The icon shown on this page is a placeholder, shown when no ranged weapon is equipped. The actual icon the player will see for the Auto Shot ability will be the icon for the ranged weapon in use.

Generally a hunter will pull the mob and then just turn on Auto Shot and use whatever shots he chooses ( Arcane Shot, Serpent Sting, Concussive Shot, etc) until the mob gets in closer than 5 yards where Auto Shot will not work. This is the bread and butter attack for hunters.