Field shooting. Its hard.

[BCDJR]

Very honest post. All the TV hunts and videos make it seem so easy. We don’t get to see the blown shots! Folks think they can just buy all the right technical equipment dial up like a video game and shoot a deer at 800 yards . With most ethical guides and hunters a wounded animal means the hunt is over.

 

[khuber84]

With most ethical guides and hunters a wounded animal means the hunt is over.

I'd think the hunt would continue till animal is found/killed, or all avenues of locating/tracking are exhausted, no?

 

[KenLee]

Taken with a grain of salt as my shooting was very very poor, most of my scores, I was hitting second round impacts. I believe 5 of my 7 impacts were second round impacts. The magnums that were there were definitely hitting first round impacts but not as many second round. For example, the winner was shooting a 300 win mag and hit 5 of 7 first round impacts. It did seem like follow ups on the magnums were not doing any corrections but was obviously easier to shoot in that wind. As @Strider said, even though I had a 6 cm with a rokstok and maven, I got my butt handed to me this year. Lots more practice to do in field positions.

The magnum shooters weren't used to needing a second shot

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

The magnum shooters weren't used to needing a second shot

Yeah cause they scared the animal away with the high miss and completely lost their sight picture

 

[KenLee]

Yeah cause they scared the animal away with the high miss and completely lost their sight picture

Lost sight pic because animal crumpled. Heck most people cant keep their target in scope while they rack bolt on a 22 lr

 

[BCDJR]

I'd think the hunt would continue till animal is found/killed, or all avenues of locating/tracking are exhausted, no?

Yes

 

[Wacko]

There has been a lot of talk about what is actually effective, how less recoil improves hit rates, makes for faster follow up shots....

There are sooo many videos of guys using smaller calibers and match bullets....then when the first shot hits they are "done"...no follow ups no matter how long the animal stands there or walks around or lays down head up obviously alive...I don't get it.

I personally will take as many shots at an animal as it gives me the opportunity to. Once it flops over I still watch to see if there is any "life left".

It may be because I've been on a couple "rodeos", it may be because I hunt heavily pressured public lands...just me I guess.....I do hate rodeos in the field though....

Like is said..ammo is the cheap part of the hunt..SEND IT!!

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Checking load/gun for zero/chrono and “groups”.

Boringly accurate and stable.

Lightning kept me off the mountain this morning.

 

[HuntHarder]

Checking load/gun for zero/chrono and “groups”.

Boringly accurate and stable.

Lightning kept me off the mountain this morning.

View attachment 907242

Time to go back to big, heavy kicking magnums. We don't want you getting bored.

 

[Bluumoon]

Time to go back to big, heavy kicking magnums. We don't want you getting bored.

If only someone would make a Tikka Master Sporter style stock to fit LA T3s, we’d be able to enjoy the Magnums more.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Time to go back to big, heavy kicking magnums. We don't want you getting bored.

Oh I still own and shoot the big dogs too. They are fun for a couple dozen or so shots but overall, they are pretty gay.

 

[mad_angler]

A last observation. Of the guys shooting most are average hunters who shoot maybe 100 - 150rounds a year. ...

I think you greatly overestimate the "average hunter". I would guess that most hunters shoot far less than that.

A good 20-50% probably just shoot the rifle one or two sessions to get sighted in. Maybe 10-20 rounds...

I personally really want to get better at shooting. But I have only been to the range 3 times and it is already September. Hopefully, I can get 3 or 4 more visits before my October hunt...

 

[hereinaz]

Good post and thread with lots of good food for thought. I like to see posts I missed pop up. Bump for others.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I learned a lesson last week with @huntnful .

Don’t shoot a braked 7 Mega from a folding plastic camping table, sitting on a stool, with a reticle you can barely resolve on the target at 100 yards.

Talk about a monkey trying to hump a football (me).

 

[KenLee]

I learned a lesson last week with @huntnful .

Don’t shoot a braked 7 Mega from a folding plastic camping table, sitting on a stool, with a reticle you can barely resolve on the target at 100 yards.

Talk about a monkey trying to hump a football (me).

Sounds like you needed a better scope so you could concentrate on holding onto that bronco.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I learned a lesson last week with @huntnful .

Don’t shoot a braked 7 Mega from a folding plastic camping table, sitting on a stool, with a reticle you can barely resolve on the target at 100 yards.

Talk about a monkey trying to hump a football (me).

In this scenario are you the monkey or the football?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

In this scenario are you the monkey or the football?

Some form of both.