Author Archives: Jim Chapman
Bolt or Sidelever Action on My Hunting Guns?
I’ve been asked about my preference in a PCP rifle action for hunting: is it a sidelever or a bolt? I am going to explain why I prefer a sidelever, but I also want to be upfront: if I like everything else about a rifle and it has a bolt action, that will not stop … Continue reading
Is a Range Finder Useful For Airgun Hunting?
People who have watched my videos or read my articles have noticed that I sometimes use a rangefinder while hunting and have asked whether it is truly useful in the field. My answer is: yes and no. I do not use one on every hunt. For many hunts, such as squirrels in the woods or … Continue reading
Hunting with Shooting Sticks
I’ve mentioned that I like to use shooting sticks and bipods in the field because they let me quickly stabilize my gun in virtually any required shooting position. An advantage of using sticks rather than a naturally occurring structure is that if you need to make an adjustment or move, you can simply take them … Continue reading
Airguns and Jackrabbits (Part 2)
In this week’s post, I’ll continue on the topic of hunting the big desert hares of the Southwestern US, the jackrabbit. Sometimes I hunt the same country with a different approach. Rather than still-hunting, I’ll walk the tops of a wash and glass the opposite slope. I’ve found that a jackrabbit, spotting danger across the … Continue reading
Airguns and Jackrabbits (Part 1)
The jackrabbit belongs to the hare family. Its dark buff fur is flecked with black, and it has long, black-tipped ears and a black stripe running from its rump to the top of its tail. The black-tailed jackrabbit spends much of the day resting in a shallow hollow scratched into the ground, often beneath creosote … Continue reading
Camouflage for Airgun Hunters
I’ve been asked about wearing camouflage when airgun hunting, and whether it makes a significant difference. Much of the quarry that airgun hunters pursue have well-developed eyesight, such as squirrels and woodchucks. Real-world experience has convinced me that going into the woods in full camouflage for these species greatly improves my success rate. Some years … Continue reading
What Makes A Great Urban Hunting Rig?
One application in which I think airguns are the best practical choice is pest control in urban areas. This is the type of shooting that calls for pigeons to be culled from under the roof of an industrial building or clearing rabbits off of a suburban golf course. In both cases these pests can have … Continue reading
Airgun Hunting: Pros and Cons of Hunting Hogs from a Blind
In general, my preferred method of hunting is still hunting or spot and stalk, where I am on the ground and moving. I enjoy working through the landscape to find my quarry, then getting into range for the shot. That’s what drew me to airguns in the first place, the emphasis on hunting skill in … Continue reading
Advantages of Hunting With a Semi‑Auto PCP Air Rifle
Semi‑automatic PCP (pre‑charged pneumatic) air rifles are a small portion of the PCP air rifle space, but a few models have carved out a distinct place in the airgun hunting world. The best examples blend the precision and consistency of traditional PCP systems with the rapid‑fire capability of semi‑auto mechanics, creating a tool that appeals … Continue reading
My Thoughts on Portable Compressors
Portable PCP compressors can improve the way airgun shooters manage their equipment, depending on their needs. I personally like using a CF tank, and especially since I have a commercial-grade Omega Compressor to keep them filled, it is the most effective approach for me. However, there have been times in my airgunning history when I … Continue reading
