Need some input!!

[Yoopertrapper]

Was at our local sportsman club meeting last night and We want to get a proposal together about centerfire rifle use at night!!

I would like to hear your suggestions and opinions on the benefits of
using centerfire rifles at night?

What do ya think about being able to use anything .243 cal. and smaller at night?

Thanks,
Tim

[gilgetter]

what do you think the advantage of a center fire rifle will be? in my limited experience a shotgun is a better choice. not tryen to be a smart A, just asken a question.

[Yoopertrapper]

Gilgetter,
You are right,a shotgun is probably the better choice for most
circumstances,especially here in the U.P.! ;)
But.... Wouldn't it be nice on a clear ,full moon lit night to have the choice to use a centerfire rifle,especially when hunting some fields!!

I'm curious aswell to here others Pro's on the use of centerfires at night!
That's why I asked.

[gilgetter]

a choice is always nice. I live in the southern part of the state, in the shotgun zone.and I know I can use a center fire rifle, I usually dont. I believe that if there isnt a real good reason to the contrary,that it should be up to the hunter.

[ArrowHawk]

I wouldn't see anything wrong with a .22 Hornet at night. Not sure about anything larger then that though, maybe larger in Da U.P.

[croshair]

This has long been a battle. Nearly every state that offers predator hunting allows the use of centerfire rifles. Most areas in Michigan (N,S,E,or W) offer predator hunting opportunities at ranges in excess of 200 yds (even the U.P.). Predator hunting is a purist sport and many of the dyed-in-the-wool predator hunters are also long range accuracy shooters. A big piece of the game is the ability to EFFECTIVELY and HUMANELY take our game at any distance with near surgical accuracy. There have been arguements about safety. These have been determined to be unfounded. There are VERY FEW hunters afieild during the night. Many other states operate very successful and safe night hunts for predators.
The use of rimfire rifles presents several problems: 1. Hunters attempting to call coyotes in close enough to effectively take with rimfire and shotgun are effectively training coyotes what calling sounds like, what hunting sets look and feel like, and what cover scents smell like when associated with hunters. 2. The rimfire rifles (.22, .22 mag, & .17's) are ineffective and are severely limited, which often results in wounds, and near misses further educating our game. 3 . Hunters which are new to the sport are know for attemping shots which do not offer a clear field with the rimfires that result in misses, near misses, and wounded animals. (even a small twig will produce severe deflection) 4. Wounded coyotes result in more negative encounters with humans, livestock and pets.

(Shotguns are very effective but, limited to about 50 yards)

Highpowered centerfire rifles (.22's = 222, 223, 22-250, 220 Swift, .22 TTH, and the new .204) routinely produce clean, safe (rarely produce an exit wound), effective kills at up to 400 yards day or night (and beyond for those who study the art). I am not supportive of big bore (above .22) rifles for night time use. They tend not to retain bullets in game such as coyote and fox, decreasing the safety factor. Highpowered varmint shooters who are willing to spend major $$$$ to shoot coyote and fox are NOT a risk factor for increased poaching as the NRC has previously stated.

[WAUB-MUKWA]

You could hunt the past 20-30 years at night with a rifle until everybody downstate started calling the DNR and asking them about hunting at night. Then the NRC stopped hunting at night because everybody was asking about it instead of just doing it. Now we are stuck with a new rule caused by so many.:mad: :mad:

[crittergetter]

Better off asking for the lifting of Hunter Orange for predator hunting. If it comes to a vote of the people, I will vote for it but not participate after complete darkness out of safey concerns. We already got elevated stands, and trappers may now use legally harvested game as bait.

But here are some issues I have with some of the remarks so far.

1) Someone said very few hunters out after dark, and safety concerns are unfounded???....Up here, I personally am more worried about someone snowshoeing, camping, walking their dog. It's hard enough to see and identify your target, let alone what's behind it at greater ranges.

2) A shotgun or 22mag IS Effective if kept within its proper range, and will Quickly and humanely drop game. It is supposed to be about the hunt, not the kill, and part of the hunt is calling them in at night to the effective range of your weapon. (as it is in the daytime as well!)

3) Calling and missing during the daytime doesn't educate coyotes???? Whether it be Long or short range??????

4) Small twigs will deflect any bullet reguardless of caliber or speed.

5) Stupid people will always make stupid choices, I learned the hard way, that a Texas heart shot is not the best way to shoot a deer, I got it, but it was a poor way for the animal to go. No beginner will ever make the correct choice of shots unless guided or trained to wait for the correct one. especially when excited over the sight of game.

6) Why ask for only the other Pro's if you're not going to explore the con's of your decision as well?

If you want to make it a private land only thing, and restrict it to 20ac or more that's fine, but IMO, opening up centerfire after dark on public land is asking for trouble in all sorts of ways, even then, if allowed on private you know it will spill over onto public lands.

[BlackCoyote]

you'd also have to change the light law for hunting at night, you'd have to allow spotlights to have "some" idea of what's beyond the target...because there are only a few full moon lite nights.

So look at the issues, safety, poaching opportunities, shining, road hunting, public disturbance with the lights and noise, it just goes on and on.

Not to be rude, but really learn to call, watch your scent control, and get them close that's what makes night hunting fun!

It's a valiant effort but i think effort wasted. Try getting us back bobcat trapping in the lower, snares, and a trapper education course.

[oaks]

[QUOTE=croshair;1543867] 1. Hunters attempting to call coyotes in close enough to effectively take with rimfire and shotgun are effectively training coyotes what calling sounds like,

Where do you get this from? Coyotes can't think. If you effectively produce coyote vocalizations you will call coyotes in every time if you are hunting on their home turf. If a coyote could think, you would never see one. A coyote can focus on but one thing at a time. I've called coyotes in, shot one, spooked the rest off and then called one back and shot him. Doesn't sound like a very smart dog to me. Coyotes react to triggered response. Get them in close with coyote sounds then give them something small that they can handle to get them to break cover. A coyote has keen senses, this is how he survives, not by thinking and rational thought.
Oaks:

[QuakrTrakr]

Oaks- Coyotes can get conditioned. Just like a dog.
I'd support centerfire after dark with a .22 or smaller. A 243 has many bullet choices and a lock or bonded bullet (or FMJ) with ricochette and has the possibility to travel quite a ways. I know there is a bill in committe right now to allow hunting from an elevated stand. It's getting alot of support from congress.

[elvis]

my biggest problem with the current laws is that the rifle options are so limited that shotgun seems to be pretty much my only choice, it would be nice to get to use a 204 or 22-250 when necessary, its not like i wanna use a 30-06 or anything but just something with more takedown than a .22lr