Another thing to consider is how the animals have changed.
I’m sure when the first white traders made it to the mountains they could probably walk to within 100 yards of deer and elk pretty easily who were used to Indians packing bows at best. 100 yards wasnt “danger close” yet.
As technology progressed, “danger close” started getting further and further.
Good points. A lot can be accomplished in close still with stealth and hand calls among other simple assets.
Wolf… it’s all relative. Plenty of people make terrific shots on game with recurve bows while others drop what 2k or better for a shiney new Mathew’s and with all accessories what 4-5k? Shot lengths are pretty much the same the only difference is cost per attempt.
As far as rifles, buy what they will the vast majority of lead slingers should not be looking farther than 300 yards no matter what their 700X scope shows them 3 1/2 counties over, or how big it looks thru the lense. Boys will be boys wether it’s it’s maxing up calibers, lifting perfectly good trucks, tricking up cars etc.
Every now and again I happen to hit what I aim at, getting old I am, but there is no difference in honor when dropping a coyote or other game at 50 yards or 500 yards. Dead is dead and I prefer the shorter recovery walk.
Someone above typed in dusty font the archaic .270. I wasn’t aware you could get internet in caves which is where .270 users surely must reside these days both for shame and folly for owning such an outdated gun. Or so most say. This past fall I know first hand of several very nice elk that were taken quite impressively with that dinosaur killing caliber. There’s no ways like the old ways.
Shoot what you like Wolf… and what your good with. There are more and more hunters that should worry less about ballistics and more about learning hunting skills.
Osky