ThinkingAfield.org

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

Accurate shooting is comprised of many elements. First there is the firearm itself – most of which are capable of more than acceptable accuracy. Then there is ammunition – some better than others – but most all factory fodder is up to the task at hand. Handloaders such as myself tend to strive for precision as close to perfection as possible. Of course, today’s optics play a huge role and run the gamut from iron sights to glass capable of spotting the date on a dime at 100 yards.

However, all of the combined components of a good shot are worthless without practice – and not just any practice – but practice from positions to be found afield. Shooting benches are fine for sighting in, and even serve a useful purpose when varmint hunting in some cases. But, deer hunters are not afforded the luxury of shooting from a bench and must make do with whatever is available.

Shooting positions from the least stable to the most stable are offhand, kneeling, sitting and prone, although the latter is seldom practical because of limitations of view. On the other end of the scale, offhand shooting should only be used in cases where hunters are caught off guard or are hunting in areas where shooting distance is within reason. And, reason is defined as being able to hit a 6-inch target 9 out of 10 times. Only practice will dictate a hunter’s personal limits from a given position with a given firearm.

One ingredient can tip the odds in the ethical sportsmen’s favor: a rest. Just as rests are used to minimize human error at the practice range, they can be an invaluable asset afield. Because of modern technology, rests can be deployed by those that brave the elements in any form of stealth pursuit. If you have ever watched one of the African safaris on television, you may have noticed that guides carry some form of bipod or tripod for their clients. With swivel heads and quick deployment – some of which are actually attached to chosen firearms – they offer the stability necessary for an ethical and humane shot. One such option is the Primos Trigger Stick, which can be precisely adjusted with one hand in a moment’s notice and they are available in short to tall lengths.

Even those hunting from fixed blinds can benefit beyond the hard surface of a window opening by using rests. My friend, Joe Reyonlds, has invented a rest fashioned from bar clamps and plywood that can be mounted inside a shack and ingeniously clamped to the window opening in a flash. By adding front and rear filled bags, it’s almost as good as the stationary bench we use when sighting in. In fact, our qualifying session taking place this weekend will have each shooter using the contraption from an actual hunting blind afield, when we stretch our marksmanship abilities to 125, 150, and 175-yards firing at 6-inch, Shoot-N-See targets following the strict guidelines of the 9 out of 10 rule. (If a shooter misses more than 1 shot out of 10, he qualifies only at the previous range in which he succeeded.) Although it’s fun, it’s also competition that will permit shots at the qualified range during the season through our own self-imposed rules of sportsmanship.

And, one final word on the subject of sighting in: Don’t bother if the wind is howling, because you will have sighted in while compensating for the wind, which will have you off target under other circumstances. Wait for calm conditions and then learn the corrections necessary for given wind conditions and your ammunition, then allow for it by holding off the target properly. If you think that slug guns and muzzleloaders are not adversely affected beyond all but the closest shots, you are kidding yourself.

So, get a stack of 6-inch targets, get plenty of ammo, fire away, and learn your personal limitations away from the bench. It’s what sportsmen do.

— Voters can stop this global tyranny by electing an Obama-proof Congress

In late September, several dozen UN representatives met at the University of Massachusetts in Boston to further discuss their plans for global gun control.

While our President may have a history of being absent for important events — missing over 300 votes while in the U.S. Senate, dissing important dignitaries who visit our country, etc. — he was sure to have his administration represented at this meeting.

The final report for the Boston Symposium on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is posted online and states that:

“In the end, we seek to achieve an ATT that will establish the highest possible common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms, including small arms and light weapons, in order to contribute effectively towards peace and stability. This Symposium has brought us one step closer to achieving that goal.”

So, they are one step closer to their goal. What are there goals for our firearms?

Apart from using generic phrases like “highest possible common international standards” (aka, gun controls), the gun banners are very careful not to publicly post specific anti-gun proposals that would excite the American public against them. But Paul Gallant and Joanne Eisen, who have attended these UN meetings, spell out what the proposed ATT will really entail.

Writing together with another noted firearms author of the Independence Institute, Dave Kopel, they say that an Arms Trade Treaty would impose:

* Microstamping on firearms, thus increasing the cost of each gun by about $200;

* Registration of all firearms, which is often a prelude to gun confiscation;

* Restrictions on gun sales, especially private transfers (thus, no more gun shows as we know them);

* Embargoes on firearms and materials (such as nickel and tungsten) that would limit access to many of the firearms which are sold in this country.

I’ll never submit to any stinkin’ gun control laws!

You might think: “I don’t care what the UN imposes on us, I will never comply with their gun controls.”

Oh really? So, you’ll never buy a new gun from a gun dealer? Because if you do — and that gun has been manufactured according to UN treaty standards — then the microstamping technology on that gun will cost you a couple hundred dollars extra.

Not only that, the signature impressions that the firing pin leaves on your spent cartridge cases will be registered with the government under your name.

No problem, you say, you’re not a criminal — so who cares if the signature from your firing pin is registered with the government.

Well, do you ever take your guns to a shooting range and leave your spent brass? According to Kopel, criminals could easily implicate innocent gun owners by going to gun ranges, collecting the empty casings and dumping them at crime scenes. Moreover, the common practice of selling or giving away once-fired brass could disappear overnight.

Do you still think that a UN treaty won’t affect you? The “master minds” at the UN plan to register every firearms sale that passes through a gun dealer and to cut off (make illegal) any private sale that you might attempt as a means of circumventing their controls.

But we can beat this travesty by electing an Obama-proof Senate this November!

Even if the President signs the Arms Trade Treaty — and he most certainly will when it’s completed — we can strangle this hideous creature in its cradle if he can’t get two-thirds of all the Senators to support him.

Help GOA stop UN gun control

That’s why GOA is here, fighting to make sure he can’t impose a UN gun ban on every American citizen.

GOA has published its 2010 Voter Guide which is available at the GOA website.

And the GOA Political Victory Fund has helped pushed several pro-gun candidates over the hump in their primaries and into the lead for the general election. You can go to the GOA-PVF site to get more details on these races.

Finally, you can help Gun Owners of America continue to spread the word about pro-gun candidates by clicking here and contributing to the organization that is on the front lines defending your gun rights without compromising one inch.

SOUTHPORT, CONNECTICUT –Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR), announced today that for the third quarter of 2010, the Company reported net sales of $58.4 million and earnings per share of 32¢, compared with sales of $71.2 million and earnings per share of 37¢ in the third quarter of 2009.

For the nine months ended October 2, 2010, net sales were $191.1 million and earnings were $1.18 per share. For the corresponding period in 2009, net sales were $207.1 million and earnings were $1.13 per share.

Chief Executive Officer Michael O. Fifer made the following comments related to the Company’s results:

* The Company launched the new SR-40 striker-fired pistol late in the third quarter of 2010. New product introductions, including the new SR-40 pistol, remain a strong driver of demand and represented $50.0 million or 27% of sales in the first nine months of 2010.

* Estimated unit sell-through of the Company’s products from distributors to retailers in the third quarter of 2010 decreased by approximately 7% from both the third quarter of 2009 and the second quarter of 2010. NICS checks increased 6% from the third quarter of 2009 and 2% from the second quarter of 2010, indicating that the Company’s share of total firearms retail transactions (new and used firearms) may have declined during the quarter.

* The incoming order rate in the third quarter of 2010 increased significantly from the second quarter of 2010 and the third quarter of 2009.

* Cash generated from operations during the first nine months of 2010 was $23.5 million. At the end of the third quarter of 2010, our cash and equivalents and short-term investments totaled $53.0 million. Our current ratio is 3.7 to 1 and we have no debt.

* During the first nine months of 2010, capital expenditures totaled $16.4 million, much of it related to tooling and equipment for new products. We expect to invest approximately $20 million for capital expenditures during 2010.

* During the third quarter of 2010, the Company repurchased 412,000 shares of its common stock for $5.7 million in the open market. The average price per share repurchased was $13.83. These repurchased shares represented 2.1% of the outstanding shares as of the beginning of the third quarter of 2010 and were funded with cash on hand. As of the end of the third quarter of 2010, $4.3 million remains available for future stock repurchases.

* At the end of the third quarter of 2010, stockholders’ equity was $109 million, which equates to a book value of $5.77 per share, of which $2.82 per share was cash and equivalents and short-term investments.

Fernandina Beach, Fla. – A new study funded by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and carried out by Southwick Associates has found that the pool of American hunters is much larger than previously thought. This discovery can lead to major conservation and economic benefits. If many “casual hunters” (hunters that do not purchase a hunting license on an annual basis) can be converted into annual license buyers, a major benefit would be realized.

This report estimates that 21.8 million Americans hunted at least once over the past five years. Previous estimates have shown over 14 million youth and adults hunt each year, but not all hunters take to the field every year. Conducted in partnership with 17 state wildlife agencies, the study assessed license sales patterns and found that 78 percent of the U.S. hunters who bought a license in a given year also purchased one again the following year. By examining purchasing patterns over multiple years, it was determined that for every two hunters in the field this year, one is taking the year off.

“Considering hunters’ contribute over $1 billion every year to wildlife conservation via licenses and excise taxes, if half of the hunters who lapsed this year actually bought a license, conservation dollars would have increased by $97 million,” reported Rob Southwick, President of Southwick Associates. “This estimate doesn’t even include the extra dollars possible from increased hunters’ excise taxes. Considering the limited government dollars allocated for wildlife and the tremendous impact hunters provide to rural communities, increased efforts to boost hunter numbers would make smart conservation and economic sense.”

The NSSF study monitored license-buying patterns over multiple years, producing results for various segments of hunters, and described the lifestyles, habits and demographics of various segments of the hunting community. “We know there are many types of hunters with a wide range of interests. This study reveals who our hunters are beyond the usual demographic descriptions. We now have a better idea of hunters’ regional purchasing habits, recreational choices and overall lifestyle preferences,” said Jim Curcuruto, Director of Research and Analysis for NSSF. “The results will be used to strengthen existing hunting participation programs and develop new programs designed to convert the casual hunter into an annual license buyer. Savvy industry marketing and communications professionals will use these data to enhance their advertising efforts.” said Curcuruto.

A summary of the study results can be downloaded for free at: http://www.nssf.org/PDF/HuntingLicTrends-NatlRpt.pdf.

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

A poll conducted last month concluded that 90 percent of sportsmen are very likely to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. This survey conducted by Safari Club International (SCI) indicates an extremely high level of dissatisfaction among outdoor enthusiasts in government’s role in not only wildlife management but constitutional protections that have been stomped into the ground in recent years.

The smiling, talking heads will say anything to get elected, but when their voting records are scrutinized, their weasel words cannot disguise their records. And, if we are to believe anything…well, a skunk just doesn’t change his scent.

SCI President, Larry Rudolph said, “Hunters are standing ready to protect their sport, and the jobs and economic benefits it brings to rural communities, in the voting booth this year.   Our poll shows that the sportsmen’s community is more interested in these elections than ever before, and hunters stand ready to vote on November 2nd.”

The poll, conducted in September and based on responses from 500 randomly selected self-identified sportsmen nationwide, also found:
 
·         Nearly half (47%) believe sportsmen’s interests are underrepresented by the government in Washington, D.C.
·         Nearly eight in 10 (79%) sportsmen believe things in the country have gotten off on the wrong track.
·         Ninety-three percent (93%) of sportsmen are concerned about gun ownership rights,with 74% saying they are “very” concerned.
·         Three in five(60%) sportsmen also say they are very concerned about potential new laws governing ammunition and protecting the environment.
·         An overwhelming majority (92%) believe each state should manage and regulate its own wildlife opposed to the federal government.

Opposition to sportsmen continues to be strong, as evidenced by a recent case in Maine. A few days ago, a Federal Court of Appeals shot down an effort by anti-hunting groups to end trapping in the state. The Animal Welfare Institute attempted to manipulate the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to ban trapping by alleging that the Canada lynx – a species listed as threatened under the ESA – was not afforded enough protection under Maine’s regulations.

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation president and CEO, Bud Pidgeon, said, “It was clear all along that anti-hunters were looking to set a precedent that could be used in state after state to shut down not only trapping, but hunting and fishing as well. With this strong decision, antis are going to have a far more difficult time doing this.”

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing, trapping, and shooting – that generate the money to pay for them.  The foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. 

Although this case may have been concluded, without an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court and its unlikely probability of being heard, we can be assured that another one just like it is in the wings. The antis are well-funded and relentless and will look for another issue to further their cause.

In the meantime, we sportsmen will continue to hunt and fish and will continue to fund wildlife conservation so that animals like the wild turkey and deer, that once were endangered, will flourish – not in spite of hunting – but because of it and the funding it generates through sportsmen’s dollars.

The least we can do as sportsmen is to stand up and be counted November 2nd.

By: Glen Wunderlich

The progressive Democrats have finally found a way to eliminate the national debt. H.R. 4646 doesn’t address out-of-control spending, nor does it raise anyone’s taxes. Yippee!

Dubbed the “Debt Free America Act”, the Democrat-sponsored scheme imposes a simple “transaction fee” on “any transaction that uses a payment instrument, including any check, cash, credit card, transfer of stock, bonds, or other financial instrument. The term `transaction’ includes retail and wholesale sales, purchases of intermediate goods, and financial and intangible transactions.” Those words quoted are taken directly from the bill’s language. And, since fees are not taxes, President Obama didn’t lie to us, now did he?

So, if you put money into the bank, deduct a measly 1 percent. If you take money out, well…you better take out a little extra, because the progressives will grab another 1 percent. Buy something? Add a little ol’ 1 percent.

The bill “is intended to raise sufficient revenue to eliminate the national debt, which was $10.6 trillion in January 2009…” again, words taken directly from the bill. However, since that time, the debt has risen to an astronomical $13.6 trillion, equating to a debt of $122,318 for every American taxpayer. Change you can believe in, for sure!

Oh, but don’t worry. President Obama’s Task Force won’t take any action earlier than November 3rd, by virtue of the convenient language contained in the bill, even though this clever scheme was introduced February 23rd of this year.

So, after President Obama ran up the debt and formed the Task Force, this is what they’ve come up with. And, they were the one’s we were waiting for? I could have waited indefinitely for these robber barons to take control, but I can’t wait to throw the bums out.

Decision could threaten hunting on all federal lands

Coraopolis, PA — The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) is sincerely disappointed with a recent federal court ruling regarding recreation on the Huron-Manistee National Forest in central Michigan; noting that it sets a troubling precedent that could pose a threat to hunting on all of our federal lands.

The ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals states that the Forest must consider banning gun hunting on 66,000 acres of areas designated as “Semiprimitive”. The ruling questions whether hunting is a compatible use of these areas given that Forest Plan direction states that users will find a “high probability of experiencing isolation from the sights and sounds of humans.” The following quote from the ruling is disappointing as it paints hunters and hunting in a very negative light – “And so, in striking a balance between competing uses of the Forests, one might expect the Service seriously to consider whether, say, birdwatchers in fall should be able to enjoy their pastime, in 6.75 percent of the Forests, without ducking for the occasional gunshot.”

Part of the court’s rationale for this ruling is that the Forest failed to consider land management direction (banning gun hunting on the Semiprimitive areas) that would minimize the duplication of recreational opportunity when considering state lands in Michigan. Because gun hunting is allowed on virtually all state lands, the court suggests that the Forest should have considered banning gun hunting on the Semiprimitive areas. This portion of the ruling could force federal agencies to consider restricting gun hunting to accommodate quiet pursuits in regions where other public lands open to hunting are abundant.

According to Mike Zagata, RGS President and CEO, “The potential ramifications to hunting of this unfortunate court decision are huge. The court is suggesting that the mere sound of a gunshot is incompatible with other public uses of our public lands. In addition, the court fails to recognize that with the exception of spring turkey hunting, the vast majority of hunters are afield in the fall well after the prime period for birdwatching has passed and well before cross-country ski and snowshoe enthusiasts take to the woods. This decision could well be the single greatest threat to hunting on our federal public lands in recent memory, and RGS plans to enlist the support of its members and volunteers to oppose it.”

The Court has given the Huron-Manistee 90 days to revise its Forest Plan to address the issues raised in this ruling. RGS will continue to coordinate the involvement of other leading wildlife conservation organizations to address the threats posed by this court decision and to protect the right of hunters to pursue their passion on their public lands.

Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) is the one international wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our sport hunting tradition and outdoor heritage.

Recognized by Charity Navigator as a four-star not-for-profit organization, information on the RGS, its mission, management projects and membership can be found on the web at:www.ruffedgrousesociety.org.

Grand Island, Nebraska – On the heels of the highly successful launch of their Superformance Ammunition line in 2010, Hornady expands its product line with Superformance Varmint Ammunition. Delivering velocities that are 100 to 200 fps faster than conventional loads, Superformance Varmint features fully optimized propellants specifically blended for each load.

Available in 222 Rem, 223 Rem, 22-250 Rem and 243 Win, each load combines groundbreaking Superformance propellant technology with the industry leading V- MAX™ bullet. With the 223, Hornady has gone a step further, creating a NEW 53 gr. V-MAX™ bullet specifically designed to achieve peak performance from the 223 Rem chamber. This new bullet boasts a high .290 B.C. and delivers 3465 fps at the muzzle in the Superformance Varmint 223 Rem load, producing trajectory equaling conventional 22-250 offerings.

Each Superformance Varmint load is carefully tested and produced to deliver greater accuracy, increased range, flatter trajectories, less wind drift and devastating terminal results in all firearm types, including semi-autos.

The new Superformance Varmint product line comes in a 20-count box and is now available at sporting goods and outdoor retailers. To see an overview video and find velocity comparisons and complete ballistic information, go to www.hornady.com/ store/Superformance-Varmint.

Founded in 1949, Hornady Manufacturing Company is a family owned business headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska. Proudly manufacturing products that are “Made in the USA” by over 300 employees, Hornady Manufacturing is a world leader in bullet, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design and manufacture.

For further information regarding Hornady products, visit our web site at www.hornady.com. Media members interested in Hornady products for editorial review should contact Steve Johnson at sjohnson@hornady.com.

Although the bulk of the big bucks bagged in our state during the fall of 2010 are bound to come from the state’s four southernmost tiers of counties in Region 3, as they usually do, counties in the U.P. — Region 1 — are poised better than ever to give the south a run for its money…examples of forecast at the tite link.

Oct. 18, 2010

Contacts: Tom Cooley, 517-336-5030 or Mary Dettloff, 517-335-3014

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment today announced a diagnosis of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), an often-fatal viral disease found in wild ruminants, in a white-tailed deer in Allegan County.

The DNRE identified EHD in three other counties – Berrien, Cass and Ottawa – in late September.

The disease is characterized by extensive hemorrhages and is transmitted by a biting fly (midge). White-tailed deer develop signs of the illness about seven days after exposure. A constant characteristic of the disease is its sudden onset. Deer initially lose their appetite and fear of humans, grow progressively weaker, salivate excessively, develop a rapid pulse and respiration rate and finally become unconscious. Due to a high fever, the deer often are found sick or dead along or in bodies of water.

There is no evidence that humans can contract the EHD virus.

There is no known effective treatment for, or control of, EHD. Michigan first documented EHD in its white-tailed deer population in 1955. Additional die-offs attributed to EHD occurred in 1974 in several Michigan counties, and again in 2006 in Allegan County. A similar die-off affected areas of Oakland and Macomb counties along the Clinton River in 2008 and Livingston County in 2009. EHD is a common white-tailed deer disease in the southern United States. More frequent outbreaks of EHD in Michigan could be a consequence of climate changes that favor the northward spread of the biting flies that spread the disease, said Russ Mason, chief of the DNRE Wildlife Division.

Property owners who discover dead deer they suspect died of EHD should call the nearest DNRE office to report it. The DNRE Wildlife Disease Lab would like to collect more fresh specimens to test for the disease to determine its spread. Property owners are responsible for the proper disposal of unwanted carcasses. Carcasses can be buried at a sufficient depth so that body parts are not showing. Carcasses also can be disposed of at landfills that accept household solid waste.

For more information on EHD, please see www.michigan.gov/wildlifedisease.