jusputtn

Took my first deer with a 357 magnum yesterday. 30 yds broadside through the lungs and the 158 gr jacketed hollow core passed through.

Yes, made the same post last week in the pistol permit section.

Had a recent experience with my pistol permit that I've decided to share. It goes on for a bit but please jump to the lessons learned/thoughts at the end if you get bored. I'm hoping that more gun owners will be inspired to contact their legislators to end the silliness. I’d possessed an unrestricted pistol permit for 23 years. On August 28, while getting my permit amended, the county clerk added hunt and target restrictions to my permit. Schenectady County has a procedure set up that may allow a person to obtain an unrestricted permit, however the course is $200, requires one to bring 4 boxes of ammo ($100 for my 45) and some particular holsters. I didn’t like the expense and I figured my case was unique so I wrote the issuing agent a letter requesting the restrictions be removed. To demonstrate proper cause (or at least show that I know which end of a handgun the bullet comes out of), I noted: I had an unrestricted permit for approximately 23 years (obtained fall of 1989 in Herkimer County and later transferred to Schenectady County). I have hunted responsibly since the age of 14 including successfully hunting deer with a handgun. I am a NYS Hunter Education Instructor. I am qualified by the NRA as an Instructor for Certified Home Firearm Safety, Certified Pistol and Personal Protection in the Home. The judge’s secretary called to tell me the judge questioned whether my permit was unrestricted in Herkimer County and asked me to prove such. If I did he would consider removing the restrictions. I talked to the pistol permit clerk from Herkimer County and she sent a letter stating that my permit was unrestricted as the judge at the time of issuance and transfer didn’t put restrictions on permits. I forwarded the letter to the Schenectady County judge and he stated that he was inclined to remove the restrictions but I must first submit an amendment form to the County for his approval. So I made an appointment and stopped down to sign the form on October 16th. On October 23rd I received a notice from the clerk that my request for an unrestricted permit had been granted and I picked it up today. Lessons Learned/Thoughts; 1. I asked the Clerk why the restriction was added now. She stated that my permit came up on the system as restricted. (Note: This is after 19 years in Schenectady County.) This baffles me as you’d think this would have come up a long time ago. I’ve made several address changes and amendments over the years. 2. I asked if there was a procedure for removing the restrictions when this happened. I was handed directions to the County’s website to take the course. I chose to write a letter to the decision maker instead, which I sent directly to him. If I’d had my permit for a shorter period, I likely would be stuck taking the course. The time and money spent on the course is no guarantee of restriction removal. 3. Why should we have to pay additional fees (application fees, finger print fees, course fees, etc.) to have your 2nd amendment rights unjustly restricted? We already pay taxes. Why aren’t these services provided with the tax money that we already pay? 4. This just isn’t right. Please contact your Legislators regarding NY’s pistol permit system. In my opinion, at a minimum, it should be: a. shall issue. The Supreme Court has ruled that the right to bear arms is an individual constitutional right. b. consistent from area to area with no restrictions and no special city ordinances (i.e. Albany, Buffalo, etc. and yes, NYC in particular.) Would anyone find it acceptable to have their 1st Amendment rights vary state by state, let alone within their own state? c. up to the individual to carry open or concealed. d. protected from FOIL. Permit holder information should not be a matter of public record. The NY pistol permit system really should be abolished as a whole. Vermont seems to be doing just fine without a pistol permit system, not to mention a few others states out there.

Mine cost me $35 and had it from Herkimer County in 3 months with no basic pistol course requirement or interview. As you've likely guessed, I got it quite a while ago, 1989. And believe it or not, I've responsibly handled my handguns all these years without incident as have numerous other folks that got them awhile ago. So why is all the extra stuff/cost necessary today?

I have a CZ Bobwhite (12 gu, sxs, side lock, two triggers, changeable chokes, extractors) that I like a lot. I've only put a few hundred rounds through it so I can't vouch for longetivity. I like the two triggers as it's simpler mechanically than a single trigger with barrel selector switch so less to go wrong. I'm fine with the extractors but if you want to be able to re-load quickly with bulky gloves on (i.e. duck hunting) you may want to search out a model with ejectors. It was quite a bit over $200 but still pretty reasonable for a double at $600 and something.

BTW, Shawnhu, nice shooting.

Bloodied my RWS on squirrel today. One head shot and one through the body. Saw them on the ground, treed 'em and the head shot was really tough to see. It was bit foggy and it helped it blend into the branches. Had to search it out with binoculars.

Good job.

I'm done with Dick's and their policies.

Actually, if the cows cluster in tight under a tree there's a good chance that a severe storm is coming in. Trouble is they haven't figured out the relationship between lightening and the tall tree they're clustered under.

I have and RWS Model 34 in .22 caliber with a 4x Leapers on it. It's a springer and I like the trigger. I've popped a bunch of starlings. No squirrels yet but it's not the guns fault. Just need to get out more. I'm using JSB Diablo 15.9 gr or Crossman Premiers at 14.7 gr. The JBS's shoot a little tighter in my gun. I won't mess around with the Gamo PBS, seems like a waste of money to mess around with such a light weight pellet. I buy my stuff from Pyramidair.com

Build a fire, have them for lunch. Can't enjoy them any fresher than that.

I expect that in some cases small game hunters have "made" an archers hunt, whether the archer knew it or not.

Picked up a Ruger 10/22 Takedown for my son's birthday. Heard that supply wasn't keeping up with demand so when I found one at a gun shop I grabbed it up. He's passed his hunter ed and will turn 12 in February. I'm dieing to try it out. He'll probably be wondering why I'll be more excited about his pending birthday than he will be. http://www.ruger.com/products/1022Takedown/models.html

Nice, I'm a break barrel fan as well.

I'm still a firm believer in the freedom to make my own choice, not to be told what my choice will be.

Called Dick's Corporate Office today. The person I talked to tried to say it is an ATF requirement that a person needs a pistol permit to buy handgun ammo. She's wrong for obvious reasons. I know that NY has no requirement as the independent shops don't ask for it. I politely expressed my objection to their store policy including that I'm considering not shopping there anymore. If anyone would like to place a courteous call Dick's Corporate Office on this issue, the number is 866-677-4771. Hours are 8 to 6, I'm assuming that's EST. Even if their policy doesn't change it feels good to know that I've expressed my opinion.

Had to show my pistol permit to buy some 45 acp at Dick's in Latham. Time to call Customer Service and complain. It'll be interesting to hear what they have to say.

Saw this moose and its plaqard at the Kittery Trading Post. Seems this youngster didn't hear that a .30-.30 is marginal for deer, let alone a moose.

Ewing2007, Those are all excellent deer cartridges. Seldom will you get a shot over 100yds in the woods. In fact most will be under 50yds. Accuracy isn't really an issue as a 3"/100yd group is all that 's needed. There aren't bench rests in the woods, so practice standing. Get the gun/caliber combination that appeals to you. Be happy.

Nice!

What's your address? The wife and I are thinking of moving and I want to make absolutely sure that we don't buy the house behind you.

Seems like a novelty to me. 12 gu trap round would be much more effective in that application.

I'd recommend keeping the de-humidifier going as well. If it dies, be sure to get another one soon.

Has anyone stopped to think that a deer can cover a hundred yards in 7 seconds? If your deer drops in under a hundred yards you, and your gun, have done your part.