Hunting tip: Yes, wind does impact rifle accuracy

Marty Prokop in his latest deer hunting tips asks - and answers - the question, "Can wind affect your deer rifle accuracy?" The answer is a resounding "yes"!
 
Prokop says, even with practice at the range where you are comfortable that you'll make a good, solid hit, you may end up with empty pockets, and wonder, "How could I have missed that shot?" I've experienced this very same thing, how about you? According to Prokop, it's the wind.
 
He reports, "according to the Sierra Bullet Reloading Manual," a 180-grain, .30-06 pointed bullet leaving the muzzle at 2,700 feet per second with a 20 mph crosswind will blow 6 inches off course at 200 yards. That same bullet, with the same 20 mile an hour crosswind, will blow 14 inches off course at 300 yards. Regardless of wind speed, bullet drift can occur if the wind is hitting your gun barrel at certain angles.
 
On the other hand, if you are shooting into the wind or the wind is directly behind you, it will have little affect on your bullet's path.
 
Prokop suggests studying ballistic charts to see how your bullet will fly and how wind speed can affect your bullet trajectory. Learn the bullet drop of your load at different distances. He also suggests listening to the weather report for your hunt unit, specifically wind speed and direction before heading out. With a little research and some practice, you could be zeroed in on a big buck at any range under any circumstances.

HUNT HAPPENINGS
• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Congratulations to winners of the latest Jim Breck Memorial Dove Derby including: 1. Steve Miller II, 2. Steve Miller, 3. Dick Fischer, 4. Bill Shook, and 5. Monty Perrotti.
 
Also reported are results so far for this years javelina contest: Dick Sayers with 50-pounds; Frankie Gaumer II, 46.8; Don Emmel, 44.5; Pat Daily, 44.5; Ben Ladrido, 42.4; Eddie Stone, 42; Larry Smart, 41.5; Adam Daily, 41; Bill Shook, 40; Sean Kerley, 39.5; Melvin Lee, 38; and Eric Johnson, 34. Dennis Florence suggests young club members take advantage of the Junior-Only Fall Hunts to get that big javelina for this year's contest. Get weigh-slips to Florence - call 782-2675 - no later than Dec. 18. Prizes will be awarded at the January 2010 meeting.
 
Great news! Buck Appleby, club member and lead instructor for the Yuma area Hunter Safety Education program with Game and Fish, is back home after his horrible accident and will be undergoing extensive therapy in Yuma to get him back on his feet and working with us once again. He would be very happy to hear from you and have you visit - call Jim Ammons at 726-6841.
SHOOTING SPORTS

• Renegade Archers of Yuma: All archers are most welcome to shoot the trail of 3-D animals at 7 a.m. (new winter time) each Sunday at the Foothills Archery range located east of South Foothills Boulevard and Avenue 15E near the foothills of the Gila Mountains on the south side of Interstate 8 - watch for the arrow sign on the left just past the pond on the right - call me at 726-0953.
 
• Southwest Bowhunters: Shoot archery at Adair Park at 9 a.m. each Sunday with the practice range open all week - call Wayne Wittenberg at 314-0140.
 
• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Open trap and skeet 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday and Sunday at Adair Park. Call John Gross at 580-7837.
 
• Yuma Territorial Longrifles: Open black powder matches at 8:30 a.m. the first and third Saturday of each month at Adair Park with the club meeting the first Saturday - call James Ingram at 726-6632.
 
• Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: Sign up by 7:30 a.m. today for the High Power Rifle Match at the Adair Park big bore range, open to civilian, service, women, men and junior shooters - call Paul Lerma at 783-6766.
 
• Yuma Matchmasters: Open Cowboy Match Oct. 25 at the Adair Park small bore range - sign up at 7:30 a.m. - call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.
 
• Cholla Gun Club: Call Jim Stewart at 342-7392 for details of shoots beginning again in November at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range.

FISH FINDINGS

• Latest winners of the Fisher's Landing Catfish Derby at Martinez Lake with 36 competitors are: 1. Donnie Hazlett, 53.10 ($250), 2. Eddie Hester, 22.46 ($160), 3. Leigh Scovil, 19.46 ($135), 4. Lorie Long, 16.44 ($100), 5. Ken Fellman, 14.44 ($75). Derby's will begin again next June - call Jimmy Phipps at 919-0376.

• Desert Bass Anglers: Stay in practice for the Nov. 7 Open Bass Team Tournament launching out of Fisher's Landing - call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.
 
• Yuma ProAm Series: If you missed today's tournament launching out of Fisher's Landing, be ready to sign up at Sportsmen's Hide-A-Way Nov. 9 through the 14 (draw at 6:15 p.m. sharp on the Nov. 14) to fish the  Nov.15 pro/am competition also at Fisher's Landing - call Bob La Londe at 520-1270 or visit bob@yumaproam.com. Fees are reasonable.
 
• Yuma Bassmasters: Call Jeff Pacewic at 580-2031 or Yuma River Marine at 783-6502 for 2010 club information with annual membership $25 and reasonable tournament fees plus an 8-pound pot paying $1,500 to a team catching an 8-pound bass in a points tournament.
 
• Goin' Fishin' Productions: Call Dave Willhide at 782-2621 about the Bass Class on the Water where you can learn how, when and where to catch bass in all seasons and conditions with a fully rigged bass boat and all gear provided. Ask about seminars for RV parks and home groups.
 
• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Check next week's column for results of the latest Bob Hefner Memorial Bass Derby held by the club or call Don Emmel at 342-3016. Attend the Nov. 4 dinner meeting at 6:30 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 2575 Virginia Dr., for an update on hunting and fishing and outdoor news in general in the Yuma area - call Jim Ammons at 726-6841.

Jean Wilson can be reached at jeanrenegade@yahoo.com or 726-0953.