I enjoy deer hunting, period. I enjoy the hunt, the time spent in the woods, the time spent with family and friends. I also enjoy hunting with something "different". It changes every few years for me. The longest shot I have made on a deer in Indiana was three years ago. 135 paces with a .45 caliber flintlock long rifle. Been my experience that you can be toting a .50 caliber BMG and the deer will walk out at 35 yards or you can have a .45 Colt handgun and old mossy horns will walk out at 350 yards. That's hunting. That is what brings me out year after year.
If they change the laws I will keep using my 358 Hoosier. There is very little difference in it and the 358 Winchester. Where I hunt a 150 yard shot is a long shot. The Hoosier is good to 300 yards. I see no need to change rigs.
I do have a 308 that I could use or a 243. I just don't see an advantage in using them where I hunt. Then it is always nice to have choices.
As for how safe it will be to hunt with the new regulations past, only time will tell. I know that Kentucky hasn't had any more problems than we have had with hunters shooting people over the years and they have been using rifles for many years.
My biggest concern is the guy that just goes out and buys a rifle and then goes hunting. No safety training. No practice and the rifle has only been bore sighted at the factory. That is the guy I am concerned about.
On the plus side, if you ever get the opportunity to introduce a lady or youth Hoosier to deer hunting in Indiana, they would be allowed to shoot a low-recoil 243 Winchester and still get the job done.
One of the real problems with slug guns and muzzle-loaders is that they hurt hunter recruitment efforts because a lot of kids (boys and girls) and women simply will not tolerate that kind of recoil.
I am aware of the current regulations on cartridges. He was speaking like they had passed the proposal and put it in affect. I didnt think it would be in affect until next season. Nor had it even been passed yet
Had this conversation with my dad... While I'm all for it, he's completely against it. He's more worried about range and hunters missing shots and hitting houses that they can't even see if they overshoot a target...
I believe that's all up to the hunter to take a responsible shot, I'm not sure I'd ever take a shot uphill with a rifle while hunting... Shotgun with shot for birds and squirrel, yes, rifle or slug, don't think so, but that's just me...
If and when the new rules pass, the wildcats will be mild kitties. The guys with grunches of money in them will be stuck with rifles having diminished values. There will be a run on 243/270/30.30/30.06. You'll be able to pick up slug guns real cheap.
It will be a whole new marketplace.
If and when the new rules pass, the wildcats will be mild kitties. The guys with grunches of money in them will be stuck with rifles having diminished values. There will be a run on 243/270/30.30/30.06. You'll be able to pick up slug guns real cheap.
It will be a whole new marketplace.