It’s never too late to hunt

I read a number of different outdoors, firearms hunting, bow hunting, black powder, fishing, handloading, firearms and shooting magazines. I subscribe to several and occasionally pick up a non-subscribed magazine if an article catches my attention. I rely on magazine racks for the once-a-year magazines on specific topics, like ice fishing or handloading data.

I was reading a recent edition of a bow hunting magazine and was intrigued by the editor’s column. He was talking about “the right way, the wrong way, and my way” for various bow hunting scenarios and it triggered a thought. I enjoy hunting with several different types of implements: compound bows, muzzleloading rifles (both modern and traditional), black powder cartridge rifles, handguns, air rifles, modern rifles, shotguns and, hopefully, a crossbow in the not-too-distant future.

Personally, I like the variety of different tools and the various hunts designed to accommodate those diverse implements. But that diversity seems to bother some folks. Take bow hunting, for instance. There still is some limited division in the ranks between traditional equipment bow hunters and those who use modern compound bows. And there is the larger chasm between the “vertical” bow hunters and those who choose to use a “horizontal” or crossbow as their hunting tool.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each gear type — traditional bows, modern compounds and crossbows — and they all fall into the same general category of power, range (maybe 50 yards max) and mode of killing the animal.

The next step up involves muzzleloaders, black powder cartridge rifles and shotguns with rifled slugs. All three types exceed the “stick and string” gear in range and power. However, there has been a division in the muzzleloading ranks between traditional equipment and modern black powder rifle shooters. All three rely on shock to kill, rather than hemorrhaging caused by a sharp broadhead cutting tissue, and their useful range for the average hunter is limited to 125 yards or less.

The handgun category is similar to the muzzleloader/black powder cartridge/shotgun grouping in effective range, but handguns are generally harder for the average hunter to aim accurately and hold steady. The large and heavy-caliber handguns used in Alaska big-game hunting have significant recoil, but generally are not as powerful as the larger caliber muzzleloaders and shotguns with slugs.

The overwhelming majority of Alaska hunters use modern, high-powered rifles for their hunting endeavors because of the ease of firing a shot, the greater range potential if stalking closer is not possible and the use of a scope to facilitate making a more accurate shot. This is often the tool of choice for those who are more interested in efficiently filling their freezers rather than concentrating on the hunting experience itself, but that is not to say modern rifle hunters don’t thoroughly enjoy their hunting adventures and the companionship of hunting with family and friends.

The air rifle is a unique hunting tool, at least in this country. While there are a few larger-caliber rifles capable of harvesting deer and hog-size animals, most air rifle hunting is done for small game. In Alaska, that means snowshoe hares, grouse and ptarmigan, and maybe the occasional red squirrel for pest control. The number of Alaska air rifle hunters is small, but as rifle technology improves, those numbers will expand.

I have heard comments, usually from older Alaskan modern rifle hunters, wondering why “special hunts” for some of the other hunting implements are needed. Special hunts allow additional management options for game managers, provide for safer hunting conditions for participants and provide more opportunity for hunters in general. The differences in hunting implement capabilities, effective ranges, power and hunting techniques demand some time or spatial separation between the different groups of hunters.

Speaking of opportunity, anyone can hunt with whatever hunting tool they choose. All one need do is purchase the implement, learn to shoot it proficiently, practice and continue practicing, and get certified through the state hunter education program. Then buy the license, pick up the harvest ticket or draw the appropriate permit and go hunting. If having different special hunts, or seasons, or areas provides me with more opportunity to hunt, I’m in favor.

I’ve been hunting all my life with modern firearms, muzzleloaders and handguns. I didn’t get back into bow hunting until after I retired. I’ve only owned my air rifle for a couple of years and my new crossbow has yet to be fired. It’s never too late to find a way to go hunting!

Howard Delo is a retired fisheries biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. You can leave him a message by emailing sports@frontiersman.com.