Hoosiers are deer hunting with high-powered rifles. I never thought I’d see the day.
Tens of thousands of deer hunters are hitting the woods with a .30-30, .243, .30-06 or other caliber of rifle in hand for the first time this year. I am eager to see how it goes.
My cousin Derek and I were talking about the legalization of rifles at length the other day. We grew up hunting together on a small farm in Pulaski County near Lake Bruce. There is very little woodland cover scattered across the endless ocean of agriculture fields. We hunt fencerows and small pockets of timber.
But what used to be enough land to host four hunters is now only enough for one.
We have stands at the corners of a large field, all about 200 yards apart. With a shotgun or muzzleloader, each hunter was able to cover 150 yards or so.
Now, with a dialed-in rifle, one hunter can cover the entire field. Shots of 300 yards are routine for a decent shooter with a well-sighted rifle. A lot of deer that would have been able to elude hunters in the past are now going to be easy targets.
And in a state where there is a lot of concern among hunters over the deer population, a surge in the number of deer killed is going to infuriate a lot of hunters.
Some people are really concerned about the safety factor associated with using a rifle capable of firing a bullet much farther than a shotgun or muzzleloader could.
Safety must be on the top of anyone’s mind when using a firearm, so here is a refresher on the four basic rules of firearms safety:
1. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded
Always assume a firearm is loaded. Check and recheck to make sure your firearm is unloaded and then still treat it like it is.
Never assume you unloaded your weapon. Be positive.
2. Always point the firearm in a safe direction.
Even if an unwanted discharge occurs, no one will be hurt if you always point the firearm in a safe direction. Never, ever point a firearm at a person, house, vehicle or any place a person may be. Be aware. Always know where your firearm is pointed.
3. Be sure of your target and what is beyond your target.
Make absolutely certain you can positively identify your target and what is beyond it. Make sure there are no other hunters, houses, vehicles or other animals beyond your target in case your bullet misses your target or travels through your target.
Never shoot a deer that is on the horizon. Always be sure of what is behind the deer. Plain and simple, be 100 percent positive of where your bullet is going to land.
4. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard and off the trigger until ready to shoot.
If your finger isn’t on the trigger, the firearm is very unlikely to go off. Make sure branches and other objects do not contact the trigger. Playing with a trigger is a dangerous. Keep your fingers away the trigger until time to shoot.
My hope is all goes well with rifles as part of Indiana’s deer season. See you down the trail.
