Maximum Range for Stalking

[Dan Newcombe]

Pretty sure he is on here - but probably will keep his head down in case the lynch mob come out.

Agreed that putting it on Facebook is maybe an error in some people’s eyes but once again we have varying conspiracy theories including he missed a chest shot by 2 foot and happens to hit it in the neck (see ‘overthinking’ thread).

420 is a long way but as it ended up with a flattened deer - in this case there is no charge to answer to.

I’ve seen people miss at 50m and 100m - does that mean no one should shoot antithing more than 30m away.

Out of interest - how far does the OP reckon should be the maximum range you shoot deer at? An actual number not ‘as far as you are comfortable’

 

[Brighty3006]

Utterly irresponsible

 

[JockStalk]

Maximum range for stalking for me was about 18 miles, plus the walk back of course. I could extend that range with better gear (sedan chair and ready supply of egg banjos)
My thinking on the original post is that the bullet didn’t expand as well as my Amax do.

 

[norma 308]

The trouble is across the pond and NZ long distance shooting of quarry with rifles is quite the norm ! Sure bears moose carabou are big but some folk see the YouTube exploits and bring them home here that is their choice if u put it on fb your going to get the bejesus kicked out of you I very rarely post pictures of dead deer now I’m not adverse to different shot placements but bragging rights I’ll leave that to wanna be stalkers that got lucky

 

[Mickeydredd]

Could this be a David-hater returned under another name then I wonder...……..

 

[Sampo]

A fine example of what not to be...

 

[Dunwaters]

The effective target area on the neck isn’t really a lot smaller than the recommended behind the shoulder area.
You don’t have to wait for the animal to turn sideways either.
Just saying.

 

[Lateral]

Here we are again, judging what others do, based on our own ability

My friend loves shooting, but has no interest in shooting deer. He says it's pointless, a waste of his time, and would get zero satisfaction from doing so !

However, he does shoot crows, rabbits, pigeons, magpie, at distances way beyond my ability. I've personally seen him shoot a rabbit at 805m. So, would a 400m shot on a deer, with a 3" kill zone be a hard shot for him ? Hardly !

We don't have to advocate people shooting at longer distances, but nor should we be castigating them, just because they're capable of doing something, most of us are incapable of !

 

[Sampo]

shoot a rabbit at 805m

Could a rabbit be even seen at that distance?

 

[barbel]

practice on paper at 400m a lot, would I take a neck shot at that range, never.

 

[howa243]

I understand this has probably been done to death and that everyone has there own opinion and of course depends on experience etc.....

However I came across this on a stalking page on facebook and thought it was completely outrageous.

I am sure everyone will have there own opinion. I certainly have mine

Just not acceptable for me, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

 

[Lateral]

Could a rabbit be even seen at that distance?

Now that, is exactly why we shouldn't base the ability of either others, or their equipment, based on our own !

 

[User00025]

Get the crank handle out, got to be a wind up.

 

[bogtrotter]

He maybe shot a stag at 420 yards but its not stalking there is a difference the sport of stalking is about trting to get as close as possible before taking the shot thats the sport the shot should be an anti-climax an almost forgone
conclusion.
No pro stalker worth his salt would allow any client to take a shot at that range.
This is a forum for deer stalkers with a huge membership but I do wonder how many are stalkers and how many are
just deer shooters.
Yes I have heard all the arguments about numbers to cull and so on blah blah many of us have cull numbers to
achieve and still manage to achieve them without resorting to shooting at extended ranges, though I will admit that at
times I have been involved in culls usually where there has been a break in to a young forestry plantation and all the deer
that have got in must be culled as quickly as possible where shots may be taken further than one would normally and
shot placement is secondary to putting the animal on the deck but its not stalking and I certainly would not be
writing about it .

Even if you are in a position where you feel you need to shoot at those extended ranges and are capable of doing so
(Many are including those who choose not to) firstly keep it to yourself don't stick it on a forum or facebook page.
Secondly its not deer stalking it maybe deer shooting but its not stalking .

 

[sikamalc]

Taking a long shot in areas of the highlands is probably undertaken more often than people will admit too. I have seen and witnessed a shot on a stag at over 500 yds with a 25 max calibre. Some years back mind. The stalker in question also had a 22 max, that's a 22 bullet on a 243 case if my memory serves me correct. He loaded all his own ammo and molly coated all the bullets, he also shot the barrel out on the 22 max at least once I think. This was in Sutherland county, north of Inverness, he managed a large estate adjacent to mine.

Long shots are not to be recommended in my book, in the highlands a shot on a stag between 100yds and up to 200yds on the open hill is about the normal. Many stalkers down south do not practice enough in my opinion to shoot out to 200yds well.

Having said all this I don't think its right to broadcast it on social media, and at 400 plus yards you have to be slightly lucky also to not have a wounded stag on your hands. A badly placed neck shot on a rutting stag, which will have a swollen neck due to the rut, is going to give you a world of grief. If they are with hinds he will almost certainly try to keep up with them, and then if they stop you will not only have the stag to try and contend with, but also the eyes and ears of the hinds. Plus Red Deer can cover a staggering area of ground in a very short time, and in most instances will run up hill when spooked. By the time you have cleared 1000ft and got to the top where you last saw them you are only quite possibly going to see one thing...………………….Scotland!

I am not knocking experienced Scottish stalkers/guides, many of whom are very good shots, but taking a neck shot at that range is pushing your luck too far. Its not to be recommended. I have only taken a handful of what I would consider long range shots whilst guiding clients in the highlands. In both instances it was due to the client wounding a beast and the animal disappearing quickly over a hill. The need to follow and dispatch it was of course important, and if you cant get in on the beast you need to make a quick decision.

Having just seen what Bogtrotter has posted I would agree with him 100%

 

[hendrix's rifle]

I think it shows the varying attitudes different people have to deer. To some they are a majestic and wonderful animal that deserves respect and treated humanely and to others they are simply a target

Same to be said for a rabbit or crow, people have less respect for them or a fox than a deer, its a living animal at the end of the day, that goes to all of them

 

[Sampo]

Now that, is exactly why we shouldn't base the ability of either others, or their equipment, based on our own !

I was asking it based on the best equipment available in the civilian market for someone with a perfect vision. Is it even possible?

 

[howa243]

We don't have to advocate people shooting at longer distances, but nor should we be castigating them, just because they're capable of doing something, most of us are incapable of !

Being capable of it, doesn't really make it right though, does it?

 

[sikamalc]

Here we are again, judging what others do, based on our own ability

My friend loves shooting, but has no interest in shooting deer. He says it's pointless, a waste of his time, and would get zero satisfaction from doing so !

However, he does shoot crows, rabbits, pigeons, magpie, at distances way beyond my ability. I've personally seen him shoot a rabbit at 805m. So, would a 400m shot on a deer, with a 3" kill zone be a hard shot for him ? Hardly !

We don't have to advocate people shooting at longer distances, but nor should we be castigating them, just because they're capable of doing something, most of us are incapable of !

No disrespect but shooting any live quarry at 805m is ridiculous. How can you see a safe backstop at that range? crows and magpies too, one only hopes they are not in trees or sitting on fences
And that's not questioning anyone's ability, its a matter of safety more than anything else.

 

[Stalker62]

Could a rabbit be even seen at that distance?

Not all rabbits are visible to all people...