Teaching my grandson

MikeN

Member
I have really enjoyed Ben's posts of him teaching his grandson to shoot. That seems to be going well. I have started teaching my grandson (age 11) also. Last fall I had shoot some 30-06 with Speer 100 gr. plinkers loaded with 12 gr Unique and he enjoyed that. He went Moose hunting with us last fall and my son shot about a 3 year old bull and he is getting excited about this. I have a Model 70 featherweight in 7/57 with a 3x Leupold that I bought new in the mid 80's that is going to be his first hunting rifle. I bought an inexpensive stock for it that I won't mind cutting off so that it fits him for now, we'll keep that original for later. He is a very level headed kid and I think he will do well. I had him driving my 300 hp jet boat last year on a few trips and he is very steady on the controls. We ride snowmachines a lot together and he is very careful and you don't have to worry about him going "stupid" on you. I bought some 150 sil commercial cast to get going in the little 7. I have been reading and getting a lot of good info from this site and am about to dive into casting. I cast about a 1000 311291's back in about 1970 and about that time marriage, kids and the other stuff came along and I haven't touched it since. I found the box of 311291's the other day and they are all sized, lubed and gas checked but I put a caliper on them and they only measured .308. Going to try them in my '06 and see how they work out. Many thanks for all of the fine information I have been able to get from all of you.
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
In Norway (were I live), moose hunting is typically a team effort, involving a group of hunters, dogs, kids, grandmothers etc. In the rural areas, it is probably the most important social event of the year. My kids love it.

Sounds like your grandson will have a perfect hunting rifle, reduced cast bullet loads are just the ticket for him to adapt to the rifle.
Good luck!890289038904
 

Pistolero

Well-Known Member
That 7x57 is a good choice. I remember being sensitive to the recoil of a .30-06 when I was young, and
happy with the recoil of the 7x57 by comparison. I have killed an elk and a number of big game animals
in Africa with it, besides a number of white tailed deer. The 7x57 kills at the front only, not also at the
rear.

Mild cast loads are a great introduction, and good for building marksmanship skills.

Great pictures, Spindrift. Does the whole family actually hunt, or just get involved in dealing with
the animal after it is down?
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
The whole family often participates, but not necessarily carry guns. We use several different tactics. The first few days of the hunt, there are often many family members present. We place shooters in strategic places, while those without guns walk through the terrain to get the animals moving. We use radio communication.

After a few days, we are usually less people. Then we use the dogs. The grey spitzer runs loose, localize the moose and starts baying (don't sure if it is the right term ; it barks). The moose usually stands stiller, and the closest shooter can advance (VERY exciting).
The black spitzer is kept on a leash, it uses all senses to lead the hunter by shortest possible route to the moose, without making any sound. Other shooters are placed in strategic places, as the animal is quite often spooked.
 

Pistolero

Well-Known Member
Baying is close....often the term is used for the particular sort of yelping/howling barking, a different sound
that many hound type dogs use when trailing animals. Like beagles, as an example, or hounds chasing
a cougar/mtn lion. Slightly different, more melodic, longer and rhythmic than just barking.

Your English is excellent. I used to travel in former Soviet countries and it is interesting to talk
with non native English speakers. They come up with questions like yours, which require a bit
of careful thinking to try to explain in a non-circular way. Good for the brain, I think.

Interesting hunting methods. Most places radio use is not legal here. I have used them when hunting
elk in the mountains (red stag - well, sort of) but only after shots are heard to see if assistance is needed
in dressing game. I know you call the moose, elg. (or at least I THINK that is correct) so "elk" can be
confusing, I am sure.

Interesting that the dogs have such different roles to play, too. We mostly sit and wait, or slowly and
quietly move around looking for game. Not so organized, and probably not as successful, either.

Here is a coon hound, anxious to hunt, showing off his baying


Bill
 
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Spindrift

Well-Known Member
The scandinavian moose is called elg, that is correct! It is slightly smaller than the american moose, about the size of your elk, in fact. The scandinavian countries have several ancient breeds of "elkhounds", all spitzer dogs.