Find tips on Hunting, Firearm News, Reviews, & Training
When it comes to planning a hunt, the options are endless. Some hunts require little more than a loose timeline, a packed lunch, and a loaded gun, but others can be much more daunting, even for an experienced hunter. A turkey hunt one county over is a far cry from stalking elk through the Rockies, but if you’ve never done either, you’re still starting from square one. That’s where hunting guides and hunting outfitters come in - someone else with the knowledge and skill to help close the gap between you and the game you chase.
We hunters like to think of ourselves as a tough bunch. After all, we take to the wilderness whenever we can to pursue our meat on its home turf while the majority of our peers endure, at worst, long lines at the supermarket checkout for theirs. It follows that we often pretend to be impervious to all the many, many, uncomfortable and even painful conditions that Mother Nature can and will throw at us on a seemingly constant basis.
In today's day and age, time seems to be in short supply. With work schedules, family activities and precious little time left for simple enjoyment or partaking in hobbies, it makes sense to maximize our best use of time.
Controlling for external factors like wind, temperature and elevation, accuracy is largely affected, for better or worse, by two general elements; the mechanical and the human. The mechanical element consists primarily of the quality of the firearm itself, but optics and sights, ammunition, and some accessories also play a major role in how accurate a given rifle is. The human element consists of factors such as aptitude, physical fitness, and mental state. A more detailed overview of how these two elements come into play follows.
If there is one thing that can get more heated than a Ford vs. Chevy debate, it is a similar argument for the best hunting rifle. Every shooter has their own preferences and in some cases these are influenced by local game, topography and local laws.
An essential part of hunting ethically and responsibly while also avoiding fines and poaching charges is becoming familiar with (and only hunting during) the confines of hunting seasons set by state and federal legislators. The following compilation of links and general hunting season dates will provide a starting point for hunters to begin familiarizing themselves with each state’s hunting seasons for popular big game and upland (non-migratory) small game species.
For some, a successful hunt means getting a big buck on the ground, out of the woods, and into the freezer. For others, it means simply getting that big buck in their cross hairs, experiencing the thrill of the hunt whether they pull the trigger or not. In both scenarios, the hunter has put his or her knowledge and skill to the test, and their efforts paid off in triumph.
The deer dropped at the crack of the rifle, anchored by an expertly placed bullet through the vital organs. The hunter knew he was lucky; there would be no tracking this time. A great deal of work lead to this moment; the months of pre-season scouting; the long, dawn to dusk days perched motionless in the deer stand, seemingly impervious to the chill of the November air.
Statistically, hunting is an exceptionally safe form of outdoor recreation. As evidence, consider that in the state of California in 2009, there were a total of 15 hunting related injuries involving firearms, eight of which were fatal. The fact that there were a total of 1,679,864 hunting licenses sold in California that same year puts the gun related hunting accident rate for 2009 at roughly .0001%.
Whether stalking prey for sport or sustenance, there’s no better time to get into the hunting scene than right now. The regulatory barriers standing between aspiring hunters and their first hunt, however, can be quite intimidating and full of questions. What’s the difference between a hunting license and permit? Is a permit the same thing as a tag? Do I need tags to hunt?
If you’re a frequent On Target reader, you may remember a Marlin Model 336 that appeared in last year’s Hunting issue. It was a “beater” rifle when I bought it used ten years ago, and hunting with it every deer season, knocking around the dense north woods of New Hampshire,roughened the edges even more.
The Mosin Nagant is a well-known military rifle that has made its ways into the hands of many hunters, collectors, and sport shooters. This late 1800’s rifle is an affordable addition to any gun owner’s collection, including the first time buyer.
Hunting is a not only a great way to get exercise and stay fit while immersing yourself in the outdoors, it’s also a great way to obtain a supply of delicious, free range, organic meat without ever having to set foot in a Whole Foods.