Sportsman's Blog

Some Good News For The Future Of Hunting

A new poll finds a majority of adult hunters are mentoring young people

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Adult sportsmen and women reported an impressive level of mentoring to young hunters on a recent HunterSurvey.com study commissioned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. More than 77 percent of active hunters and target shooters indicated they had taken their sons and daughters hunting. Even adults without a child or stepchild got into the act, with 56 percent of them reporting they also took a young person hunting.

“The information collected from this and other research projects will prove valuable in determining how hunters first entered the sport and what youth projects can be initiated to help increase participation in hunting and shooting sports in the future,” said Jim Curcuruto, NSSF’s director of research and analysis. “The National Shooting Sports Foundation is proud to partner with Southwick Associates on research projects such as this.”

The poll also shows 83.4 percent of young people were introduced to hunting, even if they didn’t carry a firearm or bow, before they turned 13 years old, which is a critical factor in ensuring the next generation will be avid, lifelong hunters.  

The average age of the mentor was 38, according to a concurrent study conducted by the NSSF. A majority of adult hunters, 61.7 percent, first introduce a young person to hunting when they are between the ages of 30 and 45. Mentoring is an important component not only for recruiting new hunters but for ensuring experienced sportsmen and women continue spending time afield.  

The majority of adult hunters, 55.3 percent, reported they took young men hunting while 10.1 percent said they mentored young females, according to HunterSurvey.com. More than 34 percent of hunters reported they mentored both sexes, though, which increases the percentage of adult hunters mentoring males into hunting to 72.6 percent while adults mentoring young women rises to 27.4 percent. 

With 10.3 million big game hunters in the United States according to the 2006 National Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Associated Recreation, it’s no surprise HunterSurvey.com showed deer were the most popular game species pursued during a young person’s first hunt. Nearly 56 percent of youth deer hunted with an adult mentor on their first hunt, though the second most popular hunt was for small game with 40.7 percent participation. Upland hunting ranked third at 16.7 percent and wild turkey a distant fourth at 12.8 percent.   

Those who hunt, fish and target shoot are invited to participate in www.huntersurvey.com and www.anglersurvey.com. By completing the survey, you will be entered in a monthly drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of your choice.

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Let’s keep these traditions alive by introducing our youth to the activities we love.   While the poll certainly shows some positive numbers, I have to believe we can all do a little bit more to make things even better.   The future of our outdoor hunting and fishing traditions depend on it.

Does Bowhunting Attract More "Bad Apples?"

Mike Hanback: Felony Convictions: More Deer Bowhunters?

I saw the other day where a guy was making this argument:  One reason the number of bowhunters is inching up in some areas is because shady characters with felony and/or domestic violence convictions cannot buy, own or use a gun, thus if they want to hunt deer they have to bowhunt,...

via www.mikehanback.com

Very interesting topic. Does bowhunting, by virtue of our criminal laws, concentrate a certain unsavory crowd of hunters to the sport? It's a topic I certainly have to kick around in my head a bit more before I draw any conclusions. What's your take?

©2010 Jim Braaten.   All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Angered, But Certainly Not Surprised

Chris Niskanen: Mail-call mistake only feeds culture war over Outdoor Heritage Fund

...The theater became more fascinating with a Dec. 28 letter from Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, who mistakenly sent her missive to a pro-hunting group called the North American Bear Foundation.

Kahn, not known for her pro-hunting positions, apologized for her wayward letter in an interview with me. She was a little flummoxed and charming, especially when I pointed out that on paper, she's a pretty smart person...

...She further suggests that "many of us" in the Legislature want to use the Outdoor Heritage Fund for "reforestation, water pollution repair or prevention" in order to create more jobs in Minnesota.

In other words, she flings open the barn door to using the Outdoor Heritage Fund for a wide array of things not defined in the constitutional language approved by voters....

via www.twincities.com (read more)

Great article by Chris Niskanen pertaining to Minnesota Politics in regards to our Outdoor Heritage Fund.   But C'mon, did we really think the politicians were going to keep their grimy little fingers out of our new tax fund?   The only surprise to me is the swiftness in which some of the Democrats already appear to be attempting to supplant funds away from the intended purpose.   Simply amazing.

©2010 Jim Braaten.   All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

No Fur For The First Lady?

Its official Michelle Obama has made a stand she will no longer wear fur way to stand up for something important. I’m glad our first lady has no other more important issue to get behind than fashion. Cancer must be cured teen smoking must be not be an issue anymore. Over the past year and a half it seems like Barack and Michelle are more interested in being rock stars than political servants for our country.

via www.fb.org

According to this report our Fashionista First Lady is choosing NOT to wear fur while also publicly making a statement about that choice.   Here's hoping the bitter cold Washington wind of always striving to be politically correct blows directly up her skirt.

©2010 Jim Braaten.   All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Rubutting A Blog Post On Trapping

This blog post is in direct response to Bill Klein’s recent posting on Club Outdoors where he describes an incident involving his dog getting caught in a trap.   You can read his comments HERE in their entirety.

First off, I want to begin by saying that I deeply regret that Bill’s new black lab, Doc, got caught in a trap and that Bill had to endure this truly unfortunate experience.   I can understandably appreciate why he is upset about the events, however, I take great umbrage to the manner in which he channels his emotion.   Let me repeat so this is NOT FORGOTTEN.   I regret Bill had to endure this experience with his black lab and I do not want this statement lost in any of the comments I am about to make in this rebuttal.

I don’t know much about trapping but this much I do know:  whoever wrote the ad appearing in the DNR’s Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook teaching “how to release a domestic animal from a trap” has never actually faced that situation.

Bill, first off, the instructions featured on page 53 of the 2009 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook describes a procedure on how to release a domestic animal from a body-gripping trap (often called a Conibear trap).   The reason these instructions are even included in the synopsis is because this type of trap, when used properly, is intended to kill the animal that is caught.   In other words, time is of the essence in removing the animal and if you’re not familiar with the operation of such a trap this paid advertisement by the Minnesota Trappers Association offers some basic information towards that end.

…The Minnesota Trappers Association ad in the rule book says: Step One: Remain calm and speak soothingly to the dog.  There’s our first clue that the ad writer is clueless.

As a long-time member of the Minnesota Trappers Association I can assure you this assertion made on your part is totally without merit.   The leaders of the MTA are some of the most upstanding and experienced trappers to be found anywhere in this country.   Their advice is sound and proven.   Again, your leg hold trap shown in the picture IS NOT the same type of trap for which this paid advertisement explains a release procedure.   This should be evident by comparing the instructional graphics to your picture.

I ultimately had to leave my dog trapped, run home, get a bolt cutter and my tractor, cut the trap chain and carry Doc, with trap still attached, home in the bucket of my tractor.  A crow bar finally freed him.

With all due respect, as someone familiar with traps and trapping, your choice of actions were a gross over reaction in my estimation.   Cutting the trap chain and carrying the dog (with trap still attached) home in the bucket of a tractor—you really think these actions were necessary, not to mention safe for the dog?   Furthermore, the manner in which YOU CHOSE to handle this situation sensationalizes an already unfortunate incident.   Seriously, a “crow bar” to free your dog?   C’mon, Bill…if you used such equipment to open a leg-hold trap you likely inflicted unnecessary pain on your dog by attempting to pry the jaws apart.   I’m sorry if you couldn’t get the jaws opened by simply stepping on the release levers…but in my experience it takes very little effort or strength to accomplish this task.   Oh, and by the way…I have a trap shed with dozens of traps just like the one shown.   Many have 4–springs and not just 2 like the one that caught Doc.   I know what I’m talking about.

Next day I found the trapper and determined he had no license, no ID on his traps, was setting his snare traps far above 16” off the ground, was setting traps in deer trails and, finally, gave me a false name.

Did you call the Conservation Officer and get him involved?   There’s no mention of that happening in your story.   You state how you found the trapper and how you determined he had no license.   It just seems to me that had a CO been acting in this capacity rather than you our sporting community as a whole would have been much better off.   Not only was this guy trespassing, he did not have proper identification on his traps plus a whole host of other law violations.   You state he gave you a false name.   Wonderful.   Too bad the name wasn’t given to the CO instead, because that would have been yet another law violation.   To you…he’s under no legal obligation to provide any of those facts.   To a law enforcement officer he cannot lie.

But the bigger issue here is whether dry land snare and spring loaded traps should be allowed at all in the Twin City seven-county area.  Certainly trapping has its place.  But is that place where people and dogs are likely to confront them?

The point totally being missed in your assertion that trapping should be outlawed is how you encountered one law violator and chose to paint the entire trapping community with negativism and misguided information for the sole purpose to make a point in your blog post.

 

Okay, Bill…let me ask you this.   Forget everything I’ve just said and let’s change this scenario just a bit.   If rather than a trapper let’s say a wandering pheasant hunter was on your property and broke a window in your shed with stray pellets…would you call for the abolishment of pheasant hunting?   Or how about a deer hunter who shoots at a deer clearly on your property when he’s hunting a neighbor’s land?   Should we do away with deer hunting because a few individuals each year engage in unethical and illegal activities in their sport?

 

I guess more than anything I’m deeply disappointed in your breaking the unwritten sportsman’s code of behavior by letting your emotions clearly cloud your good judgment.   Rather than focus on the criminal acts and call them out solely for what they were…instead you chose to condemn a very proud, responsible and legal trapping heritage that many of us enjoy without these sort of incidents.

 

Indeed, in my opinion, your decision to focus disparaging remarks directed toward the trapping community as a whole is equally as unfortunate as the incident that most recently occurred to your dog, Doc.

CLUB OUTDOORS: Can we go home?

Spending time outdoors together can be a special experience for both the parent and the child. Yet, it's up to the adult to manage expectations so the time spent outdoors remains enjoyable for both young and old, alike.

Click HERE to read more.

©2009 Jim Braaten.   All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Spending time outdoors together can be a special experience for both the parent and the child. Yet, it's up to the adult to manage expectations so the time spent outdoors remains enjoyable for both young and old, alike.

Click HERE to read more.

©2009 Jim Braaten.   All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Spending time outdoors together can be a special experience for both the parent and the child. Yet, it's up to the adult to manage expectations so the time spent outdoors remains enjoyable for both young and old, alike.

Click HERE to read more.

©2009 Jim Braaten.   All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Spending time outdoors together can be a special experience for both the parent and the child. Yet, it's up to the adult to manage expectations so the time spent outdoors remains enjoyable for both young and old, alike.

Click HERE to read more.

©2009 Jim Braaten.   All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Spending time outdoors together can be a special experience for both the parent and the child. Yet, it's up to the adult to manage expectations so the time spent outdoors remains enjoyable for both young and old, alike.

Click HERE to read more.

©2009 Jim Braaten.   All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

CLUB OUTDOORS: Discovering the unusual in the out-of-doors

Each fall hunters out walking in the fields and woods make some unusual discoveries. It's certainly possible that what you might find could be an important clue towards solving a crime.

Click HERE to read more.

© 2009 Jim Braaten.   All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Tags: meth+lab

Each fall hunters out walking in the fields and woods make some unusual discoveries. It's certainly possible that what you might find could be an important clue towards solving a crime.

Click HERE to read more.

© 2009 Jim Braaten.   All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Each fall hunters out walking in the fields and woods make some unusual discoveries. It's certainly possible that what you might find could be an important clue towards solving a crime.

Click HERE to read more.

© 2009 Jim Braaten.   All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

CLUB OUTDOORS: As budgets tighten certain adventures put on hold

Difficult economic times are forcing some traveling sportsmen into making tough choices for this fall. The result could mean more hunters enjoying outdoor opportunities closer to home.

Click HERE to read more.

© 2009 Jim Braaten.   All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

CLUB OUTDOORS: Ready to sacrifice deer hunting traditions for trophies?

Blogger’s Note: Beginning today, when I post a blog piece on the StarTribune.com Club Outdoors website I’m going to link directly to it from this blog site.   In so doing, I’m hoping this will better consolidate my online blogging efforts so loyal readers do not missing any of my postings that now occur at two different websites.  JB

Click HERE to read more.

© 2009 Jim Braaten.   All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Ammunition Just Gets Harder To Find

A few days ago I was discussing with a friend the current state of our retail ammunition supply and the perceived “shortage” many of us are experiencing around the country.   My friend, who happens to work in the retail gun industry, was quick to snap back “there is NO damn shortage!   People are hoarding ammunition so badly that the normal ammunition supply just can’t keep up.   There just happens to be an overabundance of stocked ammo now being held in private reserves.”

Indeed, my friend is correct in his observation.   His response was quickly evident that a certain frustration also exists among retailers who are trying their damnedest to keep shelves full of all calibers of ammunition.   Yet, the buying frenzy continues.   Ammunition manufacturers, retailers and consumers, alike, have grown frustrated by this current situation.   One day shelves will seem well stocked, a few days later everything is empty again with replacement product still weeks away on backorder.

I’ve heard stories of individuals driving several hours just to purchase a couple boxes of desired ammo in stock.   I’ve also heard rumors that people are paying outrageous prices for ammo they know in their heart is not worth that much, but for some reason they must have it now.   So, this craziness lingers on and perhaps seems to be building with the passage of time.

So what’s causing the shortage?   Well, quite honestly there is no simple or definitive answer.   Surely it’s a combination of factors.   No doubt the election of Obama, a perceived gun-control advocate, has a lot to do with this.   Prior to last fall ammunition supplies were rather stable, albeit the prices were creeping higher thanks to the volatile metals market, but out-of-stock situations on ammo were not nearly as troublesome as they are today.

Oh, sure, I’ve even heard some of this blamed on the fact we have been at war now for several years.   Well, I guess this would explain the shortages of 9mm, .45ACP, .223 and 5.56mm…but since when did our armed forces start using .380Auto in large quantities?   It’s widely believed this caliber is one of the most difficult rounds to purchase these days.   Even .22LR has been flying off the shelves — that’s definitely not a popular military round.

Some even explain that our law enforcement agencies are stocking up for their practice reserves and this is diverting supply from the normal retail shelf.   I suppose this is possible, to some extent.

Of course, we are living in some extraordinary times these days.   Whenever economic strife hits our population there grows a general uneasiness about the future.   Remember that “clinging to their guns” comment made during the election campaign last year?   Guns without an adequate ammunition supply happen to be worthless.

Speaking of guns, did you know that some gun industry experts believe that roughly 30% of all guns being sold today are to “first time” gun buyers.   That’s amazing.   Of course, these individuals will need ammo.   New consumers of a product will certainly further stress the supply side of things.

Yet, another facet of the current political climate threatens us with outrageously high taxation on ammo.   How long do you have to listen to the political rhetoric proposing 500% tax hikes on ammunition before it has a negative effect?   Or even more ridiculous, serialization of our bullets so that every bullet is registered to a particular individual.   Oh sure, this sounds great in theory…but practically speaking this bullet identity measure would be the final nail in the coffin for the firearms industry.

Honestly, I’m not really sure anybody has a good handle on why certain kinds of handgun and rifle ammunition are now being found in short supply.   Certainly there are many factors at play here.   I suppose that one could even conclude that investing in ammunition has proven more worthwhile than the stock markets as of late.   Indeed, I’ve heard stories of individuals buying certain calibers of ammo when they don’t even own a gun now that shoots it.   You just wouldn’t have witnessed bizarre behavior like that pertaining to ammunition back a decade or so ago.

I guess what matters isn’t so much analyzing why ammunition in certain calibers happens to be difficult to buy.   No, what matters more is simply being able to purchase the ammunition one truly needs.   Problem is, when you wait weeks to finally locate the ammo you seek and then pay a much higher price at the cash register…how likely are you to go home and actually shoot it?   Honestly, when the commodity you’ve finally attained has such a high perceived valuable…does it somehow diminish your enjoyment for actually shooting it?

As my friend originally said, this may not be an ammo “shortage,” but whatever you want to call it, its a stinker of a situation we must now somehow deal with for at least the short term.

© 2009 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Now PETA Is Frowning On Dancing

That’s right.   If you stand up, tuck you hands under your armpits, start flapping your elbows rhythmically up and down, and, in general, prance around like a child about to wet their pants…well, my friend, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is trying to discourage you.   Yes, indeed, the coveted dance that is often played at so many weddings, known as the “Chicken Dance,” is now being considered a disgraceful activity, at least when performed at certain venues.

This coming weekend NASCAR fans will flock to one of the biggest race tracks on the stock car racing circuit and race fans in attendance will likely make history.   Their possible achievement?   Well, none other than a potential Guiness Book of World Records showing of the largest group “Chicken Dance” ever recorded.   It’s not that difficult to imagine a group of fun-loving, beer guzzling fans being asked over the loud speaker to stand up and dance wildly like a chicken-with-your-head-cut-off.

And that’s exactly what has PETA up in arms.   Apparently KFC is the sponsor of the record breaking attempt and we all know there happens to be no love loss between PETA and KFC.   Their feud, specifically restaurant protests by demonstrators dressed in chicken costumes, has been going on for years.

At this point it’s really not known how PETA expects to protest what dance activity is anticipated to happen at the race on Sunday, but as sportsmen we all know PETA has a penchant for being creative and doing “whatever is necessary” to draw attention to their silly cause.   Honestly, we all know this is nothing more than a publicity stunt, yet at the core of the issue remains an animal rights controversy that is surely not going away anytime soon.

Sportsmen have also long been the source of these sort of protests conducted by PETA.   Actually, there’s very few activities that we engage in that you would find PETA condoning.   If their tactics/politics weren’t so radical and extreme, perhaps they could actually perform some social good.   Yet, as this latest incident clearly demonstrates, this group is more about being in the spotlight than serving to fulfill a worthwhile cause.

In the meantime, I’m fighting the urge now to stand up and do the “chicken dance” in defiance of PETA.   Ask my wife, I’m not usually the dancing type, but if this dance somehow bothers PETA…well, then I feel somewhat giddy enough to be seen jumping around my office and acting like a total fool.   I guess you could say that’s my form of rebuttle protest on this matter.

© 2009 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Tough Times Sometimes Means Tough Decisions

Yesterday I received one of those e-mails I simply don’t like to read.   It went something like this.   “Due to the fact I got laid off from work last week, it now looks like I won’t be attending Fish Camp next month as I had planned to do.   Instead, I need to save money and start looking for a new job.”

Frustrating, both for my friend…but also for the other fish camp attendees.   The point is when personalities are missing from camp (whether it be fish camp or hunting camp), the overall experience for everyone is bound to suffer.   Problem is, this year I have received several e-mails with perhaps slightly different stories, but similar results — coming to fish camp is not in the cards for this year.

Indeed, my annual Minnesota Fishing Opener Bash (www.MNFishCamp.com) is going on it’s eighth year and typically we have about 25 guys and their kids who attend.   This year, however, due mostly to the current economic conditions, a few fisherman and their families are simply saying…”well, maybe next year.”

Quite honestly my usual camp of around 25 fishermen will likely be reduced to about 15 or 16 folks this year.   I’ve been told, even by some who still have their jobs, that they don’t dare take off the time from work.   Taking a vacation day or two at work might indicate to a supervisor that perhaps play is more important than work.   Understandably, nervous employees don’t want to give any reason for the ax to fall on them next.

Heck, I don’t blame them.   Other “regulars” to camp are likely not as worried about their job, but some have had their spouses lose a job.   The net result is the same…the family budget is being stretched to the max and a fisherman finds it hard to justify taking a personal vacation when the rest of the family may be sacrificing an upcoming summer vacation due to lack of funds.

Yea, times are tough and quite honestly I suspect there are a lot of excruciatingly difficult decisions being made around the kitchen table these days.   Perhaps that big game hunting trip being planned to the Western states this fall has been put on hold for many folks.   Likewise, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if deposits made earlier for Canadian fishing resort vacations are simply forfeited because life situations have drastically changed since making those original commitments.

That’s one of the challenges that always faces a bunch of sportsmen who plan activities together.   As a group, you often pro-rate the costs of the adventure out over several participants, but when folks drop out, even for perfectly understandable reasons, it puts more of a financial burden on those hunters/fishermen who still remain.

As for my 2009 Minnesota Fishing Opener Bash, the tradition will continue on like it has for many years prior to this recession challenged year.   Those of us attending probably will make do with the same old boat and equipment we’ve used in the past.   Sure, it would be nice to sport something new…but I’m sure most of us this year will feel fortunate enough just to be present in camp.

Optimistically speaking, recessions don’t last forever…and, of course, there is always next year to once again renew the spirit of the outdoor tradition being missed.   Rarely are life situations permanent, and with that belief we can forge ahead knowing that we are all currently living in some extraordinary times with better days surely ahead for all of us.

© 2009 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Gun-Owning Sportsmen Under Fire From Minnesota Legislature

Let’s imagine, for a moment, a proposed new Minnesota law (HF953) that would encompass the following critical changes to how Minnesota sportsmen would be able to own guns (of all types):

• Terminate the private sale of firearms (a.k.a The so-called “Gun Show Loophole”) requiring that all future firearms sales go through an FFL Dealer.   Incidentally, residents of Minneapolis or St. Paul would have to travel outside of their respective cities to complete a gun transfer to another individual.
• Even guns transferred between family members would be subject to strict transfer rules.
• Create a central state run gun registration system recording all firearms transfers for potential civil or criminal investigations.   Upshot, state gun owners should be prepared to give the State of Minnesota an itemized list of all guns currently owned or become criminal by the act of ommittance.
• Allow all local sheriffs and police chiefs the ability to charge whatever fees they want to complete transfer background checks (separate from Federal NICS checks).   Seller and buyer would also be required to purchase a Minnesota firearms transfer permit.
• Makes any gun owner a criminal if you loan a firearm (even for hunting) to someone else for a period of more than 24–hours.   Both the gun owner and the gun borrower would be subject to arrest and subsequent felony prosecution.   The gun registration system (above) would be used to determine to whom the gun properly belongs.

Don’t these provisions sound just wonderful?   Well, guess what…the bill to become a law has an important committee meeting this Friday.   It’s important for all sportsmen (and gun owners, for that matter) to put down these efforts and not allow this nonsense to progress any further along in the process.   Click HERE for more information and the contact list of committee members who need to be contacted.

You know, this happens to be a Minnesota proposed law but it could just as well be a federal congressional legislative proposal.   Much of this comes directly from some playbook the liberal Democrats seem to be playing by these days.   We are being bombarded by proposed new legislation that promises to infringe upon our most basic of American rights.

When will the Democrats learn that infringing upon our gun owning rights has had dire consequences against their political party in the past?   How soon they forget.   Once Minnesota sportsmen take notice of what these political clowns have proposed, it will be time to take names and then take action next time at the polls.

You have to know that the Democrats realize, to some extent, they are playing with dynamite on this issue.   This past election has given far too many lawmakers (in states and at the federal level) a feeling of “empowerment” that now is the time to move their ill-conceived liberal agenda forward.   And that’s fine…if they feel they must enact new laws that criminalize the actions of otherwise law-abiding citizens, let them try.

But they better be prepared to deal with that little light at the end of the tunnel.   Right now it seems pretty innocent and non-threatening.   Yet, when that freight train known as gun owner backlash comes barreling down the track I predict it will crush those lawmakers who decided to make this an unfortunate game of chicken.   It’s time gun owners, as well as sportsmen, purge these individuals from our elected ranks.   Any elected official who willing chooses to be contrarian to our established American gun owning rights deserves to be unemployed…and they will be!   That’s my promise to them.

© 2009 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Obama Administration Fires First Shot Over The Bow

It’s time sportsmen wake up and begin to realize just how our world is “changing.”   That’s right, the Administration that promised hope and change has now indicated its readiness to take the first step toward enacting major new gun control laws.   So, you think this won’t effect you…well, I have news for you if you’re a shooting sportsman you might want to think again.

Let’s begin by listening to some promises made only a few months ago on the campaign trail:

Oh, and by the way, Ray Shoenke who was part of this video representing “common sense” sportsmen…is nothing other than heading up a gun control front group operating under the guise known as the American Hunters and Shooters Association.   I’ve previously blogged about this bogus group, check it out.

So, Obama’s newly appointed Attorney General, Eric Holder announced that plans are quickly moving forward for a new and improved “Assault Weapons Ban” (AWB).   Seems fairly innocuous since most hunters don’t use “assault-style weapons,” right?   WRONG!   Let’s define some terms being bantered about on this topic:

Assault Weapon — Is a political term used to describe a variety of semi-automatic firearms that have certain features associated with the military — commonly a folding or telescopic stock, hi-capacity magazine, a flash suppressor or a barrel shroud, etc.   All items that are mostly cosmetic in nature.   In other words, to those not part of the shooting culture a gun that just looks down-right “scary.”

Cop Killer Bullets — True cop killer bullets are not readily available to the public.   However, Holder’s use of this term defines it as any bullet capable of penetrating body armor.   Okay, with the exception of my rimfire .22 caliber rifles…ALL of my other hunting rifles would fall under this criteria of using ammunition capable of piercing thru body armor.  

Gun Show Loophole — A fanciful way of saying that gun sales between two private parties can not exist unless you involve a Federally Licensed Firearms Dealer to record the transaction.   Think of it this way.   You’re a father and want to hand a prized family gun down to your son.   Well, in the future you might have to first take it to a FFL Dealer and pay them a $20 – $30 transfer fee so they can complete the government paperwork and do a criminal background check on your son.   Sound reasonable?   Imagine the hassle and expense involved with passing down an entire gun collection.

Folks, there will be much more to come on this topic, but it’s time we all start bracing for an onslaught against our 2^nd Amendment rights, the likes of which we have never before experienced.   If you want to trust Obama and his minions that they are working in our best interests, then go ahead and keep the blinders on.   But I’m here to tell you that Obama et al. is not just attacking the type of guns you wouldn’t even own for your sporting pursuits.   Nope, our new President has in his gun-banning sights the very genre of guns you likely already own that are tucked away securely in your closet.   Trust me on this one…and stay tuned!!

© 2009 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Tags: Obama+Gun+Ban, Obama+Assault+Weapon+Ban

Minnesota Considers Allowing Dogs To Recover Shot Big-game

Later this month the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, at its corporate board meeting, will be considering asking the Minnesota DNR to allow the use of dogs to recover wounded big-game animals.   The organization’s executive director, Mark Johnson, was recently quoted as saying, “deer hunters are not as good at tracking as they used to be.”   At first glance, the comment seemed strangely odd.   Almost a slam to any self-respecting person who calls themselves a Minnesota deer hunter.   Yet, it’s an interesting comment, nonetheless, worthy of further examination.

To begin, I personally know Mark Johnson and he’s a good guy who means no ill will towards the hunting community.   In fact, his statement was so blunt it couldn’t have been more effective to generate discussion on the topic.   But are hunters as a group really losing their skills in the field?   Seriously, is the average hunter of today lacking in the sort of woodsmanship abilities so as to recover a wounded deer that they must rely on a four legged companion?

First, let me get my bias out of the way and go on record as saying I am opposed to the use of dogs to recover wounded deer.   I realize this tactic might be employed in other states with no negative ethics or legal violations…but in Minnesota the practice has long been taboo to incorporate dogs into the picture no matter what aspect of big-game hunting might be undertaken.   If you hunt deer you don’t use dogs…end of story.

But has the typical hunter in today’s world become so lazy or lax in certain skill sets that we must change the long-standing rules of the hunt?   In my opinion it’s sort of a dumbing down of the hunter to think that the use of dogs is sometimes THE ONLY option for the recovery of game.   Honestly, Mark’s comment is sort of a sad commentary on our sport if indeed it happens to be true.

Back 25 years ago when I used to teach Advanced Hunter Education for the Minnesota DNR, we used to make mock blood trails simulating all sorts of different blood trailing scenarios.   The students would break up into groups…and as a team they would compete against other groups to see who could find their “fallen trophy” first.   We made it a game, but the exercise was highly educational to instill in hunters the proper technique for following a wounded animal.

Let’s face it…anyone who has hunted long enough will have a tracking story.   The one that comes to my mind was back probably 18 years or so ago when a young, first-time hunter shot and wounded a deer in our group.   My buddy Mitch and I assisted this young hunter for over 8 hours tracking the animal with several sightings.   In hindsight, we probably should have let the animal bleed-out for awhile before continuing…but the sightings kept us hot in pursuit until late in the day.

We were beat having walked through some of the gnarliest vegetation known to man.   Just as the sun was about to set, the deer came to a plowed field lacking any vegetation.   Blood on dirt just doesn’t work to your advantage, let me tell you.   We came to the conclusion that we had given it a full and proper effort.   Several times earlier in the day we thought we had reached a dead end…but our persistence eventually paid dividends in finding new blood trailing evidence.

The point I make with this story is PRACTICE.   That’s how you get good at recovering downed big game.   Using dogs might seem logical like it’s a better way…but it’s not.   In my book it is a lazy, reprehensible way to perfect the legitimate kill on a big game animal like a deer.

I hope like hell Mark made the statement about hunters not being that skilled anymore as sort of a tongue-in-cheek response to generate further discussion.   My fear, however, is that whether we like to believe it or not, many hunters are always looking for ways to take a short-cut.

Look, hunting is hard work and it begins the moment you pull the trigger or release the arrow.   The incentive should be to make a quick, clean kill relying on the hunter’s own senses to perfect the recovery of the fallen game.   It seems to me that allowing the use of dogs will only encourage hunters to be more sloppy and careless in this all-important process.   That’s not what we need happening in our beloved sport — now or in the future.

© 2009 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Tags: deer+hunting+dogs, dogs+game+recovery