High Desert Hunter

People fail to realize the positive impact hunters have. Here in the U.S., it is hunters dollars that support wildlife, all the anti crowd spend their money on is advertising against hunting, they don't come out of suburbia to help create and maintain habitat, they don't have any understanding of the dynamics of the natural world. With a title like the one this poll has, is it any wonder that it is running against your favor? In many parts of our country, we have a very poor public perception of hunters, due mostly to the actions of a few, and partly due to those who are respectful and ethical, but refuse to publically acknowledge that they are hunters and put a more positive face on our lifestyle. I think we were done a disservice many years ago when hunting was referred to as sport, not sure what label is should have been given, but sport in this day and age gives the public a false impression of why we hunt.

It is a Ruger Red Label, and I love it, it is great for clays as well.

It is a Shoveler, and they are good table fare, I was hoping for some Teal, but not a single one flew over my shooting zone. Thank you.

Not much water here where I live, so most of the ponds hold a few ducks, tough hunting without a retriever. Dave

Thanks for the tip, I am thinking another shotgun will be my next purchase, a SxS or O/U in 20ga, most of my hunting here is dove and quail, the 12 works great, but I think a 20 would be superb. Cheers Dave

Thank you, for years my passion was single action sixguns, then a brief run with single shot rifles, 1911 style pistols, but these days I find that I like to simplify things, I could very likely get by with just 4 guns, my Ruger shotgun, my Ruger M77MKII in 300 Win mag, my Remington M700 Varmint Special in 22-250, and a good 22LR bolt action (which I don't currently have). I still love to shoot my pistols and revolvers, but their purpose for me is one I wish I didn't need, my eyes aren't what they used to be, so I rarely hunt with a pistol anymore, they are purely for pleasure and defense (which I wish wasn't a requirement, but sadly will always be). Thank you again. Dave

They are available in 12, 20, and 28. The 12, and 20 have 3" chambers, not sure about the 28. They are a workhorse, not as refined as a Berretta, but they are very stout, and I find mine to be a joy to shoot. Mine is a 12 bore with 28" barrels, and interchangeable choke tubes, it is the shotgun that I grab when I am heading out. http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAF...tion=12%20Gauge Dave

Ruger Red Label 12 Bore Marlin 1895GS in 45-70

Purely personal preference, most of the more seasoned citizens I knew as a boy carried peacemakers chambered for 45 Colt. I own a few 45 Colts, a 44 Magnum, 357 Magnum, 22LR/22Mag, and a 32-20 in revolvers, all but the Mt Gun are single actions, I own one semi-auto, a Springfield Armory M 1911A1 in 45 ACP. I bought the Mt Gun to serve 2 purposes, a lighter, yet powerful companion when hunting, and a carry piece for around town. Yes I am a huge fan of Elmer Keith, and John Taffin. Dave

Chambered for 45 Colt, shoots great, and makes a great carry piece. Dave

PM your address and I will post you a 50AE, a 40 S&W, 357 Mag, I also have 45 Colt, 32-20, and 45-70 brass (I reload for all but the 50AE). I don't know it is it legal to send bullets (not loaded) or not, I have a 50 BMG projectile I found at work, leftover from the days they trained B-17 crews here. I also have lead bullets for 32-20, 357, 44, and 45. Dave

We have had some pretty bad shootings over here in the last year, the odd thing is all of these shootings have taken place in "GUN FREE" zones, where LAW ABIDING citizens are left defenseless, and the criminal intent upon wreaking destruction and mayhem has free reign to do as he or she wants. When seconds count, the police are only minutes away. As far as Mr. Martin's case goes, I will say I do not know the particulars, if he did indeed shoot them in the back, it is hard to claim self-defense, it was reported however that both of the individuals had long track records of breaking the law, this wasn't a case of simple mischief, these were well rehearsed criminals no doubt looking for an easy score, wasn't what they found. As I said before, I have no intention of bashing the UK's gun laws, not really my business to meddle in your affairs, I am very thankful that we have the Constitutional protections we have, and I am hopeful that our Supreme Court will rule in our favor next month when it comes to the issue of our 2nd Amendment to our Bill of Rights. My 1911 has been my constant companion for quite some time, and I have never had to draw it, there have been a couple of late night instances where it was a great reassurance in a dark parking lot when faced with a number of gang members, but I practice no eye contact, and generally don't acknowledge them. Dave

I think what I found most disturbing, was the gentleman who is serving prison time for defending his home. I am pretty sure that this piece was done by the NRA, so it won't be very objective, but the bottom line is true, it seems that the criminals are the ones with the upper hand. I am not here to say whether or not your gun laws are right or wrong, it is your Great Nation, but I will say that here I am thankful that I can have a permit to carry a handgun, or I can carry one in the open with no permit. The Supreme Court of our land have ruled at least once that our police forces have no obligation to protect citizens, they are there to take action after the law has been broken. Contrary to popular believe, the issuing of permits, and the increase in concealed weapons has not caused a rise in violence, it has had quite the opposite effect, makes the criminal think twice, and now a few states have passed "Castle" Doctrine laws, making it legal to defend your home with deadly force, makes a criminal think twice, and has led to a drop in break-ins in those states. I would never want to shoot a human being. I am however, thankful that I have the right to defend myself and my loved ones against attack, I prefer to keep my shooting in the realm of targets, or the legal hunting of game, on that note in October of this year I will be hunting Oryx here in New Mexico. Cheers Dave

This link was posted on a sixgun forum I frequent, and it made me wonder if it has gotten worse? I sure hope that you guys are all fighting the good fight the best way you can. Dave

Defense contractor now, served 20 years in the US Air Force, looking to get back to aircraft avionics. Wish I were a professional hunter. Dave