Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Hunting Weapons

Texas has a favorable disposition toward gun owners.  I'm not sure anywhere else in the world, with the exception of a few western U.S. states, affords the freedom and protection to own firearms, built on a sense of independence and the ability to protect oneself.  The old cliche 'if they outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns' is proven all over the world.  Criminals don't think the same way law-abiding citizens do - we cannot presume that everyone thinks alike, which is the premise of those wishful to register guns, confiscate guns, decide that the guns are the problem, etc...plus, I would rather not depend on the government for my sole protection.
OK, let's talk about hunting...A neat thing about Texas is you have lots of options: including lever-actions and revolvers, bow and arrows, and high tech equipment.  I like the 'do-it-all .3006' with the necessary killing power for the biggest boar you may run into, as well as ample power for larger exotics and whitetails.  Lately, I've come to especially admire the .35 Whelen, a powerful medium range weapon, comfortable with heavy bullets.  It makes a big hole with deep penetration and is my current 'pet' rifle. My longest shot with it so far is 250 yards as it dropped a Corsican ram in its tracks.





Awhile back, I carried a M629 (.44 magnum) scoped revolver  exclusively and enjoyed the
handiness of hunting with a pistol. I've taken
turkey, whitetail, hogs, corsican and a bobcat
with it using 240 grain hollowpoints and
keeping my shots inside 100 yards. 



I have a friend that has several modern firearms and lately has been using a 30-30 lever action exclusively, with great success on hogs, turkey, deer and javelina.  Its ability to carry easy, come to arms quickly, and shoot inexpensive ammo with light recoil offers a package hard to beat - all this from a caliber that originated in 1895.

I carry a M29 revolver (.44 magnum) around with me most the time and have had some opportunities with it.  This pistol has iron sights which ensures I'm shooting within the .44 magnum's range. 
In Texas, a diversity of weapons can be useful, with plenty of opportunities. A new wrinkle this year is allowance of a crossbow during bow season for whitetails.
Pick your weapon - it's all good.

Night hunting

Hunting hogs and exotics (Axis, Blackbuck, Coriscan Sheep, Fallow Deer, Eland, Nilgai, Sika etc.) in Texas at night is legal, as they are considered property of the landowner (vs. property of the state as are indigenous animals).  Hogs are generally seen as a negative, as they tear up fences, uproot plants, and displace more desirable game, such as quail or turkey.  However, I see them as top of the list for an excuse to spend time outdoors at night and appreciate their limited sight and predictability of showing up around a feeder if not overly disturbed.  It's fun to hunt them in the full moon, but use of a spotlight is permitted as well, although sometimes they shy away from a spotlight.  Night hunting lets me imagine I am hunting in Europe as I understand Europeans hunt at night routinely. I have shot a couple of the largest boars under a full moon with a high quality scope. 




When shooting them from the ground, the muzzle blast blinds you temporarily and you hope one does not run up your leg as you're reloading - this is great adventure!  Nights are cooler and in Texas, where we have more warm days than cool days, hunting at night affords more opportunity - sometimes to hunt during the week in the summer when the days are longer, without missing a workday.

Equipment must be in order for a night hunt and familiarity with your weapon and your surroundings brings great advantage.  Also, at night, you may see animals that may be nocturnal, such as a big whitetail buck, raccoons, bobcat or coyote.  Night hunting adds another dimension to the great Texas outdoors.

Doldrums of Summer

The hunting hours are few and warm in this Texas drought.  With excessive temperatures topping triple digits and lack of rain, hogs are concentrated around the few water holdings available.  The grass is parched and is beyond yellow to brown.  The movement of large game is limited to the early hours in the morning - 9 am begins the intense heat-up and the day grows increasingly hostile until sunset.  The ground begins to radiate heat upwards before noon.  Rattle snakes are more active after dark and are moving excessively trying to find water.

There is very little opportunity now to enjoy the outdoors - time is much more productive in preparing for the coming fall season and anticipating the loosening of the sun's grip.