NRA teaching kids how to be safe while hunting with these real world examples

NRA InSights has a great article for youth hunters out there (and maybe even some adults) explaining why it is important to keep on top of your firearm safety lessons. Not because they want you to recite those lessons in front of a crowd, but because you need to apply them in actual real life situations.

Out In The Field: Safety And Success Begin With You
By Michael D. Faw

While it's important to know and follow the rules of firearm safety, the rules can't help you if you can't translate them into safe behavior in the hunting fields. It's as important to use common sense and to think ahead as it is to understand the rules. You see, situations constantly change when you're out in the real world, so it's critical to always "have your head in the game." These basic hunting situations and guidelines can help you be safe afield:

More on how to turn safety into success with NRA InSights ...

Barb Baird sits down with NRA's winningest Conventional Pistol shooter

Fairfax, Virginia - Barb Baird's column in this month's Shooting Sports USA finds the Women's Outdoor News Editor face to face with pistol legend Brian Zins. Between 20 years in the Marines, 11 Camp Perry titles in 19 years, 30 NRA National Records and runner-up on Top Shot, it's been quite the career in the shooting world.

Some know him as "Gunny," a couple even call him Dad, but whatever you know Brian Zins by, it's hard to deny his impact on competitive shooting. So why wouldn't you want to take a peek inside his range bag? What tricks and habits does Zins have? If you're interested, stick around - you might learn something.

Recognized by television viewers across America from “Top Shot, Season 2,” Brian Zins is even better known for his eleven National NRA Pistol Championship wins at Camp Perry. Zins shares what’s in his competition gun box.

More on what Brian Zins takes to the range...

Longtime readers of NRAblog might remember Jon Draper from his days in NRA's Law Enforcement Division. You might also recall that you haven't heard much about him the past few months. That's because he moved over to our very own American Hunter Magazine.

In his most recent effort, Draper shares the story of a pronghorn antelope hunt in Wyoming:

---

Pronghorns on Sunday
Not every state allows Sunday hunting, which made Assistant Editor Jon Draper's Wyoming pronghorn hunt all the more memorable.

“What day is it again?” I repeated the question for the 10th time, grasping the Weatherby between my legs, a smile plastered to my face. The feeling of “sticking it to the man” had been coursing through my body since I woke that morning. I was giddy. I knew the answer: Sunday. And while most hunters won’t realize the significance of this day, those from my home state of Virginia know it all too well. In Virginia, there is no hunting on Sunday. Luckily, I had 360 degrees of pure Wyoming surrounding me. We exited the truck and I loaded three rounds into my rifle. Glassing out past the waterhole, where an unknown species of duck seemed to taunt me, we saw the buck crest the hill a few hundred yards off and Casey, my guide, said, “You ready?”

Get more on Draper's Sunday antelope hunt ...

American Rifleman provides ins and outs of Colonial Era pistol

U.S. Model 1816 Flintlock Pistol
The 1816 Flintlock pistol is considered reasonable for a historic firearm.

During the Revolutionary War, the Americans fielded a cacophony of British, French, German, Dutch and home-grown products, which created an inventory of different styles and calibers of varying degrees of serviceability. ... more on the 1816 Flintlock Pistol ...

NFLPA/SIG Sauer Academy Training Cooperative teach NFL players firearm safety and handling

As Super Bowl 47 approaches, we turn to Shooting Illustrated's Ed Friedman and his coverage of NFL players receiving firearm training at SIG Academy in New Hampshire.

Defensive Line
The NFLPA is taking a sensible, proactive step to ensure pro-football players receive the best firearms training available.

Fans and sportscasters aren’t the only ones who watch professional athletes. Because of their fame and the public knowledge of their rather hefty salaries, criminals often target stars of the playing field for robberies, home invasions and a multitude of other offenses. Sometimes, these crimes have tragic results, like the 2007 home invasion and murder of Washington Redskins defensive back Sean Taylor.

In response, National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Executive Director DeMaurice Smith tasked the organization’s Director of Security, Tim Christine, a former Secret Service Agent, to develop and implement a comprehensive training program designed to protect its members. The result, after several years of consultation, is the NFLPA/SIG Sauer Academy Training Cooperative.

More on the NFLPA/SIG Sauer Academy Training Cooperative ...

Chiappa Arms shotgun; three barrels and seven and a half pounds of 12-gauge

Seems B. Gil Horman gets all the plum American Rifleman assignments. After last month's invitation to a midnight 3-gun event, Horman heads to Chiappa Arms for a look at their three-barrel 12 gauge.

Chiappa Arms Triple Threat
This three-barrel, 12-gauge shotgun shows it has both flash and class on the shooting range.

Chiappa Firearms is an importer that provides American shooters with a variety of guns from around the world. Many of the items in its catalogue are standard fair that you would expect to see in your local gun shop. But over the last few years this company has insisted on having at least a few interesting options in its lineup guaranteed to turn people’s heads. This year, Chiappa has teamed up with Akkar Silah Sanayi Ltd. of Turkey to launch a series of break-action, tri-barrel shotguns. That's right, three barrels instead of just one or two.

More on the Chiappa Arms Triple Threat Shotgun ...

Barb Baird sits down with Tracy and Lanny Barnes for the NRA

Fairfax, Virginia - This month we have a twofer from Women's Outdoor News' Barb Baird.

In this month's 'Whats In Your Range Bag?' column for Shooting Sports USA, Barb got a hold of twin Olympic biathletes Tracy and Lanny Barnes. These 29 year-olds have been getting it done for the United States on the biggest biathlon stages in the world and we couldn't be more proud.

The two don't stay still for very long, but Barb was able to pick their brains for a minute and find out what equipment they carry to not only keep themselves warm, but accurate on the firing line.

Shooting accurately at targets while in a still position can be difficult. Add skiing at top speeds to get to the shooting area, then dropping into the prone position or taking a knee, and you get the sport of biathlon.

More on what's inside Tracy and Lanny Barnes' range bags...

Horman experiences Midnight 3-gun for American Rifleman

If you haven't already, odds are that you're thinking about trying 3-gun. But have you ever thought about trying it at night? B. Gil Horman did just that for American Rifleman.

Don't Fear the Darkness
The Crimson Trace Midnight 3-gun Invitational was held at night with lights and lasers.

I was on vacation with my family in Yellowstone National Park this year when I received an unexpected phone call. It was Iain Harrison with Crimson Trace Corp. You might have heard of him. He’s that popular guy with an accent who won the first season of the TV competition series “Top Shot.” He was calling to see if I would like to participate in the first Crimson Trace Midnight 3-Gun Invitational shooting match.

More on the Crimson Trace Midnight 3-gun Invitational ...

Supplement your hunter's ideal Christmas with these gifts

It's only one day after Christmas. In addition to all the great gifts you found piled under the tree, there is probably one or two you may have preferred. That's why we went to American Hunter magazine for their list of of top hunter's gifts.

It's time of year once more: The holidays are upon us. With most seasons in full swing, there's not a lot of time for hunters to go shopping—so we're going to help you out. Have a fellow hunter or two on your shopping list this year? Here are 10 Christmas gifts that any hunter would be happy to unwrap in 2012.

More on American Hunter's top ten gifts ...