How to Select the Right Gun for Hunting

Most guns have a special purpose for which they are designed, although some have interchangeable barrels allowing you to change the purpose. The barrel determines the type of ammunition used. For example, you might use a one-ounce slug to shoot a deer, but you wouldn't use it to shoot a goose. You would use ammunition called bird shot to shoot geese, turkeys, or pheasants. If you plan on hunting fowl and mammals, you may want to purchase a gun with interchangeable barrels or you will need to purchase more than one gun. Some areas allow hunting with rifles and other areas do not because of their range of fire. How can you know how to select the right gun for hunting?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Know what you will hunt
• Know where you will hunt
• DNR Hunting Guidelines for area
• Gun
• Ammunition
• Driver's license or ID

Follow the Rules

1. Obtain the hunting guidelines for the area where you plan to hunt from the state's DNR. This will tell you what weapons are allowed in each part of a state. For example, in Michigan, you can hunt deer with a rifle in the northern part of the state, but lower Michigan is shotgun deer hunting only. This handy guide will also give you the dates and times you can begin and stop hunting for each season.

2. Decide what you will hunt and where you will hunt. Purchase your hunting license or licenses from a local store. Many of the mega stores that sell groceries and everything else also sell hunting licenses. Hardware stores and gun stores also sell hunting licenses. Do not forget to take your state identification, and you may need proof of passing a hunter's safety course.

3. 
   12-gauge shotgun

   Take into consideration your size and strength when purchasing a gun. If you are a petite female, shooting a 12-gauge, three-inch magnum slug, will probably have too much recoil for you. If you know someone with several types of guns, it might be a good idea to practice shooting each. This Remington 870 12-gauge has a barrel to hunt deer and an interchangeable turkey-hunting barrel.

4. 
   High powered rifle caliber 6mm

   Purchase a small caliber rifle such as this 6mm pictured for hunting varmints, for example groundhogs or coyotes. Some areas allow deer hunting with rifles like this. Purchase a larger caliber and power to hunt larger game from an elk to an elephant.

5. 
   Winchester 1300 12-gauge

   Purchase a gun such as this Winchester 1300 12-gauge if you plan to hunt waterfowl, pheasants, and rabbits. Buying a gun with screw-in choke tubes increases its flexibility for types of game.

6. 
   Ruger 44 magnum, Ruger 22 rifle

   Select enough gun to kill what you are hunting immediately with one shot. You do not want an animal wounded and running off to suffer and die somewhere. Nor do you want a wounded animal to attack you. This 22 rifle pictured is a good first gun for a person because it doesn't have much recoil. You can hunt rabbits and squirrels with it. The 44 magnum is excellent for hunting deer, bear, or pigs.

Tips & Warnings

• Put gun locks on your guns when they are stored.
• Never bring a loaded gun into your house.
• Never leave a gun loaded.
• Never point a gun at another person or part of your body.

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