Luckily, all the states I have to pass through are pretty gun friendly (Oklahoma being the next best after Texas). But since Iowa is my final destination, there is not much I can change.
Actually, they have opened up the hunting regulations a little bit. The two southern rows of counties in the state are open to centerfire rifles, but only to residents and only during the January antlerless season. Handguns (.357 and larger) and muzzleloaders are allowed. No baiting allowed. Sucks for me because I have never been able to bring my trusty .270 to hunt over Christmas. I guess I’ll stick to sitting in a warm blind in Texas over a timed feeder.
This was a huge debate last time we went back there. All the locals were complaining about how dangerous rifle hunting is because of how far the bullet can travel. They didn’t like my response of “that only matters if you miss your target”. We find so many deer up there that have died a slow death after someone tried to take a 150 yd shot with a shotgun and took off a leg or something. The rifle is more humane and would also help keep the deer population in check.
Oh man that sucks. Usually such great Bwana style "hunters" take off after the deer and the adrenalin rush kicks the deer into the next county and that slow agonizing death. If a hunter would just sit still after such a shot, the animal will go 50 meters and sit down to lick it's wound. The muscles stiffen up and he's easier to find and finish, humanely. I hate folks who take a shot they can't be certain will anchor game in their tracks. I took an elk over near Fort Lewis WA back in the 1980s with a 44 magnum handgun and it dropped clean and sweet. Tasted great, too. I have a buddy who regularly hunts Elk with a .375 H&H Magnum. Talk about anchoring game! He makes his shots count, too.