Hunting in Real World Conditions
I've noticed from time to time how many airgun shooters mention the accuracy of their airgun at certain distances. You'll hear statements of 1/2" groups at 30 yards, 1" groups at 60 yards, and so on. These are statements of a gun's potential under ideal conditions the majority of the time.
Now let's move to the real world of shooting, especially the hunting end of the equation. I've yet to have a game animal or pest present itself to me in ideal conditions when I've got a bench rest available, a soft cradle of a bean bag for the forearm, and the ideal, weighed and sorted pellet available. And I rarely know to the exact yard the range to the target. So do I take the shot?
None of my comments above are meant to disparage the accomplishments of shooters who try and wring the utmost in accuracy from their guns. To do this, they have to use the bench, wind gauges, scopes so powerful that they are impractical for hunting uses, and ideal ammo. What they have done is to demonstrate what a properly fitted gun, ammo choice, and knowledge of the range can do for your attempts at accuracy.
In the real world, your live target is going to be moving a good bit of the time, at an unknown range (unless you have a rangefinder with you), and your shot selection may leave a lot to be desired from a target shooter's point of view. But you are hunting, and that presents its own set of challenges. You aren't going to be able to find a good rest every time, so you need to practice free-hand shooting, from standing, sitting, kneeling, and prone positions.
A good guess at the range of the animal is essential. You can practice estimating ranges to your prey during and after the season. If you have a laser-range finder, use it to confirm your best guess. And use targets the size of your intended prey, not miniature or over-large versions. You need to get use to looking at an animal as it would appear in a hunting situation.
Now, how about the weather? Have you ever practiced in the cold? Does your scope get fogged over? Mine has and does from time to time. Been practicing in the wind much? You should if you are hunting in such conditions. Let's face it, if we wait for ideal conditions to hunt, some of us will never get out of the house and into the field! Jim Chapman and I went deer hunting in the spitting rain one day, even after I expressed my doubts. Jim was raring to go, and we are glad we did! Jim brought home a 12-point buck with a .50 caliber airgun that day. One of the best hunts we've ever been on, and the weather was less than ideal!
Ever tried shooting while you are shivering from the cold? Or had to wipe sweat away from your brow before looking through the scope again? All of these considerations are valid issues when hunting in Real World Conditions.
So take some time, and practice even in inclement weather. Temperature affects airguns, and you need to know how your gun is going to shoot. There's a reason Tiger Woods is so good in almost any condition....he practices in all conditions, and knows how his shot is going to go on the course in certain conditions. So take his example in golf and transfer it to your shooting habits, and you'll be the one bringing home the game no matter how things are going in the field!
Now let's move to the real world of shooting, especially the hunting end of the equation. I've yet to have a game animal or pest present itself to me in ideal conditions when I've got a bench rest available, a soft cradle of a bean bag for the forearm, and the ideal, weighed and sorted pellet available. And I rarely know to the exact yard the range to the target. So do I take the shot?
None of my comments above are meant to disparage the accomplishments of shooters who try and wring the utmost in accuracy from their guns. To do this, they have to use the bench, wind gauges, scopes so powerful that they are impractical for hunting uses, and ideal ammo. What they have done is to demonstrate what a properly fitted gun, ammo choice, and knowledge of the range can do for your attempts at accuracy.
In the real world, your live target is going to be moving a good bit of the time, at an unknown range (unless you have a rangefinder with you), and your shot selection may leave a lot to be desired from a target shooter's point of view. But you are hunting, and that presents its own set of challenges. You aren't going to be able to find a good rest every time, so you need to practice free-hand shooting, from standing, sitting, kneeling, and prone positions.
A good guess at the range of the animal is essential. You can practice estimating ranges to your prey during and after the season. If you have a laser-range finder, use it to confirm your best guess. And use targets the size of your intended prey, not miniature or over-large versions. You need to get use to looking at an animal as it would appear in a hunting situation.
Now, how about the weather? Have you ever practiced in the cold? Does your scope get fogged over? Mine has and does from time to time. Been practicing in the wind much? You should if you are hunting in such conditions. Let's face it, if we wait for ideal conditions to hunt, some of us will never get out of the house and into the field! Jim Chapman and I went deer hunting in the spitting rain one day, even after I expressed my doubts. Jim was raring to go, and we are glad we did! Jim brought home a 12-point buck with a .50 caliber airgun that day. One of the best hunts we've ever been on, and the weather was less than ideal!
Ever tried shooting while you are shivering from the cold? Or had to wipe sweat away from your brow before looking through the scope again? All of these considerations are valid issues when hunting in Real World Conditions.
So take some time, and practice even in inclement weather. Temperature affects airguns, and you need to know how your gun is going to shoot. There's a reason Tiger Woods is so good in almost any condition....he practices in all conditions, and knows how his shot is going to go on the course in certain conditions. So take his example in golf and transfer it to your shooting habits, and you'll be the one bringing home the game no matter how things are going in the field!
posted by Randy Mitchell at
1:14 PM
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