November 27th, 2022Sunday gunday: Shooting in Winter — Key TipsWinter has arrived, and December is just days away. There is still a lot of snow in many areas of the country. 2022 has brought unusually cold weather to many areas — see the recent deluge in upstate New York. You need to be prepared if you plan on going hunting or shooting in the weeks ahead. It is important to have the right equipment, and that you can reach help if your vehicle stops working. The Precision Rifle Network has created a great video about winter hunting and shooting. Marcus Hom, host of Precision Rifle Network, shares his TOP 10 TIPS to help you have a successful winter hunting/shooting adventure. This video is recommended for all 4-season shooters. Sunglasses are essential when there is snow on the ground. This is because of the additional reflected light. Good sunglasses can also be found with ANSI Z87.1-approved protection against impact. Wear protective, moisture-proof clothing — Wear bibs and a long jacket. This will protect you from snow getting inside your clothing while shooting prone. Take Care of Your Hands – Wear winter gloves with a waterproof outer layer. You should make sure that the gloves you use can be used with your trigger/trigger guard. Bring a good tripod — A tripod keeps your head up so that you don’t get buried in snow or slush. This, in turn, prevents heat loss. In winter, it is important to keep out of the snow and shoot from an elevated position. Protect Optics and Action — Make sure your scope lenses and action are free from moisture, snow, and other fog. Both lenses should be protected with good caps. You will need to keep the action closed and wrap the action until you are ready to load and shoot. Range-finders are not designed to work in bright, intense or ambient light. You may also get false readings due to snow particles. To ensure the correct distance, take multiple readings. If you have a scope with MOA and MIL marks, you can range the target with it.7 Drop and Windage Info Chart (DOPE) — Make sure to bring a hardcopy, waterproof dope chart. Cold days can cause a phone battery to die quickly so you will want to keep it in a waterproof laminate for emergency use. You should also keep a drop chart in a waterproof laminate.8 Muzzle Velocity Issues – Cold temperatures can reduce muzzle velocity. Get an idea of how low temperatures affect your velocity before you go. Some powders are more sensitive than others to temperature, which can cause a noticeable decrease in muzzle velocity. Because the velocity is low, a load that you worked in summer might shoot LOW in winter. You may experience a slow-down of 10 fps even with powder that is “temperature stable”. Before you leave, do some winter velocity testing. Keep Your Ammo Warm — This is a simple way to avoid muzzle velocity fluctuations due to low ambient temperatures. Keep your ammo warm in a pouch underneath your layers. Video at 07:5010. Protect Keys and Valuables — Keep keys, valuables, and other items in a zippered pouch. “Losing keys, phone, or wallet is the worst thing that could happen. It can be difficult to find something buried under snow. It is also a good idea to keep a spare key for your vehicle hidden in your car/truck. Magnetic holders can be used to keep your spare key safe and hidden from the public eye. There has been snow on the ground in many parts of the country for most of November. The snow and cold temperatures have made it difficult for hunters to survive. Colton Reid, our hunting editor, recently returned from a successful hunt in the mountains of Utah. It was beautiful, but you need to wear high-quality outdoor clothes or you could be in trouble. Colton was able to make a perfect hit at 300 yards with his careful planning and skilled tracking. The animal fell instantly. Colton brought back a good harvest deer meat which was part of the Thanksgiving meal for his family. These tips are applicable in all seasons, but they are especially important in winter when there is snow and freezing temperatures. Make a plan — know where and when you want to go. When deer are most active, try to be there in the morning and evening. Be patient. If you get too excited about seeing a deer, you could scare him. Slow down and take it easy. Wait for the animals to relax and go slow. Next, determine the best way to approach your prey. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make a difference. Glasses More, Walking Less — Let your eyes do all the walking. Get good binoculars and start using them. Deer/elk can see you better than you because of their enhanced senses of smell, hearing, and smell. You are likely to be spotted by your prey if you are constantly moving around. Pace Yourself when Packing Out — If your goal is to bring down a large buck, how will you dress the animal and get the meat out? Always be ready to carry extra weight when you hike out. If you’re successful, don’t waste the meat that you worked so hard to get. You need a pack that can carry a heavy load. This is no small feat. You could be carrying 60 to 100 pounds more than your other gear. Take your time. Take your time. Do not harm yourself. Enjoy the Hunt — Have fun and enjoy the experience, regardless of whether you bag a buck. It’s a privilege to be in the wilderness and get away from the city. It’s a great place to be. Keep your spirits high. It is normal to feel tired. But, remember that fatigue is part of the territory. You may feel exhausted at the end of the day. You may feel the need to go home and quit. Keep positive and stay focused. You will be rewarded for your patience. Our Forum members have taken some amazing backcountry photos. Winter is a special season in the outdoors. Forum member JDP says that winter is the best season to shoot. One of life’s ironies works in my favor. The range is empty and the barrels keep cool. There are no bugs, waiting on people, or mirages. This world needs more thin-blooded snowbirds. Tell your friends about this dangerous and terrible cool weather! Are you lonely shooting? It’s the true holiday season in many ways.
Forum member DNorton wrote: “I live way north where our white sandy beaches are like this!”
Similar Posts:Tags: Colton Reid, hunting, Marcus Tom, Snow, Winter, Winter Gear, Winter Varmint hunting
