With firearms deer season only days away, it’s time for all hunters to perform a self-evaluation of their own abilities. Once sighting-in sessions have been completed, each of us has a practical barometer of personal expertise at a given range. However, punching paper from a stable platform under controlled conditions is one thing; when hunting, the moment of truth afield can be far different.
Unlike choosing a calm, fair-weather day when sighting in a firearm, field conditions are never guaranteed. The wind may blow excessively, as real-feel temperatures begin to affect normal dexterity of fingers. Toes may become chilled.
Nonetheless, opening day dawns. Darkness gives way to light and the first shots of the new season have you on high alert. You scan your surroundings in an effort to make a buck materialize from that stump that’s been there for years.
And, what is about to happen to you is sure to be a new experience in nature. Out of nowhere, you spot the first deer of the day – a good buck, too – while the element of surprise takes you to a level beyond any target practice session. Your heart pounds uncontrollably. You begin to shiver.
It’s not something you can prepare for; it’s just something you must deal with. And, it is your reaction to your circumstances that dictates results.
Recently, I have had the opportunity to view an amazing DVD distributed by Aimpoint red dot sights. In it, Europeans are in Hungary in pursuit of wild boars. One hunter, Franz, displays world-class ability, as he places perfect, instantaneous kill shots on running boars with custom Sauer rifle in .270 Winchester caliber. Perfect as in dead before they hear the sound of the shot. One after the other in rapid succession, they collapse in mid-stride.
Then Franz gives the viewers a bit of insight into his ability. He recounted a time when his dad asked Franz if he could hit a distant target. Franz responded by saying, “I’ll try.” His wise father then instructed him, “There is no trying. Either you can or you can’t.” Franz has always remembered the wisdom of his father.
With that said, not one among us is perfect no matter how much we practice with our chosen firearms and loads. We can, however, make perfect decisions to shoot or not to shoot. Quality control comes from within.
By now, each of us has a good idea of how good we actually are. The act of staying within our personal abilities is what separates ethical hunters from those that are not being honest with themselves and/or are just plain selfish.
Let’s all be thinking afield in the weeks to come. We owe it to the game we pursue and to the future of hunting.
