Essential Part of Hunting Gear: Best Hunting Knife

Posted by – March 5, 2010

Buck Zipper KnivesAll across the globe, there are hunters who can hardly wait each year for hunting season to open. The majority of hunters in most countries of the world hunt just for the fun and sport of it, but there are always those who go hunting because they need the ample food that is provided by a successful hunting trip. No matter the reason, when hunters head out to track their quarry they need to be sure they take the right hunting gear, including the best Hunting Knives they can find.

A wide variety of hunting and fishing knives are available on the market today. In fact, there are several manufactures and each produces and sells many different hunting knife styles, sizes and types. Some manufacturers have been around for over a hundred years and of course make claims that they make the best quality hunting knives on the market.

When it is time to go out and find the best hunting knife to take on your next hunting trip, you should first know the typical uses you will need it for. Because this aspect can be different for each hunter, it is hard to specify one brand or model of knives for hunting as being the best since different hunters often have differing ideas of what the most important features are in a hunting knife.

There are four primary categories of features that you should take into consideration when shopping for a hunting knife that is right for you. In fact, if you do different types of hunting, or plan to take your hunting knife on other outdoor ventures, such as fishing or camping trips, or mountain biking excursions into the great out of doors, then you may even need more than one knife to meet the needs of these various activities.

First, you will need to decide on whether you are going to need fixed blade hunting knives or folding hunting knives. For avid hunters and fishermen who intend to do a lot of cleaning in the wilderness, a fixed blade hunting knife is often the best way to go. This is because a fixed blade is stronger, easier to clean after use and keep clean, and is more durable than a folding hunting knife.

Second, you need to choose the shape of the blade that will make the knife the best choice for your endeavor. The most common shapes of hunting knife blades are skinners, drop points and clip points. Skinner blades are designed to skin and gut game but they are not as good at many other tasks. Drop blades can also be used to skin carcasses, as well as for more general uses, which can come in handy in many situations. Clip point blades are most often used for wood crafting uses, as well as general uses of knives, but they are not the best for hunting.

Third, you need to decide on the type of steel that the blade is made of for your hunting knife. There are a number of types of steel alloys used these days in the manufacture of fixed and folding knives. Each type of steel alloy has different advantages and properties that determine how strong, durable and corrosion resistant they are.

Fourth, you will need to consider other aspects of knives, in order to get the best hunting knife for your specific requirements. Choose the best handle size and handle material that feels good in your hand, the right blade guards and a sheath that is appropriate for your use of the hunting knife. With these things in mind, you should be able to make the best possible decision as you shop among the best made hunting knives available today.

Bass Pro Shops

Considering Boker Knives as Indispensable

Posted by – March 5, 2010

B ker Stag Handle Fixed Blade Knives - Drop PointMost people know that if you are striking out into the wilderness to do some hunting or other outdoor adventuring, such as fishing, that you would do well to be sure you have good quality hunt and fish knives with you. You can find good knives to take hunting from a number of manufacturers but one of the oldest and best established manufacturers is Boker.
Boker knives
are so well known and respected that many hunters would not consider going hunting without one in their gear.

Of the many types of knives and cutting implements that are manufactured by the Boker Company, it seems that the best known and most popular item they manufacture are the fixed blade hunting knives. These knives can also be considered a multi-purpose tool that can be very useful in a number of situations and under a variety of conditions. Not only are they used by hunters, but also by campers, fishermen, climbers, divers and by many an outdoorsman.

An assortment of fixed blade Boker knives is available in different styles and sizes, which can be used in any number of applications. In fact, the Boker brand of knives is often used by the military. With so many Boker knife styles and models to choose from, it is easy enough to find the perfect knife for hunting or various other sporting activities.

In addition to the assortment of knives made for the outdoor enthusiasts, Boker also makes a line of knives with fixed blades that are designed for throwing and are of sufficient quality to be used by those who compete in knife throwing events and tournaments. These are specialty knives that are not well suited for use in rugged, outdoor settings, but instead are designed for balance to enhance accuracy of the throws.

For those who are enthusiastic sword collectors or knife collectors, the Boker Company also offers a wonderful line of limited edition knives. These beautiful pieces will be a welcomed and appreciated addition to the displays of any sword and knife aficionado and will always stand out and make an impression.

The Boker Company employs a number of various processes, or sometimes a combination of processes, in their manufacturing of their line of quality fixed blade knives. In many cases you will find that the Boker knives are made of layered steel while others are made from a one layer of metal or alloy. The layered blades can have as many as 300 layers and are more flexible, while the blades made from a single layer of material are generally more durable and stronger.

You will find that Boker knives are priced at the upper end of the scale for the market, as compared to knives produced by other hunting knives manufacturers. However, those who have used or collected the knives produced by Boker have found that the quality more than justifies the price and they are typically very happy with their purchases.

Applying For A Federal Firearms License (FFL)

Posted by – February 10, 2010

If you are searching for a legal way to set up your own firearms business one of the big quesions is always how to get an FFL easily. The federal firearms license approval procedure is absolutely not as easy as you may think without a little help.

Simply filing out a form will not help you get a license. The procedure is lengthy and a minor error in the application process will delay or cause rejection of your FFL license.

To make the application process much easier, you need to understand the overall procedure of getting a federal firearms license. Here are a few points that need to be understood and followed before getting your own license.

Firstly, you will need to understand the laws that govern businesses engaged in the sales and services of firearms. Under the Gun Control Act, the ATF has the authority to regulate the firearms business.

The person seeking an FFL from the ATF needs to certify certain conditions required by the Gun Control Act and only then he is entitled to receive it. Online guides will address these questions.

Before you search the internet on how to get a FFL, you should first think about how you plan to make this a business. ATF like for it to be a real business and not just a way for you to get more guns for your own personal usage.

One of the key things required after getting an FFL is a business permit. You will have to acquire a home based business permit after applying for a federal firearms license if you are in a residentially zoned area.

This will vary by state, for example states like TX does not have to. Guides online will cover all the details, so don’t worry, but be ready later. Once you have started thinking through all these conditions, you are then ready for the application process.

Filling out the lengthy application form is not easy. In such circumstances internet based federal firearms license guides can provide step-by-step procedure in filling the form. Every gun owner should want to know how to get an FFL, it makes the process simple if you seek the help of an in-depth home FFL guide to solve your federal firearm license problems.

The guides will also provide a step by step procedure on getting a Class III federal firearms license.

Where Did Night Vision Devices Come From

Posted by – February 9, 2010

The night vision equipment used by consumers today has its origins in the armed forces. The army also responsible for lots of other things like the world wide web, freeze dried food and the global positioning system just to name a few. But when it comes to night vision technology I’m not talking about the stuff that your children might play with, but the Real McCoy.

 

In the early days of warfare like today it was common for a operation to take place at night . The reason I think is very obvious. A unit of soldiers are able to keep the element of surprise until the last moment of attack. Now in the past this was not always possible as you can only see as much as your enemy can see so attacks were usually planned for clear moonlit nights which gave better night vision. But as you know this also hampered the element of surprise. The US Army have researched tirelessly for years researching many methods to enhance a soldiers vision at night and thanks to their advances the whole playing field of combat warfare has changed dramatically not to mention the many uses for this technology in the civilian world.

 

Night vision optics gather the available light by using electro magnetic radiation that is out of the range of the human eye. Making use of this available light allows night goggles, binoculars and scopes the ability to see in total darkness. At dusk and in low visibility conditions the night vision technology allows a soldier to see, maneuver and engage in combat.

 

Although this night vision scope technology is continually improving the two types commonly used are: image intensifiers and thermal imaging devices. Thermal devices work by looking at and understanding the differences in temperature in the direction they are pointed. The FLIR (Thermal Forward-Looking Infrared) detector option is often used on the armed forces vehicles and rescue helicopters.

 

Now image intensifiers work by magnifying available light 2-5000 times more than what the human eye can see. The intensified light makes use of phosphorous screen technology (similar to that used in a TV)enveloped in an eye piece to give the user as close to normal vision as possible. When a soldiers eyepiece is in place, the equipment will amplify available light allowing an image to be transmitted to the eyepiece giving the soldier an image of what he is looking at. The phosphorous monitor or screen is green in color. The human eye can recognize more levels of green than any other color in the visible spectrum eanabling the soldier to see better in the darkest conditions.

 

There are a high number magnifications available for different lenses as well as different conditions and ranges. Different things work for different conditions and situations and this is something the military had to deal with also. Although a soldier needs the best equipment possible other things like portability, weight and cost had to be taken into account. So by using a night vision binocular with image intensifiers only the weight was kept to a minimum and soldiers could carry out there missions in low light. This would ensure the US Army kept their cost down.

 

A couple of things you should know if you do get a set of night vision goggles is you will get a certain amount of tunnel vision because your peripheral vision is cut off within the eyepiece. By constantly moving you can counter this loss of judgment to a certain extent but judging distances can still be an effort at times. Another point to remember is that objects can seem larger or smaller than what they actually are. Usually a user’s vision can go from 20/20 to 20/25 but 20/25 is still better than no vision at all. The military have the option to work under the shroud of darkness, much like their enemies, allowing for a better chance to capture and defeat when necessary. FLIR’s really do help in locating any thermal energy whether it be human or animal in lots of different conditions and that is why the night goggles technology is used by security and rescue personal alike not to mention the outdoors man as well.

 

Tips For Selecting The Best Hunting Scopes For Your Application

Posted by – February 1, 2010

It is common for rifles and shotguns to look like something is missing when no hunting scope or other kind of sighting device is attached. They are becoming more and more popular for handguns, too. The main reason is that it makes it less difficult to hit your target, when it is further away, even though the firearms can have the iron sights built in. By looking into a magnifying scope or using a red dot laser sight, it is easier to see your target and get a more accurate shot.

All rifle scopes feature a sizing system called a number range, these numbers refer to a hunting scope’s magnification ranges and the diameter of its objective lens. The first numbers of a 3-9x 40 scope would mean it is a variable optic capable of 3 times closer than the naked eye and up to 9 times the naked eye in magnification. The important thing here is how low is the magnification, not how high. This is because as the magnification increases, the extent of light through the eyepiece is less.

The last number of the number range shows you the diameter of the objective lens, measured in mm. Generally, gun scopes use objective lenses with diameters of 40 to 45 millimeters. Some more extreme models range up to 75 millimeters, but this isn’t needed. The bigger the objective lens number, the larger it will be and the more light you will get through the scope. It is this fine balance of magnification and objective lens size than gives the best detail, this is essential for the most accurate shot.

Picking magnification size depends on how much magnification you will require. You should not forget that the lower the magnification, the greater the detail, but you also need to consider the size and distance of your targets. You want to select a 3-9x 40 hunting scope for hunting large targets like deer, but for smaller, more distant targets like pheasants or squirrels, you might need a 6-20x or an 8-25x variable rifle scope.

A scope’s objective lenses also can be variable or adjustable. External parallax adjustments can alter the diameter of variable objective hunting scopes. This can make a difference with hunting scopes with greater than 10x magnification. You won’t generally get this feature on optics with less magnifications.

Hunting scope lenses generally are water resistant and fog-proof. They are coated with one or more layers of coating to help lower loss of light and glare. Generally speaking, the more layers of this coating you have, the more defined the contrast and the better the object’s image will be. Hunting scope lenses which are fully multi-coated are always seen as the best because they usually give greater light transmission and give a sharper contrast.

Another phrase you will hear while you’re looking at hunting scope optics is Field Of View, or FOV. Field of View is refering to how many feet, left to right, you will be able see when looking through the scope. Normally your FOV at a 100 yard measurement using 3x magnification can be about 30 feet. As the magnification you use gets smaller, the Field of View goes up. At 9x magnification, the FOV is only about 14 feet.

You need to understand a rifle scopes dimensions when you are choosing the best overall scope for the kind of hunting you will be doing. As you now know, the measurements can make quite a difference in how precise your shots will be.

Hunting Gear at Basspro.com

Nikon Coyote Scopes – Designed for Predator Hunting

Posted by – February 1, 2010

Nikon Coyote Special 3-9x40 Mossy Oak Brush Rifle Scope

The popularity of coyote hunting in the United States has increased immensely with the population of the coyotes themselves.  Culling of farm animals as well as wild game like deer and turkey by coyotes is a big problem today.   Many states have very long hunting seasons for coyote with generous bag limits in an effort to check this varmint’s population explosion.

Coyotes are intelligent critters and are a challenge to hunt. They feature keen vision, very good hearing and scent detection.    Hunters want to get coyotes to come to him as they are too smart to stalk.  Hunters get this done generally with audible calls that simulate a dying rabbit or another coyote.When moved by the hunter’s call, coyotes most likely will come from downwind to check the wind prior to moving in close.  If the hunters efforts pan out as planned and the coyote comes within range, they seldom stay in one place.  Getting off a clean shot at a coyote is one of the rewarding challenges a hunter can face.

In order to help meet the unique challenges of coyote hunting you need a 
Nikon Coyote Special 3-9×40 Mossy Oak Brush Rifle Scope
.  It is a Nikon Buckmaster with a special Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) reticle, available camo finishes, and an anti-reflective device (ARD).

The BDC reticle is calibrated {to|for} the .223, 55 grain bullet zeroed at 100 yards or the 22-250, 55 grain round zeroed at 200 yards.  The use of the BDC reticle is to compensate for bullet drop beyond the range that you sighted your rifle in at.  The BDC holdover reference circles are large, that lets you to keep aim on the coyote accurately even as it continues to trot.

The Nikon Coyote Special 3-9×40 Mossy Oak Brush Rifle Scope can be ordered in matte black or 2 camo finishes.  The camo will match some of the new camo varmint rifles available on the market, and when coupled with full body camo it will greatly reduce the ability of a coyote to spot the hunter.  Matching camo rings are also available.

The ARD is assembled right onto the objective bell of the scope.  It features a honey-comb pattern that eliminates glare off the objective lens that could scare a coyote.  The interesting part of it is the shooter cannot see the ARD when viewing through the scope.  The shooter always has a clear field of view.

The Nikon Coyote Special 3-9×40 Mossy Oak Brush Rifle Scope Special scopes come in 3-9×40mm and 4.5-14×40mm.  For shots under 200 yards the 3-9×40mm will be enough magnification.  For shots at 200 yards or further the 4.5-14×40mm will be the better choice.


Subscribe in a reader