EDITOR'S PAGE

EDITOR'S

When, last August, Arizona Highways published an article focusing on the threat posed to life, limb, and nature-at-large by irresponsible operators of off-road vehicles, we received a large volume of mail in response. A sampling of the letters appeared in the November issue. Although most of the writers agreed with our concern, some blasted us for suggesting there ought to be some limitation of an individual's "right" to behave any way he or she might wish while traversing public lands.But from among our supporters there emerged an additional concern, also related to the conduct of some who venture into the great outdoors in search of recreation. Several experienced hunters sounded an alarm activated by a species potentially even more dangerous than a defiant ORV driver: to wit, the possessor of a hunting rifle or shotgun who sets out for adventure in the wild without benefit of specialized knowledge, training, experience, discretion, fear, common sense, or respect for man or beast.

Here's a brief case history related to me by Don Dedera, former editor of this magazine: Don was deer hunting in the Tonto Basin several years ago when a couple of rifle slugs slammed into a tree not two feet above his head. Don hit the ground and stayed there while several more rounds were fired. When the shooting stopped, he rose shakily and searched the area in vain for the trigger-happy hunter.

Later that day, Don and his hunting partner happened upon another pair of hunters and, while idly conversing, asked if they had bagged any deer. No, they said; but oneadded that he had fired a couple of "sound" shots. What, asked Don, is a sound shot? Replied the man, it's when you hear something in the brush that sounds like a deer, and you shoot at it.

Now you know the kind of person, clearly hazardous to your health, that Karl Bosselmann was thinking about when he wrote to us to comment on the "problem hunters" he has been observing in ever-increasing numbers. Bosselmann is a hunter, naturalist, writer, and photographer.

"Americans are not natural-born hunters and shooters, as so many apparently believe," he wrote. For every trained and properly prepared sportsman going into the field, there is an untold but frightening number of incompetent or unthinking individuals who act on the assumption that owning a gun and buying a license automatically qualify anyone as a hunter.

What is the result? "The number of hunter fatalities and other accidents is unconscionable," Bosselmann continues. "So is the toll of thousands of game animals every year that are wounded, lost as trophies, and left to suffer a lingering death. If you are skeptical about this, a few conversations with guides and game wardens will open your eyes.

"Here are some of the worst malpractices: shooting at distances too extreme (usually because of laziness); rapidfiring instead of picking the shot; inability to shoot accurately; ignorance of game animal anatomy; incorrect identification of species; use of the wrong ammunition; using an inappropriate caliber for large animals."

Bosselmann has strong convictions and recommendations on the subject.

"Hunter safety classes, where available, have somewhat improved hunter performance afield, but they are not enough," he says. "I'm persuaded that hunting licenses and special permits should no longer be randomly issued. They should be granted only upon agreement to comply with the following requirements, which then must be enforced: "Establishment of minimum caliber and velocity stan-dards for hunting big game, especially dangerous game.

"Limiting the number of cartridges in a repeating rifle to three (two in the magazine); banning of semiautomatic weapons except where a medical reason exists for a waiver based on the lessened recoil factor.

"Demonstration of shooting competence to a certified range master; the accuracy requirement to be at least five consecutive rounds within a 12-inch circle at 100 yards from offhand (standing), kneeling, or sitting position.

"Requalification every three years.

"Printing of a game anatomical lethality chart (showing location of vital organs) on a portion of the hunting license.

"Such a program would cost money, of course; it should be funded by increased license fees. Thousands of competent, dedicated hunters and recreational shooters know some changes must take place. We should initiate reforms before they are imposed by others.

Our thanks to the angry, conscientious Karl Bosselmann for his "guest editorial" - and to the other sportsmen who share his concern.