No matter how much one practices, and no matter how good the shot, long range shooting involves a substantial amount of luck. By that I mean, there are random variables over which we have no control whatsoever. At shorter ranges the random fluctuations are small enough that they will not cause a well-aimed shot to become a wounding shot. But the magnitudes of random variables increase with range (although the average remains zero); at longer range an otherwise good shot can easily become a gut shot, and there is nothing the shooter can do about it. If shooting inanimate targets bad luck causes no hardship. If shooting animals it causes great suffering. We are not required to harvest an animal. Passing up long shots is good sportsmanship, and is respectful of the animals we hunt.

Take care, Tom