The argument (I agree to an extent, but it is exaggerated) is that at long range the animal is calm and you have time to build a perfect position and analyze the situation. At close range, the animal is easier to spook, likely knows you are there, etc causing you to have a less than ideal shooting scenario.
I will say, the two shooting scenarios are very different. I grew up shooting rabbits behind beagles and throwing clay pigeons in the back pasture at least every weekend. We hunted deer with deer drives and the thought of needing a rest to shoot was the same attitude as calling gloves bitch mittens. I learned to shoot long range in adulthood.
My kids grew up shooting Border Wars. Literally in diapers at the start and competing themselves at the end of it. They have not yet expressed an interest in learning to shoot clays or shoot offhand. A lot of the hunting shots we take are close, but the set-up is the same as a long range shot. They have no business trying to shoot offhand at anything, or at anything moving. The youngest at 8 years old had the most hits at a mile for several hours during a benefit side stage prior to a prs match.
In my opinion, to be a well rounded shooter, you need to be able to do both. You need to know your limitations. It takes a massive amount of shooting to know your limitations. The reality is, if it doesn't seem like a slam dunk before you take the shot, you probably shouldn't take it. Most people in general have a higher opinion of their shooting abilities than is realistic.
Guys that can go win a national level match can set up and take a long range shot very quickly and make the shot with no problems. Guys that finish in the middle of the pack need more time. Guys that just buy the stuff have no business shooting long.
People suck at shooting in general. You have to practice a lot of different things to be a good, well rounded shooter that can take snap shots up close and long shots in tough conditions and very confidently make all of them. Very few people put in that kind of work year after year. I definitely don't. I just adjust the shots I'm willing to take or pass based on the work I have put in at the time.
The argument of close vs long is asinine. They are two different shooting skills. Yes, if you are going to take the time to set up prone to shoot a 100 yard shot then that will have much higher odds of success than the same shooting set up at 1000 yards. You will also have a lot more opportunities get away from you than the guy that is competent to throw up his rifle and shoot off hand at 200 yards. Very few people can do that, but a lot will try.
