Chris McNab - Hunting : Essential Hunting and Outdoor Survival Skills from the Worlds Elite Forces

SAS AND ELITE FORCES GUIDE

HUNTING

ESSENTIAL HUNTING AND OUTDOOR SURVIVAL SKILLS
FROM THE WORLDS ELITE FORCES

CHRIS MCNAB

This digital edition first published in 2014

Published by

Amber Books Ltd

7477 White Lion Street

London N1 9PF

United Kingdom

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Copyright 2014 Amber Books Ltd

ISBN: 978-1-909160-74-3

PICTURE CREDITS

Illustrations: Tony Randell ( Amber Books Ltd)

All rights reserved. With the exception of quoting brief passages for the purpose of review no part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher. The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. All recommendations are made without any guarantee on the part of the author or publisher, who also disclaim any liability incurred in connection with the use of this data or specific details.

DISCLAIMER

This book is for information purposes only. Readers should be aware of the legal position in their country of residence before practicing any of the techniques described in this book. Neither the author or the publisher can accept responsibility for any loss, injury, or damage caused as a result of the use of the combat techniques described in this book, nor for any prosecutions or proceedings brought or instigated against any person or body that may result from using these techniques.

www.amberbooks.co.uk

Website: www.amberbooks.co.uk

Appstore: itunes.com/apps/amberbooksltd

Facebook: www.facebook.com/amberbooks/

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INTRODUCTION

H unting means many different things to many different people. For some its about spending time in nature, observing wildlife as much as hunting it. For others, its about testing their skills in tracking and stalking. In some cases, however, hunting can be a matter of physical survival.

There are many misconceptions about hunting in the mind of the general public. Partly these misconceptions are spread by the clash between the pro- and anti-hunting lobbies, in arguments where misinformation thrives alongside passionate emotions (on both sides). There are also generalizations about the practice of hunting. Those who have not tried the activity, for example, often have the idea that the advantage of firearms always stacks in favour of the hunter, and that the animal is largely helpless prey.

Anyone who has ventured into the field with a gun knows that this last viewpoint is frequently well short of reality. When the author first started hunting in his early 20s (relatively late compared to many young hunters), he was stunned at just how perceptive and wily wild animals could be. It quickly became apparent that these were not the gregarious creatures of the town or city, but wary animals with superb senses, used to being on the lookout for mortal threats. Walk across a farmyard with a stick, and the crows and pigeons would look down on you with studied interest. Try to do the same thing with a gun and the birds would be nowhere to be seen. Hours might be spent studying promising rabbiting territory, but the outcome of the day might be nothing more than aching limbs from a long and arduous walk.

The fact is that wild creatures have sensory abilities that far surpass our own meagre powers of sight, smell and hearing. Stand upwind of a deer, for example, and within seconds the animals head will twitch up, sniffing the air, before it quickly moves away into more concealing terrain. Hunting, therefore, is a true competition, in which modern firearms only partly iron out the tremendous natural advantages the prey possesses at the outset.

For this reason alone, if you are going to practise hunting, always respect your prey. Yet even more than that, you should honour your kills for the very fact that you take a creatures life to put food on your table. In the authors view, ethical hunting is paramount if legislation isnt to kill off the pastime. I believe that there are only three reasons to kill an animal: 1) for food; 2) for legitimate pest control; and 3) to put a creature out of its suffering. Under no circumstances do I believe it is acceptable to kill an animal for mere entertainment, simply to watch it die. Such an attitude reflects badly on all hunters as well as on the individual concerned.

Therefore, hunters need to be ethical on many levels. We should only take what the habitat or species can sustain, so as not to disturb the fundamental natural balance. We should conserve as much as we hunt, obeying the laws about protecting the countryside and helping wildlife to thrive. From a legal standpoint, we should also conform to all national, state and regional legislation on hunting, even if we think it unwarranted. Only by holding our hunting to high standards will it bear the pressure of scrutiny from those who oppose it.

Winter Conditions

Many of the principles employed by military snipers can be adapted or utilized in hunting. This sniper has camouflaged his rifle by draping a white piece of fabric over the barrel, which also has the effect of protecting the weapon from the winter conditions.

High-powered Rifles

A soldier prepares to take a shot with a high-powered sniper rifle. In both sniping and hunting, long-range shooting is an extremely exacting challenge, requiring excellent physical control and a detailed understanding of the principles of ballistics.

Safe Hunting

This book is about the principles, practice and weapons of hunting. Not only does it bring in the best of civilian thinking on the subject, it also incorporates military advice about hunting and surviving in the wild. The military perspective can be an illuminating one. Soldiers are not only hunters (of other soldiers), but when the situation is reversed, they can also be the hunted. This makes them a unique breed, highly aware of their surroundings and issues such as camouflage and concealment, all of which are applicable to animal hunting. Military survival training has a further relevance to the hunter, who might find himself in potentially dangerous landscapes under adverse weather conditions.

The military also trains its soldiers in the safe handling of firearms (safe, that is, unless you are the enemy). Here we must be emphatic about the issue of safety in hunting. Every year, in every country, hunters are killed through careless mistakes, either their own or those of others. Modern firearms and hunting bows are extremely powerful weapons, and a moments lapse in safety procedures can have terrible consequences. Therefore, the following points of safety need to be established at the outset:

Carry Gear

When out on a hunting expedition in the wilderness, military-style packs can be an excellent option for carrying essential supplies and ammunition. Pack the frequent-use items, such as waterproofs and snacks, in the top sections and pockets of the packs.