Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
DALLAS – In a new proposal to list the African lion as a threatened species, U.S. officials acknowledge that lawful hunting is a tool that can help save the species from extinction. Dallas Safari Club (DSC) is encouraging its members to keep hunting lions, but be selective.
Science shows that hunting older male lions has no long-term effect on the sustainability of lion populations. Read more
(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Designed in the U.S.A. and manufactured in Japan with premium Japanese glass, the Sightmark® Pinnacle™ First-Focal Plane 1-6×24 Riflescope Series delivers unparalleled optical superiority for every short- and long-range shooting application. Precision machined with high-definition optics, these scopes offer crystal clear resolution from edge to edge, free from distortions at any magnification. The Pinnacle™ is available in two reticles: a multi-purpose Tactical Mil-Dash reticle for rangefinding and quick target acquisition, and an advanced ballistically-matched CDC-300 reticle for subsonic and supersonic 300 Blackout.
Engineered with Sightmark’s Triple Duty™ concept, the 1-6x24TMD is ideal for competition, tactical or hunting scenarios. It includes fully adjustable ballistics-tested BDC dials for both 5.56×45 55gr and 7.62×51 180gr loads. The 1-6x24AAC features a CDC-300 reticle for subsonic and supersonic 300 Blackout with holdovers from 100-800 yards.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), in partnership with the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), will distribute 3,000 QDMA educational posters to more than 700 schools.
“These posters are a great fit for the 700-plus schools involved in our Outdoor Education programs,” said Lance Meek, ODWC’s Senior Information and Education Specialist. “The students at these schools are already learning about archery, hunting, fishing and more. However, the teachers are always eager for more curriculum to use in their classrooms. I think that these posters will go a long way toward teaching young hunters that they are an important part of wildlife management.”
Half of the posters are QDMA’s Selective Antlerless Harvest Poster, which outlines techniques for selective antlerless deer harvest including how to tell the difference between does and fawns and how to avoid harvesting button bucks. The other 1,500 posters are QDMA’s Jawbone Removal and Aging Poster, which details the tools needed and step-by-step process for removing deer jawbones and estimating age using the tooth replacement and wear method. Read more
DANVILLE, Ala. (Oct. 29, 2014) – Just in time for the peak of hunting season, Hunter Safety System announces the launch of its new mobile app, “Buck Spotter,” available on iTunes and Google Play. This new app has been specifically created to allow users to stay connected with other hunters, as well as find locations to hunt. This app is right on target for the avid hunter and is available free as a download.
MONTEZUMA, Iowa – Brownells has released a three-part video series showing how to properly choose an AR-15 barrel based on the three criteria: caliber, twist rate and gas system length.
Filmed in Brownells’ own studio, the videos feature an expert Gun Tech and are scripted to present information accessible to novice AR-15 builders, but still useful to the most experienced gunsmith.
The Caliber Video shows the difference in chamber dimensions between the .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO, and explains the .223 Wylde chamber and its potential advantages. It also examines other popular caliber choices for the AR-15 platform, such as the .204 Ruger, 300 AAC Blackout, 6.5 Grendel, .22 LR and others. Read more
Or Akiva, Israel- Meprolight, a leading manufacturer of electro-optical systems, Laser Range Finder systems, Self-Illuminated sights, thermal and night vision equipment for military, law enforcement and civil applications – strengthens its position in the area of night vision with the purchase of New Noga Light’s Operations and Assets. The sales, marketing, and support for New Noga Light’s line of products will continue to be implemented without interruption. The products will become part of Meprolight’s portfolio and will be re-named. Read more
SACRAMENTO, CA – A federal jury in Sacramento has found gun owner Ulysses S. Grant Early IV not guilty of conspiracy to make a false statement on a federal a firearm record known as an ATF Form 4473. The lengthy criminal trial, which lasted four weeks, successfully concluded for Early after more than two days of jury deliberations and two years of legal wrangling.
Early was represented by civil rights attorney Donald Kilmer of San Jose. The Calguns Foundation, a gun rights group based in Roseville, provided resources and support for his legal defense.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Early purchased a Sturm, Ruger & Co. model LCP handgun from a Roseville, California police officer in May of 2010. Under state law, a Ruger LCP can only be purchased new directly from a gun dealer by an exempted person, such as a law enforcement officer, since the gun is not included in the Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale maintained by the California Department of Justice. But the state’s handgun restrictions allow individuals to sell or transfer their “off-Roster” handguns to others, as long as the seller and buyer follow all other laws. The Calguns Foundation maintains that California’s handgun roster and microstamping regulations are unconstitutional in an unrelated civil lawsuit.
SACRAMENTO, CA – A federal jury in Sacramento has found gun owner Ulysses S. Grant Early IV not guilty of conspiracy to make a false statement on a federal a firearm record known as an ATF Form 4473. The lengthy criminal trial, which lasted four weeks, successfully concluded for Early after more than two days of jury deliberations and two years of legal wrangling.
Early was represented by civil rights attorney Donald Kilmer of San Jose. The Calguns Foundation, a gun rights group based in Roseville, provided resources and support for his legal defense.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Early purchased a Sturm, Ruger & Co. model LCP handgun from a Roseville, California police officer in May of 2010. Under state law, a Ruger LCP can only be purchased new directly from a gun dealer by an exempted person, such as a law enforcement officer, since the gun is not included in the Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale maintained by the California Department of Justice. But the state’s handgun restrictions allow individuals to sell or transfer their “off-Roster” handguns to others, as long as the seller and buyer follow all other laws. The Calguns Foundation maintains that California’s handgun roster and microstamping regulations are unconstitutional in an unrelated civil lawsuit. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
With relatively moderate temperatures still with us, it’s best to get your favorite deer gun sighted in properly while conditions cooperate. By procrastinating, you may be relegated to testing during cold and windy days, which can end up being a total waste of time and expensive ammunition.
While it may be true that wind can be present in hunting situations, you certainly don’t want to adjust aiming points relative to any substantial crosswinds, when they probably won’t be the same later. It’s best to select a calm day for testing; any adjustments necessary during a hunt should be made afield based on the conditions that day, instead. Crosswinds cause substantially greater deflection of a given projectile than do headwinds or tailwinds. So, if you must sight in with the wind blowing, line up your target directly downwind or upwind, if at all possible.
A six-inch target will provide a necessary margin for error for deer-sized targets, even though the actual kill zone is larger. Orange squares with the black outlines are good for scoped guns and plain black circles or squares are best for iron sights, red dot sights.
Start with a clean, unloaded gun ensuring there is no oil or grease in the barrel by running a dry patch through it. Make sure everything is tight – especially scope bases, rings, and stock screws. Use a good, solid rest at the forend and butt stock. Sandbags work well, but it’s best to place your hand on the forend and rest it on the sandbag to simulate hunting conditions. Small bipods can make for a steady front rest when target shooting but may not produce the same results afield, unless you’ll be hunting with one.
At 25 yards, shoot three shots and find the middle of the group. (If you are missing the paper completely, move in to about 10 feet. A single shot will usually be enough to let you know which direction to go.) Remember, at 25 yards to make adjustments at four times what you would at 100 yards.
For most guns, you are ready to move the target to 100 yards, if you are dead on at 25 yards. Don’t change anything and shoot another 3-shot group at 100 yards, find the center of the group and adjust to your chosen elevation at 100 yards. Even with a conservative 6-inch kill zone target, “Point-Blank Range” can be maximized by having the bullet or slug impact somewhat high at 100 yards.
The Point-Blank Range of any gun is the distance at which a hunter can hold right on the center of the kill zone and be able to hit within the vital zone. This means, if you set up your gun properly, you won’t have to guess whether to hold high or low on the deer, or how much. Just aim for the center of the vitals. Some hunters make the mistake of sighting in dead on at 100 yards, when longer shots are possible during a hunt.
Here’s an example: A 30-06 with a 180-grain spire point bullet going 2700 Feet Per Second (FPS) at the muzzle, with a 100-yard zero puts the bullet 3 inches low at 175 yards. Using the 6-inch kill zone, 175 yards becomes your limit without ambiguous holdover, because the bullet will fall to the bottom of the vitals by aiming at the center of the kill zone.
However, if the same cartridge is set for a 215 yard zero, the bullet reaches its peak of 3 inches high at 130 yards and is 3 inches low at 255 yards. As long as the deer is no farther than 255 yards, can aim dead center and take him out cleanly. Just by changing the zero, 80 additional yards are gained.
Shotguns are relatively slow in comparison – even with the fastest modern sabot offerings. The best bet is to get to the range and test at various ranges with your gun and loads, because there are just too many variables to rely exclusively on charts. Whatever you choose to shoot, just make sure the bullet/slug never gets higher or lower than 3 inches when holding dead on.
Once sighted in, shoot from various positions and with rests you may use in the field. As long as you can keep 9 out of 10 in the six-inch circle, you are shooting within ethical standards. If you are unable to do so, being ethical demands you to restrict your shots to a maximum range that allows you to do so.
When finished, don’t clean the gun’s barrel, because a clean barrel may change your point of impact. Just unload the gun, wipe off the exterior using a light protectant, and store it safely and it will remain ready for hunting.
As a hunter, there’s certain gear you feel naked in the woods without. Gun and ammo, bow and arrows, a good sharp knife – they go without saying. And once you hunt with the new Oculus® Pro Team HD 10×42 binoculars, they will be a permanent addition to your mission-critical-gear list. You won’t feel “dressed to go hunting” without them.Oculus® Pro Team HD Binoculars are value priced, mission-critical gear
High-quality binoculars extend your hunting day to its full legal limits. They’re essential safety tools for positively identifying your target. And if you’re after a monster buck or bull, “good glass” is the only way to precisely judge trophy quality. Yet what likely holds you back from acquiring the quality optics you need is the price tag. The Oculus® Pro Team HD 10×42 binoculars obliterate that obstacle by incorporating the highest quality components at a price less than you probably spend on licenses for one season.