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> The future of shooting, hunting and ethics of the craft - referenced article
The future of shooting, hunting and ethics of the craft - referenced article
@ 10:16 am (GMT) |
Fernando CundinTo all,I am returning with another article reference and link for discussion. I left the last forum exchange, similar controversial dynamics but different general topic, and opined some notions about the future of hunting, educating young hunters and the frailty of the sport and craft in these days of trying understandings and agenda driven, even pernicious pogroms. I hope to further press for input and exchange on this growing subject and the many sub-subjects that form the complex platform of hunting and shooting. This article again comes to me through the vagaries of The Web and does not explicitly represent any group or trend, but I have some points to share. First, see article: https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/hunt365-too-much-gun/ Not to be curt posting an article critique here, but I wish to address the points that I observe that I would enjoy some forum input and exchange. Here we go! Schooling young hunters on marksmanship and skills does a good turn and does progress the sport. I take some occasion with 1000+ yard shots on game, not because of the inexperienced shooter, but the promotion of this trend toward casual normalcy in the arena of hunting and sport with ethics, fair chase and responsibility in mind. I personally wish to see skilled “hunting” explored and promoted with young hunters and not a celebrated highlight of ultra-long shooting as such an esteemed and vetted practice. Young hunters are recoil sensitive. I have not yet introduced shooting to a young hunter using my 30-06, but I would evaluate the stature and disposition of the young shooter and tailor a suitable platform/download so as to build confidence, skills and see success to lead toward a lasting relationship with marksmanship and hunting. A do all 6.5 C is not a panacea for all recoil ills and not a crutch for poor skills and risky practices on real game. I think, most notably is the glib tone of the article managing for the “curmudgeon” replys and criticisms with a wave of the editorial hand dismissal is what prompted this posting. I could exactly retire such an attitude without anything so much more than acceptance, but I would rather define the position I have in reply on ultra-long shots with marginal calibers as terse. I just don’t like it. Further the article images also show some details of marksmanship practice that I absolutely will not accept and think “OK”. A short listing: apparatus to hold the rifle, shot placement issues, captions stating young hunters shoot just like “a seasoned pro”, and there is more… What bollocks all this? Best, FC |
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@ 02:56 pm (GMT) |
David LenziRe: The future of shooting, hunting and ethics of the craft - referenced articleI'd just say that the first center fire rifle I ever fired was a .30-06 with iron sights at the ripe old age of 14 (and all of about 135 lbs). I'd spent a lot of time shooting .22 LR and .177 air rifles as a young lad. No one bothered to tell me that I couldn't shoot full power .30-06 or that the recoil would be too stiff, so I had one of my life's most enjoyable afternoons at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico blasting various targets out to a fair old distance with a rifle I can't even remember.More recently, I sat down behind a friend's .300 Weatherby with his hand loads. I can't say I knew a damn thing about that particular cartridge other than that it was going to be powerful (it did have Weatherby on the head stamp, after all) and that it wasn't the .300-378 (to my reflief). I sat down and fired a nice group out of a fairly normal hunting rifle... again, I had not been properly informed that it wasn't possible to do this, that the recoil would be too high, and so on. I would surmise that mindset matters, as does ergonomics (stock design!). On the flip side, there are a lot of people (maybe including me?) with a recoil tolerance that outstrips their skill. They're comfortable shooting a gun, but they don't shoot it well... and they compound that error by choosing bullets poorly suited to the task. Their performance in the field is worse for having more gun than skill. They might need less gun, but also more discipline (to train and to pass on shots that aren't ethical based on their skill and their equipment). Americans are comically over gunned in many cases. That .300 Wby above? Deer hunting in the PA woods is what it was built and used for. It's arguably what most of the hunting guns in the US are used for (what some call CXP2 game). Nothing wrong with the .300 Win Mag, but my buddy in the GA deer woods taking game that doesn't exceed 100 kg on a good day with his .300 is doing so out of passion and love for the craft and personal taste rather than necessity. Even if one insists on a .30 cal, the .308 Win is more than adequate for any whitetail to have graced the wilds of PA or GA. To some extent, Americans might be better served by learning to match horses to courses. |
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@ 04:47 am (GMT) |
Fernando CundinRe: The future of shooting, hunting and ethics of the craft - referenced articleMr. Denzi's comments are noted... I have had a think here.It would seem best for me to argue that the future of hunting and shooting all be regarded strictly with the facts, traditions and best practices, but I am afraid that the active changes and trends in hunting are not structured so much to my preference. Many out there see things differently. One aspect of hunting as I have always enjoyed and practiced is the issue of respectful accommodation. It was a strong tradition to exercise and demonstrate respect to the craft, the animals, to Nature and the other hunters afield. Many times this practice demanded that I should refrain, back down or give way to many other's activities. It would not always be to my liking or sports opinion to do so. Braking rules is not my style, but many others are not so mindful or rigid or respectful, thus we have this spectrum of possibilities. Legal regulations should be clearly understood and abided by. Many regulations are not in keeping with better practices and factual understandings, even proven scientific methods and facts, but these are the regulations that allow for the sport and practice of hunting... ergo... Thus the matter of respect is again to the fore of my attention in field sports. There is still more to understand and ponder. The ubiquitous "they" will continue to do as they see fit and have interest in, and I will continue to do "me". Best, FC |
@ 09:15 am (GMT) |
Scott StruifRe: The future of shooting, hunting and ethics of the craft - referenced articleI would argue that a kid should be taught marksmanship, gun safety, and hunting with a .22 rifle, initially. In the US, for instance, 80% of the population lives in the eastern half of the country, where squirrels abound in the woods. A young hunter should be adept at stalking, stand-hunting, killing, skinning, cooking, and eating squirrels with a .22. In the western half of the country, squirrels are not as prolific, but there are other small game species, such as rabbits and grouse, suitable for pursuit with a .22.Once the kid demonstrates predilection for, and proficiency at, hunting small game (including preparing and eating it), she can graduate to the 12 gauge shotgun. She should start shooting sporting clays with mild target loads. Recoil is not an issue, because there’s no time to think about it when you have less than 2 seconds to point and shoot. Ammunition is cheap, loads can be increased, and the kid will have fun seeing the clays shatter. Now she has a gun capable of shooting both moving and stationary small game targets. It’s also a gun capable of shooting cheap, 1 oz. slugs fairly accurately out to 75 yards or more . . . in other words, a perfect “starter” brush gun for the deer woods. If she can hit a paper dinner plate consistently at 75 yards, she can shoot a 30-06. There’s no reason to buy her a suppressed 6.5 CM with a hideous pink or sky-blue stock that looks like it came from Bed, Bath & Beyond (unless, of course, Dad, with his well-manicured goatee, has a predilection for such niceties). |
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