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1035 yard bear

There must be thousands of us who have shot long range...or at least past 1000 yds alot, and belonged to the Varmint Hunters club years ago, know that hitting a target as large as a bear at 1000 yds is not a big deal...today I'd be more impressed if the hit was at 3000 yds or more, with all that electronic gear, specialized equipment, and backup shooting support team.
But equally impressed with the lack of respect for big game animals...sniping big game, calling it hunting, always reflects negativly on the character (hunter?) just a shooter in my mind...not even good sniper skills. Just shooting and most everyone does that...regardless of range, sometimes we hit, sometimes we miss.
I've been asked to do it by fellow shooters/ hunters yrs ago..."it would be easy for you to kill that antelope, they just stand there and look at you at 850 yds", I was told. But I never took them up on the offer.
I spent many years shooting long range in the mountains...I know 1000 yd shooting and how fast the wind changes, out across canyons it's often blowing in the opposite direction it is at your location. The 1.2 to 1.4 seconds it takes the bullet to get there can easily cause wounding, a gust and you're easily 3 feet off. And tested soft Nosler BT and Match bullets failed to expand at 950 to 1000 yds, just the rifling on the bullets plastic tips completely intact. For some reason this has become fairly popular as an ego stroker, but you can do the same thing on steel or paper...and more folks will consider you "the man."
This has been outlawed in my state...no electronics devices to help you shoot big game, range finders, electronic scopes, calls, etc...a trail cam not attached to you or your rifle is the only legal electronic device for several years now...
They expect the hunter to actually grab his traditionally scoped rifle, or iron sighted lever gun and hit the brush or walk abandoned logging roads...Can't even load your gun next your vehicles and benches. They changed the shooting of big game back to hunting big game...less wounded animals. At first I was concerned, but now I'm glad they did...the game commission here has a dim view of such practices, they observed the aftermath of the long range big game shooting practices that swept across the country...and it's danger to other hunters as the ranges increase...3 seconds of bullet flight...or more..and another hunter, or snow machine, maybe skiing, appears into the field of view of your scope tracking the animal, or out enjoying the snow but you just pulled the trigger...been there... with an ATV racing down a dead end logging road toward my target...it's the longest 2.4 seconds of my life.
Lots of people these days and many don't stay in their designated recreational spots...happens quite often... ride up on off road vehicles and look at the target I'm shooting at ... hunting season can be rather crowded on public lands...even then people are in areas where they are not authorized to be in. Be carefull...you have hearing protection and they are many times on noisy machines, with helmets not paying attention, with a narrow field of view and concentrating on the scope reticle...a potential for disaster...especially on public lands.
You should study the pic of the area wjm was setup on. Open target area, wide field of view and the flight time is 1.16 on a .338 Baer. I could go on, but you get my drift. I`ve witnessed these groups and can tell you safety is their top mission. Jeff
 
There must be thousands of us who have shot long range...or at least past 1000 yds alot, and belonged to the Varmint Hunters club years ago, know that hitting a target as large as a bear at 1000 yds is not a big deal...today I'd be more impressed if the hit was at 3000 yds or more, with all that electronic gear, specialized equipment, and backup shooting support team.
But equally impressed with the lack of respect for big game animals...sniping big game, calling it hunting, always reflects negativly on the character (hunter?) just a shooter in my mind...not even good sniper skills. Just shooting and most everyone does that...regardless of range, sometimes we hit, sometimes we miss.
I've been asked to do it by fellow shooters/ hunters yrs ago..."it would be easy for you to kill that antelope, they just stand there and look at you at 850 yds", I was told. But I never took them up on the offer.
I spent many years shooting long range in the mountains...I know 1000 yd shooting and how fast the wind changes, out across canyons it's often blowing in the opposite direction it is at your location. The 1.2 to 1.4 seconds it takes the bullet to get there can easily cause wounding, a gust and you're easily 3 feet off. And tested soft Nosler BT and Match bullets failed to expand at 950 to 1000 yds, just the rifling on the bullets plastic tips completely intact. For some reason this has become fairly popular as an ego stroker, but you can do the same thing on steel or paper...and more folks will consider you "the man."
This has been outlawed in my state...no electronics devices to help you shoot big game, range finders, electronic scopes, calls, etc...a trail cam not attached to you or your rifle is the only legal electronic device for several years now...
They expect the hunter to actually grab his traditionally scoped rifle, or iron sighted lever gun and hit the brush or walk abandoned logging roads...Can't even load your gun next your vehicles and benches. They changed the shooting of big game back to hunting big game...less wounded animals. At first I was concerned, but now I'm glad they did...the game commission here has a dim view of such practices, they observed the aftermath of the long range big game shooting practices that swept across the country...and it's danger to other hunters as the ranges increase...3 seconds of bullet flight...or more..and another hunter, or snow machine, maybe skiing, appears into the field of view of your scope tracking the animal, or out enjoying the snow but you just pulled the trigger...been there... with an ATV racing down a dead end logging road toward my target...it's the longest 2.4 seconds of my life.
Lots of people these days and many don't stay in their designated recreational spots...happens quite often... ride up on off road vehicles and look at the target I'm shooting at ... hunting season can be rather crowded on public lands...even then people are in areas where they are not authorized to be in. Be carefull...you have hearing protection and they are many times on noisy machines, with helmets not paying attention, with a narrow field of view and concentrating on the scope reticle...a potential for disaster...especially on public lands.
We’ve been hunting long-range in PA since the early 60’s and there has not been one instance of an accidental shooting causing bodily harm. On the other hand if you look at the incidents causing bodily harm by “regular hunting styles” you will see fatalities and injuries from gun shot and even archery incidents. So don’t try and play that card. As far as ATV’s and snow mobiles PA does not allow ATV’s on state gamelands and snowmobiles are not allowed until after hunting season. As far as electronic laser go what do you think we used for range finding before lasers. ( I use one but don’t have to have one)
 
This is a forum with many different views and he gave the forum his personal
view. He can do that.

Now whether a 1000 yard shot is ethical or not well that is would definitely become
a heated discussion.

My personal take on this is that it is NOT a very good idea to post long range
hunting kills.

Not that they are not possible or that some dont possess the skill and equipment but other less skilled will believe that they are capable of the precision when they are clearly not.

EDIT: How many here could hit a 10" plate on a cold bore shot from a tripod at 1000 yards walking around in the field?
I have hit cold bore 10" targets probably several thousand times at 1000 yds starting over 20 yrs ago. And ground squirrel past 1000 cold bore 1st shot. I belonged to the Varmint Hunters club, so it was common many years ago with lesser equipment to see long range hits. 3200 yards on a Prarie Dog was the record. 1400 yrd cold bore on a pop can with a 308, before all the new cartridges were available...and wildcating became the thing, along with the 50BMG and 16 second fight times and a forward observor...so I got a 50BMG for targets and squirrels. To me it's totally unimpressive to hit something as large as a bear at 1000 yds. proclaim it special, it's been done for years and has become a macho fad. Hell David Tubb shot baboon with the 6XC at 2005 meters in Africa...I wasn't too happy about that but then learned they are varmints on the tallest order..like ferel hogs here.
The bear is not treated with respect due a game animal, it wasn't gutted or skinned, the meat ruined, which no one will eat it,...dog food...an ego feeder...how embarrassing...and unethical. It's a big game animal, not a varmint or target.
I did like the target shooting, that was a good job, so you can hit a target at 1000 yds great, but ya don't have to prove you can hit a live big game animal which has a much larger target area at 1000, foolishly risking the chance of wounding it, leaving it to die a slow death...It doesn't prove skills, gentleman...the target already did that!...But it says a lot about the selfish, egotistical character of modern man...I quit killing varmints at long range, and all together these past years as they are becoming rare, and I enjoy seeing a varmint now and then...
But have no problem killing them if they over population occurs..."gotta leave some for seed."
Taught to me as a farm kid with a 22 rifle, long before the government agencies were formed. I'd be impressed if the bears was tracked and stalked in the brush, and killed with an open sighted 30-30 in cold pouring down rain, or heavy snow...gutted, skinned, quartered and packed out...hunting.
 
As someone who could not make that shot, and has a completely different outlook on what makes a hunt worth doing, I would have to say @wjm1000 has a lot of class and has exhibited that in this thread.

My idea of a hunt is not how far can you shoot, but how close can you get. Traditional Archery for the most part.

Either type of hunting, picking your shot and circumstances is essential.

What stands out to me the most in this thread seems to have been completely ignored. Wsm1000 is either not a serious hunter, or very picky about his shots. If someone waits 10 years to pull the trigger, they either never saw a bear (Not serious a hunter) or never felt comfortable with the circumstances of the shot(ethics of high regard).

Maybe I’m reading more into this than I should, but I would be interested to know, how many bears in 10 years did you not shoot?

Again thanks for showing some class, when many other’s haven’t.
 
As someone who could not make that shot, and has a completely different outlook on what makes a hunt worth doing, I would have to say @wjm1000 has a lot of class and has exhibited that in this thread.

My idea of a hunt is not how far can you shoot, but how close can you get. Traditional Archery for the most part.

Either type of hunting, picking your shot and circumstances is essential.

What stands out to me the most in this thread seems to have been completely ignored. Wsm1000 is either not a serious hunter, or very picky about his shots. If someone waits 10 years to pull the trigger, they either never saw a bear (Not serious a hunter) or never felt comfortable with the circumstances of the shot(ethics of high regard).

Maybe I’m reading more into this than I should, but I would be interested to know, how many bears in 10 years did you not shoot?

Again thanks for showing some class, when many other’s haven’t.
In 10 years of hunting bear I’ve seen 7 that I could have taken a shot at but only shot once. I passed on the other six because of conditions or just not comfortable with the circumstances.
 
We’ve been hunting long-range in PA since the early 60’s and there has not been one instance of an accidental shooting causing bodily harm. On the other hand if you look at the incidents causing bodily harm by “regular hunting styles” you will see fatalities and injuries from gun shot and even archery incidents. So don’t try and play that card. As far as ATV’s and snow mobiles PA does not allow ATV’s on state gamelands and snowmobiles are not allowed until after hunting season. As far as electronic laser go what do you think we used for range finding before lasers. ( I use one but don’t have to have one)
Down to playing cards...lol..I thought it was about unethical killing of game animals and huge selfish egos, making shots only they can do.
Other states have different laws and people don't follow laws, so they are out there among you...even those guys on horseback. And I've seen on video world class long range shooters make skyline shots ...who knows whats on the other side...I was actually surprised, at the carelessness.
Folks been making long range shots long before 1960 in Pennsylvania...Billy Dixon with a blackpowder cartridge shot an Indian chief off his horse at 1534 yds 1874 ....and the government was testing the 45-70 at 2 miles in 1879 ...with open sights and protractor...with very capable shooters... so there's that.
There is nothing special about hitting a bear at 1000 yards ...when you already shown you can hit a much smaller paper target 10 times ...what's the logic, what's the point?. You shot at and hit a target much larger than the paper one ya hit 10 times at 1000 yds and proclaim it somehow special...when you could have definitely wounded a game animal with a slight wind change...it totally illogical, silly, foolish, then there's unethical, selfish, egotistical part...nothing else!
The bear wasn't gutted, skinned, quartered, or field dressed ...wasted the meat....what a waste of a fine big game animal, to stroke a few egos...it's not good hunting...it's not hunting. Just shooting and shameless wasting.
 
I have hit cold bore 10" targets probably several thousand times at 1000 yds starting over 20 yrs ago. And ground squirrel past 1000 cold bore 1st shot. I belonged to the Varmint Hunters club, so it was common many years ago with lesser equipment to see long range hits. 3200 yards on a Prarie Dog was the record. 1400 yrd cold bore on a pop can with a 308, before all the new cartridges were available...and wildcating became the thing, along with the 50BMG and 16 second fight times and a forward observor...so I got a 50BMG for targets and squirrels. To me it's totally unimpressive to hit something as large as a bear at 1000 yds. proclaim it special, it's been done for years and has become a macho fad. Hell David Tubb shot baboon with the 6XC at 2005 meters in Africa...I wasn't too happy about that but then learned they are varmints on the tallest order..like ferel hogs here.
The bear is not treated with respect due a game animal, it wasn't gutted or skinned, the meat ruined, which no one will eat it,...dog food...an ego feeder...how embarrassing...and unethical. It's a big game animal, not a varmint or target.
I did like the target shooting, that was a good job, so you can hit a target at 1000 yds great, but ya don't have to prove you can hit a live big game animal which has a much larger target area at 1000, foolishly risking the chance of wounding it, leaving it to die a slow death...It doesn't prove skills, gentleman...the target already did that!...But it says a lot about the selfish, egotistical character of modern man...I quit killing varmints at long range, and all together these past years as they are becoming rare, and I enjoy seeing a varmint now and then...
But have no problem killing them if they over population occurs..."gotta leave some for seed."
Taught to me as a farm kid with a 22 rifle, long before the government agencies were formed. I'd be impressed if the bears was tracked and stalked in the brush, and killed with an open sighted 30-30 in cold pouring down rain, or heavy snow...gutted, skinned, quartered and packed out...hunting.
Who spotted a Praire dog at 3200 yards ? Lol
 
Down to playing cards...lol..I thought it was about unethical killing of game animals and huge selfish egos, making shots only they can do.
Other states have different laws and people don't follow laws, so they are out there among you...even those guys on horseback. And I've seen on video world class long range shooters make skyline shots ...who knows whats on the other side...I was actually surprised, at the carelessness.
Folks been making long range shots long before 1960 in Pennsylvania...Billy Dixon with a blackpowder cartridge shot an Indian chief off his horse at 1534 yds 1874 ....and the government was testing the 45-70 at 2 miles in 1879 ...with open sights and protractor...with very capable shooters... so there's that.
There is nothing special about hitting a bear at 1000 yards ...when you already shown you can hit a much smaller paper target 10 times ...what's the logic, what's the point?. You shot at and hit a target much larger than the paper one ya hit 10 times at 1000 yds and proclaim it somehow special...when you could have definitely wounded a game animal with a slight wind change...it totally illogical, silly, foolish, then there's unethical, selfish, egotistical part...nothing else!
The bear wasn't gutted, skinned, quartered, or field dressed ...wasted the meat....what a waste of a fine big game animal, to stroke a few egos...it's not good hunting...it's not hunting. Just shooting and wasting.
What he11 are you talking about, not being gutted and the meat going to waste??? If you would have taken the time to look at photo you would have seen the bear was on a scale at a meat processing facility. Just shows how ignorant you are by not observing things. Thank God you don’t HUNT LONG-RANGE because you clearly don’t have the power of observation that is required.
 
Down to playing cards...lol..I thought it was about unethical killing of game animals and huge selfish egos, making shots only they can do.
Other states have different laws and people don't follow laws, so they are out there among you...even those guys on horseback. And I've seen on video world class long range shooters make skyline shots ...who knows whats on the other side...I was actually surprised, at the carelessness.
Folks been making long range shots long before 1960 in Pennsylvania...Billy Dixon with a blackpowder cartridge shot an Indian chief off his horse at 1534 yds 1874 ....and the government was testing the 45-70 at 2 miles in 1879 ...with open sights and protractor...with very capable shooters... so there's that.
There is nothing special about hitting a bear at 1000 yards ...when you already shown you can hit a much smaller paper target 10 times ...what's the logic, what's the point?. You shot at and hit a target much larger than the paper one ya hit 10 times at 1000 yds and proclaim it somehow special...when you could have definitely wounded a game animal with a slight wind change...it totally illogical, silly, foolish, then there's unethical, selfish, egotistical part...nothing else!
The bear wasn't gutted, skinned, quartered, or field dressed ...wasted the meat....what a waste of a fine big game animal, to stroke a few egos...it's not good hunting...it's not hunting. Just shooting and shameless wasting.
You can tell from a photo that the bear wasn`t feed dressed? In PA the bear must be intact ,except for entrails and transported to a weigh station. If you look at the photo you can see blood marks several spots that would indicate an empty cavity. Give it a break. Jeff
 
What he11 are you talking about, not being gutted and the meat going to waste??? If you would have taken the time to look at photo you would have seen the bear was on a scale at a meat processing facility. Just shows how ignorant you are by not observing things. Thank God you don’t HUNT LONG-RANGE because you clearly don’t have the power of observation that is required.
I hope all this Bravo Sierra doesn`t stop you from posting in the future. I guess this is the way some people enjoy their day, being bitter and argumentative. I moved to DE to appease my wife a few years ago. But enjoyed every year for 58 in the woods of PA. Your pics help my depression, DE is flatter then a pancake. If it gets to nasty exercise your right to ignore. Jeff
 
To all those trying to shit on the OP’s style.
1st disclaimer, I don’t know the OP whatsoever so I have zero to gain from entering this argument but seeing as how I’m a glutton for punishment here I am.
I personally hunt areas from maybe a 15to 20 yard kill area to where I can see to kill at near 400 yards. Several times I watched deer on the opposite hillside and wished I had practiced and been proficient at long distances.
And as far as the sniping long range is not hunting comments go.
What is the difference between a mere feet to 150 yard rifle shot from a permanent stand and shooting at 1k. All sniping one way or another, the only differences is in the price of entry and the dedication and skill of the shooter.
Myself I shake like dog shitting razor blades when in getting ready to shoot a buck. So I know my limits.
I put far less stress on myself while chuck hunting, am far more relaxed and make a lot of farther shots.

Again congratulations OP , not only did you harvest your first bear but in telling your story you even went “fishing” and now have several on your line with the hook set real good.
 
I’d really would like to have seen anyone or Ray123 hit a pop can at 1400 yards with a .308 Winchester cartridge. All due respect but I have some serious.

That's about the same stretch as spotting prairie dogs at 3200 yards!

After reading some of the posts I had to go over to the Laugh of the Day thread for reality.

@wjm1000 Thank You for posting your hunt and congratulations, good shot, good harvest.
 
To all those trying to shit on the OP’s style.
1st disclaimer, I don’t know the OP whatsoever so I have zero to gain from entering this argument but seeing as how I’m a glutton for punishment here I am.
I personally hunt areas from maybe a 15to 20 yard kill area to where I can see to kill at near 400 yards. Several times I watched deer on the opposite hillside and wished I had practiced and been proficient at long distances.
And as far as the sniping long range is not hunting comments go.
What is the difference between a mere feet to 150 yard rifle shot from a permanent stand and shooting at 1k. All sniping one way or another, the only differences is in the price of entry and the dedication and skill of the shooter.
Myself I shake like dog shitting razor blades when in getting ready to shoot a buck. So I know my limits.
I put far less stress on myself while chuck hunting, am far more relaxed and make a lot of farther shots.

Again congratulations OP , not only did you harvest your first bear but in telling your story you even went “fishing” and now have several on your line with the hook set real good.
I would recommend he throws them back,I fear that meds have polluted the gene pool. Jeff
 

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