Hunting and Fishing Thread - With Poll

[Mike S.]

CNN has a story today about 5 hunters that were killed in Wisconson over a treestand dispute.

Geez! Camden was just named the most dangerous city in the U.S. today, who would have thought that some whacko in the woods would take out 5 guys over nothing?

NJ Deer season starts on December 6, do I need to carry my .45 as a backup?

Carl-

Well, that is a sad situation. Hopefully this shooter will never again taste freedom.

I doubt if it is legal in NJ to carry your .45 while hunting.

I have heard of "ownership" disputes between 2 hunters over a dead deer, but nothing like this craziness. But I have seen the occasional suspicious idiot while in the woods just often enough that if I'm scouting I still try to have an excuse to have a gun on me -- like I'm squirrel hunting or something, and after I kill a deer I still keep my rifle nearby. It's probably overcaution on my part as I've never felt truly threatened, but I've heard just enough stories...

 

[qualitytrec]

The bizaar part of this story in my opinion is that the tree stand belonged to the people who were shot by the guy in the stand. Also, my boss says that the property belonged to those who were shot. Who would think

Mark

 

[Carl Keller]

Mike,

It isn't legal to carry a .45 in NJ while hunting, but I decided a long time ago that while I try to be as law abiding as possible, it would be foolish on my part to expect the state to protect me and my family.

On a recent hiking trip, a freind asked me if a carried because I was concerned about the Bears. I told him I have been hunting and fishing for over 30 years and have never been in a situation where I felt threatened by an animal, but I have been in several situations in and out of the woods that I was seriously concerned about people.

Nuff said.

I really don't think this was a typical "dispute" that escalated. This guy was not stable.


Carl-

 

[Craig H.]

The word "wacko" fits here. It is unfortunate that there are (very few) "hunters" who manage to give all of us a bad name. I suspect this guy would have found a way to do something stupid anywhere.

I sure hope the judge who hears this case is a hunter.

It is surprising that the anti-gun types have not picked up on the fact that some news outlets (Fox, for one) are reporting that a SKS was used. In my opinion the 7.62 x 39 round is a little anemic for deer, but there some people who would have a hard time paying for a sporting rifle, so for them its a good option, I guess.

In this case, it might be fortunate that a .30-'06 was not available to him.

 

[Mike S.]

Mike,

It isn't legal to carry a .45 in NJ while hunting, but I decided a long time ago that while I try to be as law abiding as possible, it would be foolish on my part to expect the state to protect me and my family.

On a recent hiking trip, a freind asked me if a carried because I was concerned about the Bears. I told him I have been hunting and fishing for over 30 years and have never been in a situation where I felt threatened by an animal, but I have been in several situations in and out of the woods that I was seriously concerned about people.

Carl-

I understand, really. But maybe on some occasions you can try to pack something that could be considered a legal hunting gun for the date -- even when hiking maybe groundhogs or crows are in season and if you carry a hunting-legal handgun even in the unlikely event you are stopped you are technically legal. I was once coming out of the woods from scouting a day before deer season and a DNR guy came by, struck-up a conversation,and then asked if I'd open my pack -- he was afraid maybe I was early-hunting and maybe had a handgun in there. I actually had thought of carrying my .22 in my pack that day, but didn't. That probably wouldn't have went over too well, but had I been wearing it on my hip with my license in possession I could say I was squirrel hunting.

 

[Carl Keller]

Craig,

Not sure about the power of the 7.62 x 39, but it is obviously adequate for people.

I have a freind that owns two SKS's among many other weapons. He swears by them. More accurate than many of his other rifles, 10 round magazine, has yet to jam and you can buy them for 200 bucks.

I remember when he got the first one, it was wrapped in brown kraft paper and dripping with cosmoline. We scoped it and took it to the range and were very surprised with the quality and value.

Heck, I may buy one myself.

Carl-

 

[Carl Keller]

Mike,

I hear ya! You are definitely speaking the voice of reason. I guess it is a case of "risk management".

You can't carry a handgun in NJ for any reason. There is no handgun season here either.

Clean record, my brother is an attorney, no crime involved(not poaching etc.) I am sure the Judge would take it easy on me. I would probably get out in 6 years or so on good behavior!

Carl-

 

[Craig H.]

Craig,

Not sure about the power of the 7.62 x 39, but it is obviously adequate for people.

I have a freind that owns two SKS's among many other weapons. He swears by them. More accurate than many of his other rifles, 10 round magazine, has yet to jam and you can buy them for 200 bucks.

I remember when he got the first one, it was wrapped in brown kraft paper and dripping with cosmoline. We scoped it and took it to the range and were very surprised with the quality and value.

Heck, I may buy one myself.

Carl-

Carl:

I have owned one SKS - a Norinco (Chinese-made) that I bought new, degreased, and took straight to the range. After failing to hit the target at 50 yards, I took a paper plate and set it up 25 yards out. After reloading (and unloading) the magazine twice, it was obvious that the rifle was incapable of anything like even a lousy group. Sold it.

Then, a guy at our hunting camp brought his Russian-made SKS and let me fire it. I was taking the bottom out of small styrafoam cups at 25 yards with the iron sights. That rifle was excellent, but, unfortunately, not for sale.

My experience with both the Chinese (lousy) and Russian (very, very good) rifles has been confirmed by others, as well. So, by all means look at the SKS. The Russian option would be cheap and fun to shoot. One thing about the SKS (and its cousin, the AK-47) is that they were (are) made in lots of different places, so the quality of build and material will surely vary.

As far as the 7.62 x 39 mm round, it can do some damage (much to my chagrin in the WI case). To me, though, the most humane way to hunt is with a quick kill. So, I like the bigger, heavier, rounds. To each his (or her) own, though.


Good shooting.

 

[Carl Keller]

Craig,

I am seeing a lot of yugoslavian SK's for sale. $150 - $200 new.

Not sure how much I would fire one though. My schedule is so busy, I do not get to the range as often as I would like.

I agree with you about "going bigger" when hunting. My favorite PA brush gun is a Marlin lever action chambered in 35 Remington. In NJ I use an 870 Express with a Hastings slug barrel and a 4 power scope shooting sabot's. I will likely buy a new bolt within the next year, either 7mm-08 or 30-06.

To tell you the truth, airgunning is a guilty pleasure of mine. I have a 747 match pistol that I upgraded to 777 status by buying the Walnut target grips (the 777 was no longer available) and I am in the market for a high velocity(over 850 fps) PCP in .22. Maybe Santa will buy me one? I can shoot those anytime in my basement range.

Carl-

 

[Craig H.]

Carl:

I admit to wanting a nice, fast, air gun, too. Shooting for me is like golf for some people. It is a relaxing way to spend a few minutes (or hours if I am lucky) and unwind. Air guns allow this, with a minimum of noise and expense.

Plus, they are just so much fun!