Hunting with a pistol? OH YES.
Hunting season is upon us. Let’s mix it up a little and talk about pistol hunting. Let me first say that with any type of shooting sport, safety should be #1. Let’s review our safety rules:
· ALWAYS keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction.
· ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
· ALWAYS keep the firearm unloaded until ready to use it.
· ALWAYS know your target and what is beyond.
Pistol hunting is fast becoming a sought-after sport, even though it certainly isn’t new to hunt with pistols. I contribute that mainly to hunters wanting to free themselves of heavy gear. Hunting with a pistol is challenging, yet gives you an advantage to being able to stalk your trophy, maneuver easily, handle your dogs, etc. However, hunting with a pistol takes practice, patience and persistence – and a lot of it.
So which firearm should you use? It depends on your game. Below are a few suggestions. Keep in mind that barrels 6 inches and greater are beneficial for accuracy.
Small Game. Tracking small game with such calibers as .22 or .17 can get interesting quick when you are met with the task of hitting a small target. You’ll want to test your choice of ammunition before venturing out to the woods to ensure your firearm will cycle it properly. Some great pistols to consider for small game are Browning Buck Mark, Smith & Wesson Model 22A, Ruger Mark III (thank goodness they’ve finally redesigned these for easier take down), or Ruger Single Action Nine or Ten.
Large Game. The pistol can open up a whole new level of sport to a hunter. With the pistol, every harvest is a trophy, every hunt is an adventure and a full freezer is an irrefutable plus. For large game hunting, consider the Ruger Redhawk/Super Redhawk, Smith & Wesson Model 29, Glock 40, Thompson-Center G2 Contender, Taurus Raging Bull Model 444, MOA Maximum.
Sights and optics. It will take some research based on your chosen pistol model, but scopes offer the added benefit of magnification, allowing the hunter to better assess and judge the animal in their sights, along with the ability to shoot at longer ranges more accurately. Replacing stock sights with night sights or fiber optic can also be a consideration.
State Law. It’s important to reiterate that laws in the state you are hunting must be followed. Restrictions on barrel length or caliber could be a factor when hunting with a pistol in addition to rules and laws regarding transport and storage of firearms. Please research your state’s hunting laws.
Happy hunting!