Gunsite Goes Handgun Hunting

posted on August 23, 2010
2010823113725-hunting_f.jpg

One of Gunsite’s most popular courses is Defensive Pistol for revolvers. And as there are a growing number of handgun hunters in America, it made sense to tailor this curriculum for handgun hunting. Thus, Gunsite’s first Handgun Hunter’s Prep launched in February 2009, sponsored by Smith & Wesson, SureFire and Hornady.

A group of gunwriters, myself included, were invited. Also participating was former NRA President Sandy Froman and Dr. Paula White, director of the Zambia Lion Project, who was being introduced to handgun hunting as well as to shooting for the first time. She became a crack shot by the end of the course.

Bill Booth from Blue Heron Communications, S&W’s public relations firm, brought a variety of .357 Mag. and .44 Mag. stainless double-actions. While others were grappling over the stainless guns, I grabbed the only blued, 6½-inch-barreled Model 29 Classic. Galco Gunleather supplied Dual Position Phoenix and Dual Action Outdoorsman (DOA) holsters. On the range, we used Hornady 180-grain JHP .44 Spl. and 125-grain JHP .357 Mag. ammunition

Hunter’s Prep incorporates notable changes from the defense course, as techniques differ when your adversary is an animal—not an armed human. The Defensive Pistol class teaches double-action shooting, the object being multiple hits. With Hunter’s Prep, shooting is done single-action, the emphasis on making one well-aimed killing shot, as you only have one target and, in this case, you don’t want to wound it.

“Unless you’re pursuing dangerous game,” said Gunsite’s Ed Head, “there isn’t as much pressure with hunting as in a defensive situation, where someone may be just feet away trying to kill you. It’s rare to fire all six shots at a game animal, so we place more emphasis on tactical reloading rather than speed loading. Plus, you’re not going to be shooting on the move, as in defensive shooting. Instead, we teach standing, kneeling, and sitting positions with a handgun, as well as shooting off a rest.”

Another difference is distance. Defense courses teach close-contact shooting, starting at 3 yards and extending to 15 yards. In handgun hunting, ranges start at 7 yards and go out to 50 yards. Shooting stick techniques are also taught. And targets are bullseyes and animal outlines, rather than “bad guy” silhouettes. However, many of Gunsite’s Live Fire Outdoor Tactical Simulators are used, including “The African Trail,” in which life-sized animal targets are rigged with a flag that pops up when a killing shot is made.

Normally this is a three-day exercise, but because Javelina season was opening on the third day of our inaugural class, some of us played hooky and went hunting, where I—along with many of our group, including White—bagged pigs. (Note: a hunt is not part of Gunsite’s class; we just lucked out with Javelina season coinciding with the Gunsite dates.) I should note that while my pig wasn’t the biggest (“I’m impressed with your shooting, Rick,” White told me, “I didn’t think you could hit anything that small!”) I did drop it with a single shot taken from a kneeling position, using a two-handed hold, and remembering to cant my handgun slightly as I cocked it with my left thumb—techniques I learned in Gunsite’s Hunter’s Prep.

Latest

Fn Americana 545 Tactical Giveaway
Fn Americana 545 Tactical Giveaway

The Great FN Gun Giveaway At NRAAM 2025

Here’s a chance to win a custom, one-of-a-kind FN 545 Tactical pistol at the 154th NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits, April 24-27, in Atlanta, Ga. No purchase necessary.

Training With Moving Targets

Most target shooters understand static or bullseye-type stationary targets quite well, but did you know that adding motion into your training routine will improve practical marksmanship and the skills necessary to conquer defensive situations?

USA Shooting Celebrates 30th Anniversary

USA Shooting marks a historic milestone in April as it celebrates 30 years as the national governing body for international shooting sports within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Rifleman Review: Rock River Arms LAR-15M .17 HMR

Building a reliable semi-automatic rifle chambered for the .17 HMR can be a challenge, but Rock River Arms seems to have solved the issue with its unique RRA .17 HMR AR-style rifle.

New For 2025: Tanfoglio Hexagon Tactical & Hexagon P

Tanfoglio manufactures CZ 75 pattern pistols in a variety of forms, and for 2025, the company is adding two new variants to its lineup with the Hexagon Tactical and Hexagon P.

See New Guns & Gear At The NRA's Annual Meetings In Georgia

Freedom-loving American patriots gather every spring at the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits to celebrate their liberty and check out the newest crop of guns, optics, ammunition and accessories. This year, 2025, the fun will take place in Atlanta, Ga.—we hope to see you there!

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.