Trapping and my first 'Bang and Clank' shooting match

Last week we began discussing the upcoming trapping season and mentioned, in general, some of the steps an ethical and conscientious trapper would follow while trapping. These steps include, among others: securing landowner permission to trap; using the correct size and style of trap for the animal being targeted; making the set that is most efficient for the terrain being trapped; checking the traps daily to remove captured animals; and being respectful of non-trappers who may be encountered in the daily routine.

Trappers have an obligation to treat their catch in a humane manner and learn “best practices” in choosing traps and set locations for their activities. They need to recognize that non-trappers and pet owners have the right to pursue their interests and should avoid making sets in commonly used areas.

On the other hand, non-trappers have obligations as well. It is against the law to interfere (move or tamper with) any legally set traps or snares and animals which may be in them. It is against the law to attempt to release a wild animal from a legally set trap or snare. Trapping is a commonly practiced activity in Alaska and non-trappers should know the seasons to know when to be on the lookout for trapping activity. Pet owners should avoid known trapping areas during the season and should always keep strict control of their pet when out. This means using a leash in areas where leashes are required.

The idea here is for both sides to be respectful of each other and to follow recognized protocols when encountering each other outside. Many people don’t like or approve of trapping, but laws exist protecting that activity when legally done. For example, I don’t approve or support smoking pot, but it’s legal in Alaska, so I am obligated to not interfere with someone legally pursuing that activity.

Okay, what happens if you’re out hiking with your pet and it is caught in a trap set? The Fish and Game Department has a brochure available which describes how to release your animal from several different types of traps and the gear necessary to do so. The brochure is titled: “Trap Safety for Pet Owners: How to release your pet from a trap or snare.” You can get a copy from Fish and Game in Palmer or from your veterinarian’s office. That’s where I got the copy I’m looking at as I write this.

Read the brochure and become familiar with what it says and recommends. That could save you from emotional stress and your pet from needless suffering because of a thoughtless trapper or an unknowing pet owner.

On another topic, I wrote about acquiring a Cadet model Martini rifle a while back. This single-shot gun had been extensively modified from the original training rifle used in Australia back around the turn of the 20th century. Among other upgrades, the barrel had been bored out, re-rifled, and chambered for the 357 Magnum pistol cartridge. I wanted the gun to participate in the local “Bang and Clank” shoots held at the Birchwood shooting range every month. I didn’t want a heavy recoiling gun since the matches usually involve forty shots for record.

I worked up a silhouette load from the loading manuals and did just enough shooting to roughly sight-in the rifle at 25 yards. I showed up at the appointed time for the October match expecting to only shoot about half the match since I had a medical appointment that same day. The folks running the match made accommodations which allowed me to shoot the entire match in my brief time there.

The match consists of ten shots at each of four different metallic silhouette targets (chickens, pigs, geese, and rams) at four different ranges (50, 100, 150, and 200 meters respectively). The steel targets must be knocked completely off the stand they’re on to count as a hit. A perfect score is forty. My first relay started on the geese at 150 meters. This silhouette is considered the most difficult of the four because of the shape of the target and the distance.

With the assistance of another shooter doing an excellent job spotting my shots, I was able to hit seven of the ten geese. I honestly didn’t expect to hit any. On my turn with the rams, I hit seven more. With the aid of a different spotter, I hit eight of the pigs and eight of the chickens for a total score of thirty out of forty possible. I was happy and pleased.