one doesn't pull up what appear to be poor standards, the whole concept of ethics is undermined.
Nor so I think it helpful to vilify those who think shots outside the usual comfort-zone on the grounds of their supposedly-limited capabilities, particularly when it might simply be that they have a more realistic appreciation of the disadvantages of longer shots than those who actually take them.

 

[foxdropper]

Is there a forum for Short range stalking or is this it ?

 

[foxdropper]

Undoubtedly some do but no-one will post their **** ups and blown off jaws. I admire the skill involved but it’s not for me.

Happens at any range mate ,admittedly with less frequently no doubt but still happens and to those who really should know better .
Nobody posts ****up ,it’s human nature

 

[Dalua]

Is there a forum for Short range stalking or is this it ?

The shorter the range, the better, surely?

 

[terrier1]

When I first started stalking I had been fox shooting for a number of years. The big difference is meat damage so I always tuck chest shots as I became more confident in my ability and the ability of the kit I was using I started taking neck and head shots. Only you can make the call where to shoot a deer because you are the one holding the gun do be talked into a shot you are not happy to take.

 

[foxdropper]

The shorter the range, the better, surely?

For those who arnt able then yes mate .Every scenario warrants different outcome and to comment on anything on here really is conjecture and speculation .That is why we will never all agree and what’s make the forum so great .Especially when there’s **** all else to do .I’m off to frig in the riggin .

 

[25 Sharps]

"Thought this would fascinate some of my followers" says it all for me!

 

[sh1kar]

I think we’ve all been in lockdown a bit too long.

or even Lookdown....

S

 

[howa243]

Anecdote.

I head shot some red deer stags last year with 123gn .308 ammunition. On one of them, the round hit the base of the antler. This removed the antler and left the animal alive. Because this was in a park situation I was able to remedy the situation very quickly. If this had been from 400 odd yards and not in a park, what lessons would I have ended up learning the hard way. 1) Buy yourself some margin of error 2) Make sure you can follow up quickly.

 

[25 Sharps]

There has to be quite a few on here ,given the comprehensive membership it has ,that practice regularly at the likes of Bisley at ranges far exceeding this problematic shot that would definitely use that skill in the field .Move out of the darkness and into the light ,don’t be scared .

To be fair mate it is a very different kettle of fish.

Shooting a target at a known distance from a very comfortable position, but more importantly you don't need to be bang on with the first shot, if you are off it gets marked and you adjust - for wind mostly.

We did a little test with our club which has some very proficient shots, imperial meeting competition winners in various disciplines, with a 3/4 life size fox target. Many struggled to hit first shot, others including myself hit the fox in less than an ideal shot placement. That was due to wind and on my part using an 8x scope with a thick reticle but it shows what it takes to make a quick, humane shot, first time. People who shoot 300 yard mcqueens reasonably well (scores of 45+ consistently) should be able to take chest shots on deer out to that range, so with the .308 I should have been ok!

 

[Overlay]

80% of my shooting is off sticks ( a really stable well made tripod) and high seat farthest I shoot is 200 yds in any situation that has ANY animal on the receiving end of a shot.

I practice out to 300 yds on targets to ensure I’m familiar with all distances and enveloping the capabilities of the rifle and elements just in case a welfare shot has to be taken

For me 200 yds is a hell of a way to shoot in field conditions, if I can stalk in to get a below 100 yd shot I’m happy, that doesn’t mean you would get that on the hill where shots of 150-200 yds are the norm

My thoughts on any further distance shots of 200 yds should only be considered for a welfare shot


Of course there are rifle shooters who can shoot far far greater distances, and some accurately, but that doesn’t make it right, when you consider the chance of non kill wounding is greatly increased, Deer Control is about managing deer numbers humanely, not having a pot shot at a living animal and increasing traumatic suffering to animals

only my thoughts, I don’t think anything will change to people wanting to push the barriers but I wonder what the thoughts would be if the deer held the rifle, no doubt the need for a 200 yd preference would be hastily installed.

 

[Tom D]

I've always said that I wouldn't criticise someone for a long shot. When you line up a shot and have the beast in the cross hairs only you know your chances of making the shot, you know your own abilities and those of your gun, or you should at least. You know the range and the drop, dial up or hold over. You know the wind and the drift at that range. And therefore you can make an informed decision as to whether to pull the trigger.

I don't know the answers to those questions in this case, only the shooter does. So I can't comment.

What I will say is that I have shot crows past 400 yds, and I have missed crows past 400 yds, and closer actually. And yes perversely I appear to value the life of a deer over that of a crow, I cant say why , I just do. Would I take a neck shot at 420? I doubt it, I would take a boiler room shot though.

I took a head shot on a yearling hind at 190 yds once, That was far enough for me for head / neck shots. It was filmed and is now on line on a popular shooting channel, not with me as the shooter though. The magic of TV...

 

[Lateral]

I for one, will not be pushing my limits and abilities on live targets...but thanks.

No one is suggesting you do.

What kind practice/training do you undertake, to shoot a potentially moving target at 500 yards?

And how do you practise/train, to shoot a potentially moving deer, at 50>150m ?

It's your comfort zone, and your choice ! It's all relative !

 

[TomT3]

Living in Essex I’d be happy to have a 500 yard range to shoot at let alone a deer (which I certainly wouldn’t be shooting at before anyone comments! ) Where i zero I can get to 200 yards and that would be my absolute limit for deer as I can’t practice on further ranges. I wouldn’t mind going Bisley but quite frankly I have never been and wouldn’t know where to start. Are any of you chaps in a club in Essex with a decent range ?