If you as a hunter make mistakes when handling weapons and ammunition, you will lose your hunting license sooner than you think. We’ll show you what you need to pay attention to.
During your hunting training, many conversations between you and your “hunting classmates” will revolve around the question of which weapon is best to buy after passing the test. There is great anticipation in these discussions about soon being one of the few groups of people who are allowed to own and carry weapons and ammunition.
But your joy can be dampened more quickly than you think, because anyone who violates even one of the numerous firearms regulations will quickly get rid of their weapons. And if you lose your firearms permit, your hunting license will usually be lost as well. More details can be found on virginiacitizensarmory.com.
To ensure that this doesn’t happen, in this hunter’s guide you will find the most important basics on how to handle weapons and ammunition correctly.
HUNTER OF THE MONTH: TATJANA PUCHMÜLLER
My name is Tatjana Puchmüller. I was born in Lower Saxony and am 44 years old. My interest in hunting was sparked at the age of 12 by an acquaintance who often took me to the stands because I don’t have any family background. The great impressions he gave me in the area back then gave me the desire to become a hunter myself. And so I saved my confirmation money and finally took my hunting license course with the district group at the age of 16.
Hunting “on the side” wasn’t enough
I just soaked up the knowledge and at some point realized that hunting “on the side” wasn’t enough for me. Since my boyfriend and now husband was already a professional hunter, I got to know this profession early on and so it quickly became clear to me that I wanted to take this path too – despite all the prophecies of doom. However, my mother vetoed it and said that I should learn something “sensible” first. So I trained as a veterinary technician at the Hanover University of Veterinary Medicine and stayed there for three years after completing my training.
In 2001 I followed my husband to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where he had accepted a position as a hunting school director. Now I finally had the opportunity to train as a professional hunter! I pushed myself through the apprenticeship (I was only the second woman to train to become a professional hunter) and passed the journeyman’s examination in 2004 as the best in my year. Now I finally had the time to run my first Hanoverian. This breed has accompanied and fascinated me since my youth.
Three years later I passed my examination to become a district hunting master. This has been followed by various honorary positions on the board of the Federal Association of Professional Hunters (2nd deputy chairwoman), member of the examination commission of district hunting masters, as a recognized bloodhound handler for the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, JGHV judge in the welding work department, instructor in the bloodhound handler course of the Association, member in our fawn rescue association, dog leader in the hunting ring, member of the hunting horn blowing group… As a result, I was first appointed head hunter and finally game master.
My husband and I now run Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s oldest hunting school (Sanitz Hunting School). We are proud to be able to pass on to our students the values they have learned through their careers along the way. For me/us it is essential that the prospective young hunters receive solid training so that they can form their own opinion on the many problems with forests and game that have been raised with appropriate basic knowledge. The change between lessons at the hunting school on the one hand and practical hunting and tracking with my HS dog on the other is absolutely perfect.
What weapon do you wield and why?
This isn’t surreptitious advertising, it’s really true: I’ve been carrying a weapon (built in 1988!) in .308 Win caliber since my hunter test. and I don’t want to have any other weapon. It’s extremely easy to handle and is still my favorite tool, even if it has one or two flaws in the shaft due to frequent use. During the search I carry an old 98 repeating rifle in caliber 8x57IS.
Which ammunition do you prefer and why?
I shoot the Norma Vulkan and have been very happy with it for many years for all types of game and hunting.
What do you always go hunting with?
With my bloodhound, electronic ear muffs and camera.
What will your next hunting purchase be?
An in-ear hearing protection so that I can finally swap my baseball cap for my real hunting hat.
DRIVEN HUNT – PREPARATIONS FOR THE DECISIVE DAY
In 2023/2024, hunters can finally expect a relatively normal driven hunt season: no Corona requirements and the ASF hysteria also seems to have dissipated. The first restriction areas have already been lifted. There is enough game and as little as possible should be left to the wolves. So let’s get to work!
Unsocial social hunts
The group hunts during the pandemic lacked one thing above all: the communal experience, the exchange between the participants, the feeling of being a hunting family. In recent years, driven hunts have taken on the character of game population regulation and were therefore far removed from the feeling of collective hunting with like-minded people. It remains to be hoped that such circumstances will not be repeated. When it comes to hunting, they are a real hindrance to fun.
A lot of work already in preparation
Anyone who has ever organized a driven hunt knows how much work is involved if everything is to go smoothly, successfully and without accidents: checking driven hunt bucks and stalking paths, setting up new seats if necessary, developing alternative plans for other weather conditions (rain/wind), drivers and dogs (for driving and searching), instruct employees, organize game recovery and game care, take brass players into account, fill out route lists and game origin certificates, lay routes, notify game dealers and finally provide all participants with some form of food. Depending on the area and local tradition, additional points may be added or eliminated.
Organize the right dogs
Rifle bullets, with their speed and ability to distract, require the utmost care when selecting the firing range in order to eliminate as many dangers as possible. There is also a high obligation to ensure that the game is processed in a hygienic manner. All of these things put a lot of pressure on the organizers. Inviting good dog handlers early is important in long-term preparation. Their number is limited and the appointment calendar fills up very quickly. Browsing dog breeds down to the Track are the best choice. Different sizes and working methods are the best way to get the game onto the runs – whether led in a drive or strapped from a stand. Sometimes pointers are also used, which should be used due to the lack of small game. This can be problematic because they often move the game much too quickly, grab it and are rarely loud. In the forest, the location of most driven hunts, the sound of tracking is an invaluable advantage.
Also Read: Reasons to Start Hunting with Thermal Optics
