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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.