Long Range rabbit shooting

[Col]

whether or not it should be attempted. it sure was impressive shooting

[Scotsgun]

However, funny how these guys never post pictures of runners or cases where they need a follow up shot. They'd have you believe it never happens.

They never post them for 2 reasons, Mike:

1. At the range at which they're shooting, they can't see the animals immediate reaction to shot and therefore if wounded, the animal is already bolting before they are ready to send another.

2. The results are usually bloody horrific!


Let me be clear, i have no problem with long range shooting. But i can't abide the growing number of twats who watch these videos, have no understanding of their quarry and attempts these shots - usually well beyond their own capabilities.

A deer, a rabbit, hare, etc are quarry animals and as such are continually wary. Their heads and whole body are continually in motion, seeking out predators and dangers. At these ranges the animal will often have moved between pulling the trigger and the shot striking.

On occassions i've been called out to help twats who've tried exactly this. I've went out to end the animals suffering but only managed to on 2 occassions. You have no idea how far and fast a scared, even wounded animal can travel. I believe Dromia was a stalker in the highlands - ask him how fast a deer can travel across those hills when spooked. If you're lucky the animal will bleed to death but unfortunately many suffer on in agony.

Of the 2 i eventually dispatched a magnificent wee roe buck and a roe doe. The buck took a step forward before the shot, the bullet blew through his stomach leaving parts of his guts and stomach trailing from him, getting caught in his hooves as he ran therby pulling more out as he ran. I eventually found him miles away, collapsed against a tall dry dyke, still alive but oblivious to everything but the pain.
The idiot that shot the roe not only did it at a range beyond his capability but also tried a head shot. The result was the lower jaw being blown off rendering her incapable of feeding and in agony. My problem was although she didn't go far, she'd lie up and then dart off as i got close. Luckily i had my large Chesapeake with me who tracked her and held her down until i got in and dispatched her.

I have also come across deer with gaping, fly blown wounds that i've had to dispatch. I can't rule out these being poachers or even car collisions but i believe the problem of people shooting at animals well beyond their capabilities is a growing one. More and more people are entering shooting and hunting. I just wish more would take the oppertunity to first learn to respect their quarry and learn to stalk before shooting.

[Mr_Logic]

Scotsgun, can't disagree. What I will say though, is rabbit vs 308 = dead rabbit or clean miss. Deer are obviously not so, and present more of a problem. There are people who can shoot well enough to do it consistently a very long way away, and the Practice is constant for that!

[Scotsgun]

There are people who can shoot well enough to do it consistently a very long way away, and the Practice is constant for that!

For me its not a question of if you can, rather if you should. I can and do regularly shoot long range. Your own tax paid for my training but i would not shoot deer long range. Even if a perfect shot, the potential for the deer moving or other mishaps is just to much. Also there is zero respect for the animal.

[Mr_Logic]

I wouldn't shoot deer at great distance either. Rabbit OK - because as I said, clean miss or clean kill, no real scope for anything much in between.

[Mike357]

Good post Scotsgun! :goodjob: