Maybe there are differences today with the hunters' mindset. Obviously the PRB is the same, the powder is the same, the rifle is the same, the game is the same.
The hunter of today hunts for SOME of the same reasons, but many of todays hunters will shoot at game from distances that are believed to be "close enough" and make decisions about what is an ethical shot based on preconceived notions he or she either has personal knowledge of, or has read about, which are "accepted" as sufficient for taking said game. In other words, information passed on by internet forums, magazines, books, friends, stories told around the lodge or camp table, etc. are heard by nearly everyone, and we form our own personal ideas of what makes an ethical/ lethal shot. Add actual experience from many hunts mixed in as the hunter relives the shot and passes on the details to those riveted to every word, and you can see how so many opinions prevail. This and advertising leads to much confusion as we start to form our own opinions of what makes a lethal kill, or what is actually "necessary" for ethical hunting. Bow, spear, rifle, pistol, air gun whatever is to your liking. If you really think about it, man has been feeding the family for hundreds of years with powder and ball. Why would you feel suddenly that the PRB would be insufficient?
I think we all need to assure we're CLOSE enough for that ethical and lethal shot......period!
I know.....if I try to get closer I might not get the shot.
Like I said, many are afraid of failure, afraid we won't get that opportunity again, I won't have time for another hunt, this is the only chance I have.....etc.
Our mental state is different today, sharing pictures of our success puts just as much pressure on us today as hunger did for those long ago. The difference is we can go home and have a warm dinner, and call our buddies and tell stories about what the day brought upon us. We sometimes don't give the game the respect they deserve when we take that long shot, or rush to get the shot off as they pass through that sight picture or shoot before it goes out of sight. Hey we can't have everything we want right? The PRB is as good a tool as there ever has been. Why is it that last years' bow or caliber is history when the new catalog comes out? Why do we see "used" equipment as inferior when it's someone else's on the yard sale table? Funny how we are eh? LOL
We see further shots taken and we fall pray to their advertising, but do we consider our quarry?
Hey, this hunting season how 'bout we all take whatever we've got and be satisfied that what we bought last year is as good today as we new it would be last season when we bought it, and hone our skills better, use our wind and intellect to get CLOSER, and make that lethal shot count this season!!
Good luck to you all!!