Modern Sporting Rifles

“Modern Sporting Rifles” are not assault rifles

You know what they say about opinions, everyone’s got one. Well, negative opinions of modern sporting rifles―guns based on the AR-15 model― are often formed on misinformation, or worse, visual perception alone. Last week, I was formally introduced to modern sporting rifles. I handled and shot a few different models. This is what I learned.

The name AR-15 stands for Armalite model 15. The abbreviation “AR” has nothing to do with the term “Assault Rifle.” True assault rifles, like the M16 and M4 carbine assualt rifles, which are currently in use by the United States military, are fully automatic-capable firearms. Ownership of such fully automatic firearms has been severely restricted since 1934. Modern sporting rifles―AR based―are semi-automatic firearms. Meaning, they shoot one shot per trigger pull. The action of modern sporting rifles is similar to other semi-automatic firearms, including semi-automatic shotguns commonly used for duck hunting, or semi-automatic .22 rifles often used for introducing kids to guns. Modern sporting rifles simply look different.

“For well over a century, many of our most popular sporting rifles have directly evolved from a service rifle of a particular era. Battlefield requirements in a rifle such as accuracy, ruggedness, reliability and fast follow-up shots are features equally sought by hunters and target shooters,” said Doug Painter , National Shooting Sports Foundation senior advisor.

The trend of transitioning military style rifles into the modern shooting world has been going on for centuries. As military technology has advanced weaponry, civilian sporting firearms have become more dependable, more accurate, more ergonomically correct, and therefore, more enticing to hunters interested in quality equipment that helps them make ethical kills.

“Unfortunately, some anti-gun organizations have worked hard to mislead the public by calling the civilian rifles that look like military rifles, “assault weapons.” This anti-gun strategy is a clever ploy, much in the same way that prohibitionists labeled alcoholic beverages, “demon rum,” Painter said.

The truth is, our nation has a sad history of judgment based on outward appearance. Racism is rooted in looks―skin color. Now, modern sporting rifles are being judged by their skin color. How can we, as a people, continue to make the same mistakes over and over? How can we make an outcast of a piece of equipment for no reason other than not liking how it looks?

The argument is often made that modern sporting rifles project upon hunters a perception of “aggressive warrior.” As if hunters are pretending to be at war with their prey. Once again, obvious bigotry based on looks. When viewed with common-sense, modern sporting rifles are nothing more than exceptionally reliable, rugged, and accurate sporting rifles that offer a new look.

When I graduated from high school, my grandfather’s gift to me was an invitation to select one gun, any gun, from his collection. I chose a Remington model 742 Woodsmaster, a semi-automatic .30-06. Production of these guns began in 1960, after Remington superseded the previous model 740, which was introduced in 1955. I can shoot five shots from this hunting rifle as fast as I can pull the trigger. It operates the same exact way the modern AR-based sporting rifles operate, and it’s been around since the 1960’s. It’s acceptable though, because we’re used to how it looks. Yet, functionally it’s not much different from the AR-15.

The saddest issue facing the upward trend of modern sporting rifle usage is the number of misinformed hunters who outwardly put these weapons down. Listen, if you read my column, you know I’m into the traditional side of sporting life. Fly-fishing and traditional archery are a couple of my most sincere passions. So you might have thought I’d be against these guns, but I’m not, because there is no reason to be. I don’t own one, and I don’t have any plans to go buy one, but I was taught long ago not to base my judgments on outward appearance. To judge modern sporting rifles solely on their appearance is prejudice, plain and simple. I hope you’re above that.

Quality deer management is about more than trophy bucks

      If you’re a serious deer hunter, and you haven’t been living under a rock for the last decade or so, then you’ve probably heard the term “quality deer management.” What exactly does it mean, though? Is QDM just another new fangled way of making the dream

of killing a trophy buck easier to attain? In short, the answer is no. QDM goes much deeper.

Last weekend, the Quality Deer Management Association―the international leader in the QDM movement―held their annual national conference in Louisville. I attended, and came away more interested in QDM than ever.

Now, I despise deer hunting’s transition to a trophy competition as much, or more, than anyone you know. The tradition I grew up with is being molested into a whole new game of “mine is bigger than yours,” and to say I don’t like it, is a gross understatement.

Some think QDM is a part of this movement. I completely disagree. QDM is not about spraying apple scented syrup on a stump near your stand. What it is about, is growing forage, developing habitat, and practicing selective harvest in a combined effort to sustain a healthy deer herd.

A good friend and hunting partner of mine, Brian Sorrells, is a nationally respected authority on shooting and hunting with traditional archery equipment. Sorrells, who is a police officer in Bedford, is as ethical a hunter as I’ve ever met, and also disdains the modern trophy movement. I want to share with you a few snippets from a series of emails we wrote to each other this week.

“I went to the QDMA national convention in Louisville on Saturday. Pretty good time. There is so much going on with food plots and natural supplements. This is an area of MODERN hunting I enjoy. Have you messed around with it much?” I asked

“No, I haven't done anything with food plots or supplements.  I'm all for managing for a healthy deer herd, but too much emphasis has been placed on antler size lately and managing for that particular trait. I don't want to see huge bucks every time I hunt. I'd rather gamble on doing my homework and putting myself in the right place to see a huge buck than knowing that they're all big.  Does that make sense?” Sorrells replied.

“Yeah, makes sense, and I totally agree with your point, but on the other side of the coin, what I like about food plots is the fact that working them forces hunters to connect with the Earth. To dig in the dirt, learn about vegetative growth, and take part in another aspect of the life cycle. I would never revere one for using food plots to only increase antler size or to keep trophy bucks on their land. What I like most about the whole deal is the fact that you are―assuming you plant naturally occurring feed― providing high quality food for many more animals than the one or two you're going to shoot. Deer, turkeys, mice, insects, birds, and more all benefit from what you plant. If you keep it natural, it simply adds a dimension to the game. You can then reap from which you sew. It beats the heck out of the guys using attractants. Food plots are no different than hunting over a lush bean field. Also, probably makes a lot of farmers happy too; knowing deer will eat plots more and crops less,” I countered.

“VERY well said, sir!  I agree with your point of view completely.  I hadn't really thought of it that way until now,” Sorrells said, to conclude our exchange.

I unfortunately believe a lot of highly ethical, intelligent hunters harbor the same misconceptions of QDM that Sorrells had. Once you break QDM down to its roots, the practice is great for wildlife, not just deer. And, truth be told, it is good for helping bucks in your area reach maturity. And that―maturity—is what we want bucks to achieve.

You don’t have to have a giant tract of land to practice QDM. Planting food plots, establishing sanctuaries, harvesting does, and more can all be used to develop a QDM plan on any size piece of hunting ground. To learn much, much more about QDM, visit the QDMA website www.qdma.org.