While you’re still young, believing you will live forever (as I did), I’m asking you to take moment and consider what this older gent has to say. I know what follows won't make me popular...I'll work on that.
Over the many decades - apart from being grateful for family memories and God's many blessings - hunting / shooting has always run a tight second. Closet friends; rifles; nature’s incredible weather and terrain: game hunted; campfire trash talk; good Guides and bad; disappointments and successes; the whole enchilada – those memories will not be soon forgotten. I know you can relate to that.
I grew up hunting groundhogs with .22 rimfires, graduating to a 222 Rem and 225 Win. WOW. My first deer rifle was a Marlin 336C in 35 Rem w/Remington 200 gr RN. While we were always tracking my friends 30-30 deer, mine fell where shot. As in straight down now. Keith was onto something. As was O’Connor too.
As the years passed too soon, I went through many rifles / cartridges. East and West, from the South to Alaska, I hunted Deer, Hogs, Elk and Black Bear all successfully. All spot and stalk. Get closer, make the first shot a good one. That was always very, very important. Which brings me here.
The following is offered respectfully. As time changes things, so have guns and gear advanced. Not that many moons ago, for many of us, 300 yards was a long shot. Today, we’re out to 1,000 and beyond, likely with some unfortunate results that go unreported. Meaning? Equipment can be purchased, skill cannot.
It now appears you can purchase a rifle scope that is not only a range-finder but will electronically elevate your cross-hairs to the accuracy needed for that yardage and the trigger pull. Simple and likely deadly, assuming the right load / bullet. Sight the game out yonder, close the bolt, look through the scope, pull the trigger, reach in your pack for your knives. And that, folks, IMHO, is turning “hunting” into a “science.” The killing may be there but the challenges of hunting? And this I promise, every bowhunter understands all this ever so clearly. It’s not just finding the animal, it’s the thrill of hunting the game, up close and personal. Less reliance on equipment and more on skill.
Longer range hunting of animals has its merits. No arguments there. Not for me to say what “long range hunting” means to you and I’m NOT. Rightfully, enjoy the rewards. However, the more reliance there is on science and equipment, the more is lost on the absolute thrill of getting closer and ensuring an ethical kill. Something we owe every animal hunted, be it a trophy or simply meat for the table. Hunters have obligations that go beyond safety.
Again, I'm not saying how you personally should hunt. None of my business. I am saying, it seems many of yesterday’s truly exciting "hunting" challenges are loudly being replaced by technology. I earned, bought and paid for the few good rifles in my safe I’m proud to own. Good gear that makes me a better hunter and yes, I know and appreciate that. That said, just me personally, I’ll take the “get closer” approach to all my hunting, 7/365. Sure would like to see that excitement passed down to our upcoming generation of hunters. Let’s not lose that.
Be safe ya’ll and thanks for sharing some time with me.
Over the many decades - apart from being grateful for family memories and God's many blessings - hunting / shooting has always run a tight second. Closet friends; rifles; nature’s incredible weather and terrain: game hunted; campfire trash talk; good Guides and bad; disappointments and successes; the whole enchilada – those memories will not be soon forgotten. I know you can relate to that.
I grew up hunting groundhogs with .22 rimfires, graduating to a 222 Rem and 225 Win. WOW. My first deer rifle was a Marlin 336C in 35 Rem w/Remington 200 gr RN. While we were always tracking my friends 30-30 deer, mine fell where shot. As in straight down now. Keith was onto something. As was O’Connor too.
As the years passed too soon, I went through many rifles / cartridges. East and West, from the South to Alaska, I hunted Deer, Hogs, Elk and Black Bear all successfully. All spot and stalk. Get closer, make the first shot a good one. That was always very, very important. Which brings me here.
The following is offered respectfully. As time changes things, so have guns and gear advanced. Not that many moons ago, for many of us, 300 yards was a long shot. Today, we’re out to 1,000 and beyond, likely with some unfortunate results that go unreported. Meaning? Equipment can be purchased, skill cannot.
It now appears you can purchase a rifle scope that is not only a range-finder but will electronically elevate your cross-hairs to the accuracy needed for that yardage and the trigger pull. Simple and likely deadly, assuming the right load / bullet. Sight the game out yonder, close the bolt, look through the scope, pull the trigger, reach in your pack for your knives. And that, folks, IMHO, is turning “hunting” into a “science.” The killing may be there but the challenges of hunting? And this I promise, every bowhunter understands all this ever so clearly. It’s not just finding the animal, it’s the thrill of hunting the game, up close and personal. Less reliance on equipment and more on skill.
Longer range hunting of animals has its merits. No arguments there. Not for me to say what “long range hunting” means to you and I’m NOT. Rightfully, enjoy the rewards. However, the more reliance there is on science and equipment, the more is lost on the absolute thrill of getting closer and ensuring an ethical kill. Something we owe every animal hunted, be it a trophy or simply meat for the table. Hunters have obligations that go beyond safety.
Again, I'm not saying how you personally should hunt. None of my business. I am saying, it seems many of yesterday’s truly exciting "hunting" challenges are loudly being replaced by technology. I earned, bought and paid for the few good rifles in my safe I’m proud to own. Good gear that makes me a better hunter and yes, I know and appreciate that. That said, just me personally, I’ll take the “get closer” approach to all my hunting, 7/365. Sure would like to see that excitement passed down to our upcoming generation of hunters. Let’s not lose that.
Be safe ya’ll and thanks for sharing some time with me.
Which is what I was referring to. The camaraderie, the endless challenges, thoughts and emotions and the list goes on.
