HANDGUNS
Are You Ready for the Challenge

THE OTHER GUN

Whether it’s rabbits, squirrels, coyotes, whitetails, elk or bear, handguns have a place in the hunt. In fact, according to surveys done by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, handguns have become the fastest growing sector of the hunting sports. The reasons are simple. Handgun hunting offers sportsmen more challenge and requires more skill than any other modern firearm.

The challenge comes from the fact that the effective range of a handgun is much more limited than that of a rifle, demanding the hunter apply stalking expertise to get within range. This expertise includes: woodsmanship, good knowledge of the habits and travel patterns of game, good distance judgment and superior marksmanship. A handgun is a limited-range hunting tool that has the power to harvest game cleanly and humanely, but only with a well-placed shot.

THE KEY TO SUCCESS

If you feel confident in your abilities to stalk game to within effective handgun range, your success really comes down to one thing — the shot. The question is, how good do you need to be to hunt with a handgun? Answer: You must consistently be able to place your shots into an area the size of the “vital” zone of the animal you’re hunting. The heart and lung area of the average whitetail deer is 12 inches, but you don’t always have the optimum profile shot. If you can consistently place five out of six shots inside a six-inch circle at 50 yards, you’re ready to hunt at 50 yards or less.

As with all types of hunting, correctly estimating distance is extremely important. Fifty yards is a long shot in heavy cover, but in open country the same 50 yards doesn’t seem far at all. The truth is, 50 yards is still 50 yards, and whichever situation you find yourself in, you still need to make a precise shot. Practice is the key, but remember to always be sure of your target and what’s beyond, too.

With a handgun, it is best to practice at various “estimated” distances, from both “off-hand” and rested positions. Next to shooting from a rest, gripping your gun hand with your free hand will give you a consistently steady grip. Remember, the best confidence builders are a good quality, accurate weapon, practice and total familiarity with your hunting handgun.

HANDGUN TYPES

The three basic types of handgun actions are: autoloaders, revolvers, and single shots. Since there is a wider selection of calibers available with single shots and revolvers, which are appropriate for both small and large game, they are used to a much greater extent for hunting. An exception would be an autoloader in .22 LR, which is appropriate for some small game and varmint hunting. Revolvers are popular for big game because they afford quick follow-up shots and are easily fitted with scopes.

Seasoned handgun hunters will tell you that there are two basic rules for selecting an effective hunting handgun: size of the game being hunted and game regulations. Which calibers and ammunition are acceptable for different species of game can be found by consulting your state game laws.