Air rifles have been a part of the Olympic games since they were first introduced as a sport in the early 1900s. Over the years, there have been many different types of air rifles used in competition. Here is a brief overview of some of the most popular types of air rifles used in the Olympics.

Spring-Piston Air Rifles

Spring-piston air rifles are some of the most popular types of air rifles used in competition shooting. They are known for their accuracy and precision, making them a favorite among Olympic shooters. Spring-piston air rifles use a spring-loaded piston to compress air in order to fire the pellet. These types of air rifles are typically very reliable and easy to maintain.

Pre-charged Pneumatic (PCP) Air Rifles

Pre-chargedPneumatic air rifles use compressed air to fire the pellet. These types of air rifles are often used in Olympic competition because they are very accurate and easy to control. PCP air rifles typically have a higher rate of fire than other types of air rifles, making them well suited for rapid fire events.

For more on the best PCP air rifle on the market, see this post

CO2 Air Rifles

CO2 air rifles use a small canister of carbon dioxide to propel the pellet. CO2 air rifles are typically less expensive than other types of air rifles, making them a good choice for beginner shooters. CO2 air rifles are also relatively easy to maintain and can be easily transported from one location to another.
CO2 cartridges can sometimes be difficult to find, so it is important to make sure that you have a few on hand if you plan on using this type of rifle for competition shooting.

Conclusion

There are many different types of air rifles that can be used for competition shooting, but some are more popular than others. Spring-piston and pneumatic air rifles are two of the most common types used in Olympic competition shooting because they are known for their accuracy and precision. CO2 air rifles are also sometimes used in competition shooting, although they are not as accurate as spring-piston or pneumatic air rifles.

One of the most common questions we get at M.O.R.R. is, “What is the best ham radio to get?”. Which is like answering the question from your tailor of whether you dress to the left or to the right. (Btw, the correct answer is “Yes”) There are literally hundreds of awesome ham radios on the market that will do long range communications extremely well.

The big players in the radio industry are Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, Alinco, and now Baofeng. Each company will have ham radios very similar in functionality to each other, but with slight stylistic differences. What you get to figure out is what functionalities do you want in your ham radio.

Chances are, you are just starting into ham radio and you have no clue what possibilities are even out there. So, we will help you narrow it down. We are going to go over such things as what you are doing with the ham radio, budgets, functionalities, and, in Part 2, some great ham radios that we have found work well to get you going.

Step 1: What is your Ham Radio Purpose?

First off, you need to ask yourself, “What am I going to be using the ham radio for?”. Are you going to be hiking and camping? So you may need something portable, preferably with an antenna already built into it like an HT (Handie Talkie! Think of a walkie talkie… but a little more complicated).

Maybe you are going to be backpacking away from a vehicle. So, you may want something lightweight, weather proof, and a little more power since you might be in some more remote locations.

Do you want something to install in your vehicle? Do you volunteer with a Search and Rescue team? Maybe you want something to put in your house so you can monitor nearby ham radio repeaters or trails? All of these things are going to impact what ham radio you ultimately choose. So figure out what purpose you are trying to fill before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: What Functionalities Are You Looking For In Your Ham Radio?

Ham Radio – Bands

One of the great things about ham radio as a hobby, is that there is very little oversight. Hobbyists are encouraged to dream up and create whatever they can come up with. This means that some pretty cool features make their way into ham radios sold to the mass public.

Starting at the basic things to look for, you will want to look at what band(s) the radio will operate on. Does it only operate on 2meter? Does it only operate on 70cm? Does it operate on 2m and 70cm? Maybe 3 bands? The best way to figure out your needs is figure out what ham radio repeaters are in the area that you get lost in the most.

On the left coast, 2meter repeaters are everywhere, but there are still some areas that are only covered by 70cm. On the east coast, there are more options of ham radio repeaters. The 1.25m and 6m bands are becoming more popular for backwoods adventures. (A Band is just a section of radio spectrum that tells you what frequency range the radio can operate on)

Ham Radio – Dual VFO

Having a “Dual Band” radio will go a long way to ensure that you can hit a ham radio repeater in an emergency situation. However, do not confuse “Dual Band” with “Dual VFO”. Dual VFO means that a ham radio can listen to and monitor 2 different frequencies at one time. All Dual VFO radios are Dual Band, but not all Dual Band radios are Dual VFO. Just because you can operate on two different bands, doesn’t necessarily mean you can operate on 2 different bands simultaneously.

As people who get lost regularly, we highly recommend getting a Dual VFO Ham Radio such as the Alinco DJ 500T, TYT TH-7800 Mobile Ham Radio, or the Icom IC2730A Mobile Ham Radio. Having the ability to monitor 2 frequencies simultaneously will allow you to monitor a repeater and talk to your buddies on simplex at the same time. Or listen to 2 separate ham repeaters at one time for when someone calls in.

Ham Radio – Power

How much power does the radio operate at? Most ham radio handhelds will transmit around 5 watts of power. Most mobile ham radios will operate around 50 watts of power. Most home ham radios (or base ham radios) will operate around 100 watts of power. You can find some bulletproof mobile ham radios that operate at more than 50 watts, but they will generally only be single banded like the Yaesu 3200 or Kenwood TM-281A.

You can also find a couple of ham radio handhelds out there, like the Baofeng BF-8HP 8W that do more than 5watts of power, but then you start sacrificing battery life and will need to carry extra batteries. Which, may be worth it if you are backpacking and need the extra range of more power.

Ham Radio – Crossband Repeat

One of the more useful ham radio features for the backwoods adventurer, is crossband repeat. Crossband Repeat allows you to turn your mobile ham radio into a mobile repeater! This is awesome for hiking and camping adventures. Or if you help out running communications for a bike race, or race of some sort.

A regular ham radio repeater will take your incoming signal and boost it out from a higher elevation, at a higher power. This effectively increases the range of your signal by as much as 300 miles! Sometimes though, if you are going on a day hike, you may venture outside of the signal range of your 5watt ham radio handheld as you get down into a valley near a river.

You can start the day by parking your vehicle on the ridge, and hike down into the valley. As long as your handheld ham radio can hit your vehicle, then with crossband repeat, your vehicle can then hit a repeater using its 50 watts. The repeater in return talks to your vehicle, which then talks to you off on your hike or geocaching adventure. We use this feature all the time on our TYT TH-7800 Mobile Ham Radio and Icom IC2730A Mobile Ham Radio.

Ham Radio – APRS

One great function for people that are like us and get lost regularly, is GPS. Having a GPS built into your ham radio opens up a whole new world to you called APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System). APRS is a complex system that takes your GPS coordinates, and reports them to the internet via mini APRS repeaters called digipeaters. Digipeaters are usually placed in key locations, like mountain tops or high elevation ridges. So, if you can get yourself to the top of a ridge or mountain, you have a very high chance to hitting a digipeater.

Having your GPS coordinates and GPS track posted to the internet can come in handy when venturing out away from cell reception. If loved ones or a search and rescue team need to come find you, they will have your last known coordinates and know where to start looking.

Along with your coordinates, APRS can also send emails, send out broadcasted bulletins to others in your vicinity, and text messages!

The Garmin InReach is a neat unit that will send text messages via GPS satellites, but it charges you a monthly fee to do so. APRS works in the same way, but it also does a little more. The only down side to APRS enabled ham radios, is they will cost a little more (50-100$), but, 100% worth it when you need it.

The Kenwood TH-D72A Is an awesome outdoor, IP54 weatherproof ham radio handheld with APRS built in. And the Icom ID-5100 Mobile Ham Radio is perhaps our favorite mobile radio on the market.

Ham Radio – Repeater Book and Programming

Some other great functionalities are repeater directories and ease of programming repeaters. There is an app you can get on your phone called Repeater Book (iPhone, Android). This app has a massive directory of every repeater in the United States. The app will take your GPS coordinates from your phone and list the nearest repeaters to you.

You can then export repeaters over to your radio if it is bluetooth enabled! If you hate programming repeaters (they can be a pain! Which is why we offer our Ham Radio Programming service!), then check out some mobile ham radios like the Yaseu FTM-100DR for a nice, clean, dual band radio. Or check out the Icom 7100 Mobile Ham Radio for an all band, 100w radio that works great in vehicles.

Or, you can check out one of our favorites, the Icom ID-5100 Mobile Ham Radio and its ability to come with a repeater directory built in from the factory. It will then take your coordinates and automatically select the repeater closest to you! Very cool technology.

Ham Radio – Digital or Analog

A big question that has become more of a topic in the past couple of years is, “Do I want a digital or Analog ham radio?” If you are going to be doing any kind of backwoods adventuring, we highly recommend to stay away from digital only radios like Yaseu’s C4FM, or Icom’s D-Star. In flat lands and cities, digital works amazing. You get an always crisp, clean, clear signal no matter how far you get from the repeater or the other person you are talking to.

Analog will fade in quality as you get further away from the repeater. This sounds great in theory, but the problem is that when you do venture far enough away from the repeater that you can no longer hit it, with digital, you simply drop signal. It is like a switch, there is only on or off.

If you are in the backwoods, hiking or backpacking, this can be a huge issue because you will not get any warning when your signal is going to drop. And, if you are not paying close attention, you may not be able to figure out which direction to go in order to get your signal back.

With analog, your signal will start fading and you will be able to know when you are reaching the edge of your signal. Having a ham radio like the Yaesu FTM-100DR that does both digital and analog, can be really nice to have.

There are a few other functionalities and options that ham radios will have. Some of them include the ability to take a picture, and then send it via radio waves to someone. You can also have hands free bluetooth capabilities in your vehicle radios. You can have full colored displays with maps that overlay your gps coordinates. There are waterproof and shockproof radios. And more.

Continue onto What Ham Radio Should I Get Part 2 to see our favorite beginner ham radio picks, why we like them so much, and why you need them in your adventurous life right meow!

Step 3: The Ham Radio Options!

That’s it for Part 1! This ended up going on longer than we anticipated, so head to Part 2 to see Step 3: The Ham Radio Options! and what our radio recommendations are for the outdoors adventurer!

Continue to What Ham Radio Should I Get Part 2!

Thank you for reading! Feel free to leave any comments or questions below! If you want to keep in touch with us when we add new content, join our newsletter! We do special offers that only show up in the newsletter, so make sure you sign up below!

You can also join the community forums and ask questions and see what adventures everyone else is up to!

Join the Off Road Ham Radio Community!

Also, if you don’t have your Ham Radio Technician License, head over to our Online Ham Radio Class and study up! Remember, 15% of your class registration goes back to one of our partners!

And, of course, don’t forget to check out our MORRFlate 4 Tire Off Road Inflation Deflation™ Kit!

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Magnet fishing in California is a bit of a grey area. There is no specific law against it, but there are laws against trespassing and littering that could be applied. So technically, magnet fishing is illegal in California if you’re doing it on private property or leaving behind trash. But if you’re careful and respectful, you can magnet fish legally across the state.

Magnet fishing enthusiasts are all over California, including in San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles. Here are some of the main rules to follow on magnet fishing in California:

Is magnet fishing legal in California?

Affecting ecosystems:

Make sure you are always picking up your trash and any found debris from magnet fishing. Leaving behind trash or debris is littering and illegal in California. You could face serious fines for leaving trash in public areas if caught.

Also, be mindful of the ecosystem you’re in. If you’re fishing in a river or lake, you could disturb the natural habitat and harm the wildlife. Check local regulations before magnet fishing in any body of water.

Trespassing:

You can only magnet fish on the property you have permission to be on. This means no trespassing onto private property or closed-off areas. You could be fined or arrested for trespassing if you don’t have permission. Violating California law for trespassing can often carry fines of $400 or more, which is not worth the risk.

Metal detector use:

In certain areas, such as San Francisco bay, it is illegal to use a metal detector or magnet fishing equipment. This is because of the sensitive ecosystem and the potential to disturb cultural resources that are located underwater. This is a clearly posted area, and if you see signs that prohibit fishing or the use of metal detectors, it is likely an area that prohibits magnet fishing as well.

The best spots to legally magnet fish in California:

There are many spots in California that are perfect for magnet fishing, as long as you follow the rules. Here are some areas that people are flocking to for magnet fishing:

The LA river:

The LA river has many spots with bridge access and waterways that pass under highways, making it perfect for magnet fishing. However, check for signs prohibiting magnet fishing or trespassing before you start, as there are sections of the LA river that are not accessible to the public.

Legg Lake:

Legg lake is a great place to find old coins, as it is a very popular spot for fishing. This lake is located in South El Monte, CA, and is open to the public for magnet fishing.

Berkeley Marina:

Although it is part of the San Francisco bay area, the Berkeley Marina is a great spot for magnet fishing. There is public access to the water and plenty of areas to fish from the pier. This is an area that does not prohibit magnet fishing as long as you follow the rules.

Marina Del Rey:

One of the largest man made marinas in the United States. There is public access to the water and lots of parks along the channel/waterways This is also an area that does not prohibit magnet fishing as long as you follow the rules.

Common items found in Magnet fishing throughout California:

Magnet fishing in California can be a lot of fun, especially in areas that are commonly used by tourists and locals. Some of the most common items found when magnet fishing in California are:

• Old coins
• Buckets
• Tools
• Knives
• Wedding rings

Rings are common in swimming and fishing areas, and you can often take them to the police to be returned to their owners.

If you find any cultural artifacts, such as old coins or tools, it is best to leave them in place and notify the authorities. These items could be part of California’s history and should be preserved. You should also contact authorities should you find any firearms or other weapons, as these could be dangerous.

Overall, magnet fishing is a great way to spend some time outdoors, and you can even find some valuable items. Just make sure to follow the rules and regulations in place to avoid getting fined or arrested. With a little research, you can find the perfect spot for magnet fishing in California.

One of the most popular targets for hunters is the duck. Various species of this waterfowl are widespread in most countries, so everyone has the opportunity to shoot a large number of individuals. There is a wide variety of types of duck hunting. In some of them, hunters will need night optics. It will allow you to do what you love after sunset and in the pre-dawn hours, when natural light is not enough for high-quality aiming and making accurate shots.

Features of duck hunting with NVDs

Duck hunting is an exciting activity that gives each participant unforgettable emotions and allows them to show their hunting abilities. The secret to the success of such an event lies in the details. The hunter must use carefully prepared weapons and the highest quality auxiliary devices to achieve his goals. The latter always includes NVDs. They can provide good visibility in the early morning and late evening and at other times of the day when there is a lack of natural light (for example, in adverse weather conditions). With their help, duck hunting will become more accessible, exciting, and safer.

For this type of hunting, you need an adequately selected weapon. It must comply with legal regulations and all hunter requirements. The same rule applies to ammunition used for shooting ducks. The third important aspect to pay special attention to is the selection of NVDs. Some scopes, binocular or monocular, are suitable for a duck hunter. To qualify as such, the chosen device must meet several criteria that make it possible to shoot waterfowl. The main one is the equipment’s ability to provide the user with an image that quickly changes in real-time. The selected night optics must process the image as soon as possible and display it on the screen with a minimum delay. Compliance with this criterion will make it possible to see the goal, regardless of the actions it performs. This will simplify the task even in cases where the hunter’s only chance of success is to kill the duck on takeoff or while lowering into the water. Not all NVDs have the ability to process images quickly. Only the best and most reliable manufacturers can create models with these options and provide them to hunting enthusiasts at an affordable price.

Hunting ducks with night vision equipment is always fun. For this activity to not only give positive emotions but also allow you to get good trophies, you need to consider the behavior of birds at each moment in time. NVDs are often used in the early morning, when the sun has not yet risen, and late evening. At this time, they compensate for the lack of natural light and enable the hunter to see well. Before sunrise, ducks become more active. They are full of strength and energy after rest, so all their actions are fast and sharp. This creates specific difficulties for the hunter since shooting an actively moving bird is much more complex than a stationary target. If you use NVDs, the task will be a little more straightforward. The hunter will be able to see ducks’ behavior and predict their actions. At the same time, most waterfowl are more predictable in the morning than in the evening. They perform the same daily activities and rarely change their usual feeding places. It is this feature that is important for a hunter to take into account when choosing the optimal point for shooting. After sunset, ducks become less active. They move pretty slowly and, in some cases, remain entirely motionless. The latter occurs in cases where there is very little daylight and the birds are preparing for rest. At this time, shooting a duck is relatively easy. However, the hunter needs high-quality night optics from a reliable and time-tested manufacturer for this. Only she can cope well with the assigned tasks and will not let the user down at the most crucial moment.

Using various NVDs during duck hunting opens up new opportunities for the hunter. With their help, he can see all the birds in the pond and accurately determine their species. In addition, night optics will also come in handy when searching for a suitable place to set up a shelter. It will allow you to clearly see the surrounding area and safely move even along the most challenging paths near the reservoir. If hunting is carried out from a boat, then night optics will be helpful. It will help you safely swim to a predetermined place and quickly inspect the territory, finding each feathered target.

When hunting ducks, it is essential to remember that these waterfowl are never alone. They live in large flocks, which can number several hundred individuals. In this regard, if you find at least one duck, the rest of the community will be somewhere nearby. Ducks choose relatively small bodies of water as their home sites, with plenty of food for them. They feed mainly on plants but can also enjoy various small aquatic inhabitants. Considering the above, the hunter needs to look for ducks in places that meet all these criteria. If searches are carried out in the dark or poor daylight, then various types of NVDs will help increase the efficiency of such work. They will significantly improve visibility and help you spot potential prey faster.

Benefits of duck hunting with NVDs

Early morning and late evening are excellent times not only for nature walks but also for duck hunting. In this case, hunters will definitely need night optics that can compensate for the lack of natural light during the event. Its capabilities will provide users with many advantages, increasing the chances of completing the hunt.

Advantages of hunting in the wee hours:

1. Early activity of birds. During the first hours allotted by law for the legal shooting of ducks, these waterfowl are very active. Thanks to this, the hunter has many potential targets from which he can choose the most accessible one. In case of poor visibility, various NVDs will come to the rescue. They will help you correctly assess the situation and find optimal goals.
2. Long-term activity of birds. Ducks are active before sunrise and throughout the next few hours. This time will be enough for the hunter to enjoy hunting and get several good trophies. It can be pretty dark on cloudy days, in the predawn hours, and during sunrise, so seeing a potential target is not always possible. Modern night optics from a trusted manufacturer will help solve this problem, providing the hunter with a high-quality and clear picture of the area.
3. Birds’ employment. Before dawn and just after sunrise, ducks are busy searching for food. In this regard, they pay little attention to the events around them, allowing the hunter to get as close as possible. In this case, the only problem for successful shooting may be the lack of natural light. Various modern NVDs designed for hunters can compensate for this.

Benefits of hunting after sunset:

1. Reduced bird activity. After sunset, most waterfowl begin preparing for the night. They become less active during this period, and their movements slow down. This simplifies the hunter’s task since shooting a duck during the day is much easier. Just after sunset, there will be enough light to track prey. However, suppose the bird activity is slightly prolonged (for example, due to favorable weather). In that case, the optimal time for hunting will be late evening, when there may not be enough natural light to make accurate shots. In this situation, the only correct solution would be to use various night optics, the characteristics of which meet the requirements of duck hunting.
2. A large concentration of birds. In the evening, ducks gradually gather in their roosting areas. On large bodies of water, the concentration of birds at this time of day can be pretty high, which is why the probability of a miss becomes minimal. The longer you can wait to shoot, the larger the concentration of ducks you can see. Therefore, to increase the chances of success, most hunters prefer to start hunting as late as possible. In this case, it will only be possible to do with NVDs. They compensate for the lack of vision of a person who cannot see usually in the dark.
3. Decrease in temperature. After sunset, the air temperature inevitably begins to drop. This circumstance creates a certain discomfort for lovers of evening walks but becomes an essential factor in the success of a duck hunter. Due to the decrease in temperature, the birds are forced to stay closer to each other, making them an ideal target. The more time passes since sunset, the lower the temperature becomes. Therefore, hunters try to start shooting as late as possible to be able to shoot at large concentrations of ducks. In this case, natural light will not be enough for regular aiming. However, this will be fine with modern NVDs from a reliable manufacturer.

Types of NVDs used during duck hunting

You can use different types of night optics when hunting in the dark for any waterfowl. All of them will expand the hunter’s capabilities, making available those actions that were previously impossible. By correctly using all the privileges, you can maximize your chances of success and get great pleasure from the hunting process. Each device has its purpose and is used by the hunter to achieve specific goals. Therefore, combining different NVDs to maximize capabilities is the most correct solution.

NVDs used by duck hunters:

1. Monocular. For hunters who prefer to target a variety of waterfowl as their primary target, one of the most valuable NVDs is a monocular. It will help you quickly inspect the pond and the surrounding area, finding ducks and birds there. Modern monoculars from a top manufacturer will provide good visibility even in meager light. All of them are characterized by a minimal delay in image processing, which makes it possible to see events occurring in real-time. Many types of monoculars can be helpful for duck hunters. They are equipped with thermal sensors or an electro-optical converter. Models of the first type capture the heat emanating from birds and allow you to see their outlines. In contrast, the second type amplifies the light due to its transformation in an electron-optical converter, creating a brighter and clearer image. Some combined models combine the capabilities of night optics of both types.
2. Binoculars. This NVD is a must-have for duck and other waterfowl hunters. It is similar to a monocular but allows the user to observe with two eyes. This increases the efficiency of such work and makes it more comfortable for the user. There are many types of binoculars designed for night duck hunting. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages, so choosing one depends on the hunter’s needs. Modern models of such night optics have excellent performance characteristics, thanks to which they create a high-quality image that helps to detect ducks quickly. In most cases, binoculars from top manufacturers are supplemented with many useful options that will come in handy for a waterfowl hunter (for example, the presence of a built-in rangefinder will make it possible to determine the distance to ducks and make certain adjustments to the aiming process).
3. Sight. The most important NVD for a hunter is the night vision scope. It is a must-have weapon for anyone who intends to hunt ducks and other waterfowl. Thanks to its capabilities, it will be possible to observe potential prey, aim well, and shoot with a minimal probability of making a mistake. Modern models of such optics, produced by well-known manufacturers, can transmit images with a minimum time delay. Thanks to this, the hunter sees everything that happens on the pond in real-time and can kill ducks, even during their takeoff or landing on the water. Like binoculars/monoculars, scopes from the NVDs category have many valuable additions that allow you to maximize a hunter’s capabilities and increase the likelihood of success.
4. Goggles. One of the most valuable NVDs for hunting is goggles. They work on the same principle as monoculars, binoculars, and sights but are more convenient. They do not occupy the hunter’s hands and allow him to perform several actions simultaneously. Such glasses are often used to find the optimal place for shooting. They are also used to detect ducks and determine their approximate distance. For waterfowl hunting, only glasses from a well-known manufacturer are suitable. Such optics will always be as reliable as possible, and everyone will feel comfortable using them. All modern models of night vision goggles have their strengths and weaknesses. Having studied them thoroughly, you can choose the most suitable device for hunting ducks in certain environmental conditions.

Classic night optics and thermal imaging models are equally suitable for duck hunting. The former will be the optimal solution in cases with a slight lack of natural light. Most often, this happens in the pre-dawn hours or after sunset. Thermal imaging NVDs are ideal for nights or terrible weather. They can work effectively even in complete darkness, making duck hunting accessible anywhere and anytime. Another essential feature of such night optics is the ability to see through grass, bushes, and tree branches. Thanks to this, hunters can even detect those ducks that have set up a roosting site in dense thickets. Thermal imaging optics will also be helpful during the day. It will improve visibility in adverse weather conditions that can ruin the hunt. Thus, devices that support thermal imaging technology will benefit from fog, heavy rain, and other natural anomalies.

Safety regulations

Any type of hunting, including those involving different NVDs, requires maximum caution and strict adherence to basic safety rules from each participant. This approach will allow you to enjoy what you love without fear of trouble.

Safety regulations:

1. Any hunting with or without NVDs is always a potentially dangerous activity. The greatest threat comes from the weapons in the hands of each participant in the hunt. To avoid various troubles, operating it strictly with the rules is necessary. It is also recommended to pay attention to the safety measures specified by the weapon manufacturer. When using NVDs, the risk of accidentally shooting another hunter is minimized (due to good visibility of the surrounding area).
2. Very often, ducks and other waterfowl live on the pond. Hunting some of them may be prohibited by law, making it essential to shoot only after accurately identifying the target. If you do not follow this simple rule, you can accidentally shoot a rare bird for killing, and you will have to pay a hefty fine. To reduce the likelihood of such a negative outcome, it is essential to use NVDs. They will help determine the type of bird observed even in deplorable lighting conditions.
3. Most often, small shot is used for duck hunting. It scatters in different directions, which increases the chances of hitting the bird. However, it is always important to remember that such a fraction has a relatively small weight. Because of this, it can ricochet off large stones and other hard surfaces. The hunter needs to shoot from a long distance to prevent such a situation and not injure himself. This is quite difficult to do in poor visibility conditions, so you must use various NVDs. In their absence, shooting only at flying ducks that have reached a certain height will be possible.
4. If hunting is carried out from a boat or other watercraft, then for personal safety, it is essential to consider the weapon’s recoil force when shooting. If you neglect it, then after the first shot, you can end up in the water with your gun and the night vision device you are using. This can scare away the ducks and completely ruin the hunt.
5. If there is insufficient lighting, you must carefully inspect where you will hunt ducks. In this case, it will be possible to detect the presence of other hunters in the given territory and prevent accidentally hitting them during shooting. This security measure is straightforward but effective. It virtually eliminates the risk of injuring or killing a fellow hobbyist. To inspect the area, you need to use NVDs. They will improve visibility and help detect even a well-camouflaged person.
6. When hunting ducks from a pre-arranged shelter, it is essential to ensure that it is inaccessible to various representatives of the fauna. Otherwise, the inhabitants of the reservoir and the adjacent territory may pose a danger to humans. For example, there are many poisonous snakes near many bodies of water whose bite can be fatal. Also, remember insects that carry various diseases and predators that come to drink.
7. From dusk to dawn, the weather can have a severe negative impact on the hunter. In addition to sudden changes in temperature, various precipitation and other natural phenomena (for example, fog, which impairs visibility and increases the likelihood of shooting at another hunter) can be hazardous to health. In this regard, you need to protect your body with adequately selected clothing that will not get wet and prevent hypothermia. In the event of precipitation, various NVDs will help improve hunting safety. They will enhance visibility, thereby reducing the risk of many troubles.
8. When hunting on a pond, it is essential to consider every little detail. In this regard, a hunter’s backpack should contain many valuable items to help him if specific problems arise. These items include medications, navigation aids, spare or rechargeable batteries for NVDs, a knife, a flashlight, and more. Each hunter creates his own set of accessories based on the characteristics of the hunt he is going on.
9. Anything can happen while hunting, so lovers of this activity should always be prepared for various unpleasant surprises. This attitude of the hunter will increase his vigilance and allow him to take a more responsible approach to every action he takes. The result will be increased safety and reduced risk of various problems.
10. It’s best to go duck hunting with friends or relatives. Having other people nearby will not only allow you to have a good time preparing for the hunt but will also increase the safety of everyone involved. So, in case of any troubles, a person will always be nearby who will quickly come to the rescue and help avoid the worst consequences.

Duck hunting is a traditional activity that is popular in different countries of the world. Most often, it is carried out during the daytime, when the most significant movement of birds is observed. However, in addition to this classic hunting method, an alternative one is becoming more popular every year. It involves searching and tracking prey in the pre-dawn hours or after sunset when the available light is insufficient for average visibility. In this case, various night optics come to the aid of hunters. It helps you find even well-hidden birds, aim well, and shoot with minimal misses. Moreover, only the best optics from a top manufacturer can provide such a result. If you make the right choice, you can avoid various difficulties and fully enjoy the hunting process.

Venison is not only popular in the UK and the US, but also in other parts of the world like Spain and New Zealand. It is high in protein and has fewer calories than other types of red meat. But can you enjoy it raw or rare?

Raw or undercooked venison is not safe. It is recommended to cook venison to a safe internal temperature of 145 °F (62.8 °C) for roasts and steaks, 160 °F (71.1 °C) for ground venison and sausages, and 165 °F (73.9 °C) for others.

Moreover, the meat shouldn’t come from a deer shot in the wild.

How can you prepare and store venison safely, and how should you order it at restaurants? All the answers are detailed below.

Can You Eat Venison Raw?

According to research, eating raw or undercooked venison may not be safe because of pathogenic contamination, which is discussed in the next section. Venison that came from antlered animals like deer that are shot in the wild is also unsafe.

A study was conducted to examine 30 carcasses drawn from whitetail deer shot by hunters with guns loaded with lead bullets. The carcasses showed extensive metal fragment dispersion. Of the 30 carcasses turned into ground meat, 80% of them contained lead.

The researchers conducted another study and fed the venison to pigs. The pigs’ blood results showed significant amounts of bioavailable lead (source: Lead Bullet Fragments in Venison from Rifle-Killed Deer: Potential for Human Dietary Exposure).

Furthermore, the organs of these antlered animals, such as the liver, kidneys, brain, and gizzard are not to be consumed, since lead accumulates in the organs. They can contain other metals too, as well as chemicals.

Chemicals used in many manufacturing and industrial plants could infiltrate and persist in the environment where the animals live. These chemicals can accumulate in the animals’ bodies.

Some of these chemicals and metals include:

• Dioxins
• Polychlorinated biphenyls
• (PCBS)
• Per- and polyfluoroalklyl substances (PFAS)
• Cadmium
• Mercury

So, what could happen if you ingest these?

These compounds and metals are may result in the development of diabetes and cancer, depreciated immune and thyroid functions, issues with fertility, and strained brain development in children (source: The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services).

Lead can negatively affect neurological, cardiovascular, renal, skeletal, hematopoietic, and reproductive functions when it accumulates in the body (source: Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances).

Therefore, whether rare or cooked, it is best to avoid venison that was shot in the wild.

While it’s true that some meats can be eaten raw safely, it is crucial to consider the safety of consuming raw venison. Venison tartare may also be unsafe, as found in many research studies discussed below.

Can Raw Venison Make You Sick? Does it Have to be Cooked?

Undercooked venison has been in the limelight for being linked to toxoplasmosis.

According to a 2017 study, a retreat was held wherein never-frozen purposely undercooked venison was served to the attendees. Nine out of the eleven attendees who consumed the venison had to seek help.

They experienced myalgia, body aches, fatigue, fever, sweats, arthralgias, lymphadenopathy, chest pain, shortness of breath, blurred vision, and more.

It was discovered that the Toxoplasma gondii that caused their infection came from contaminated undercooked venison (source: Clinical Infectious Diseases).

A study in 2019 published the possible first encounter and report of food poisoning caused by Sarcocystis truncata. The incident took place in Japan, where a 67-year-old man consumed raw venison.

Sarcocystis infection can lead to intestinal sarcocystosis with symptoms of fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea (source: Internal Medicine).

Also in Japan back in 2004, researchers found out that eating raw venison can result in hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection (source: Journal of Medical Virology).

Raw venison can also be a vehicle for Mycobacterium bovis, which can cause infection in the gut and lungs, as well as symptoms of fever, night sweats, chest pain, abdominal pain, weight loss, and if untreated, death (source: FDA).

When buying venison, make sure to purchase from a reliable seller or store. Do not buy the wild-caught type, or at least make sure the animal was not shot with lead bullets.

Make sure to clean all utensils, tools, and surfaces that come into contact with the meat. This means cleaning them before and after handling the venison. You can use 1 teaspoon of kitchen bleach in every quart of water for a simple disinfectant.

Chill venison at no more than 40°F (4.4°C). For longer storage, you can freeze it. In the fridge, it will keep for 1-2 days, and in the freezer for up to 1 year. Ground venison meat can keep for 6-9 months (source: Utah State University: Preserve the Harvest Extension).

Have you ever wondered how long venison can remain cold in the fridge or on ice? Proper handling and storage are crucial to maintain its quality. Familiarizing yourself with the guidelines for storing venison correctly is valuable. It helps preserve freshness and enhances the optimal flavor.

Because venison is a lean meat, cooking it for too long will dry it out. But to keep it safe, you will need to cook venison steaks and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F (62.8 °C).

Ground venison or venison sausage should be at 160 °F (71.1 °C), while soups stews, stews, casseroles, and leftovers should be at 165 °F (73.9 °C).

To achieve these cooking temperatures, it is best to use a food thermometer (source: University of Minnesota Extension: Cooking venison for flavor and safety).

Can You Eat Pink Deer Meat?

Venison steak cooked at this temperature is medium rare and still pink inside. And because it is still rare, we recommend cooking or having it cooked at least medium well to make it safer.

When ordering at a restaurant, make sure the venison isn’t wild-caught. Burgers and sausages made from venison have to be cooked at a minimum of 160 °F (71.1 °C). At this temperature, the meat will be well-done and won’t probably have any pinkish tint.

Venison is a great source of high-quality protein and also provides essential amino acids, iron, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, and zinc. Just make sure to prepare it safely for you, your family, or your friends.

Are you curious about the potential side effects of consuming deer meat, commonly known as venison? Check out my guide to learn about the various ways it can affect our bodies.

Randy Haines of Amery was bowhunting recently when an antlered buck walked near his tree stand in Polk County.

He drew his bow, took aim at the deer and released an arrow, which found its mark.

The events to this point were similar to thousands of other hunting stories in Wisconsin this fall.

But when Haines recovered the animal, he noticed something different.

The young buck had a whitish rump patch and a black tip on its tail. Its facial markings, too, were not something seen on most whitetails.

It was a mule deer, a species found in the western U.S. and parts of Canada and Mexico.

The closest established population of wild mule deer to Wisconsin is found in central South Dakota, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Haines contacted the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and told them about his kill. Conservation wardens and wildlife biologists with the DNR confirmed it was a mule deer.

Haines acted legally in shooting and tagging the animal. He now has one of the most unusual Wisconsin hunting tales of 2015.

The big question is: Where did the muley come from?

Is it a wild deer that traveled from the western U.S. into Wisconsin? Or is it an escapee from a captive facility?

Escapes from deer farms are especially concerning for the health of Wisconsin’s wild deer herd.

If you’re looking at probabilities, a wild mule deer has never been documented traveling 600 or more miles on its own power from its native range into Wisconsin.

On the other hand, animals escape from Wisconsin deer farms or shooting preserves at least several times a year.

State wildlife officials weren’t drawing any conclusions Wednesday.

“At this point, we really don’t know where (the mule deer) came from,” said Bob Nack, DNR big game section chief. “It’s not something we see every day, that’s for sure.”

Nack said the DNR had received reports in recent weeks of a mule deer being sighted and captured on trail cams in northwestern Wisconsin.

So when the kill was reported, it wasn’t a complete surprise.

Conservation wardens inspected the dead buck and found no signs of ear tags or other markings typical of a captive animal, Nack said.

Tissue samples were taken from the mule deer and submitted by the DNR for chronic wasting disease testing.

The deer was not aged by the department, but is thought to be 11/2 to 21/2 years old. It had relatively small, forked antlers and its body appeared to be in good condition.

White-tailed deer, along with their bigger relatives elk (about 200 animals) and moose (a dozen or so), are the only members of the deer family typically found in the wild in Wisconsin.

But a few mule deer have been documented over the years in the Badger State, including one that was killed in 1988, according to Kevin Wallenfang, DNR big game ecologist.

And in 2011, a Vernon County resident sent trail cam photos to Nack that showed what appeared to be a young mule deer.

In was not determined in either case, however, whether the mule deer were wild or escapees.

Could a mule deer walk from its native range to Wisconsin?

If it did, it would have to pass through Minnesota, which has no established mule deer population, according to Pete Takash, fish and wildlife information program leader for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Depending on where they live, some mule deer do migrate, said Kent Hersey, big game project leader for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Hersey said typical mule deer movements are 5 to 10 miles between winter and summer ranges, with the extremes being 0 and 100.

Hersey, a native of Pennsylvania, said Wisconsin doesn’t feature typical mule deer habitat.

“I’ve never heard of a mule deer east of the Mississippi River,” Hersey said. “But in some wildlife, a young male will do surprising things.”

Hersey also said this: “You never can discount it being a release from a captive facility.”

Wisconsin has about 500 captive deer facilities. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection on Wednesday did not provide information on the number of facilities in Wisconsin that have mule deer.

But at least some shooting preserves have captive mule deer and allow paying customers to kill the animals.

Deer Haven Acres in Adams offers mule deer hunting on its fenced shooting preserve, according to its website. And Huntingtripsrus.com advertises mule deer hunts at unspecified locations in Wisconsin.

As chronic wasting disease continues to spread across Wisconsin and other states and provinces in North America, wildlife health advocates are advising increased scrutiny on deer farming practices and regulations.

So a young mule deer several hundred miles out of place isn’t just a novelty that draws interest on hunting chat rooms.

It also raises alarm bells with those concerned about the future of Wisconsin’s wild deer resource.

“I’ve lived in this area my entire life, and I’ve never seen or heard of a wild mule deer here,” said Dave Clausen, a retired veterinarian and former chairman of the Natural Resources Board from Amery. “Maybe we’ll start to see a whole herd of them. Or more likely, it was an animal that escaped. Hopefully we’ll be able to find out.”

Deer farmers are required to report escaped animals. No such reports were available Wednesday.

State wildlife officials didn’t rule out the possibility of it being a wild deer.

“You don’t expect a mule deer in Wisconsin, but when it comes to wildlife, nothing surprises me any more,” Nack said.

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Whether you are hunting a cool fall morning or hunting a severe and brutal winter, you don’t have to worry about that as a hunter. Instead, make every effort you can to choose the best hunting clothing for your hunting conditions.

There is no limit to the number of players in the marketplace when it comes to hunting clothing. However, for any serious hunters out there. When it comes to quality, there are only a few hunting clothing brands that are worth their weight in gold.

We’ve covered the Top 7 Hunting Clothing Brands (In Our Opinion – Which is all that counts, right?)

Full Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. If you follow an affiliate link and end up making a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

1. KUIU

When it comes to hunting gear, no brand has garnered as much popularity and recognition in recent years as KUIU. Renowned for its extensive range of cutting-edge equipment, including high-performance clothing, durable packs, and a diverse selection of accessories, KUIU stands out from the competition.

KUIU’s unwavering commitment to unparalleled quality and innovation sets it apart. With advanced materials and state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, their gear exceeds industry standards. Their exceptional clothing ensures optimal performance, from temperature-regulating base layers to waterproof outer shells. Additionally, KUIU offers reliable packs and a comprehensive range of accessories to enhance your hunting experience. With KUIU, you not only get superior gear but also exceptional customer service from a team of knowledgeable experts.

What Sets KUIU Apart From Its Competitors?

KUIU’s top technology lies in its innovative use of Toray fabric. This high-performance material, developed in collaboration with the renowned Japanese textile manufacturer Toray, sets KUIU gear apart. The Toray fabric offers exceptional durability, lightweight comfort, impressive breathability, moisture-wicking capabilities, and wind resistance.

It also provides excellent water repellency, ensuring hunters stay dry and comfortable in wet environments. By incorporating Toray fabric, KUIU enhances the overall performance, mobility, and endurance of their gear, allowing hunters to focus on the thrill of the hunt with confidence.

Shop for all your KUIU clothing needs today!

2. Sitka

Sitka has to be one of the most well-known and most talked about hunting clothing brands around the world. They’ve been in the hunting clothing business for many years and have clothed some of the best well-known hunters in the world.

Whether you’re an experienced hunter with years of hunting to your credit or just starting to really get into the hunting spirit, one thing that every hunter knows is the importance of having all the necessary hunting gear, and the right hunting clothing for the hunting conditions you may face.

We all know that the right pair of hunting pants, and the right hunting jacket will get us through any weather condition we might encounter. There’s also no doubt that a solid comfortable pair of hunting boots are necessary for a successful hunt, so knowing the top hunting clothing brands are a key to having an enjoyable and successful hunting trip.

What Sets Sitka Apart From Its Competitors?

SITKA Gear understands the value of technology and how to use it to benefit the hunters their brand serves.

Sitka Hunting Clothing is made to withstand the toughest hunting conditions. That’s why they choose to employ such technologies as, GORE-TEX®, GORE-TEX INFINIUM with WINDSTOPPER®, Polygiene and PrimaLoft®. These high-tech materials allow them to provide hunters with only the best hunting apparel on the market today.

Shop for all your Sitka Gear clothing needs today!

3. Drake Waterfowl

Drake is another hunting clothing brand that has created a wide variety of hunting gear that is very popular with duck hunters. However, Drake Waterfowl hunting clothing is fast becoming a favorite with big game hunters. Drake Waterfowl offers everything a hunter could need ranging from hunting clothing, to hunting bags, and even hunting accessories.

What Sets Drake Apart From Its Competitors?

One very unique thing about Drake Waterfowl hunting clothing is that they produce a variety of different hunting clothes series, each hunting clothes series has been created to address the special hunting conditions and circumstances the hunter might find themselves in while hunting.

For example, Drake hunting clothing has a full line-up of hunting jackets, vests, hunting pants, duck waders, and hoodies. All of their hunting clothing uses a lot of different fabrics with different camouflage patterns that will provide a hunter with full concealment, weather protection, and temperature regulation. All of which is very important for a comfortable and successful hunt.

Shop for all your Drake Waterfowl clothing needs today!

4. Kryptek Hunting Clothing

Kryptek is a hunting clothing brand based in the USA and specializes in producing very tactical clothing for hunters. It was also one of the first brands to earn the title of top hunting gear brand in the world.

Kryptek employs military-grade features in their hunting clothing and is the perfect way to really distinguish yourself from other hunters by sporting a top hunting clothing brand.

Kryptek features military-style camouflage patterns, and other features that can provide maximum stealth and concealment for hunters. The features of Kryptek hunting clothes help hunters not only blend into their surroundings, but it’s nearly one step away from allowing them to totally disappear.

What Sets Kryptek Apart From Its Competitors?

Hands down its Kryptek’s micro and macro layering camo design technology, which creates a camo pattern that provides a unique 3-D appearance to the hunting clothing. Creating a unique camo pattern can be done in many ways, but Kryptek has come up with the best and most effective way to do so.

Kryptek was founded by a great group of fellas with a long history of military experience. The group at Kryptek took what they learned from actively engaging in some of the most hostile combat environments. Then tailored what they learned and the knowledge from those experiences into a proven tactical camo pattern, tested it with top military professionals and hunters. Then built that into every aspect of their hunting clothing to perform in all potential hunting environments. Making for one of the best hunting clothing brands around the globe.

Shop for all your Krptek clothing needs today!

5. Banded

If you are a waterfowl hunter there is no doubt that you have heard of the hunting clothing brand, Banded. Banded is one of the most well-known and top-notch hunting clothing brands within the waterfowl hunting space.

Banded hunting clothing not only combines comfort. But also, high performance, too. Banded offers a delicate blend of high-performance fabric and technology features in their hunting clothing. This makes owning and buying their hunting clothing a great idea.

What Sets Banded Apart From Its Competitors?

Banded has already earned its reputation, as the world leader in quality duck hunting apparel. But now the hunting brand is shaking things up in the deer hunting space, as well. With the creation of its ultra-lightweight hunting clothing line. Banded ultra-lightweight hunting clothing offers spring turkey hunters, and early season deer hunters with a quality clothing experience. The clothing line was created for those warmer early-season hunts that many other hunting brands fall short to address.

The Banded ultra-lightweight series was designed with spring and warm weather hunting seasons in mind. The durable poly blend fabric of the hunting clothing is breathable and has a 4-way stretch for easy movement. Banded hunting clothing also features dual layers that were added to protect hunters from early morning dew.

Shop for all your Banded clothing needs today!

6. Mossy Oak Camo

Since 1986, Mossy Oak has been a forerunner and trendsetting in the hunting community and one of the best hunting camo brand among hunters near and far. Over the years Mossy Oak has created literally dozens of unique, industry-leading camo hunting patterns that closely resemble the natural environment and seamlessly blend hunters into their surroundings better than any camouflage in history.

What Sets Mossy Oak Apart From Its Competitors?

Powered by advanced photorealistic 3D imagery, cutting-edge concealment technologies and the most effective designs for every species and season, they’re proven in the field by three decades of successful hunts — and by millions of loyal hunters.

Mossy Oak has become the number one camouflage pattern in America by being consistently innovative and introducing new patterns that are always a surprise and a hit. Furthermore, it’s highly touted as the best hunting clothing for the money.

From camo prints, tactical camos, outdoor camo styles for hunting clothing, to even casual clothing styles for work and field. Mossy Oak makes camouflage a statement with camouflage clothing for all seasons, all occasions, and all lifestyles.

Shop for all your Mossy Oak clothing needs today!

7. Badlands

If you’re a hunter that is always looking for a cutting-edge hunting clothing brand that likes to push the envelope – Badlands is the right choice! Badlands hunting clothing offers a great balance of technology, performance, and quality that other hunting clothing brands try to live up to. Ensuring that customers are 100% satisfied is the number one priority of Badlands.

What Sets Badlands Apart From Its Competitors?

Badlands hunting clothing offers a decent selection of men’s hunting clothing ranging from hunting jackets, hunting pants & bibs along with lifestyle apparel such as hoodies, tee shirts, hats, and more.

Badlands has some special selections of camo patterns in their hunting clothing lineup. Such camo patterns include their Approach and Approach FX. Hunting clothing can be found in these camo patterns under their Whitetail, Big Game, Turkey, and Upland Collections.

Badlands hunting clothing uses something they call, “Adaptive Coloration” in their hunting camo patterns. Their Approach and Approach FX camouflage patterns are made up of neutral colors, so they can adapt to a variety of different terrains and weather conditions.

Badlands Approach and Approach FX camo patterns use pattern design and coloration technology which allows their camo patterns to seamlessly blend into the natural surroundings – which makes Badlands camo deadly!

Shop for all your Badlands clothing needs today!

In Conclusion

Hunting is not just about the thrill of a hunt, but also how you dress for it. The right hunting clothes can make all the difference in your hunting success and enjoyment.

If you follow the advice given, we guarantee that every hunting trip you go on will find you dressed for hunting success. So, now move forward, select your new hunting clothing and go hunting!

Read more about Best Hunting Boot Brands if you have a free second!

The internet is rife with myth, heresies, and conspiracy theories born out of fiction, but mercury tipped bullets do not exist. Not commercially and not legally either. Also, a mercury tipped bullet wouldn’t become the explosive projectile imagined by Frederick Forsyth in Day of the Jackal.

I highly doubt there are ballistic advantages if any, that mercury tipped bullets may have over their standard counterparts. In the instance that a mercury-tipped round is successfully fired, it would be for but one deadly purpose.

How Deadly Would Mercury Tipped Bullets Be?

Depending on the purity of the mercury you want to use, you’ll need more than 10 grams or 0.353 ounces to make it potentially lethal. To overcome splatter and in the case of over-penetration, you’ll need to up the dose so that enough mercury is absorbed into the body.

The added payload weight would significantly mess with a mercury tipped bullet’s ballistics. Depending on the amount absorbed prior to the target getting medical help, any heavy metal poisoning won’t have immediate terminal effects.

Liquid mercury targets the liver, heart, kidneys, and the central nervous system. If a victim gets doses of a chelating agent, the effects of identifiable symptoms may be reduced.

While acute poisoning by mercury tipped bullets will often lead to death, it’s from liver or kidney damage that was pre-existing.

Another possibility is that the mercury will attack the central nervous system and the brain. All I am saying is, the mercury tipped bullets gunshot wound could prove more fatal than a secondary poisoning by the heavy metal.

However, some of its compounds, like mercury fulminate are highly toxic and sensitive to friction or heat.

A bullet tipped with mercury fulminate will explode, not in a dramatic Day of the Jackal style, but fragment further nonetheless. Unlike liquid mercury where the victim is slowly poisoned to death, mercury fulminate acts soon after the gunshot.

Let’s examine the myths surrounding mercury tipped bullets and scenarios where they have been tried and tested.

Forsyth’s Weight behind the Mercury Tipped Bullets Myth

The Day of the Jackal is Frederick Forsyth’s bestselling novel based on a real-life terrorist. He describes a process where bullets are filled with mercury, enabling them to explode on impact.

The bullet tip was drilled, and a drop of mercury poured into the hole, which was then sealed. According to Forsyth, when this bullet is fired, the mercury pushes forward to augment the round’s ballistic capabilities.

This concept, designed for maximum knockdown power, was one envisioned sorely in a work of fiction, though a few individuals claim to have tried it. It capitalizes on the bullet’s momentum and the continual devastation that the mercury carries past the fragmented round.

There are many holes that I can punch into a theory involving topping off bullets with mercury, or any other ballistic substance for that matter.

The very thing intended to make the slug explode on impact can also detonate when it’s firing from the chamber with grievous ramifications for the gun and the shooter. It’s all imaginable and may sound doable, but that’s until you factor in the physics.

And then there are legal angles since there is no way you’ll be wasting precious metals like mercury at the range. Hunting is also out of the question, and shooting such a bullet in self-defense will amount to murder.

That’s all if your mercury tipped bullets can deliver it to your target.

Amalgam Attributes of Mercury with Bullet Materials

Encasing mercury on the tip of a bullet is a procedure that shouldn’t be attempted without protective gear. Mercury is a toxic metal and reacts in peculiar ways that might catch you off-guard, with dire consequences.

Like I stated earlier, making mercury tipped bullets has been attempted, albeit in controlled environments.

Kotzar’s Findings

One instance detailed by Geoff Kotzar in a Google Group’s discussion cites what happened when he used .22LR hollow points. He injected mercury into the hollow cavity and then applied epoxy to enclose it.

Kotzar left his rounds standing overnight and when he woke up the following morning, his lead slugs had turned silver-like. What he hadn’t realized is that mercury forms an amalgam or a composite with almost all metals.

This amalgam can be solid, soft, or liquid depending on the ratio of mercury. A good example of common amalgam use is in dentistry for dental fillings and in gold mining where ore is amalgamated with mercury.

Dental fillings, particularly from before composite resins were developed, used tin, copper, silver, zinc or indium. The resultant amalgams were soft and plausible during the application but hardened as the metal was added to proportions greater than the mercury ratio.

The lead hollow points .22LRs in which Geoff Kotzar encased mercury readily became amalgams, turning a silver color. He didn’t find a trace of the mercury, and the cavity only contained the receded epoxy at the bottom.

The resultant amalgam, despite the mercury present within, is a brittle and homogenous bullet that is bound to break up mid-flight instead of exploding on impact.

This round may stray way off target due to interferences in its ballistic coefficients. After the amalgamation, there is no actual mercury that will leach out of this slug, just like in dental tooth fillings.

Going by the conventional hollow point cavity could be that a coating or an actual bullet made from a non-amalgamating metal holds the solution.

A few notable metals that mercury does not form amalgams with include iron, tungsten, tantalum, and platinum.

The Mercury Fulminate Angle

An alternative to liquid mercury tipped bullets would be to fill a hollow point, or drilled cavity with mercury II fulminate.

A primary explosive, mercury fulminate is used as a percussion or blasting cap trigger for igniting other explosions. This crystalline substance is highly sensitive to shock, friction or heat, and is similar to mercury II cyanate as both are isomers.

Mercury fulminate replaced flints as trigger means for muzzleloader black powder charges back in the 1820s. Years later, the compound was incorporated into primers for pistol and self-contained rifle ammo.

Although mercury fulminates potency weakens with time, it’s non-corrosive and decomposes into the elements which constitute it.

Due to the reduced mercury forming amalgams with brass cartridges, fulminate was replaced by more effective lead styphnate, tetrazene derivatives, and lead azide.

Mercury supplies can also be unreliable, and wartime supply deficits steered munitions manufacturers to try other chemistry.

Though not like books and movies purport, filling a bullet tip with crystals of mercury fulminate would create a projectile that explodes on impact. Fulminate ignites at less than 300° Fahrenheit, exploding with a velocity of about 4,000 fps.

I am taking the liberty to assume that firing the cartridge doesn’t make the bullet explode inside your gun’s barrel.

The person who created the mercury tipped exploding bullets myth may have heard about the explosive qualities of mercury II fulminate. I do not doubt that someone has tried it and probably ended up knee-deep in a mess, perhaps even a terminal one.

The Curious Case of a Deputy Shot with Mercury Tipped Bullets

Having trolled the internet and examined several stories researching the existence of mercury tipped bullets, one stands out.

In San Antonio Texas, a sheriff’s deputy was shot nearly 30 years ago but only died last year. Bexar County deputy Leo Gomez was shot by a gang-affiliated individual on the 24th of February, 1991.

Gomez was hit seven times with mercury tipped bullets, by a gang member named Enrique Lopez. The suspect, who had been stopped and questioned by the officer, pulled out a .45 automatic pistol and fired several mercury-tipped slugs at the deputy.

Although Gomez survived the shooting, the mercury remained within his body. This led to years of health issues, and an early retirement which culminated with terminal brain cancer.

Detectives later found out that the shooter had retrieved mercury from a thermometer, pouring it down the tips of his hollow-point bullets.

According to colleagues of the late deputy Leo Gomez, he suffered a lot and for many years. He did recover from the gunshot wounds and got back to work at the sheriff’s office.

A lot of blood work was done, and he became a sort of test subject for US air force medical researchers. Leo however surprised all his doctors by living when they expected him to die, and at that, vigorously at his love of motorcycles and police work.

He retired early from the Bexar county precinct three but continued to work as a reserve deputy constable. After a motorbike crash that left him with serious injuries in 2016, Leo was diagnosed with brain cancer.

This prompted his total retirement from law enforcement in 2018. He passed away at the age of 63, on Thursday, May 2nd, 2019.

Are Exploding Rounds a Myth Too?

Although not actually in use at the time, exploding bullets were discovered over a century ago. When their destructive nature came under review, however, the 1868 St. Petersburg declaration was instituted.

This states that inflammable projectiles or explosives under 14 ounces should never be employed during wartime.

Examples of the explosive rounds in existence at the time were the 7.62mm x54R Russian machine gun cartridge. These had a phosphorous and tetryl internal charge.

Later, Pyrodex charges were added to handgun cartridges, sometimes with a mercury additive.

Due to the level of innovation and customization that’s present in the world of guns, individuals can easily obtain instructions on making bullets that explode.

One of the most infamous examples of the use of exploding rounds is President Ronald Reagan’s attempted assassination in 1981. The would-be assassin, a man named John Hinckley used Bingham Devastator rounds, slugs of which were extracted from the president and a policeman.

The .22 caliber Devastators are composed of an aluminum tip within which a lead azide center is lacquer sealed. You will not come across these rounds today, seeing as their sale was restricted following the 81 incident.

Explosive incendiaries inside small-caliber bullets tend to have inconsistent results. Mostly the explosion doesn’t happen, a fact that Reagan thanked for his life.

Expanding Bullets Can Be Confused With Exploding Ones

Rifle and pistol bullets have been designed that expand or mushroom on impact. Hunting rounds in particular have half jackets, exposing the soft nose so that the lead expands to minimize over-penetration.

During the Burmese campaign, the old lee Enfield .303 round-nosed bullets were modified at an arms factory in India. This increased their terminal capacity, and they earned the nickname ‘dum-dum bullets’.

With the adoption of spitzer rounds which are pointed, the dum-dum bullets faded into oblivion. The term is however still used to refer to expanding bullets.

The most common handgun round with expanding properties is the JHPs or jacketed hollow points. This bullet has an axial hole within which is a tiny polymer cap, where theorists insist mercury can be added.

When mercury is mentioned in conjunction with expanding rounds, it’s probably mercury compounds in the materials rather than elemental liquid mercury.