If you’re thinking about hunting with a pellet gun, there are a few guidelines to follow to make sure you do it effectively and humanely. Choosing the right gun, ammo, scope, and using best practices are all important factors. However, the first consideration is what game you should and should not hunt with a pellet gun. This article is intended as a quick guide to hunting with an air gun.

The Game

First and foremost, understand that only small game should be sought when pellet gun hunting. Even the most powerful air guns do not impart enough destructive force to ensure clean kills when hunting larger animals. Stick to small pests (field mice, squirrels, rats). Nothing larger than an average-sized raccoon should be shot with a pellet gun, and then only when the distance is such that accuracy is assured and with the proper caliber gun and ammunition.

Pellet Gun & Ammo Choices

In general, .22 caliber guns and pellets are preferable when hunting small game with a pellet gun. A common misconception is that the smaller caliber guns (.177 and .20) produce higher pellet velocities and are therefore better for hunting. Actually, it’s more about internal damage force than *********** force. In other words, you want to strike the animal with a projectile that will disperse more killing force after impact. That means using the heavier and thicker .22 caliber. The smaller calibers risk passing through the animal without causing sufficient internal damage to kill it cleanly (or at all).

This is not to say you should not use a .177 or .20 caliber pellet gun for hunting. If your target is very close and you can easily take a head shot, any caliber will work as well as another. But this is not often the case when hunting small game. If you do choose to hunt with a smaller caliber, you can improve the odds of a clean kill by choosing heavier hollow point hunting pellets. Hollow points are designed to blossom open and tumble after impact, which creates more devastation inside your prey. They are the best choice for hunting with pellet guns, regardless of the caliber gun you use.

Muzzle Velocity

With pellet guns, speed is measured in feet per second (fps) and listed as muzzle velocity. When hunting small game with a .177 caliber air gun, it’s best to use one that produces at least 1,000 fps muzzle velocity. This high speed, coupled with heavier hollow point pellets, gives you the best chance to make a clean kill each and every time you hit your target.

However, if you make a poor pellet choice, this higher muzzle velocity can actually work against you. For example, pointed pellets are a bad idea when hunting with air guns, especially at close range. Absent a head shot, you run a real risk of having the pellet pass cleanly through the animal without inflicting mortal damage. It’s inhumane to merely maim, after all. Always use the best ammo for the purpose at hand to see that the job gets done quickly and thoroughly.

Scopes

If your game will be up in the trees or farther out than about 15 yards, using a scope on your pellet gun is a smart idea. Most pellet rifles have scope mounts included that a wide variety of scopes will fit into easily. Once you know your particular gun’s tendencies at various distances, a scope can really help you hit game exactly where you want the pellet to strike.

Pellet gun hunting is fun and a good way to teach young shooters how to safely handle and respect the power of a gun. As long as you’re careful about choosing the game you hunt and the type of air gun and pellets you use, this type of hunting can be rewarding and a nice way to spend a weekend afternoon.



By: John S Barry

About the Author:

If you’re thinking about hunting with a pellet gun, there are a few guidelines to follow to make sure you do it effectively and humanely. Choosing the right gun, ammo, scope, and using best practices are all important factors. However, the first consideration is what game you should and should not hunt with a pellet gun. This article is intended as a quick guide to hunting with an air gun.

The Game

First and foremost, understand that only small game should be sought when pellet gun hunting. Even the most powerful air guns do not impart enough destructive force to ensure clean kills when hunting larger animals. Stick to small pests (field mice, squirrels, rats). Nothing larger than an average-sized raccoon should be shot with a pellet gun, and then only when the distance is such that accuracy is assured and with the proper caliber gun and ammunition.

Pellet Gun & Ammo Choices

In general, .22 caliber guns and pellets are preferable when hunting small game with a pellet gun. A common misconception is that the smaller caliber guns (.177 and .20) produce higher pellet velocities and are therefore better for hunting. Actually, it’s more about internal damage force than *********** force. In other words, you want to strike the animal with a projectile that will disperse more killing force after impact. That means using the heavier and thicker .22 caliber. The smaller calibers risk passing through the animal without causing sufficient internal damage to kill it cleanly (or at all).

This is not to say you should not use a .177 or .20 caliber pellet gun for hunting. If your target is very close and you can easily take a head shot, any caliber will work as well as another. But this is not often the case when hunting small game. If you do choose to hunt with a smaller caliber, you can improve the odds of a clean kill by choosing heavier hollow point hunting pellets. Hollow points are designed to blossom open and tumble after impact, which creates more devastation inside your prey. They are the best choice for hunting with pellet guns, regardless of the caliber gun you use.

Muzzle Velocity

With pellet guns, speed is measured in feet per second (fps) and listed as muzzle velocity. When hunting small game with a .177 caliber air gun, it’s best to use one that produces at least 1,000 fps muzzle velocity. This high speed, coupled with heavier hollow point pellets, gives you the best chance to make a clean kill each and every time you hit your target.

However, if you make a poor pellet choice, this higher muzzle velocity can actually work against you. For example, pointed pellets are a bad idea when hunting with air guns, especially at close range. Absent a head shot, you run a real risk of having the pellet pass cleanly through the animal without inflicting mortal damage. It’s inhumane to merely maim, after all. Always use the best ammo for the purpose at hand to see that the job gets done quickly and thoroughly.

Scopes

If your game will be up in the trees or farther out than about 15 yards, using a scope on your pellet gun is a smart idea. Most pellet rifles have scope mounts included that a wide variety of scopes will fit into easily. Once you know your particular gun’s tendencies at various distances, a scope can really help you hit game exactly where you want the pellet to strike.

Pellet gun hunting is fun and a good way to teach young shooters how to safely handle and respect the power of a gun. As long as you’re careful about choosing the game you hunt and the type of air gun and pellets you use, this type of hunting can be rewarding and a nice way to spend a weekend afternoon.

By: John S Barry

About the Author:

Texas Exotic Hunting is a popular sport in this state. Hog hunting in Texas and dove hunting in Texas are both considered exotic.

Have you ever tried to hunt a hog? These wild pigs can be fierce and furious. Can you imagine a wild hog charging you with thunderous speed, hooves slashing with a head the size of Texas swinging back and forth in the air. I can!

This grunting and squealing pig is an enormous beast! He came charging out of the brush right in front of me. Now being from up north this startled me, no it scared the……right out of me. I dropped my bow and took off as fast as I could, climbing a small tree. Now I know that hogs can not climb trees, but as I sat perched in the tree the only thing running through my mind was the old phase “when pigs fly” and believe you me I was waiting for this pig to fly!

No, they can’t fly can they? The nasty wild hog stomped around the base of this little tree waiting for m. As it stomped it rooted up the ground around the tree. I would image all the noise it was making was to let me that I was in his territory.

You are probably laughing at me as you read this. But I swear this was the largest meanest and wildest pig that was ever put on this planet!

Now not to far away was a party of hunters who had heard all the racket and noise from me yelling and the pig snorting. They came running down the trail to see what was going on. It must have been a sight! What with me in the tree, my bow scattered thirty feet away, and this hog stomping around the base of the tree, just waiting to devour me.

I am not sure how long I was stuck in this tree, but it seemed like a life time. My Texas exotic hunting adventure was getting off to a fine start.

With the sound of the other hunters coming down the trail, the mean old hog must have figured it was out numbered because it charged off into the bush.

My new found hunting friends told me that Texas exotic hunting required a guide, and that these hogs could be a handful for the hunters who had little or no experience, especially if you were hunting with a bow. I’m thinking now someone tells me this.

They said that bows were OK for white tail, but with the short range of the bow one should really have a better weapon. They also mentioned that one should have a good understanding of wild hogs.

Picking up my bow I peered into the brush looking to see if my little friend was still around. I figured that I was pretty safe as the other four hunter all had rifles.

Just as I thought, the wild snorting hog had run away to fight another day and torment someone else. I had already decided my next trip would be with a guide as I was not ready to go and get cornered by a wild hog again.

The guide that was with the hunters gave me a card which had directions to his lodge. I told him I’d be in contact real soon!

Finding my jeep was no easy task but I did manage. I headed off to the guides lodge where I was met by a very friendly lady at the office. She explained all the costs for a guided trip.

As I signed all the paper work, I looked forward to my next experience. The hunters who had came to my aid had just arrived back at camp and they were still howling about my Texas exotic hunting experience.

That evening around a roaring camp fire I told my story about my encounter with the largest wild hog on the planet. Every one got a good laugh and I made a few good friends over this little incident.

Oh by the way I got my hog with the help of my guide. But that first big one got away to torment its next victim

By: Sher Matsen

About the Author:

shazenger asked:

Billy’s beginners guide to duck hunting. Lots of good hints and tips here!

irish107 asked:

Just a small example of the duck hunts that Backwater Waterfowl can provide. Located in La Grange, Texas, you can check out more at www.backwaterwaterfowl.com

OngaroOutdoors asked:

Bear Hunting in Alberta – Blondes at the Bear Camp. Claudio Ongaro and the gang set up their baits in their quest for 20 inch black bears. Great baiting and hunting tips for bear hunters. A Guide’s Life Intro here www.youtube.com

Wingshooting asked:

www.alabamaquailhuntingguide.com Alabama Quail Hunting Guide and Directory. Use our free guide to find your next Alabama quail hunting adventure!

shazenger asked:

Billy’s beginners guide to duck hunting. Lots of good hints and tips here!

Rhonda Percell asked:


Using a GPS for hunting can be very useful when scouting, on your hunt, and for recovering your animal. However, you will want to learn how to mark a waypoint, make a route, and use the hunt/fish calculator in your GPS unit before you go out into the field. All GPS units are a little different but some basic instructions are as follows:

Mark a Waypoint

When you want to mark your current position out in the field you will want to go to the mark a waypoint screen in your GPS. You will see your current position in the form of a GPS waypoint. Use your navigation buttons to go to the place an name your position such as TreeStand1, Elk Tank, etc. Now when you want to return to this position you can just find the name you gave it in your list of waypoints and your GPS will lead you back to your current spot.

Make A Route

A route is a series of waypoints that will lead you to your final destination. I often use a route when I am scouting and want to mark several points along a ridge that I would like to glass for animals in potential spot and stalk situation. You can make a route in your GPS by going to the routes screen in your GPS. Then click on New to make a new route waypoint. Continue doing this until you have marked all the points along the way you wish to glass from until you reach your final destination.

Hunt/Fish Calculator

Many GPS units have a hunt/fish calculator built into them which will tell you the best times to be out in the field for hunting based on the phase of the moon. Each GPS is pretty different as to how you access this information so consult your owners manual for specific instruction. This information will help you be in the field at the most opportune time when the animals are up and moving around.

This is just a few things to get you started using your GPS for hunting. To learn all about what your GPS unit can do and how to use it, look for an instructional DVD for your specific GPS model.

Fang asked:


What kind of training do I have to do? I would appreciate any information anyone can give me on the subject.