Picking the Right Youth Hunting Rifle

For kids that have expressed an interest in hunting, it can be challenging to know where to start. They will require their own gear – including all safety equipment, and a rifle that suits their needs. Choosing the safety gear is an easy enough process but selecting the right hunting rifle for your child takes more time and consideration.

Eight Things to Consider When Buying A Youth Firearm:

Sizing

First, note that your child’s involvement in the selection process is essential. The weight of the rifle should not be too heavy, and the size should not be too large for your child. Because youths grow quickly, ask one of our professionals what standard size they recommend. Try out different sizes and weights until your child feels comfortable with holding it for any length of time – standing and sitting.

Remember that one size does not fit all, and that your youth’s physical stature plays into their recoil tolerance. Lighter rifles have more recoil, so finding the right amount of weight to reduce recoil will assist your youth in having a successful hunting experience.

Triggers

The pull weight of a trigger is another crucial factor. For starters, try a trigger that has about half of the pull weight of the rifle. A heavy trigger can lead to frustration from your child, as they are more difficult to operate. Ideally, you should search for a hunting rifle with a trigger that has light-to-moderate pull weight.

Comb Height & Cheekpieces

Height of comb can cause certain issues, particularly with popular larger scopes that require higher mounting. Though not visually appealing, a strap-on cheekpiece can work for your youth instead of an adjustable comb. However, this should be discussed with your child to see what they are most comfortable with.

Bolt Action

Basic bolt actions are often the more likely choice for your youth, and the most cost-effective. But aside from being a cost-effective option, this does not mean that it is a “safer” action than other action types, but it does offer the widest choice in cartridges.

Bolt actions make it easy to visually check whether a rifle is loaded or unloaded. The bolt is easily removable, instantly causing the firearm to be inoperative. Note that bolt actions are not the only option for your youth. There are single-shots – break-open designs that are visually appealing.

Brands & Cost

Investing in your youth’s hunting interest is an excellent commitment. If you are unsure of which brands produce better rifle options for youths, inquire one of our professionals to steer you and your youth in the right direction. With an impressive inventory, Buck and Doe’s Mercantile can assist you in finding the right hunting rifle for your youth within your set budget requirements.

Personalize the Rifle

The hunting rifle should match the personality of your child. While this is not technically an important factor, personalizing the rifle with a pattern or color that your youth desires makes the rifle truly their own.

Firearm Education

Buck and Doe’s Mercantile believes shooting lessons are important for your safety because most firearms accidents are caused by not following basic gun safety rules. It is extremely important that anyone who handles firearms is properly trained on how to treat, handle, respect, and care for firearms properly. We offer gun classes for beginners, intermediate, and advanced shooters. Check out our shooting classes and find the gun class that will help advance your child’s skills and enjoyment of the sport.

Indoor Shooting Ranges

Our goal is to provide a safe, unintimidating environment where our customers feel comfortable. We enjoy sharing our passion for the shooting sports with first-time shooters. In order to become proficient and comfortable with your weapon of choice, it is highly recommended that you visit an indoor shooting range regularly. Our instructors are equipped to help you along the way, and a Certified and trained Range Safety Officer is always on site to ensure your safety at all times.

Plan Your Visit With Us Today

Buck and Doe’s Mercantile is the store for you when selecting the right youth hunting rifle. Our highly experienced, professional staff will deliver accurate and reliable information and friendly customer service. Having a hard time finding exactly what you’re looking for in the store? No problem, Buck and Doe’s Mercantile online store carries thousands of products, all offered at a great price.

Visit our website and call us today at 830-980-3637 to get more information on picking the right youth hunting rifle.

A Beginner’s Guide To Archery

Archery is an Excellent and Safe Sport for Everyone

It enhances your balance, strength, focus, and coordination while also showing you how to have good posture. Whether you are wanting to learn archery to be a part of a relaxing sport or to enter in competitions, educating yourself on the terminology and equipment should come first.

Archery Classes

First, you should sign up for an archery class. Buck and Doe’s offers archery classes for beginners, and has an indoor archery range that allows everyone, from beginners to those looking to sharpen their skills, a place to practice in a well-lit, climate-controlled environment. Classes are an hour long, and you do not need to have purchased a bow beforehand; we have plenty of rentals to pick from. Taking classes is highly recommended before doing ‘on your own’ training.

Finding the Right Bow for You

Recurve bows are typically the most popular choice for beginners learning the fundamentals. The weight of your selected bow should not be too heavy or too light, and our experts will work with you on sizing it to your comfortability. Draw weight and length can be determined at your time of visit, and we will introduce you to our inventory when all sizing requirements have been determined. We typically stock 20 – 30 recurve bows and 50 – 70 compound bows for target, 3D and hunting, so you have a nice selection to choose from. We also carry a large selection of accessories.

Safety Equipment

Work with an experienced instructor to determine the type of release you want to use. There are multiple mechanical bow releases plus finger tabs. Mechanical bow releases include Velcro hook and loop wrist straps, thumb release and finger release triggers. There are quite a few options available for finger tabs to consider, from three-finger tabs or whole handed gloves. Finding the release that is right for you is essential. Some beginners want a forearm protector (arm guard) to protect yourself while shooting. Avoid wearing loose clothing and jewelry, as it can interfere with your shooting and cause a safety hazard.

Identify Your Dominant Eye and Grip

Even if you are right-handed, that does not mean it will be your dominant hand when shooting. Try gripping your bow with both hands and see which grip feels right. To find your dominate eye, you can try this simple test at home: Face any target – if could be a nail on the wall or a doorknob – and extend your hands away from your body. Create a triangle with your fingers, with your thumbs touching and index fingers overlapping each other. Begin drawing your hands toward you without pulling your sight away from the target. Whichever eye your hand lands on will serve as your dominant eye – the eye that is closest to the arrow.

Common Archery Terminology

Bows

The Handle: Referenced also as the “riser’. The Handle is the part of the bow that you hold when shooting. It will have an arrow rest, where you place arrows before drawing them.

The Limbs: This is attached to the handle (riser). Limbs form the entire bow, with the top limb being attached to the bottom by the bowstring.
The Bow String: Connects the top and bottom limbs. When pulled, it will create tension that moves the arrow forward.

The Nock Point: Part of the bowstring. This is where you will place the end of your arrow.

The Bow Sight: This refers to being able to aim at your target. Bows are typically equipped with sights that are attached to the handle (riser).

Arrows

The Arrowhead: Tip of the arrow.

Fletching: Vanes on an arrow, either made of feathers or plastic. One vane should be a different color than the other two. This is known as the ‘index vane’.

The Shaft: Length of an arrow, between arrowhead and fletching.

The Nock: Backend of arrow that sits on your bowstring.

Target Practice

Outside of archery classes, you are welcome to come in for regular visits to our archery range for continual target practice. You do not have to be a member to use our archery ranges, and we always accept walk-ins. Our targets range from a wall of block targets and moveable block targets to meet your required distance to a large variety of 3-D targets, and even crossbow targets.

Plan Your Visit

When you feel confident enough to compete, Buck & Doe’s also hosts tournaments. In addition to competing, you can also join an indoor archery league or club. We offer options for all levels of archers. Stop by today and follow us on Instagram to stay posted on all archery events!

Visit our website and call us today at 830-980-3637 to get more information on learning proficiency with a bow. It’s a great sport you can enjoy for a lifetime.