It seems like we see a thread a day on ethics and extended range shots in the hunting world and if your looking for a hot topic for discussion just post up a thread about the subject.
There is no denying that technology and the current availability of top end equipment has made extending ones effective distance on game more possible than ever before.. unfortunately what gets missed by main stream advertising and retailers is that hunters still need to be educated on the use of these products and how to effectively practice with them to take advantage of their uses and establish their own (MER) maximum effective range and become a more effective and successful hunter.
Now when people hear the word maximum they initially envision shots of 1000 yards and beyond...but this is not the case at all. Maximum effective range is simply the maximum range that each of us as hunters needs to establish and use as a bench mark in our hunting adventures.
For some this may be 200 yards for others it may be 1000 there are a ton of things that go into developing and utilizing MER in our shooting and they include but are certainly not limited to the following...
Education (necessary in understanding your equipment and skill level)
Equipment ( knowing your equipment its' limitations and how it actually works)
Practice ( not only shooting but shooting in filed conditions and at targets that mimic the vital zone of the animals you plan on hunting at the distances you plan on hunting)
Self evaluation (this is where a lot of people fail...you need to be man or woman enough to understand what your limitations are based on the above items and then have the backbone to stick to it in the field. Just because you choose to shoot a caliber capable of taking game at extended ranges doesn't mean you have the skills or knowledge to do so!!
The importance of establishing a realistic and confident MER is immeasurable...a hunter that understands what his or her limitations in the field are is a hunter that is setting themselves up for success and greatly reducing the chance of unfavorable results based on poor decision making and or lack of knowledge about either their skill set or equipment.
MER is very personal and cannot be established by others and for others it needs to be done by the hunter themselves.
Understanding your MER is just another tool in a complete hunters tool box that they can rely on when it comes to making sound decisions in the field and being successful. Its not a question of how far can I shoot? its a question of how far can I effectively harvest game...in field conditions and being able to incorporate that distance for use in the field.
Jordan@406
There is no denying that technology and the current availability of top end equipment has made extending ones effective distance on game more possible than ever before.. unfortunately what gets missed by main stream advertising and retailers is that hunters still need to be educated on the use of these products and how to effectively practice with them to take advantage of their uses and establish their own (MER) maximum effective range and become a more effective and successful hunter.
Now when people hear the word maximum they initially envision shots of 1000 yards and beyond...but this is not the case at all. Maximum effective range is simply the maximum range that each of us as hunters needs to establish and use as a bench mark in our hunting adventures.
For some this may be 200 yards for others it may be 1000 there are a ton of things that go into developing and utilizing MER in our shooting and they include but are certainly not limited to the following...
Education (necessary in understanding your equipment and skill level)
Equipment ( knowing your equipment its' limitations and how it actually works)
Practice ( not only shooting but shooting in filed conditions and at targets that mimic the vital zone of the animals you plan on hunting at the distances you plan on hunting)
Self evaluation (this is where a lot of people fail...you need to be man or woman enough to understand what your limitations are based on the above items and then have the backbone to stick to it in the field. Just because you choose to shoot a caliber capable of taking game at extended ranges doesn't mean you have the skills or knowledge to do so!!
The importance of establishing a realistic and confident MER is immeasurable...a hunter that understands what his or her limitations in the field are is a hunter that is setting themselves up for success and greatly reducing the chance of unfavorable results based on poor decision making and or lack of knowledge about either their skill set or equipment.
MER is very personal and cannot be established by others and for others it needs to be done by the hunter themselves.
Understanding your MER is just another tool in a complete hunters tool box that they can rely on when it comes to making sound decisions in the field and being successful. Its not a question of how far can I shoot? its a question of how far can I effectively harvest game...in field conditions and being able to incorporate that distance for use in the field.
Jordan@406
