Yep, I'd agree with that. I am very pleased to pull down a 40-45 yard bird today with my 1920s English SxS.

I would say that these days high birds are in the 45-60 yard zone in general. My understanding is that they are killable at that range, provided one is using the right hardware and ammunition.

I've not been on a really high bird shoot, but have friends who have. Like them, my concern would be with pricking birds. Just doesn't sit right with the way I have been bought up to shoot. I understand that the day after a high bird shoot, the keepers are out again with their dogs to 'hoover up' the birds that were either missed or died later under some cover, often many hundreds of yards behind the gun line.

Tim