Hunters Ed (Chapter 5)

Common Bow Types- Compound Bow

Compound Bow The most popular bow for both hunting and target shooting. A bow with many styles, but they work basically the same way; wheels and cables attached to them limbs make it easier to hold at full draw (pulled completely back) and able to propel an arrow faster than either a longbow or recurve bow.

Steps for Loading a Muzzleloader

Measure powder charge Pour measured powder down barrel Place patche and ball on muzzle Tap ball into barrel with starter Takenout ramrod Ram ball down barrel Be sure ball is completely seated Clear vent hole with pick if necessary On flintlock Muzzleloader, pour powder into pan and close frizzen On percussion Lock Muzzleloader, place cap on nipple.

Projectiles for Muzzleloaders

Three types of projectiles—the round ball, the bullet, and shot—are used in muzzleloaders. Most are melted and cast from pure lead. Round balls are used mainly for target practice but also can be used for hunting. Bullets are prepared for hunting because they are generally more accurate at certain ranges. Shot pellets are designed to spread, just as with today shotguns.

The Crossbow

A crossbow is a bow with a rifle-like stock that shoots bolts or short arrows. Safe use of a crossbow requires following the safety rules for both firearms and bows. Many states have laws which limit the use of crossbows. Never travel with a loaded, cocked crossbow. Like conventional bows, the crossbow is limited to short-range shooting.

In-Line Muzzleloaders

Part of an In-Line Muzzleloader: Striker Safety Breech cover Cap or Primer (inside) Mounting for scope Adjustable sight Muzzle Ramrod Stock (often synthetic) Recoil Pad

Firing a Muzzleloader

Percussion Lock Muzzleloader: when you are ready to fire the muzzleloader safely, place the percussion cap on the nipple. Be sure that your surroundings in your backstop are safe. Then aim and fire. Flintlock Muzzleloader: when priming a flintlock, pull the hammer to a half-cock position and open the priming pan cover. Check your flint, making sure the setting is tight and properly adjusted. Insert a vent pick or fine wire into the barrels touchhole to make sure the opening is clear. With your priming horn, feel the pan about three-fourths full of FFFFG powder. Close the frizzen and pull the hammer to full cock when you're ready to fire the shot safely. After firing, place the hammer in the half-cock positi and swab the barrel to remove sparks that might be inside.

Common Bow Types- Recurve Bow

Recurve Bow Much like the longbow, but the limbs curve back away from the belly of the bow, which can provide more power in a shorter bow than the longbow. A popular choice because it is smooth and quiet.

Basic Muzzleloader Safety

Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Do not lean over, stand in front of, or blow down the muzzle. Use only black powder or a safe substitute in a muzzleloading firearm. Wait until youre ready to fire before you prime or cap a muzzleloader. Always wear shooting glasses an ear protection when shooting a muzzleloade; a long-sleeved shirt is also advisable. Never smoke while shooting or loading or when near a powder horn or flask. Load a muzzleloader directly from a calibrated powder measure - do not load from a horn, flask, or other container. A loose spark or glowing ember in the barrel can cause the powder to explode. Load only one charge at a time Unload a muzzleloader before bringing it into your home, camp, or vehicle. Stay with your charged muzzleloader at all times.

Holding and Releasing the Bow

Allow your fingers to slip quickly away from the string. This gives the arrow a straight, stable flight. Keep your bow arm pointed directly at the target after the release. If the bow is jerked on release, the arrow will fly off target. Follow through by leaving your drawing hand at the anchor point well after the string is released.

Loading a Muzzleloader

Loading or charging a muzzleloading fire arm presents some special concerns because it requires the muzzle to be pointed upward. For rifles, position the butt on the ground between your feet you should be facing the underside of the barrel. The muzzle should be pointed upward and away from your body. Never work directly over the muzzle. Determine if the gun is already loaded by checking the barrel with a marked ramrod, which has an unloaded or empty marking. If you are not sure, consult an experience muzzleloader user or gunsmith.

Common Bow Types- Longbow (Stick Bow)

Proper bow selection and fit are essential to your accuracy and performance whem bowhunting. Longbow The "traditional" bow, which has straight limbs that form an arc when strung. Used by those interested in traditional shooting with little additional equipment.

Stringing a Bow

The safe and easy way to string a recurve bow or longbow is to use a bowstringer. The push-pull or step-through methos can be hazardous to yourself or your bow. A bowstringer is simply a strong cord with a loop or pocket at each end that fits over the limb tio of recurve bows and some longbows. By standing on the loose middle of the cord after it is attach to the tips, the limbs can be flexed as the handle is pulled. This allows the bowstring to be slipped safely into place. To replace compound bow strings, you must use a bow press or have doible tears at the end of each cable. Double tears allow you to change strings by stepping on the string being replaces first and on the new string second. A bow press is used to place and hold tension on the limbs, allowing the strings to be changed. Inexperienced bowhunters should have a qualified dealer or individual replace the string on a compound bow.

Drawing and Anchoring the Bow

To draw the bow: grip the bow handle firmly in the left hand but do not squeeze. With your bow arm straight raise the bow to a point that your arm is parallel to the ground, while simultaneously drawing the string back to your "anchor point" with youe shooting hand. The anchor point may be the corner of your mouth, your cheekbone, or your chin. Practice will help you determine your best anchor point—one that is both comfortable and provides the most accurate shooting. Your fingers should touch the same anchor point each time you draw the bow. If you are righ handed raise the bow as you pull back the string with the three drawing fingers of your right hand. Simultaneously extend your left arm.

Safety Accessories

To protect the three fingers that draw the bowstring, archers wear three fingered gloves or finger tabs, or use mechanical releases. A mechanical release snaps onto the string and is pulled back with the shooting hand. The archer oulls the trigger to release the string. An armguard protects the inner part of the bow arm during release as the string snaps back. The armguard prevents the bowstring form hitting loose clothing and also helps protect the arm if an arrow breaks during release.

Unloading a Muzzleloader

2 Ways To unload a Muzzleloader Unload a muzzleloader by discharging it into a suitable backstop. Do not fire into the air or into the ground at your feet in case the projectile ricochets. Use a CO2 discharger to clear the barrel. Percussion Lock Muzzl: slip the discharger over the nipple. Flintlock Muzzleloader: place the discharger against the touchhole. When a muzzleloader is unloaded, place your ramrod or loading rod in the barrel before leaning the fire arm against a good rest - this will prevent debris from falling down the barrel and blocking the touchhole.

Bow Shooting Position

Stand at a right angle to the target with your feet approximately should width apart. The stance should feel comfortable and balanced. If you prefer you may slide you front foot back a little creating a slightly open stance.

Nocking an Arrow

A nocked arrow should be positioned about a quarter inch above the arrow rest on the bow handle. On most bows a small brass band called a "nocking point" is crimped onto the bowstring to mark the correct position. To nock the arrow: grasp the arrow between the thumb and index finger of the right hand (if youre a right handed shooter). With your left hand, hold the bow parallel to the ground about waist high, string toward the body. Lay the arrow shaft on the bows arrows rest. Align the slot in the nock with the string, while making sure that the cock feather points up (while the bow is parallel to the ground). Pull the arrow back until the string snaps into the slot. When the arrow is nocked and the bow is raised, the cock feather points to the left if you are right handed.

Part of an Arrow

Arrows have four parts: Shaft: the long spine of the arrow. Modern arrows shafts are made of wood, fiberglass, aluminum, or carbon. The arrow, regardless of shaft bends before straightening in flight. Incorrect stiffness will cause the arrow to fly erratically and increasingly. Fletching: The plastic vanes or feathers on an arrow. Fletching creates wind drag and also can cause the arrow to spin similar to a rifle bullet, providing stability and accuracy in-flight. Fletching is made up of three or more vanes or feathers. One of the feathers will be a different color and is called the "cock" feather. The remaining feathers are referred to as the "hen" feathers. Arrowhead: the point of the arrow. Many different kinds of arrow points are available, each with a different purpose and advantage. Nock: A slotted plastic tip on the rear end of the arrow that snaps onto the string and holds the arrow in position. There is a certain point on the bowstring, called the knocking point, where arrows are nocked. Fine-tuning of this location, by moving it up or down by the bowstring, is usually required.

Powders for Muzzleloaders

Black powder is the only type of powder that should be used in muzzleloaders. However synthetic substitutes, such as Pyrodex, also can be used. Don't use modern day smokeless powder's in black powder firearms. Smokeless powder's can cause serious injury if used in muzzleloders. Black powder is made of potassium nitrate (saltpeter), sulfur, and charcoal. When ignited it causes a dense cloud of white smoke. It comes im four sizes or granulations. Fg: coarse grain typically used in cannons, rifles larger than .75 caliber, and 10-gauge shotguns or larger. FFg: medium grain typically used in larger rifles between .50 and .75 caliber, 20-gauge to 12-gauge shotguns, and pistols larger than .50 caliber. FFFg: fine grain typically used in smaller rifles and pistols under .50 caliber and smaller shotguns. FFFFg: extra-fine grain typically used as a priming powder in flintlocks. Pyrodex and Clear shot are black powder substitutes that can be used in amounts equal to black powder, but loading may vary. Be sure to get instructions from a qualified gunsmith for loading procedures. Substitutes are not recommended for use in flintlocks because they may not ignite from Sparks as easily.

Common Types of Arrowheads- Broadheads

Broadhead: used primarily for big game hunting. The number of steel blades it contains may vary. The only arrowhead that may be used for big game hunting is the broadhead. It must be solidly built and always razor-sharp. Many states have laws governing the minimum diameter and number of cutting edges of the broadhead ised to hunt big game. Mchanical (Expandable) Blade Broadhead: blades are retracted close go the ferrule before the shot. Upon impact the blades expand to expose the cutting edges. These are recommended for use only with bows rated 50 pounds or more because most require additional energy to open upon penetration.

Common Types of Arrowheads- Points

Bullet Point: steel point used for target shooting and small game hunting. Blunt Point: used for small game hunting and some types of target shooting; made of steel, hard rubber, or plastic. Field Point: steel point used for target shooting and small game hunting. JUDO Point: designed with spring arms attached to catch in grass and leaves, preventing arrow loss; used for "stump" shooting and small game hunting. Fish Point: long, barbed or spring-loaded arrowhead that spears fish and secures them until landed with an attached line.

Steps for Loading an In-Line Muzzleloader

Check for load and swab bore dry Open breechblock to install cap/primer Point in safe direction and close block Clear channel by firing cap Drop on powder of pellets Olace bullet in muzzle Use starter to push bullet into muzzle Use ramrob to seat bullet completely Open breechblock Install cap or primer Clock block and put on safe or fire

Cleaning a Muzzleloader

Firing a Muzzleloader leaves a corrosive residue inside the barrel that causes pitting and reduces accuracy. The buildup of residue, called fouling, also will make Loading difficult. To avoid fouling, swab the barrel with a moist patch after each shot. The patches or cleaning rags used to wipe the barrel must be the correct size and should be made of cotton or approved synthetic material. Follow the recommendations of retailers who sell Muzzleloaders or those who regularly use muzzleloaders. Clean the guns lock periodically. Normally it is held in place by one or two bolts. Once the lock has been removed, scrub both sides with an old toothbrush and hot water. Make sure the entire lock is completely dry, and then lightly oil and replace it.

Broadhead Safety

Many archers injuries come from broadheads. Broadheads must be kept razor-sharp for hunting, which creates a safety problem if they are handled carelessly. To prevent injury: Use a special wrench to screw on broadheads. This device covers the blades while a broadhead is being tightened on an arrow. If a wrench is not used, the slightest slip can cause a serious cut. When sharpening broadheads, always stroke the blade away from your hands and body. Keep broadheads covered with a quiver while traveling to and from the field. Many arrow injuries occur while loading or unloading equipment in vehicles. While dressing bow- killed game, remember that the Broadhead may remain in the animal. Use great caution until all parts of the broadhead have been found.

Preparing for Safety Before You Go Out

Many states require a bowhunter education course to hunt legally With archery equipment. Even if not required, taking a course will give you am excellent start to becoming a safe and skillful bowhunter. Before practicing or hunting, an archer must examine each arrow to make certain there are no cracks or breaks in the shaft and that the nock is in good condition. A cracked or broken nock can be replaced, but a shaft that has cracks or breaks should be discarded. Never use a cracked arrow. The shaft may shatter on release and be driven into the shooters wrist or arm. Some common types of damage to lol for are: Cracks and splinters in wood arrows. Creases, dents, or cracks in aluminum arrows. Crushed sidewalls on fiberglass or graphite arrows. Keep broadheads in a covered quiver.

Muzzleloader Locks

Matchlock: pan cover, pan, slow match, and serpentine. Wheel Lock: pyrite, cock or doghead, pan cover, and spring-powered wheel. Percussion Lock: cock, cap, and nipple.

Speed and Range of Modern Bows

Modern bows can shoot arrows more than 200 yards, at speed of more than 135 miles per hour. Any bow can be dangerous at any range and should be handled responsibly. However the bow is a short-range hunting tool. Shots are usually limited to 40 yards or less; and at this range, the arrow penetrates and can even pass through an animal. Most shots are taken at 20 yards or less.

Muzzleloading Rifles, Shotguns, and Handguns

Muzzleloaders are most commonly rifles. However there are also smooth-bored muzzleloaders - shotguns. Shotgun muzzleloaders can have either a single barrel or double barrels joind side-by-side. When loading the double-barreled muzzleloader, it is critical to avoid putting the two loads down the same barrel. Double-barreled guns usually have two locks, one for each barrel. This allows the shooter to fire each barrel separately before the gun is reloaded. Most double-barreled guns were designed with two triggers. Muzzleloading handguns come as both pistols and revolvers. Pistols are mainly single-shot. The revolvers contain multiple shot chambers. Chain firing muzzleloadin revolvers can be dangerous. When the chamber round is fired, it produces sparks that could accidentally ignite loads in another cylinder. Therefore be sure to protect each load in the cylinder with a coating of grease to prevent sparks from entering the open end of the other cylinders

What You Learned

Primitive hunting arms include the muzzleloader fire arm, the bow and arrow, and the crossbow. Muzzleloaders are loaded from the muzzle or open end of the gun. They have a lock instead of the action. Muzzleloaders are usually rifles but can be shotgun's single barrel or double barrel or handgun's pistols or revolvers. And others have a muzzleloading firearm is the in-line muzzleloader. It is part of he and others have a muzzleloading firearm is the in-line muzzleloader. It's parts are recoil pad, striker safety, trigger safety, breach, scope mounts, rear sight, front sight, ramrod, and stock. Only use black powder or a synthetic Black powder substitute in muzzleloaders. Do not use modern day smokeless powder is due to the risk of serious injury. The four sizes or granulations Black powder or FG, FFG, FFFG, and FFFFG. The three types of project I was used in muzzleloaders are the round ball, the bullet, and the shot. Select your ammunition based on the type of shooting you plan to do. To protect yourself from the increased risk of using a Muzzleloader, remember to follow safety rules when loading or unloading your firearm. The primary rule is to keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Do not lean over, stand in front of, or blow down the muzzle. You should swab the barrel of your muzzleloader with a more ice patch after each shot to avoid fouling. Then throughly clean the muzzleloader after each shooting session.

Parts of a Muzzleloader Firearm

Primitive hunting arms include the muzzleloader forearm, the bow and arrow, and the crossbow. Today, these hunting arms are sought both as collectors items and used for sporting purposes. Parts of a Muzzleloading Flintlock Rifle: Patch box Cock Flint Frizzen Rear sight Front sight Muzzle Ramrod Key Pan Lock plate Trigger Set trigger (on some rifles) Stock Butt plate

Bow Shooting Safety

Release an arrow only when the path to the target and beyond is clear. Make sure there is something to stop the arrow if you miss - never shoot over the horizon. Avoid shooting an arrow in the general direction of another person. Arrows are easily deflected. A small twig, unseen by you, can cause an arrow to veer dangerously off course. Do not shoot straight up. A falling arrow carries enough force to penetrate the human skull. Carry arrows in the nocked position only when slowly approaching game - never nock an arrow or draw a bow if someone is in front of you. Use a haul line to raise a bow and quiver into a tree stand to avoid serious injury.

Muzzleloader Hang Fire Situations

Sometimes a Muzzleloader will not fire immediately when the trigger is pulled. This is known as "hang fire" and requires great caution because the gun might fire some time after the cap or fling created the initial sparks. Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction, preferably downward. Dont take it anywhere that it could injure someone or damage property if it fires. If a Muzzleloader doesnt fire properly, get help from an experience shooter to unload it using a ball discharger.

History of Firearms

The Chinese are believed to be the first to use gunpowder, now called "black powder." The first firearms were tubes closed at one end, usually made of brass or cast iron. Early firearms were loaded by pouring Black powder and shoving a projectile into the tube from The muzzle end, and then igniting the powder using a lighted wick or match. The powder burned creating pressure that launched metal objects or arrows. These firearms are called "Muzzleloaders" due to their loading process. Matchlock ignition was developed in the early 1400s. When the trigger is pulled, a lighted wick is lowered into a priming pan located next to a vent hole drilled into the closed end of the barrel. When the priming powder ignites, it lights the main charge. Wheel lock ignition replaced the wick of the matchlock in the 1500s. When the trigger is pulled, a coiled spring forces the rough-edged wheel to spin against a piece of iron pyrite, creating sparks to ignite the powder in the priming pan. Flintlock Ignition appeared in the late 1600s. When the trigger is pulled, the hammer holding a piece of flint falls against a steel cover the frizzen sitting over the priming pan. The hammer knocks the cover out of the way, and The collision of flint and steel causes sparks that ignite the powder in the priming pan. The percussion lock (also called "caplock") replaced he flintlock in the early 1800s. Early percussion locks use priming compounds inside a metallic foil cap placed over the vent hole. When the hammer strikes the cap, the resulting spark ignites the main charge. The next advance, in 1835, was to arrange a series of percussion locks and barrels on a rotating wheel cylinder to allow a rapid succession of shots Patterson revolver. With a single hammer and trigger, multiple shots can be fired without reloading - a repeating firearms. The percussion cap revolvers are the forerunners of modern revolvers. The percussion cap also paved the way to the self-contained ammunition we have to today - cartridges and shotshells. In the mid-1800s, gunpowder, the projectile, and the primer were put together into a single housing that could be loaded quickly. Actions were developed to allow shooters to avoid cartridges and shotshells at the rear, rather than the muzzle, end of the barrel.

What You Learned

The bow is a short range hunting tool. Proper bow selection and fit are essential to your accuracy and performance when bow hunting. The most common types of bows are the Longbow Stick bow, the recurve bow, and the compound bow. The safe and easy way to string a recurve bow or long bow is to use a bowstring. To replace compound bow strings, you must use a bow press or have double tears at the end of each cable. Arrows have fours parts shaft, fletching, arrowhead, and nock. The common types of arrowheads are bullet point, blunt point, field point, judo point, fish point, and broad head. The Broadhead is the only arrowhead that may be used for big game hunting. The crossbows another short range hunting tool. it is a bow with a rifle like stock that shoots bolts or short arrows. Safe use of a crossbow requires following the safety rules for both firearms and bows. Before hunting with a crossbow make sure it is legal in your state. Before practicing or hunting in archer must examine each arrow. Check for cracks and splinters in wood arrows; creases, dent, or cracks in aluminum arrows; and crushed sidewalls on fiberglass or graphite arrows. Discard any shaft that has cracks or breaks.

History of the Bow and Arrow

The use of the bow and arrow is recorded as early as 3000 BC. The Egyptians used bows shorter than a man's height, with arrows 2 feet long or more. Early bowls were "C" shaped. When shooting these bows, the archer would pull the string a ring held around the thumb. The early longbow was 5 to 6 feet in length and was usually made of yew. The legend of robin hood romanticized the longbow. Native American Indians were America's first bow hunters. European settlers brought their skills to America and contributed to the development of bows and arrows in the US. In 1879 the national archery association was founded. It initiated the first US sponsored tournament in 1879. Bow hunting did not really take off until the 1950s and 1960s as hunters learned more about this sport and about newer bows that were being developed. Like other methods of hunting the bow hunter first must acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be safe and responsible hunter.

Aiming the Bow

There are two main methods of aimimg bows—bowsights and instinctive aimimg. Bowsights work best when the distance to the target is known. For instance when hunting from a tree Stand or blind, you can measure the distance to the area where you expect the game to appear. Then it is a matter of linkng up the appropriate sight pin on the target. In hunting situations where it is hard to know the exact distance to the target, bowsights may not work well. The key to using bowsights is to practice judging distances. Instinctive aiming is more versatile than the bowsight method. You simply look at the intended target with noth eyes open and release. You adjust the aim for different distances by instinct developed with practice. Instinctive aiming takes longer to perfect than the bowsight method, but it eliminates much of the guesswork from shooting under some hunting conditions. With instinctive aiming, you simply look at the intended target with both eyes open and release.