Hunting Tips for Dummies Canada.

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Hunting Tips for Dummies, Atlantic Canada

updated: 2002-nov-04

Ducks
Deer ( jumping, stands, open)
Moose
Grouse / Partridge
Pheasant

General Rules, Common Mistakes

Avoid blowing up your prey. Kill not destroy
greatly under estimating prey's sense of sight, smell, hearing

Grouse

Recommended Weapons

12 Gauge Modified Choke, Semi-auto, recoil style
12 Gauge over under Modified / Full

Recommended Shells for 1. (and why)

chamber 7 1/2 (so you don't blow away the bird if in close, avoid MAX powder loads)

2nd 6 STEEL (you need the speed of steel since the bird is accelerating away, again don't blow it away)

3rd 4/2 STEEL (last chance and use a high velocity shot, draw a lead [get ahead] of target)

Avoid:

low cost shells
target loads
shooting the darker Spruce Grouse ! It's stupid, darker, short tail

White-Tail Deer

Common mistakes

not de scenting boots and clothing
noise clothing
smelling of Coffee or Cigarettes
overkill rifles, destroys meat
lack of proper breathing before shooting

Best All Around Gun: 270

Scenarios / Situations

Stalk and Jump, (bush)

Recommended Weapons

Gun	choke	action	sites	Shell #1	Shell #2	Shell #3
12 Gauge 3"	Full or Modified	Semi-gas	ball	00 Buck .33	00 Buck .33	1600fps slug rifled or SABOT 1300
30-30	n/a	Bolt, short barrel		150 grain (not 180ST !)	150 grain (not 180ST !)	150 grain (not 180ST !)
for Bucks only
270	n/a	semi (gas)	scope removed	100 PSP (not 150!)	100PSP	130 PP
6.5 Swedish Mauser	n/a	bolt	scope removed	139	139	139

Avoid:

3 1/2 12 Gauge is way too heavy to lug through the bush and too slow to swing
lever action, although short they are not balanced for quick swings
308 180 with scope. etc

Tree Stands or Blinds <80 yrds, (dusk / dawn)

Anything goes here except a 303 Savage!

Gun	notes	Doe (1300)	Buck (1900)	Large Buck (2200)
243	recoil semis are nice	80	100 (1600)	n/a
30-30	old faithfull	150 (1300)	NO	NO
32-Special	often in lever	170 (1300)	maybe	NO
270	a deer killer	NO	100 (2000)	130 (2300)
6.5 Swedish Mauser	n/a	NO	139	139
30-06	over -killer	NO	125 (2100)	125
303 British	cheap bolt action are common	NO	180 (2000)	180
308 (7.62 NATO)	very common	no	150PP (2000)	150 SILVER (2200)
*ShotGun Alternatives*
12 Gauge	FULL for 2 3/4" Modified for 3" or 3.5"	1300fps SABOT	1300 or 1600fps SLUG	1600fps SLUG

Tips:

use a stand / tripod for shot
shoot after you exhale
avoid over-kill ammo
must use a 40mm wide (light gathering) scope at power of 4-6
Avoid 30-30 on anything but a Doe, heavier grain offers no performance increase!

Cheap ShotGun Tip:

You can use a shotgun near dark and here's how. By using Glow-in-the-dark stickers you can cut a square for the block just under your front sight. Glue it on. Place your back sight just below the gun ridges and on the on the slope place [a star which you cut into] an arrow head, glue this on so the arrow points at you. This forms a V shape for your rear sight. Now to get the sights to glow you must charge them with a light. Charge the front sight with you vehicle head lights for 20mins or use a halogen pocket light for 10mins at your stand. Cover the light so it only shines on the glow part. You can charge your rear sight with a flashlight while it is propped up on your stand. Be quiet !

Open or Fields 100-300 yards

Recommended Weapons

Gun	choke	action	sights	100 yrds	200yrds	300yrds
270	n/a	any	scope 4-12x40mm or 9 power	100 PSP	130PP	130PP [not 150] 130 holds near 1300foot/pounds at this range, more than a .308 180!
6.5 Swedish Mauser	n/a	bolt	scope 4-12x40mm or 9 power	139	139	n/r
308 (7.62 NATO)	n/a	any	4-12x40mm or similar	150 grain (not 180ST !)	180 SP	180 Silver Tip
Alternatives
12 Gauge 3" or 3 1/2"	Modified [not FULL]	Semi-gas	scope or rifle sights	1300fps SABOT	1600fps SLUG	1600fps SLUG

Tips:

kneel or use a stand / tripod for shot
shoot after you exhale

MOOSE - Open or Fields 100-400+ yards

Recommended Weapons

Gun	action	sights	100 yrds	200yrds	400yrds !
270	any	4-12x40mm or better	150PP	150PP	150PP
308 (7.62 NATO)	any	4-12x40mm or similar	180 Silver Tip	180 Silver Tip	180 Silver Tip
30-06 307	any	see above	heavy grain	heavy grain	medium grain
Cheap Alternatives
7.62x54R Mosin-Nagant	bolt (long barrel)	put on a side mount scope 9x40mm, and you've got a vintage sniper rifle	180SP	180SP	180SP

Tips:

kneel or use a stand / tripod for shot
shoot after you exhale
you may wish to drop grain weight at 400yrds+ so bullet drop in not too great

Disclaimer: I am not an expert, just that I have developed some tips and seen many stupid hunters. Enjoy.

Galen Thurber