Hunting Equipment

Henry Ward Beecher (American Writer, 1813-1887) once said, “He who hunts for flowers will find flowers; and he who hunts for weeds will find weeds.” Beecher goes to show that one does not always need a Winchester to hunt, though if taken literally it would make quite the scene if you were to set camp in your local park and hunted for daisies – in camouflage pants and an orange safety vest.

When I think about hunting and its origins I think of food and protection (sorry flowers) and I think of generations who relied on their ability to successfully hunt and provide for their families, and their family’s safety. Today hunting is still very much part of our past, our present, and our future, even though the reasons why we hunt and the hunting equipment and gear we hunt with have changed.

There are four main types of hunting specific to the United States:

• Upland game hunting, which includes any non-water fowl and/or game birds hunted with pointing breeds, flushing spaniels, and retrievers. Included in this category are grouse, pheasants, quails, rabbits, squirrels, and woodcock.
• Waterfowl hunting, which includes geese and ducks, is a term used for any bird that spends a large portion of their life in wetlands, or in or at the edge of lakes, rivers, or streams (not including shore and wading birds).
• Big game hunting is a term used for any large animal hunted for sport such as deer, elk, antelope, bear, moose, wild pig, etc.
• Pest hunting describes any non-domesticated animal that will compete with domesticated animals for food, or will attack domesticated animals (coyotes, crows, woodschucks, etc.).

Whether you are upland hunting, waterfowl hunting, big game hunting, or pest hunting, killing endangered (protected) species is against the law. The only way to know which species are off limits is to contact your state’s Department of Fish and Game (DFG). Information about threatened and endangered species and their habitats are readily available on all state DFG websites. Also available are hunting regulations, hunting season dates, application deadlines, licensing fees, and hunting education class information. Specific regulations may apply to those hunters using bows and crossbows, as well as rifles, shotguns, pistols, and muzzleloaders.

Click these links for more info on Hunting Liscenses, Hunting Safety, Firearms, Bow Hunting, or Hunting Dogs.