I thought my first blog should be about the advantages of practicing long range shooting. This became perfectly clear to me during the Snake River Hunting Clubs latest adventure, an elk, deer and antelope hunt in Montana. We decided to go with “Shining Times Outfitters” out of Townsend, Mt. We had hunted with outfitter Rich Vetsch in a 2007 archery elk hunt and were very successful.

To prepare for our rifle hunts we go to Eastern Washington and practice our shooting at ranges of: 300, 400, 500 and 576 yds. We stop at 576 because that is as far as our shooting site will allow us to shoot. Our practice includes shooting in windy conditions.

Our preparation paid off for all three of the hunting clubs members on this hunt, tagging out with the shortest shot at an elk of 350 yds and the longest at 500 yds. One shot, on a nice Whitetail buck at 300 yds with a 25 knot dead left to right crosswind. All of these shots were successful.

My advice to you is to practice your long range shooting. A time will come when you will have a trophy at a range beyond 200yds and unless you have practiced it and know what your abilities are you will not be taking an ethical shot and no one wants to end up wounding an animal.

Our ability to shoot at extended ranges resulted in 3 elk, 3 deer and an antelope. Mike, Steve and Don had a great hunt.

Mike