"Hunting Ways and Means," by Leonard Ordway
I have never thought of hunting as a complicated pastime. Through the years my participation has evolved and grown with age, time and means. So when I am asked the best hunting method, I say, “Jump in and try them all!”
However, when you view hunting activities from the perspective of a person wanting to try for the first time, change to another method or involve a youth, you quickly come to the conclusion that hunting can be complicated. What wildlife do you hunt? When can you hunt them? How do you hunt them? What methods of hunting should you use? What means of take can you use? Where do you go? What license do you need? Who can show you how? What equipment do you need? (Well, you get the message!) The department has several teaching tools available to help you get started (see sidebar below).
I’d like to introduce you to the various legal methods hunters can use to take game animals in Arizona. We’ll also talk about seasons, and I will define some of the more complicated terminology.
Opportunity
For most big game species — except archery deer, mountain lion, fall bear and archery fall turkey — opportunity is limited because one must first be drawn for a permit-tag. Depending on your choice of species and hunt characteristics (unit and time of year), your chances of being drawn can be restricted. Most typical big game hunters in Arizona are interested in general seasons for deer, javelina and elk; however, if you are willing to broaden your horizons and use methods with lower hunt success — handgun, muzzleloader and archery — your chances of being drawn and the availability of big game hunt opportunity increases.
For other wildlife species (small game), seasons generally are more liberal in regard to length and hunt areas available; there are fewer restrictions on methods of take; and most hunting occurs under the auspices of a general hunting license. When you talk to most hunters, you will find that participation and personal history started with small game hunting — I can readily recall childhood and family memories of many small game hunting adventures and good times. Small game hunting also provides ample opportunity each year for you to maintain your skills for almost all of the methods of take you try.
Popular Methods
As for methods of take, to prevent soaking a lot of expense into hunting before you know what best to pursue, explore what means you already have or what may be available to you without immediate purchase. The department, through its Scholastic Clay Target Program and Archery in the Schools, affords youth the opportunity to try archery and shotgun shooting in controlled environments with regimented instruction. Also, at most shooting ranges and sportsmen’s clubs around the state you should be able to find loaner firearms, bows and instruction to get you headed toward proper and safe use.
General seasons, as the term implies, allow for all legal methods of take to be used for a particular species. However, you also should choose the method that best suits your means and skill level and is most effective for humane take. Most hunters, during general big game seasons, will use centerfire rifles, generally of .240 or greater caliber size for deer or equivalent size game, and .300 or greater caliber size for elk. Rifles come in a whole host of configurations from single shot bolt action models to elaborate semi-automatic models.
During general small game seasons most hunters will use either a shotgun or a .22 caliber rimfire rifle, depending on the legality and species being hunted. Shotguns and .22 caliber rifles again vary from single shots to semi-autos. Shotguns commonly occur in 410, 20 and 12 gauge ammunition configuration. Also, to make hunting a little more individualized and economical, commonly you will find that the avid hunter will reload his or her own shells. These custom loads can be tailored to an individual firearm and often are more accurate and consistent than store-bought loads.
Handgun opportunity generally parallels the allowances for rifles for most species. And again the configurations and hunting setups for handguns run the gamut from simple close-range effectiveness to elaborate scoped single-shot models that are effective well out to the range of any rifle. Handguns for hunting have longer barrel lengths compared to those used for personal protection.
Traditional Ways and Means
As you venture away from firearms into more traditional means, such as muzzleloaders and archery, you must commit more time to being in the field and building your skill level. The more traditional methods of take don’t have the effective range of some firearms and require enhanced stalking abilities to close the distance to your quarry. This, as well as the more complicated and specialized nature of traditional equipment, can lead to a great future in hunting and a new hobby.
Muzzleloaders come generally in three forms — flintlock, percussion and inline — relating to the type of ignition system they use.
- Flintlocks use pieces of flint on a hammer and striker plate to create a spark that ignites a small charge in a flash pan that in turn ignites the barrel charge.
- A percussion model uses a nipple angled into the barrel breech with a percussion cap affixed to the end of the nipple that when struck by the hammer, produces a charge into the barrel that ignites the powder charge.
- An inline (commonly referred to as the “modern” muzzleloader) model generally uses a 209 size shotgun shell primer that fits into the rear of the barrel breech plug that when struck via the inline hammer and firing pin produces a charge that fires directly into the rear of the barrel igniting the powder charge.
Muzzleloaders must be loaded from the muzzle end of the gun using black powder (loose or pellets and in similar synthetic form) and a single projectile. Projectiles vary from patched round balls to plastic saboted bullets. Even the most “modern” muzzleloader does not have an effective range much beyond 150 yards. A person must try his or her best on the first shot because the opportunity to fire a second shot is minimal due to reloading time and logistics. A muzzleloader hunter generally has to carry more gun-related gadgets than a rifle or handgun hunter. Most muzzleloader hunters in the field during big game seasons are using inline models in either .50 or .54 caliber.
Archery hunting continues to generate interest due to several rewards this method affords hunters. You can practice in a limited space (such as your backyard, but check with local authorities for any pertinent regulations before doing so); you can use arrows over and over again, thus reducing costs; and seasons are less restrictive, longer and generally scheduled during more productive times relative to animal presence. However, with this method a hunter must thoroughly know the quarry and hone his or her stalking skills. Effective archery shot range, even for the most skilled archer using modern equipment, doesn’t extend much beyond 50 yards.
Bows vary from the traditional longbow shooting feather-fletched cedar arrows to the most modern compound bow shooting plastic vane-fletched carbon arrows at speeds in excess of 300 feet per second. No matter what your equipment, you must know your limitations and dedicate time to honing your skills. I enjoy archery and find it a very rewarding and challenging way to get close to animals.
Birds, Dogs and Crossbows
There are a few other legal methods of take that are not as common. The crossbow can be used for several big game species within a general season. A person with disabilities can use a crossbow during an archery season under the constraints of a crossbow permit from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. It’s also OK to use pneumatic firearms — BB gun, pellet rifle/pistol, or blow dart guns — and slingshots for several small game and other wildlife species.
Falconry — the sport of hunting or taking quarry with a trained raptor — is another method that is usually used for small game hunting. This is an ancient method of take that dates back to medieval times. Falconry still has a following; several hunters keep birds of prey and regularly use them to hunt throughout the state. This is a very specialized activity, with the taking and keeping of birds of prey regulated by the department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service because of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
The last thing I will mention is the use of dogs for the pursuit of wildlife. They can be used for two big game species — lions and fall bear only — and all other game species. A good hunting dog (and there are many breeds) is a priceless gem and enriches your hunting experience. Many avid hunting dog users will tell you their best hunting partner is their dog. Being that Arizona is a great quail state, one can readily find a good bird dog to raise and share time with in the field.
I can provide you only with a brief overview of the ways and means of hunting to encourage your possible involvement and/or to broaden your pursuits. Only you can set the limit of your pursuits (OK, maybe your better half can, too). Take the challenge; pick a hunting interest to pursue; study your quarry in and out of the field during season as well as out of season; join a sportsmen’s organization dedicated to your interest and conservation; head for the range for practice; and then go afield. To make the adventure even more rewarding, take a friend along. I look forward to seeing you enjoying our hunting heritage in Arizona’s great outdoors!
This article was published in the March-April 2007
issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. To subscribe or give a gift, order online or call (800) 777-0015.
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