Home Country

By Slim Randles

September 24, 2004

You can't be a hunting guide for years without learning a few things, and I was more than willing to share my vast knowledge on guns and hunting with my neighbor, John.

"John," I said, knowingly, "I'm going to show you how to sight in a rifle in only two shots."

"Get real," he said.

"It's no joke. It's something us former Alaskan hunting guides know about. Saves ammunition. Saves aches and pains to the shoulder region brought on by recoil."

So we loaded up the stuff we needed and drove to the quarry.

"The idea is to shoot once and see where it hits. Then you immobilize the rifle at the same point of aim, and adjust the sights until they point at the bullet hole. Then you shoot again to be sure you're on.

"A gun vise would be ideal, but we'll use the poor man's method of notching a cardboard box.."

We set up the card table, chair and box, set out the target and laid the .30-06 ammo on the table.

"OK," I told John. "Watch and learn."

I unzipped the rifle case, and pulled out my shotgun. John said my vast knowledge was probably at half strength that day.

Brought to you by McRoy and Blackburn, publishers. Visit them at www.alaskafiction.com