John K. Flores: Preparation is a must for deer season

By JOHN FLORES
Much of the southeastern United States is blessed with long deer seasons and generous harvest limits. What’s more, you can hunt deer with everything from a compound bow to a cross bow, and from a primitive muzzle loading firearm to a modern rifle fitted with a sophisticated variable scope that’s capable of minute of angle precision accuracy.
Even though archery hunting is highly popular across the United States, modern firearms are by far the weapon of choice when it comes to deer hunting.
The thing about firearms, particularly those that are topped with rifle scopes, is they get very little attention when the season is over. Typically, firearms are wiped down following the season and then get packed up in a gun safe or gun cabinet, where they sit until the next year.
I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve heard over the years from hunters who’ve said to me, “I saw a big buck that I shot at and missed. I checked for blood but couldn’t find any. I need to see if my scope’s off. It was dead on when I put it in the gun case after the season last year.”
Invariably I’ll ask if he checked zero on it before the season and most of the time the answer is no.
The thing about St. Mary Parish is, most of the parish falls into Deer Area 7 and the firearms (still-hunt only) season opens Oct. 18. Essentially, just eight weeks from now. The question is, when was the last time you checked your rifle to see if it’s still zeroed in?
Another thing about St. Mary Parish is, we are blessed with a gun range that’s open every day (including weekends) from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and there is no cost to use the facility.
The purpose of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Gun Range is first and foremost to train department officers. The range is a vital part of the department’s training academy that is located on the same grounds as the range.
“That’s really what it’s for,” said Lt. David Spencer, public information officer for the SMPSO, “but when we’re not actively training, we allow the public to come out and use it, which is most of the time.”
According to Spencer, most of the people that use the range are there to sight in their rifles, while others use the range for pistol shooting.
Spencer said, “There are some who come out and use the range I call frequent fliers. They go out there probably two or three times a month and do their thing.”
Besides the SMPSO personnel, the public, and other local police agencies, the range is used by the St. Mary Parish 4-H Shooting Sports Team.
“They’ll come out and use it on Saturday mornings during their competition season and they’ll practice on Saturday mornings out there,” said Spencer.
This past week, I had the opportunity to take my 9-year-old grandson, Eli Flores, shooting for the first time. From the high-quality shooting benches that are under roof to the well-maintained rifle range with concrete walkways, it made his outing comfortable, easy and successful.
Upon arrival, the first thing you’re required to do is sign in and check in with the Range Master, who besides watching over various shooting activities, can answer questions you may have.
Spencer says the one call he regularly gets from people is, “where is the range located?”
Spencer said, “For people that don’t go out there, the way it’s located on that frontage road, it can be a little confusing. You can see it from U.S. 90, but how do you get to it?”
Spenser directed the public to use the St. Mary Sheriff’s Office web address for range directions. By doing a web search www.stmaryso.com/sheriffs-shooting-range, it will take you to directions from both east and west of the shooting range.
There are times, not often, when the range is closed to the public for department activities.
Spencer said it’s best to call 337- 350-0086 first to check and see if it’s open before driving long distances and it being closed.
With deer season just around the corner, it’s time to make a plan to tune up your firearms and get ready for the season. I suggest doing it soon, as the range will start getting busy the closer we get.
John Flores is the Morgan City Review’s outdoor writer. He can be contacted at gowiththeflo@cox.net.