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Set your sights on success
HUNTER HARRELL
Most hunting skills are acquired through experience and practice. That means preparation begins long before open season with honing marksmanship skills.
Whether using a bow or firearm, becoming more familiar with the weapon is imperative to hitting the intended target. Increasing the odds of a successful hunt means testing the weapon before each adventure.
After selecting a weapon for hunting, choose the type of ammunition for the type of game you plan to hunt. Due to different bullet weight, styles, and powders, it is important to use the same ammunition to sight the weapon and hunt.
Here are some simple steps to properly align your sights.
Find a safe location. Colorado has both public and private shooting ranges open year-round. The public is also invited to participate in public sight-in days. Whether in a range or on public lands, be aware of your surroundings. Regulations for shooting on public land may differ based on agricultural, environmental and recreational interests. Contact the San Juan National Forest Service for more information about shooting on public land.
Adjust the crosshairs. Be sure the gun is not loaded, then stabilize the weapon to look down the barrel. When the barrel is lined up with the target, look through the scope without moving the rifle and adjust the crosshairs. Some gunsmiths or ranges have a device that can perform this action in a fraction of the time, which is a great alternative for hunters in a time crunch.
Take a test shot. Thanks to gravity, ammunition travels from a weapon in an arch rather than a straight line. After sighting a weapon without ammunition, it is time to take a test shot. If you’re working with a new firearm, consider starting with a closer target. If you’re simply fine-tuning a familiar weapon, go straight for the 100yard to 200-yard targets.
Aside from ensuring accurate shots, sighting a rifle can be good target practice that helps hunters identify problems with their firing stance and technique. Sighting your weapon can also help you determine your accuracy at a specific range, building a marksman’s confidence in the field.
FIREARM SAFETY REMINDERS
Firearm safety is a critical component of safe hunting. Hunters use rifles, shotguns and other firearms. Each gun is different, so hunters need to familiarize themselves with new firearms before using them.
The following are some additional firearm safety tips from the Bureau of Land Management and Colorado Parks and Wildlife: · Always treat a firearm as if it is loaded. · Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. · Only point at what you plan to shoot. · Clearly identify your target and what is beyond it. · Never shoot from or over any road or highway. · Fire within the zone-of-fire, which is the 45-degree area directly in front of each hunter. · Firearm chambers should be emptied when guns are not in use. · Use appropriate ammunition. · Never modify or alter the gun. · Never cross a fence, jump a ditch or climb a tree with a loaded gun. · Never rely on a gun’s safety.
