Author Topic: Its been 37 years since I took Hunter Education.... (Read 351 times)

Ripsnort · « **on:** July 25, 2007, 12:36:34 AM »

...wow! They really get into the conservation aspect, hunting ethics, game identification...perhaps I have just forgotten that they taught that 37 years ago (Minnesota) or this state really has its poop together. My 11 year old is really digging the class! They only take 1 break during each 4 hour class, and he's not complained once! Amazing!

Of course, the golden light at the end of the tunnel (the possibility of a Remington 870 Express Youth shotgun) makes it easy to digest the class with a hint of enthusiasm.

If he passes the exam Thur night and passes the field test on Sat, I got a new hunting partner!

Stay tuned!

(Any firearms enthusiasts out there that can cut me a good deal on an 870, new or used?

)

Geary420 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2007, 02:24:57 AM »

It's been about 15 years or so, but hunters safety was an absolute blast. I think I actually looked forward to going. Now boaters safety on the other hand...

As for the 870 just check around at pawnshops and outdoor related stores. One of my friends picked up a used one at Gander for like $180 and it was in excellent condition. Even if you have to buy him a new one, teach him to take care of it and it will be a cherished memory that will last a lifetime.

storch · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2007, 06:35:50 AM »

I agree the hunting safety course is a must. it's great to discover the truth in the adage that if you take your boy hunting (or fishing) you will never have to hunt for your boy.

congratulations rip.

Ghosth · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2007, 07:09:21 AM »

Ripsnort, even back in the mid 80's when I was getting out of Firearm Safety the big push was more towards ethics, safe hunting practice's, and conservation.

I'm sure by now I wouldn't even recognize the material they teach.

Phaser11 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2007, 10:46:15 AM »

It is very important,
I made my little girl go through it just for the gun safety aspect of the course, because of having firearms in the house. She does not shoot and is agenst any type of hunting (but loves Pheasant, partridge and venison go figure) but she knows how the firearms work and how to use them.

Makarov9 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2007, 10:57:05 AM »

Rip, congrats on having a life-long hunting/shooting partner. I enjoy shooting but I have no desire to hunt. That class does sound very well done though.

I just inherited two shotguns, a Remington 1100 (1975) and an 870 (1951) from my father-in-law. These are my first shotguns and I am really enjoying them. I've discovered the fun sport of sporting clays and I've become totally addicted to it. Even my wife is enjoying it. She can handle the 1100 since it absorbs the recoil due to being a semi-auto.

The 870 is a great shotgun that your son should enjoy for a long time. I hope you can find one for a nice price. Just don't load 00 buck or a slug for his first shooting experience!

forHIM · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2007, 11:44:56 AM »

The MnDNR are pushing conservation and safety in their classes now. The films they use are mostly the same as what we had 25 years ago. I just got my MN Training Certificate, so I'm hoping to help other kids start off hunting in a safe manner.

Congrats on gaining a new hunting partner.

flakbait · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2007, 12:04:29 PM »

Actually he can load a slug and not permanently disfigure his son's shoulder. 20 ga. slugs don't kick like mules, especially the 2 3/4" loads. The sabot loads are unbelievably effective at 100 yards, quite accurate too. Hell, Federal loads a Barne's sabot to nearly rifle velocities (1,900 ft/sec) in a 3" shell. Enough to bag quite a few different types of critters.

For a 12 ga, Federal and Remington both make reduced recoil loads that cut the kick down a lot. Federal's Truball low recoil load is effective out to 75 yards or so (non-rifled slug) and kicks about as much as a light target load. Same goes for the Remington Copper Solid, except it works in a rifled bore. Either load can take deer or larger game with little trouble... at the right distance. The velocity difference between the low-punch and full-house is pretty large. 320 ft/sec for the Federal, around 250 ft/sec for the Remington; stock versions move at 1,600 and 1,450 respectively. So some "thwack factor" is lost, especially at longer distances. Still, it's enough of a difference for my neighbor to let his 13 yr son to fire an adult 870 with slugs and the kid doesn't get kicked silly.

Me? I'll stick to smoke poles and soot shooters; they smell better

-----------------------
Flakbait [Delta6]

Elfie · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2007, 01:16:34 PM »

The Winchester model 120 is a pretty nice shotgun as well, and it's a lot cheaper to buy than a Remington 870. The Winchester also comes standard with a 3" chamber, ventilated rib and screw in choke tubes. Last time I checked those were all extras on the 870. (That might have changed though, it's been a long time since I last priced them)

AWMac · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2007, 01:23:08 PM »

I think your're NOT the only one Rip....

Mac

Cypher · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2007, 04:52:00 PM »

I been meaning to get my hunting licenses for a while. all i need to do is find where i go to take classes where i'm at.

Golfer · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2007, 05:22:27 PM »

Wow it's been 16 years since I went through my hunter education course. Even now I can remember various parts of the course but even then (in Ohio anyway) there was much ado about conservation. Turkeys were making a comeback, with what then may have just been "plans" to release some. Now we're thriving with a turkey population in many places of the state and Whitetail Deer are in very high abundance (overpopulated if you ask some!)

My first shotgun (as an 80lb 8 year old) was a Mossberg .20ga pump. It kicks with more vigor than my 11-87 (semi automatic) and most any other autoloading pistol. It was probably not the right gun for me but in hindsight it made me not fear the kick of a firearm. I shelved it as a primary gun once my dad and I figured out that a 12 gauge autoloader kicks less than the 20 gauge pump. I still used it to shoot skeet and dove but it had much less use than my 12.

You won't go wrong with an 870, Rip but I'd recommend an 11-87 or 1100. It's a little heavier, more expensive with a more managable recoil he'll more than grow into. My father has an 1100 older than me, my brother and I both have 11-87s (mine's going on 15 years old) and I've needed it worked on one time this past year. It wasn't cycling the shells properly and required one new part that had bent after 15 years and a conservative estimate of 20,000 rounds of all types. Regular trap and skeet, upland, wetland, dove and deer. With a rifled slug barrel and 3" copper solid sabot rounds (Remington) it's more accurate than I am at 120yds shooting 2" groups. I personally use synthetic stocks because it is a gun that sees a lot of use in a lot of different weather. Wood stocks would get beat up and I was never a fan of putting the camoflauge protective chaps on my guns.

Enjoy your new hunting partner! My brother got into the game much later than I did (he's 21 now) and just last year FINALLY field dressed his own deer. He'd been able to sucker my dad and uncle into it for 5 years or so. That didn't fly with me this past year when we both got nice (130+lb) does sitting together. That's another story all together but I'm looking forward to some pictures of those adventures!

Ripsnort · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2007, 07:07:01 PM »

Add one more to the world of Hunter Safety Education trained ! Future Duck, Goose, Pheasant, Deer, Elk slayer!

12 hours of class room with exam (he finished with 90% on written exam) , 6 hours of field test and live fire excercise (100% on this field trial exam):

Bottom picture is: Future NRA members. That has GOT to piss the lefties off.

Author Topic: Its been 37 years since I took Hunter Education.... (Read 351 times)

storch