I was in the market for an AK (Avtomat Kalashnikova). The primary reason was that it was one platform that is noticeably absent in my safes; a hole that needs to be plugged. This led to an extensive investigation of AK offerings and a choice between the AK-47 and AK-74. “Besides honey, this isn’t just for fun, this is work.” That was the basic gist of the conversation when my wife caught me browsing sales fliers for new AKs.
The original CZ 75, easily identified by the heavily-stepped slide and short slide rails, has been in production since 1975.
It’s hard enough today to get kids away from the Xbox, the iPad, the computer, or even the lowly television set. The last thing you want to do is to discourage them further by making their shooting or hunting an unpleasant experience. I am fortunate in that I have a large number of friends and acquaintances whose children also shoot. I will never forget the first shotgun I ever fired. It was a Beretta Companion, a single shot 20 gauge that folded entirely in half and weighed next to nothing. That gun kicked like a mule!
The first hunt is a right of passage for some and the fulfillment of a long-awaited dream for others, in many instances it is likely both. It is a part of the hunting community’s heritage and a coveted moment worthy of celebration when introducing a new member of the next generation to hunting. Having a young son rapidly approaching that age, I am certainly eagerly awaiting the day he asks for his opportunity to go afield. To that end, I am sure a beginner’s guide to hunting could be of value to neophyte and veteran hunters mentoring new hunters alike.
With the arrival of summer comes the signal to work the kinks out of my equipment. I call it my R&D phase. If a piece of equipment is going to fail, I want it to happen before I cross state lines for a premium elk hunt or when I am staring down a monster whitetail. When choosing a new bow sight, here are a few must-have features to consider for function and reliability.
The best way to reduce the risk of contracting tick-borne diseases is to avoid tick-infested habitat in the first place. An idea that is great in concept but impossible in reality. Particularly, this is not an option for big- and small-game hunters, hikers and morel mushroom hunters, listed below are a few simple precautions that can reduce the chances of a tick encounter.
I am far from a coyote-calling champion, and certainly do not get as much practice as I would prefer—too many hobbies and the boss still expects me to somehow get my work done. That’s why, when I headed out to do a little predator hunting the other day, I opted to use a digital call. I have a couple of dandies with a ton of different buttons and sounds. I wasn’t sure one would work best, but I was bound to try at least a handful and see what kind of results I could get.
So, you still haven’t filled out the goodie basket for dad on his big day? Fear not we have the gift list that will make dad anticipate his day like it was going to be Christmas.
Ever heard of the Smith & Wesson NT-430? Maybe not by that name, but the easiest description would probably be to use a famous movie quote, “Go ahead, make my day.” Yep, the NT-430—later dubbed the Model 29—was famous long before Inspector Callahan wielded it in back in ’71. However, “Dirty Harry” ensured it would always have a place in firearm history, but he wasn’t the only champion of the Model 29 and the .44 Mag.
If you already own a crossbow, but do not have a cocking device or crank system, you may have to do a little Internet research. While all crossbows have some type of draw-assist system, not all have a crank that makes it uber-easy. A little homework will ensure a better introduction and shooting experience.