Maximum Hunting

The Value of Hunting

Our Guest Blogger Program — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:18:32 +0000

We have all heard the phrase “ Time spent hunting or/fishing cannot be deducted from a man’s life”. So surely time spent outdoors, hunting, hiking, and fishing must have value, right? President Theodore Roosevelt was once quoted as saying “In a civilized and cultivated country wild animals only continue to exist at all when preserved by sportsmen. The excellent people that protest against all hunting, and consider sportsmen as enemies of wildlife, are ignorant of the fact that in reality the genuine sportsmen is by all odds the most important factor in keeping the larger and more valuable wild creatures from total extermination”.
In a day when much of our society questions the need for guns and hunting in general it is this authors opinion that hunting provides some of the greatest and most beneficial values provided to individuals, families, and society as a whole. Does using a gun or as a sportsmen, using the time in ones life to pursue and hunt game make an individual less valuable or somehow evil? No. Hunting provides opportunities to evaluate values that lead to being a more responsible, caring, and mindful of others. Hunting creates an appreciation for the outdoors, for animals and humans, and an intense desire to be responsible for family and person.
Although there are always exceptions, hunters in general spend a large amount of time outdoors. Who can deny the great spiritual benefits of spending even a little bit of time outdoors? This value cannot be quantified or measured. Hunters easily recognize this great value and understand that without responsible management of these great resources they will not be here for future generations, not to mention our selves.
Because of this, you don’t have to look far to read or hear about individuals, groups, clubs, or organizations to organize and offer service to ensure the great outdoors will be kept in a state to benefit all, whether they hunt or not. I have yet to find a trail or mountain with a sign that states, “This land is cared for by hunters and therefore is intended only for use of hunters.” Almost daily I receive an email or tweet from a hunting body inviting and encouraging me to join in a service project or give to a project intended to do something good for the outdoors.
I had a manager a year or so ago that I had a conversation with about hunting. She questioned, in a non-defensive way, how I could fathom going and killing a helpless animal to eat it. I asked her how she could justify going to the store and buying meat from an animal someone else killed and eating it. She stated, “I don’t like to think about it. If it’s not homogenized, pasteurized, and bleached I don’t want it.” She was a wonderful women and I had a lot of fun talking to her. But she brought up a point that I think is common, why do we wish to ignore where our food comes from? Does ignoring that an animal died to give us this meat ease our conscious? Do we truly understand what animals are here for and the value they have?
Animals have great values in so many ways. I love my dog and the relationship I have with him. I grew up with horses, cows, chickens, pigs, pigeons, cats and many other animals. All of them had great value. Some of them emotionally, and some as nutrition. Does the animal with a more nutritional value have any less value then the one offering companionship? I believe as we understand the value that animals offer we better understand the value in others and ourselves as human beings. Hunting is simply another way to help wild animals control population, disease and increases our understanding of their value. As hunters, we physically watch the entire process of an animal dying and see the positive results of responsible hunting. It is by doing this we gain compassion for the animals and others.
Hunting provides a way for families friends and others to enjoy time together and share a common interest. Some of my fondest memories are with my family on a early morning waiting for the dog to point. This value cannot be underestimated. It is difficult for many families to find a common interest and even less common for families to find a common interest that everyone can participate in at the same time.
These are some simple ideas that very superficially cover some of the reasons that hunting has such value in our world. Closing our eyes and saying “ I don’t want to think about it” does very little to increase our understanding of the world around us. It is my hope that the thought of hunting as a value might be increased and that more individuals might remember why hunters and hunting are valuable.

About the author

Skyler Andersen is the Marketing Director for huntingblindsunlimited.com. He loves to spend time with his family, is an avid upland game hunter and loves to spend time with his dog Gus, loves to camp, fish, and just be in the outdoors.

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Improving Accuracy with an Air Gun

Rebecca Gill — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:22:30 +0000

Stealth, camouflage and knowledge of the quarry – all of these are important factors when hunting with air guns and air gun pellets because a hunter must get as close as possible to the prey to deliver the shot with the utmost accuracy possible. Increasing that accuracy is something for which every hunter should strive. It can be improved by doing several things.

Using the right gun

Hunters often overlook the importance of gun feel and fit when choosing their weapon. A hunter should be comfortable holding and shooting his air rifle in every conceivable position he might encounter in the bush. If he cannot shoot the rifle with the same ease and accuracy offhand as with a stick, he would do well to look for another model.

If it is difficult to achieve a consistent grip, or if obtaining easy sight alignment is elusive with a particular weapon, a hunter should consider shouldering different air guns until he comes upon one that feels as though it was custom made for him.

Scope mounting

Even the finest quality scope will do nothing for accuracy if it is improperly mounted and not sighted in. A hunter must mount his scope using a mount that is the right height to allow him a good sight line while resting his face on the air rifle’s cheekpiece. Cant must be eliminated, and the gun must be zeroed according to its power and range.

Trigger control

Achieving perfect trigger control means that a hunter has learned to squeeze the trigger of his air rifle while not disturbing the alignment of the cross-hairs of the scope. To do this, he must eliminate all jerking movement as he fires his weapon. Slow, constant and straight-back pressure is the key. A hunter with excellent trigger control should not only expect improved accuracy each time he fires, but he should also expect to be just as surprised when a shot is fired as the animal he kills.

It should be easy and enjoyable for a hunter to practice with his weapon. Since air rifles are somewhat quiet with relatively limited power, it is simple for hunters to fire thousands of rounds of pellets virtually anywhere a field target can be safely placed.

the right pellets

Hunters should rely on air gun pellets that are precision manufactured to an exacting standard such as those made by Haendler & Natermann (H&N). Designed for maximum potency, H&N’s special lead-alloy or tin-made hunting pellets are as accurate as they are hard hitting. They are perfect for hunters seeking to improve their accuracy and pellet-to-kill ratio.

About The Guest Blogger

Marco Hopp currently blogs for H and N Sport, a supplier of high quality airguns.

Skull Taxidermy

Chris — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:14:54 +0000

Skull Taxidermy is a Deer Lodge, Montana taxidermist specializing in Beetle Cleaning skulls, Reproductions, Skull/Antler epairs, Metal Coating, Camo Dipping, and custom antler fabrications.

Company: Skull Taxidermy
Street: 1208 Kentucky St.
City: Deer Lodge
State: Montana
Zip: 59722
Phone: 406-498-5044
Website: www.skulltaxidermy.com

Taxidermist Specializes in the Taxidermy of:
European Mounts, Metal Coating, Reproductions, Custom Skull/Antler work

Leave a Review for this Taxidermist

Nature Coast Outdoor Adventures

Chris — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:38:39 +0000

Nature Coast Outdoor Adventures is a premier guide service offering quality hunting and fishing packages at reasonable prices. We are located in Perry, FL in the heart of Florida’s Nature Coast. This area is known for great hunting and fishing. We hunt on several thousand acres of hunting land that is home to an abundant population of deer, hogs and turkeys.We look forward to taking you on your next adventure!!

Company: Nature Coast Outdoor Adventures
Street: 0000 hwy 221
City: Perry
State: Florida
Zip: 32348
Phone: 727-226-0475
Website: www.naturecoastoutdooradventures.com

Outfitter Specializes in Guided Hunts of:
Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Hogs

If You’ve Used this Outfitter, Leave a Review

Record Book Guides and Outfitters

Chris — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:36:29 +0000

Record Book Guides and Outfitters is a Hurricane, Utah outfitter and hunting guide who guided hunts include Mule Deer, Elk, Sheep, Goats, Mountain Lion, Bear, Buffalo, Moose and Pronghorn Antelope. Providing top notch trophy hunts for Utah Big Game Hunters since 1996. We can help you with the application process, locate a land owner permit or help you find a conservation or auction tag for any big game species in Utah. We have access to private property hunts, leases as well as the best Limited Entry Units in the state. Give us a call to reserve your hunting opportunity

Company: Record Book Guides and Outfitters
Street: 117 W. State St.
City: Hurricane
State: Utah
Zip: 84737
Phone: 435-619-5669
Website: www.recordbookoutfitter.com

Outfitter Specializes in Guided Hunts of:
Mule Deer, Elk, Sheep, Goats, Mountain Lion, Bear, Buffalo, Moose and Pronghorn Antelope

If You’ve Used this Outfitter, Leave a Review

Gunson Guiding & Outfitting

Chris — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:16:41 +0000

Gunson Guiding & Outfitting is a British Columbia outfitter and hunting guide. Remote wilderness hunts on the Yukon border for: BIG Canadian Moose, Stone Sheep, Mtn. Goat, Mtn. Caribou, Grizzly and Black Bear. Traditional mountain horseback, or lake hunts for moose.
We specialize in custom hunts for BIG Canadian Moose.

Company: Gunson Guiding & Outfitting
Street: General Delivery
City: Liard River
Province: British Columbia
Zip Code: V0C 1Z0
Country: Canada
Phone: 250-500-2717
Website: ggoutfitting.com

Outfitter Specializes in Guided Hunts of:
Canadian Moose, Stone Sheep, Mountain Caribou, Mountain Goat, Black Bear, Grizzly Bear.

If You’ve Used this Outfitter, Leave a Review

Trophy Mountain Ranch

Chris — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:31:06 +0000

Trophy Mountain Ranch is a Cowdrey Colorado outfitter and hunting guide who guided hunts include Elk. What is a trophy elk? Does your heart race at the sight of a 350″ bull. Or are you looking for a monster elk that would put a 350 to shame. Trophy Mountain Ranch is Colorado’s premier hunting destination. In additional to once in a lifetime elk, we offer clients many other outdoor activities and ranch amenities.

Company: Trophy Mountain Ranch
Street: PO Box 16
City: Cowdrey
State: Colorado
Zip:80434
Phone: 970-723-4000
Website: www.TrophyMountainRanch.com

Outfitter Specializes in Guided Hunts of:
Elk

If You’ve Used this Outfitter, Leave a Review

Nature’s Image Taxidermy

Chris — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:50:57 +0000

Nature’s Image is a full service high end taxidermy studio located near Madison, WI.

All work is of the highest standards, utilizing the latest materials and innovations the industry has to offer. Most mounts come with a lifetime guarantee on craftsmanship. We specialize in all aspects of taxidermy including big game. African and exotics, fish, birds and reptiles. We also offer custom bases and habitat scenes, tanning and skinning services.

Nature’s Image Taxidermy prides itself in producing extremely high quality work, and excellent customer service. You can feel at ease knowing your trophy is going to get personal attention at every step of the process.

Our turnaround time is excellent with most mounts being completed in 4 to 8 months. Rush services are provided at an additional cost. Our price list contains many commonly mounted species, but we are happy to quote on anything not listed.

Company: Nature’s Image Taxidermy
Street: 487 Center Road
City: Oregon
State: Wisconsin
Zip: 53575
Phone: 608-455-3108
Website: www.naturesimagebyrob.com

Taxidermist Specializes in the Taxidermy of:
big game. African and exotics, fish, birds and reptiles.

Leave a Review for this Taxidermist

Mountain Man Taxidermy

Chris — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:05:18 +0000

Mountain Man Taxidermy is a Craig, Colorado taxidermist specializing in the taxidermy of deer, antelope, Fish, ducks, turkey, birds, bear, moose, deer, pheasant, bass, squirrel, black bear, grizzly bear, waterfowl, coyote, bobcat, cat, wolf, skull, mountain lion, elk, sheep, caribou, wild boar, fox, geese, badger, raccoon, cougar.

Company: Mountain Man Taxidermy
Street: 1176 Yampa Ave
City: Craig
State: Colorado
Zip: 81625
Phone: 970-824-4910
Website: www.mtnmantaxidermy.com

Outfitter Specializes in Guided Hunts of:
deer, antelope, Fish, ducks, turkey, birds, bear, moose, deer, pheasant, bass, squirrel, black bear, grizzly bear, waterfowl, coyote, bobcat, cat, wolf, skull, mountain lion, elk, sheep, caribou, wild boar, fox, geese, badger, raccoon, cougar.

If You’ve Used this Outfitter, Leave a Review

Double Deuce Outfitters

Chris — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:02:53 +0000

Double Deuce Outfitters offers exclusive guided and unguided hunts on private Montana hunting ranches and hunting land. We specialize in rifle and archery/bow hunts for trophy mule deer, trophy whitetail, elk, antelope, upland birds and waterfowl on the Yellowstone River in Southeastern Montana. Our other hunts include pheasant, grouse, turkey, prairie dog, coyote, varmint, bird preserve and goose hunting. Montana trophy hunting at its finest!

Company: Double Deuce Outfitters
Street: 1438 Reservation Creek Rd
City: Forsyth
State: Montana
Zip: 59327
Phone: 406-342-5475
Website: www.mtrut.com

Outfitter Specializes in Guided Hunts of:
Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Antelope, Upland Birds & Waterfowl