Firearms and Shooting Sports

MN. Department of Natural Resources:   Sponsor firearm safety education with the purpose of training responsible, safe and knowledgeable hunters. Manage wildlife, enforce hunting laws.

Sport Shooting Injury Stats Injury rate for different outdoor activities Sport Participants Injuries Injuries per 100.000 participants Football 17,800,000 418,260 235.0 Basketball 29,900,000 512,213 171.3 Bicycle Riding 43,100,000 485,669 112.7 Baseball 14,200,000 155,898 109.8 Fishing 43,300,000  63,026 14.6 Golf 24,700,000 34,382 13.9 Hunting 20,900,000 903 0.4 Sources: Participants - National Sporting Goods Association, 2005. Injuries - Consumer Product Safety Commission. Injuries treated in hospital emergency departments. Hunting Injuries: International Hunter Education Association, Hunting Incident Summary, 2005. Note: The National Safety Council warns against using participation figures to calculate injury comparisons as frequency and number of participants will vary in each activity.  

Firearm Safety Main outcome of Firearm Safety is to prevent firearm and hunting accidents and to ensure the future of hunting and shooting sports through the compliances with laws, regulations and ethics. (Accident data!)

Major Funding for Firearm Safety Pittman – Robertson Act of 1937. 11% tax on sporting goods to help protect habitat, wildlife, water and to help fund hunter ed. Programs (collect $3.5 million/day) Others: Duck Unlimited, Pheasant Forever, Sportsman club, IHEA, NRA =National Rifle Association, You.

American Sportsmen donate time and money to ensure habitat is available for wildlife. TIP: “Turn in Poachers” Cash rewards for tips leading to an arrest of bad guys. (800) 652 - 9093.

Ethical hunting 1. Respect for Self 2. Respect for Others 3. Responsibility for Actions 4. Respect for Resource

Guns in America Guns played a big role in United States of America: Wars (Revolution, Civil war) Mountain men Taming the “Wild West

Even Today! Recreational uses today - Sport shooting and hunting. Defense: Conceal and Carry Law

Violent acts and media cause much debate about guns

History of Guns First powder: Chinese (fireworks) Black powder: Burn rate very high (aka highly explosive) Smokeless powder - burn rates vary

Muzzle loaders 4 Locks: The mechanism that discharges a firearm) http://www2.huntercourse.com/minnesota/study?chapter=2&page=1 1. Matchlock….… 2. Wheelock………..………………. 3. Flintlock…... 4. Percussion cap………..………….

Breech loaders Cartridge guns came about after the invention of the percussion cap. The primer, gunpowder and projectile were all incorporated together

Shotgun vs. Rifle Shotgun Rifle A shoulder-fired firearm Usually with a smooth bore Shoots shot pellets made of lead, steel, or alloy Effective range is 50 yards or less (Further with slugs) A shoulder-fired firearm With spiral grooves cut into the inner surface of the barrel Shoots a single projectile a long distance

Shotgun vs. Rifle Shotgun Barrels = Smooth, GAUGE Rifle Barrels = rifled, CALIBER

Where do we look to see what cartridge a gun is chambered for? On the barrel 30-06 30-06

What cartridge is this gun chambered for? 2 GA FULL CHOKE 3” MAG 12 GA FULL CHOKE 3” MAG

20 GA 3” – FOR 2 ¾” OR 3”SHELLS Is this a good match?

There may also be Choke data on the barrel 12GA FULL CHOKE 3”MAG This barrel has a FIXED choke – It is not removable or adjustable

RIFLES! Rifles shoot single projectiles called: “bullets”or “balls”(muzzleloaders) Used for long distance / stationary objects. Rifles measured in calibers: the bore diameter is in one thousands of an inch or measured in millimeters. Examples: 30 - 30, 30 - 06, 308, 243, 6mm, 9mm

Rifling The bullet is spiraled through the barrel due to “rifling” (lands and grooves cut into the inside of the barrel.)

Rim fire & Center fire ammunition

Rifle bullets have very high velocity, good for long range accuracy Rifle bullets have very high velocity, good for long range accuracy.(Know your target and beyond!!!)

Sights Open sights – front and rear parts, sight can be moved to change where bullet will hit Rear/peep sights – front and rear parts, rear part is a peephole where your eye will focus Telescopic – gathers light and magnifies, target appears closer

Bullet Trajectory 50 yards

Bullet Trajectory 100 yards

Bullet Trajectory 200 yards

Bullet Trajectory 300 yards

Bullet Trajectory 400 yards

Shotguns! Shotguns shoot Multiple projectiles called pellets or shot. Used for short distance / moving objects.

SHOTGUNS Gauge: determined by the number of lead balls equal to the diameter of the bore to weigh one pound. The smaller the gauge the larger the number. i.e. it takes 12 lead balls the same diameter as a 12-gauge shotgun bore to weigh one pound. Gauges of shotguns: 410 gauge (only exception) this one measured in caliber 28 gauge 20 gauge 16 gauge 12 gauge 10 gauge 8 gauge

Shotgun Anatomy

Shotgun Anatomy Lock Stock Barrel

Shotgun Anatomy Comb Butt

Shotgun Anatomy Trigger Trigger Guard

Shotgun Anatomy Breech Action Forearm Chamber

Safeties Push-Button Safety Slide or Tang Safety Lever or Pivot Safety

A safety is a mechanical device which Safety Locations A safety is a mechanical device which CAN FAIL

John Browning invented the slide or pump John Browning invented the slide or pump *(1880) remains one of the most popular of all shotgun actions. Other actions include: Hinge, Single and double barrel, Lever, Bolt Interactive Animation: http://www2.huntercourse.com/minnesota/study?chapter=2&page=19

AMMO:

Shot pellets vary according to size and composition Shot pellets vary according to size and composition. Lead shot is heavier than steel shot. Lead shot has an alloy added “antimony” to increase hardness. Harder shot pellets (magnum shot) deform less and stay on course for good patterns.

Patterns df: The spread of the shot after it leaves the barrel

Chokes: the constriction at the end of the barrel of a shotgun Chokes: the constriction at the end of the barrel of a shotgun. affects the pattern spread

-Single pellet energy at any given range is virtually the same regardless of the gauge or choke of the gun -Long barrel length of guns provides a longer sighting plane. Best for longer range shots.

GUN FIT Gun dimensions can affect how a gun fits the shooter. Good gun fit is important to accuracy. Proper trigger squeeze technique to assure stable gun on stationary targets Proper breathing, squeeze trigger, don’t jerk trigger, keep head on gun after shot

Dominant Eye??

Proper Stance Feet like a boxer!! (Starts with the feet) Butt Flat on Shoulder Cheek on Comb Lean Forward

Proper Stance To start, point muzzle into the air. Bend forward from the hips Move from the hips Both Eyes Open

Carrying a firearm There are several ways to carry a gun safely and still have it ready for quick action. Three rules apply to all carrying methods: Muzzle pointed in a safe direction and under control Safety “on” until immediately before you’re ready to shoot Finger outside the trigger guard

Carrying a Firearm Elbow/Side Carry Trail Carry Sling Carry Two Handed or “Ready” Carry Shoulder Carry Cradle Carry

Shooting Positions Prone Sitting Kneeling Standing

‘Pointing’ vs ‘Aiming’ a gun In shot gunning you point the barrel at your target. Leaving both eyes open with proper dominant eye gives you better depth of field and ability to see target otherwise hidden by the barrel.

WINGSHOOTING “Wing shooting” requires more attention to safety. “Wing Shooting” requires that you lead your target : Reasons: Lock time, human reaction time, shot travel time Types of leading: Swing through - start behind/ pull ahead Sustained lead - stay ahead Snap shooting –stationary barrel

Safe Zones of Fire

What to Wear

Crossing obstacles Muzzle control Point in a safe direction! Hand to someone, cross, take gun back Alone, put on ground (muzzle in safe direction, cross, pick up gun

Treestand Safety Fall arrest system (body harness) Use a haul line

Good gun maintenance includes frequent cleaning. Lead deposits and powder residue need to be removed. It is a bad practice for safety reasons to pull the trigger on an empty chamber, damage to the firing pin may also result. Long time storage of firearms takes special requirements to avoid rusting of the gun.

Trapshooting Fundamentals

A Brief History Began as a way to refine proficiency with a shotgun. Targets changed over time: Live birds Glass balls with feathers Potters clay Pitch + Limestone

Fundamentals -16 Yard Singles -16 Yard Doubles -5 Shot Stations -Handicap -22o Rotation From Center -Target Leaves House at 45-55 mph -Shot Fall Area = 300 yards

Commands Squad Ready?

Commands READY!

Commands Puller Ready?

Commands Ready!

Commands Let’s see a bird!

Commands PULL!

(Marked with an ‘X’ on score sheet) Commands Hit! (Marked with an ‘X’ on score sheet)

(Marked with an ‘O’ on score sheet) Commands Loss! (Marked with an ‘O’ on score sheet)

Commands No Target! (Either a no target is released or target is broken when leaving the trap house)

(After station is complete.) Commands Change! (After station is complete.)

Commands OUT! (Entire round is over)

Gun Barrel: 1” wide = 1ft. at 36 yards Leading Gun Barrel: 1” wide = 1ft. at 36 yards

Other Events:

YOUR CHALLENGE: 1) First 25 in Outdoor Adventures Class 2) First Girl > 21

Gun Etiquette Alcohol and/or drugs should never be consumed or used when handling firearms. The first thing you do when you pick up any gun is to control the muzzle and make sure the action is open and the gun is unloaded. Then with action open, hand the unloaded gun to the person with the muzzle pointing away from them. Before you pick up or accept a gun from someone, make sure you know how it works. If you don’t know or can’t remember, don’t be embarrassed to ask someone to show you.

Range Safety Keep the safety OFF at all time when trap shooting. Always keep the barrel pointed down range. Always keep ACTION OPEN until ready to shoot Always keep gun UNLOADED until you intend to shoot. Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting. Wash hands after shooting / before eating.

Range Etiquette Always pick up your spent cases and/or shells when you’re done shooting. Always take down your targets when you're done shooting. Always straighten up your area before you leave. Never eat or drink while shooting. NO Cell Phone or Electronic devices while shooting.