excerpts from an interview with 2 top hunters from paragon (not the orchard road one)

Tazmac – As you are performing to some of the highest levels of any hunters currently playing PvE content, if you had to give someone three tips for improving their dps and raid survivability, what would they be?
Kruf – The most important things for a raiding hunter to take into account are the correct priority rotation [Kill Shot, Chimera Shot, Aimed Shot, Steady Shot keeping serpent up with Chimera for MM and Kill Shot, Explosive Shot, Aimed Shot, Steady Shot for Surv, whilst keeping serpent up], minimizing movement to reduce auto shot dps loss and correct gear choices.
Shaylee – In relation to gear choices, ARP is the way to go as an MM hunter. At ICC gear levels, the highest dps spec is always going to be MM [the theoretical difference between MM and Survival in best in slot gear is around 1500, in favor of MM] so stacking ARP is important. Your ultimate goal should always be hard capping ARP at 1400. Like Kruf said, you should concentrate on your rotation [do not use a fixed rotation] and you should always be doing something instead of just waiting for a cool-down to get ready, which basically means shooting steady shots.
Kruf – By far the most important thing as a hunter is to never stop casting – this means using all your instant cast shots during movement. Even if you accidentally cast one steady shot to many when Chimera comes off GCD, you're not losing as much dps as not casting for one second.

Tazmac - In relation to ARP, at what point do you think you should start gemming for ARP instead of agility?
Kruf – Once you have a 264 weapon or higher, you should aim to start gemming for Armour Penetration when you can get over 900 with gems. Any time before that, it's technically higher dps to gem for agility.

Tazmac - Do you feel that hunters are at or close to the place they should be in regards to utility?
Shaylee - Personally, I don't think we need more utility skills right now. The change made to misdirection was really good, we have deterrence, disengage, distracting shot and masters call, amongst other things. People should really master the use of those before asking for something else.

Tazmac - With all the talk about BM being a viable spec on various Warcraft forums, do you think it is currently a spec that would merit a raid spot?
Kruf – At the moment, not really, but it does depend on the guild perspective. If you are happy with sub-par performance in comparison to MM, then it's an acceptable spec, but I personally expect everyone to perform to their best, and I don't see the point in choosing an inferior spec when you're raiding.
Shaylee – Exactly. BM hasn't been a viable spec since the huge nerf it received.
Kurf – That being said, with BiS gear, BM damage is probably about as good as Survival's, but MM is still way ahead. If you want to be BM for grinding, 5mans, roleplay or whatever, then get dualspec, but when you're in a raid with me, I expect you to be trying as hard as you can and that includes having the right spec etc.