They have no problem with treestands, ground blinds, binoculars, spotting scopes, camo clothing, UV clothing, scent containment clothing, cover scents, electronic scent control....etc....all technology that helps us avoid detection.......
B&C on long-range shooting
- Thread starter 'Boo
- Start date
They've got to draw the line somewhere. Long range shooting isn't easily regulated - unlike spotting and/or shooting game out of aircraft, shooting game at night with NV equipment etc etc. The slippery slope fallacy of "well if that's their view we should all be hunting with spears" argument works the other way too.
This isn't a rule...it's a position. A rule requires set parameters not fluff. Possibly testing the waters before creating a rule? My bet is that they issue a new position.
They have no problem with treestands, ground blinds, binoculars, spotting scopes, camo clothing, UV clothing, scent containment clothing, cover scents, electronic scent control....etc....all technology that helps us avoid detection.......
Those are all things that help you get *close* to an animal. THAT'S the ultimate skill in hunting, getting close and then pulling the trigger or loosing an arrow/bolt. Shooting long distance to score on an animal, if you're not doing it to feed yourself out of necessity, is, no matter how you cut it, simply not as sporting. I gotta agree with B&C on this one.
Those are all things that help you get *close* to an animal. THAT'S the ultimate skill in hunting, getting close and then pulling the trigger or loosing an arrow/bolt. Shooting long distance to score on an animal, if you're not doing it to feed yourself out of necessity, is, no matter how you cut it, simply not as sporting. I gotta agree with B&C on this one.
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Only if you use them to get close. Their main purpose is to defeat the animal's senses. You know the ones that define the hunt. Is that really sporting.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
http://www.boone-crockett.org/huntingEthics/ethics_affidavit.asp?area=huntingEthics
The Boone and Crockett Club® may exclude the entry of any animal that it deems to have been taken in an unethical manner or under conditions deemed inappropriate by the Club.
End of discussion.
The Boone and Crockett Club® may exclude the entry of any animal that it deems to have been taken in an unethical manner or under conditions deemed inappropriate by the Club.
End of discussion.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Funny they accepted the Hanson buck. Clubs will make their own vague rules, skirt hammering down a solid position, and members will justify or bend their reports of their actions to stay in the good books. B&C is full of 300 yard and greater shot animals. The Hanson buck was Texas heart shot after being missed by two hunters blazing and chased out of the willow thicket it was hiding in by pushing bush. That buck is arguably B&C's signature listing. But being the world record typical Whitetail, I doubt you'd see the circumstances of its death overly examined as they clamor to host it in their book.
B&C messed up here by essentially, and very simply, making a statement that didn't align with the history of their records or products they endorse even, like the B&C reticle. Many find that funny, I find it a shame as I respect the organization. They really should have simply made a statement encouraging strong ethics and good sportsmanship. I see what they were trying to do, but it was very poorly expressed and executed.
B&C messed up here by essentially, and very simply, making a statement that didn't align with the history of their records or products they endorse even, like the B&C reticle. Many find that funny, I find it a shame as I respect the organization. They really should have simply made a statement encouraging strong ethics and good sportsmanship. I see what they were trying to do, but it was very poorly expressed and executed.
All of the noted above gadgets that you mentioned is by no means related as a hunting skill...........hunting aids?. Again, in extreme long range shooting/killing there is no skill related to hunting, shooting; possibly. It's unfortunate that the hunting society has belittled itself to utilize of such, instead of good old fashion hunting skills. It works for my son and I every year, and I would never raise or teach another to use these gadgets or kill at extreme distances. It worked for our ancestors, and it still works today. ..........KISS.
I use the same equipment that I started when I was 16 years old, only that it is newer. No, don't need a compass, the only gift God gave me was a great sense of direction. Only one aid that I picked-up about 25 years ago, a Harris bi-pod.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The technology argument goes back an unlimited amount anyhow. Classic African hunting, the glory days of the early 20th century, built increasingly as the century wore on with the performance of the most advanced military rifle of the day, the Mauser. It was exactly the same concept as us hunting with advanced infantry arms today, even the AR is old today in such a comparison to the Mauser then. The contemporary equivalent to the early 20th century Mauser is today likely largely composed of polymer. We can push ourselves all the way back to spears and clubs using that argument. I personally hunt only iron sights, always have, and as a result that typically means close hunting naturally. I also don't feel this should be a requirement or benchmark for others, it's my way, and my challenge. Everybody hunting legally gets to choose their way, their challenge.
My point was that everything is on a sliding scale... none of us hunt in loin clothes and club our prey with rocks... we all fall somewhere on that scale... we do a disservice to the community as a whole when we ascribe our personal choices or morality on others...
If this scale can be described as "x-y", and "x" is traditional bowhunting, then this debate is about defining "y." B&C appear to be entering the discussion... as are all of the voices on all of the forums, and at the ranges and in the field. When those voices become loud enough and coherent enough they lead to legislation... and we all hope they get it right.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
You've got that very, very right. The day when the CO could seize your deer, rifle, and issue you a fine if one is witnessed taking a 450 yard shot, could well be not that far off if we aren't careful. Just hunt legally, hunt well, and enjoy your aspect of the sport and allow others to enjoy theirs.
alberta_outdoors
Regular
- Location
- Fairview, Alberta
I am of two different minds on "long range" hunting. I grew up in BC hunting in the bush with a 30-30. If you had a 200yd shot, that was long range. I now live in northern alberta and have changed calibers because of the open area I sometimes find myself hunting. Would I take a 500yd shot? Not until I've practiced shooting that distance and was comfortable with it. Would I take a 350yd shot? As long as I had a rest to shoot off of, in a heartbeat. 10 years ago I would have said 350yds was "long range" Now I don't. Will I ever want to shoot long range at targets? Yes but not at an animal. I don't have the equipment or the knowledge to do so. Do I think that 800yd shots are hunting? No. To me that is shooting BUT that is my personal opinion. What I am rambling about is it boils down to the individual and their equipment and knowledge. I know some people think I'm crazy for shooting over 150yds and yet they tell me my .270 win is too weak to do the job. Everyone has an opinion. What this has to do with B&C's opinion is nothing. Oh well
