Sight in for Hunting Season

A great deal goes into making a hunting trip successful, and most of it happens before you go. With Idaho's rifle season fast approaching, many hunters are thinking of taking their rifle out and shooting a few rounds. But for many, the last time they touched their rifle was during last year's hunting season. Unfortunately, some find it strange how a rifle in a locked gun cabinet no longer shoots as straight as it did last year. The Idaho Fish and Game encourages hunters to visit their local rifle range before the hunting seasons begin. Not only is practice shooting important for future success, it's also important for ethics of the sport. "Sighting in your rifle speaks volumes of your sportsmanship and respect for the animal you are hunting," said James Reed, Fish and Game hunter education coordinator. "And the better shot you become, the better your chances for success." Saturday, September 19, marks the Tenth Anniversary of the Lewis-Clark Wildlife Club Shooting Range near Lapwai. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., hunters can zero in their favorite hunting rifle, centerfire or black powder rifles. Cost per shooter is $2 for members and $5 for non-members (1999 prices). Shooters may bring as many firearms as need to be sighted in. Youths under 18 years old shoot free. A new three-position shotgun trap range will be available for a cost of $6.50 per 25 targets, or $4 per 25 targets if you provide our own. Hearing and eye protection is required. Both these and targets are available at the range for a small fee. Usually open Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the range phone number is 208-843-2987 for a recorded message of current operating hours. For more information, visit their website at http://www.lcwildlife.org. Many shooting experts recommend setting your initial target at 25 yards to make sure that you are on the paper. After shooting at that distance, move your target out to 100 yards to finish the sighting in process. Consistent accuracy is the ultimate goal when practicing shooting skills, so it's very important that hunters determine their effective shooting range. "All hunters have an ethical obligation to know their personal limits and be prepared," Reed said. "Hunters should practice shooting from a variety of distances to help prepare them for the very situation that might be encountered in the field. Personal shooting skills vary, but for most, effective shooting ranges vary between 100 yards for iron sights and up to 300 yards maximum for scope-sighted rifles. "Six hundred yard shots are usually a result of misjudging the range or a Ôluck' shot that, ethically speaking, should not have been taken," Reed said. According to Reed, it's very important for hunters who have others sight in their rifle, to shoot it themselves before hunting season, as it may not be exactly accurate for them. In addition, hunters should always use the same bullets for hunting as they did when sighting in their rifle. Adults mentoring young hunters also need to keep in mind that recoil is a big concern. "Talking to a lot of our hunter education students, I cringe when they tell me they're planning to use a 7 mm Magnum or a .300 Magnum," Reed said. Several firearms adequate for deer hunting that won't beat up young shooters include the .243, .257 Roberts, .30-30, .270 and .30-06 calibers. "Once a kid starts flinching, it is really hard to overcome even when changing to a smaller caliber," he said. Mike Demick is the regional conservation educator for the Clearwater Region.