Where to shoot? Practice?

As hunting season approaches, we begin to dream of those wonderful fall days, we may go shopping and replace some old equipment. We could clean and check some of our equipment. Getting out the equipment, getting ready, or getting something new can increase our anticipation of the coming season.

Sighting in a new gun, or bow is usually more fun than checking the sights on one you've had for years. After all, it's just been sitting around for a while; why would it shoot any different? There are reasons! A wooden stock can change the point of impact just from gaining or loosing moisture; humidity, loose screws, an impact, ammunition...

OK! So how do we get this done. We need a plan.

One of my Grandmother's favorite expressions was: "There's more than one way to skin a cat." Her way of saying there is more than one way to get the job done. I'll add that your way will not be exactly like mine.

If you are a bowhunter is much easier to find a place where to shoot the almost noiseless, short range, bow. There may be a range available, there may be 3D shoots on weekends. Check with those who sell archery equipment, other hunters, publications...

Bow shooting it is comparatively easy to stop arrows and keep them confined to an area. Many materials will stop an arrow. You want something which also allows the easy removal and reuse of the arrows. A bag target is good for thousands of shots, and works for most of us. You still need a backstop for a possible errant arrow. A stack of hay-bails is often used as a backstop.

When shooting a bow if you have enough room you may not even need a backstop. I have access to a big lawn about 100 yards long, I'm a traditional shooter, and often toss out golf balls at random distances to shoot at unknown ranges. More fun than shooting a target. By using "judo heads" the arrows don't go far in the grass.

Where to shoot possibilities: an alley, an empty lot, parking area, undeveloped land, land fill, land a the edge of town, a farm, city recreation area... You may gain permission if you will ask. Consider forming a shooting group with some friends, a club... You need to check with the local authorities and neighbors to keep everyone happy.

Where to shoot a center-fire rifle is considerably more difficult. You may need to compromise for practice. But, first, you must find a place where you can shoot your rifle. Even if it is inconvenient, expensive, or less than perfect. You need to be able to shoot a little to at least check your sights before the deer season.

One good compromise is to practice with a similar but quieter and less powerful gun. The best for most urban dwellers is probably a good quality air rifle. Some shooters still don't know how good these guns can be.

We're not talking about granddad's BB gun. The adult pellet rifles can be very accurate and deadly for small game and pest. They are much quieter and are safer to shoot around populated areas having a range similar to a bow.

Click the rifle to shop!

Another option, which you may already have, is a .22 rimfire. The rimfire is considerably safer and quieter especially if used with low power, practice rounds. Standard Velocity rounds are somewhat quieter, but almost as powerful as the High Velocity ammunition. CB's and the Super Colibri rounds especially are much quieter and safer. These low power rounds will not cycle a semi-auto they must be manually cycled.

Legally a .22 rimfire is about the same as your deer rifle, and even an air gun could get you in trouble in some places. But it is easier to find a place to shoot with these less potent rounds. Ammunition prices have had tremendous increases recently. Some ammunition has increased in price by 400% or more over the last couple of years. This is another reason to use the air gun, or rim-fire for practice.

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