July/August 1978 - American Handgunner

standing Handgun Hunter Award is DanBrainard. Dan is the first sport hunter inmodern times to legally take a muskoxwith a handgun-a Smith & Wesson,M-29, .44 Magnum using handloadedammunition. Not only did Dan take amuskox with a handgun, his trophy is alsorecord class-by both ABGHA andBoone & Crockett standards.To furnish the reader a basis forgreater appreciation and understandingof Dan's achievement, a brief backgroundregarding muskox hunting in Alaska isperhaps in order. One should first realizethat by the mid-1800's Alaska muskoxhad been eradicated. and that remainedthe situation until 1935-36 when thirtyoneGreenland muskox were transplantedto Nunivak Island. From that time untilaround 1950 the population growth ofthese animals was slow; thereafter it increasedrather fast-500 muskox by1965. By 1968 the Nunivak muskox popu-lation had reached 750 animals-this increasein spite of the fact that someanimals were removed for domesticationexperiments and others were transplantedto Nelson Island. Concern wasthen voiced by various game biologiststhat something had to be- done or elsemany of these animals would be lost todisease and/or starvation.As a result, the Alaska Board of Fish &Game approved (1968) hunting as onemeans to manage the surplus population,but political opposition delayed the implementationof sport hunting until 1975.Whenever the preservationist's viewsprevail, it is usually to the detriment ofthe wildlife to be "saved." The Nunivakmuskox herd was to be no exception. Becausethe animal population was allowedto exceed the winter carrying capacity ofthe land, the end result was over onehundred and fifty dead muskox.By 1975 the muskox population had increasedto the extent that the first permithunts were held in the fall; however, onlya token number of ten muskox were taken.The second hunt was held duringFebruary-March 1976 and forty hunters,nineteen of which were nonresidents,were successful in taking muskox. In1977 another sixty permits were granted,thirty in the spring and thirty in the fall,and from the latter group it was DanBrainard who became the first hunter tochoose and use the handgun as his primaryhunting arm.If one considers the fact that a muskoxtrophy tag costs the resident $500.00 andthe nonresident $1000.00 (not refundable),together with the additionalexpenses for a hunting license, air transportation,guide service (not mandatorybut recommended), and trophy processingif successful; it is not surprising thatvery few hunters would consider andeven less would deliberately choose touse a handgun in preference to a rifle.Other factors being relatively equal,AMERICAN HANDGUNNERJULYIAUGLthere is a greater challenge in successfullyhunting big game with a handgunthan with a rifle. It should be stressedthat the actual degree of challenge iswhat enables the ethical sportsman to differentiatebetween a slaughter and ahunt. The game hogs, poachers and/orother maladjusted persons, who are interestedonly in the slaughter, cannotcomprehend the idea, let alone the significanceof the challenge in a hunt! Dan'sdecision to hunt muskox with a handgunwas undoubtedly based on other factors,but the increased challenge of a handgunhunt would have beenimportant!REVOLVER SHOOTERSREVOLUTIONARY NEW SIGHTSBehlert's revolutionary new patented sightreplaces existing K or N frame sight with noalteration to the frame!* 20 clicks per revolution adjustment inelevation, and 16 clicks windage per turn!On D.W. and Ruger clicks are 16 and 16!* By far the finest adjustable sight on themarket for S&W handguns!* Elevation stud is twice as long as thestandard factory, thus removing theproblem of popping the stud when adjustingfor long range shots!* A flat rear blade makes for the clearestdefinition and pickup of your sight!A must for the serious shooter, in all fields!Price $32.00 std. or $35.00 white outlinesPlease add $1.00 postage, dealer inquiries invited!We pay $5.00 for your old sight if it's in good conditionIMPORTANT * ORDER FOR MODEL AND DASH NUMBERSUCH AS 19-3,29-2 etc.Send $1.00 for our catalog on custom pistol workBEHLERT CUSTOM SIGHTS, INC.