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Our list wouldn’t be complete without a photo of one of our future hunters.

Which photo was your favorite?

Being in the market for a new pistol the past few weeks, I ran down to the local gun shop one Sunday afternoon to take a look at their inventory. I intended to come out with a .40 caliber Sig Sauer in my hands. Either a P226 or P228 or something equivalent. I’m a very impulse buyer. When I see something or want something, I like to have it in my possession right now.

Looking through Sherwood’s Guns inventory in Bowling Green, Kentucky, I found a great deal on a Sig Sauer SP2022. After getting it out of the case and feeling how light the gun was, I knew this would be the gun I would purchase. It felt comfortable in my hand, it looked great and it was made by a Grade A firearms company.

One thing that I kept asking myself was “How have I not heard of this gun before?.” I hear gun enthusiasts talk about the Sig Sauer P226 all the time. I also finished reading American Sniper with the now famous Chris Kyle who is America’s most deadliest sniper. He uses the standard issue P228. So I guess the SP2022 is one pistol that just slipped under the radar for me and some other people I have talked with.

I ended up walking out with the SP2022 9mm version for $400.

Now for some technical details on the Sig Sauer SP2022:

The SP2022 9mm is a semi-automatic pistol created by SIG and J.P. Sauer & Sohn. Its father pistol, the SP2340 was originally developed as a .40 caliber gun in 1998. A year later, the SP2009 was introduced as a 9mm followed by the modified version called the SP2022 in 2002.

One of the other things that sold me on this gun was the ease of ability to reach all the mechanisms. While holding the gun in one hand you can easily reach the large slide release, the de-cocking lever, trigger and magazine release. Also, it’s very hard to see in the photos, but there’s a small notch that raises on top of the slide to let you know if it’s loaded or not. This is a very nice safety feature that the P226 does not have.

As you can see in the photo above the gun looks almost identical to its other family of pistols such as the P226 and P228. It actually has some features that I believe are much better. It comes with the Picatinny rail which allows for more versatility with universal accessories such as lights or lasers. You can also add a threaded barrel to allow for a detachable suppressor.

Once the magazine of 15 rounds has been loaded you can now shoot the pistol in double action mode. After the first shot in DA mode, the gun will will re-cock itself and you can shoot in single action mode. The standard magazine has holes down the backside that allows you to see how much ammo is in your magazine.

The sights on the SP2022 are very good. They are easy to see, very clear and can line up well. All I need now is a SureFire light for added sight.

Some other notable specifications include:

If you are in the market for a 9mm or .40 caliber pistol for home protection or for sport shooting and don’t want to spend $1000 on a pistol, I recommend the Sig Sauer SP2022. It’s lightweight, has many great features and comes with a low price tag and big brand name.

With all of the competition calling and how-to videos out there, it can be quite difficult to figure out exactly what to be doing when a duck flies in your direction. With all this, duck calling doesn’t have to be an intimidating task; in fact, with a few basic fundamentals, it can become one of the most enjoyable parts of the duck hunting experience and soon you’ll be teaching others how to call ducks.

One of the key things to know about duck calling, before even figuring out how to use the call itself, is that the call is not meant to make a duck land into your spread. Instead, a call is meant to act as an air traffic controller to get your ducks to look to where you and your decoys are. You want to use the call to grab the attention of the ducks to look at your spread, and as they get progressively closer, to turn them as they circle where you want them to be. The vegetation in your spot, and the attractive decoys are what the ducks really want. So if they’re making a beeline straight to your shooting lane, lay off the call and let your spread do the work. And make sure the protestors are out of the way.

When it comes to calling itself, there are three main calls you’ll want to have in your arsenal: the quack, the hail call, and the feed chuckle.

The Quack

The quack is the most basic of the three, and is also the main staple of all calling. When making the quack, you’ll want to say something along the lines of ‘voo-eet’ into your call, with a little vibration, almost like you were blowing into a kazoo. If you listen to ducks in the wild, you’ll notice that this is the one they make the most, so it’d be a good idea to master this call first.

The Hail Call

The hail call, or the greeting call, is one that is used to reach out to ducks when you make your first attempt at a group of birds. This call is their way of telling approaching birds, ‘we’re down here, we have food and women, come and join!’ To make this call, you’ll want to string together four or five quacks, stepping down progressively in volume with each quack you make. No need to put too many quacks together, as you may have heard in a championship routine (this is meant for a judge, not a group of ducks.) Just a few continuous quacks is what you want.

The Feed Chuckle

The last of the three, the feed chuckle, is a good one to use when the ducks are close. When ducks make this call, it is a sign of contentment; they’re full of food, and they’re having a good time. When you make this call, you’ll want to say something like ‘dugga digga dugga’ or ‘ticka tucka ticka’ into your call. One thing to keep in mind is, as fun as it is to hear the world class callers chatter away with this call, using it too rapidly actually translates to ducks as a call made when in flight. So just a few ‘duggas’ or ‘tickas,’ whatever works you, will help close in those few final descents.

Once you’ve mastered these three calls, there are numerous duck hunting tips and variations that you can create which may be effective for certain situations. Weather conditions, locations, and parts of the season can call for slight variations that you can learn other calls for. But if you can learn these few basic techniques of duck calling, there is no doubt that you will bring down a load of limits.

Written by Cameron Kuenzer, co-owner of Quack Shack Calls.

Consider your intentions

If your intention is to go hunting for wild game, then you will need to purchase a long rifle or shotgun that has some knockdown power. I recommend a Benelli Supernova 12 Gauge if you’re wanting to buy for waterfowl or turkey hunting. The guns are rock solid and can take on a lot of mud and water when in the swamps.

If you’re needing something for longer ranges, then check out the Remington 700 CDL. It’s a beautifully crafted gun and can knockdown a target from far away.

If you are looking to purchase a gun for self defense and something that you can take with you and conceal easily, then you should look at buying a .9mm pistol. I have held the Sig Sauer P226 .9mm and it feels good in my hands. It’s an all around nice handgun for starters.

Visit your local gun shops

There are many different brands and models on the market today. It’s best if you talk to a gunsmith or someone who knows a lot about firearms in general and ask if they will help. If you’re not sure where some of the gun shops are in town, just search online for ‘gun shops’ in your town and drop by sometime. It’s easier to talk to the owner of a small shop one-on-one rather than a salesman at one of the big boy stores.

Avoid the corporate mess

With the estimated 140,000 registered firearm dealers in the United States today, it’s not very hard to acquire a gun. I’ve had far better customer support experiences at some of the smaller gun shops in town, plus it supports the local economy. Especially after seeing the arrow through hand incident at Bass Pro Shops, I don’t think I want to purchase a firearm or hunting bow from them.

Research federal and state gun laws

There are federal gun laws and then there are state gun laws as well. Federal law says an individual 21 years old or older may acquire a handgul or pistol from a licensed dealer in the US. If you’re a gun collector or enthusiast or just want a handgun for your own personal protection then you must be 21. An individual 18 years old or old may acquire a rifle or shotgun from a licensed dealer.

When purchasing any firearm from a licensed US dealer, a background check must be run and you must have a photo ID. The process usually takes about 15 minutes depending on how busy the place of purchase is and the background check phone lines. Also, if you’ve been convicted of a felony or a domestic violence criminal offense then you can say “bye bye” to purchasing that firearm.

Buy from an individual

Unlike most myths, purchasing a gun from a private individual is ok. You usually get the gun for a better price anyway! Under federal law, you are able to purchase a rifle, shotgun or pistol from someone of the same state as long as the purchaser is 18 years of age or older. Most times you must transfer the gun to an authorized dealer in another state if you are wanting to purchase over state lines.

Attend a gun show

It’s very easy to go to a gun show in the US and acquire a fully automatic assault rifle without a background check. I’m not saying it’s the recommended thing to do, but it is very easy to acquire a weapon of such sort at gun shows. Going to gun shows are also fun whether you buy a gun or not. You usually come out with a bag full of stickers, hats and other goodies.

These must know tips should help you purchase the firearm that you’ve been wanting to buy or need. What other tips do you have for purchasing a firearm?

I own many guns, most of them are hand-me-downs, passed down through the generations of my family, and I wouldn’t hesitate to take anyone of them into the field because I know they have always been well taken care of. So how do you accomplish that feat? How do you make your rifle able to be passed to your children’s children’s children? The answer is simple, and requires nothing more than proper care and maintenance. Three good reasons to properly care for your rifle are personal protection, investment protection and hunting improvement. So where do you start?

A good jumping off place is to know your enemy, learn all you can about combating the forces that want to turn your new rifle into a decorative paperweight.

The negative forces can include rust, corrosion and mechanical failure caused by abuse.

Rust is typically caused by moisture, and with most guns being made of metal, they are very susceptible to falling victim to it. Corrosion is usually the later stages of rust, but the cause can vary greatly. Bodily fluids such as blood, perspiration or saliva are a few causes, along with food particles, weather and naturally occurring airborne particles. Many guns are blued on the outer surfaces to prevent moisture from causing rusting, but the internal components, such as the bore, are usually bare metal and must be meticulously cared for.  If rust and corrosion are allowed to settle in, its presence can ruin your barrels accuracy in a relatively short amount of time. Both these issues can be combated by using very fine steel wool and oil on places where they are beginning to show. Worn and bright areas are more likely to be magnets for rust and corrosion, so if your rifle is beginning to show some wear, a reblue might be in order.  Prevent rust from accumulating in a barrel by giving your barrel a good scrubbing. Use of powder solvent patches and a phosphor-bronze brush will do wonders and make that steel shine bright.

Mechanical failure is typically the result of putting your rifle in conditions that allow rust and corrosion to become prevalent. I was always taught to treat my rifle by the Golden Rule, in other words, how I would want to be treated. Leaving your weapon in weather, not handling it properly, not cleaning it properly, allowing it to lie on the ground for long amounts of time, dropping it, all of these can severely damage your rifle and cause mechanical issues.

So how do you fight rust, corrosion and mechanical abuse? One option is to purchase a stainless steel or nickel plated firearm, which tend to rust and corrode at a much slower rate. Or a less expensive and more likely route is to take a few minutes to properly clean and perform maintenance on your rifle while always being sure to handle it properly.

These easy steps can help prolong the life of your favorite gun and allow it to become the favorite of future generations

Properly Maintain:

• Before touching or doing maintenance on your gun, always start by washing your hands. This lessens oils, food particles and other potentially rust and corrosion causing agents.

• Always travel with your rifle in a hard protective case. Many mechanical issues can be prevented by taking this one simple step. Be sure the gun fits snuggly in the case and while waterproof cases are great, they can trap moisture, so guns cannot be stored in them for long periods of time.

• Be sure to properly clean your gun before storage. Avoid leaving excess oil or grease on the gun, as this may cause gumming of essential parts and lead to mechanical issues.

• On wood stocks, find a type of oil that is compatible with the finish to maintain a nice appearance. It has also been said dents in the stock can be raised by placing a damp cleaning patch over the dent and heating the cloth with an iron. The iron will steam, the steam will cause the wood to swell and the dent will be harder to see or in some cases gone completely.

• Rifles are usually best stored in a horizontal position. Pointing the muzzle up can cause oil to run, gumming the action and potentially weakening the stock.

• Remember that your firearm will be at the most risk of damaging components while in the field, so taking a clean rifle into the field is always a wonderful idea.

• Be aware of condensation building up on your rifle, especially in cool or cold weather. Condensation is the breeding ground for rust, and all metal objects will produce it when rapidly warmed, so avoid bringing a cold rifle into a warm tent or cabin. Leave it in a covered area outside of the heat or wrap it in a blanket or coat so it warms slowly.

• Of course one issue all hunters have is walking with a rifle slung over their shoulder when the weather starts to be uncooperative. Prepare for this scenario by placing a small amount of tape, non-abrasive, over the muzzle. The tape will be blown off if the gun is fired, and will prevent water, snow, ice from traveling down the barrel.

Gun maintenance is a must for all gun owners. Take care of the gun and it will take care of you! If you have any comments or suggestions on how to prolong the life of your favorite hunting rifle, please leave them below.
 

Rusty gun image borrowed from HERE

Rare Cactus Buck Killed In Oklahoma

A cactus buck is a deer that has a condition called cryptorchidism. This hunter from Oklahoma appears to have killed at least a 12 point buck with the condition. This disease can spread from deer to deer, so it’s good to know that this buck was put down. I know PETA probably isn’t too happy about it, but that’s how they do it in Oklahoma.

Arrow Shot Through Hand

We haven’t heard the outcome of this situation but I’m sure the Bass Pro Shops employee that was demonstrating this bow has received some additional training. Hopefully they just moved the employee to the clothing department. I wonder if the customer received a discount on the bow? Or possibly even for free?

Moose On The Loose

A moose on the loose visits the Cabela’s store in Scarborough. The store was holding a moose permit lottery for hunters, but the moose decided to show up a day early(Friday) wondering the parking lot. He could have been there trying to warn potential permit buyers to stay away. Or was he ready for his time to be killed?

Coyote Kills Deer

A hunter’s trail cam caught over 200 amazing photos of a deer getting harassed and eventually killed by two coyotes. This probably happens all the time in nature, but to catch it on camera is extremely rare. We have posted many of the photos on our blog. These photos are not for the squeamish.

Oregon Man Kills Over 300 Deer

An Oregon man has been sentenced to eight months in prison for his role in what Oregon State Police have called the largest deer poaching case in state history. I believe wildlife officials let too many people off the hook easily. This man should have easily received 5 years or more in prison for his violations.

What was your favorite post of 2011?

How could this hunter prevent deer from getting into this trap? Or an easy escape route for deer? What are your thoughts?