I think it's also a good example of why we should watch what we say and condone on these threds. Even tho there are those that are head and shoulders above others when it comes to shooting, there are many more just starting and clueless. Weather we like it or not, and we don't, we all get lumped in with the unknowing and or uncareing. It's why I try to never suggest whats possible but rather what I believe to be prudent. A few of the guys here that I had,,,,,,,,,,,,,,discussions with, I actually agree with what they say, but sometimes its about things I can't bring myself to condone publicly. Doesn't sound like kyote's young friend was all that bad, just very misinformed. And he has just as much legal right as we do to be out there hunting. I believe that without a doubt he should have been much better prepared and much better informed, in fact I'll call him unethical, even tho it's likely born of ignorance. Those of us that love sport hunting, indeed sport shooting, I think should set aside this overzelious fight for our right to do as we please so long as its legal and try to lead these type's in the right direction. That doesn't mean you need to quit shooting at some of the ranges you talk of, just don't premote it as hunting. Believe me, anyone that shoots for long is going to try to shoot at something they concider long range, sooner or later. Hopefully by the time they do, they will have enough experience, and learned enought to do it well.
Some of us talk about hitting targets at 500yds or ringing the gong at 500yds. Thats fine, hell it's about shooting. But others want to tell all that will listen about how long the shot they made on an animal and the shot is the story. Others do the same shot but don't talk up the shot, case in point, Larry Gibson's story. Who heard of that until it finally came out to illistrate a point in long range shooting at animals? No one who didn't see it! Yet others post that they are building rifles JUST to be able to kill certain animals at greatly extended ranges. There are going to be a number of people that will view the cartridge as the reason for doing that rather than the time spent learning to shoot like that. They've no clue that a few of these people that shoot these ranges, actually can and with what might be concidered a much lesser cartridge. It would create the illussion that killing at 500yds, ie, with a 30-06 isn't possible but it is with a 300 mag. Most of us know thats not true. It aslo suggests that making a hit at those ranges is a product of a bigger cartridge, again, most of us know thats also wrong. Does anyone here really believe that accomplished long range shooters never fire at game at over 100 or 200 or even 300yds? Of course they do!
I believe that we have a responsibility as hunters and shooters to promote what's reasonable. That does not mean that we don't do some of the things we don't talk about but we do know whats required to get there so we shouldn't promote the things we know to be possible, only what's truely prudent. Many times we've read in here where someone is upset because someone else said something about things they are doing. Sometimes it's been me with the big mouth that pissed you off. Not because I don't think you some of you can't do what you say but because I really don't want someone like kyote's new found friend trying what he's totally unprepared for. Others have made no secret about their distain for those that,,,,,,,,are just like the guy kyote ran into. That young man knew only what he was taught! After we learn, at some point that wonderful human ego takes over and we try to do those things others talk about, "my kids bigger than your kid!", or "if you can do it, so can I". Look at the number of registered users on this site alone; look at the different threds and the number of hits they get; now look at the number of people actually writing posts! We as a group have a responsibility be use a good deal of care in what we say and to suggest what is prudent, that's in our own best intrest.
