Pete Thomas Outdoors

Gun ownership rises sharply in U.S., poll finds

If you recently purchased a gun, chances are one of your neighbors did, too.

A Gallup Poll released this week reveals that 47% of adults in the United States claim to have a gun in their home or on their property. That's a 41% increase from a year ago and the 47% figure is the highest Gallup has reported since 1993.

Reasons for the spike are unclear.  The ailing economy  and a perceived threat of more crime could be one factor. A Democratic president, who is more likely to support gun-control measures, could be another.

In related news, a separate Gallup Poll shows that a record-low 26% of adult U.S. citizens favor a ban on the ownership of handguns by ordinary citizens. By comparison, 60% of citizens polled in 1959 favored a ban on handguns.

What this says about society now versus then is open to debate. But either more people believe that having a gun for protection is more important today, or more people are willing to report ownership of weapons.

The Gallup Poll found that Republicans and Independents are more likely to admit they own a gun than Democrats (55% to 40%). But the number of Democrats claiming to own a gun is up from 32% last October.

Also, the number of women claiming to own a gun is at an all-time high of 43%.

Overall, the South has the highest level of gun ownership (54%), while the East has the lowest (36%). The Midwest was second highest (51%), and the West was at 43%.

 Some might find this news a bit scary, while others will find it comforting.

Is it legal to use noise suppressors at a range or while hunting?

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Pete Thomas Outdoors, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly California Outdoors Q&A column:

Question: Is it legal to use noise suppressors (mistakenly called silencers) on rifles and handguns? I know that porting, venting, flash collars and muzzle brakes are OK to use at target ranges and while legally hunting in California. Can a noise suppressor that is attached to the front end of the barrel, or that slides over the front end of the barrel, be lawfully used at a target range or while legally hunting anywhere in California? (Tony N., Sr.)

Answer: No, stay completely away from silencers. It is a felony for any person, firm or corporation within the state to possess a silencer (California Penal Code, section 12520). Upon conviction, punishment includes imprisonment in the state prison or a fine not to exceed $10,000, or both. A silencer is defined as "… any device or attachment of any kind designed, used or intended for use in silencing, diminishing or muffling the report of a firearm." This definition and law also applies to any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for use in assembling or fabricating a silencer (California Penal Code, section 12500).

Q: Why do most, if not all, boats for hire ban taking beer or liquor aboard? I have worked as a deckhand and fully understand the safety concerns, as well as what large amounts of space coolers full of beer for up to 70 people on a half-day trip might take up. What I am wondering though is whether there are any U.S. Coast Guard or Department of Fish and Game laws against it that I can quote for people who ask. Many of the anglers I’ve spoken with over the years get angry because they think the boat is just trying to make a buck. (Rob M.)

Turn in wasted waterfowl or let dead ducks lie?

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Pete Thomas Outdoors, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly California Outdoors Q&A column:

Question: Last year during waterfowl season my son and I were hunting in a state wildlife area on a pond. As we were wading across the pond on our way out we found a dead duck on the edge of the pond. The bird had clearly been shot and in the water for perhaps a day or two. We picked up the bird and gave it to the Department of Fish and Game folks at the check-out station when we turned in our shoot cards for the day and showed our harvested birds. We were told that since the bird was "in our possession" it counted toward our daily bag total. And since we had limited out, we were now over limit for the day. The folks acknowledged that the bird had probably been dead for a couple of days, but chided us that in the future we should just "let the dead bird lay there" because some animal will eat it eventually. We were not cited but we’re wondering if our behavior was illegal.

Answer: According to DFG assistant chief Mike Carion, picking up the duck does add it to the possession of the person. If you find a dead duck and already have a limit, it is best to leave it. Predators and scavengers will quickly put it to use.

Q: Do you know if divers can take lobster within San Diego Bay? (Bob S.)

Hornady introduces Zombie Max ammunition…just in case!

For those concerned that the apocalypse is coming -- and that it will include the living dead -- Hornady Manufacturing has you covered. The company has recently introduced Zombie Max ammunition ... just in case!

A  must-have for your "bug-out bag," these green-tipped bullets are available in seven calibers.

Hornady has a video on its website, but it may be a bit too graphic to include here (though fans of the AMC TV series "The Walking Dead" or zombie movies may beg to differ). Hornady also offers the following disclaimer for Zombie Max ammo usage:

Hornady® Zombie Max™ ammunition is NOT a toy (IT IS LIVE AMMUNITION), but is intended only to be used on…ZOMBIES, also known as the living dead, undead, etc. No human being, plant, animal, vegetable or mineral should ever be shot with Hornady® Zombie Max™ ammunition. Again, we repeat, Hornady® Zombie Max™ ammunition is for use on ZOMBIES ONLY, and that's not a nickname, phrase or cute way of referring to anybody, place or thing. When we say Zombies, we mean…ZOMBIES!

While waiting for that zombie apocalypse to come, a box of this would, if nothing else, certainly make an interesting conversation starter at the shooting range!

Image of Zombie Max ammunition courtesy of Matt Hodtwalker / Hornady Manufacturing

What's the purpose of spiny lobster report cards?

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Pete Thomas Outdoors, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: A friend of ours received a $290 fine for not filling in his lobster report card correctly last year. What is the purpose of the report cards? If the fine print is so important, why isn’t it listed first? (Joe B., Thousand Oaks)

Answer: While the Department of Fish and Game has records of commercial lobster harvest dating back to 1916, it wasn’t until 2008 and the introduction of the lobster report card that any kind of gauge on the size or scope of the recreational lobster fishery existed. According to DFG marine biologist Travis Buck, close to 30,000 lobster report cards have been sold to sport fisherman for each of the past three years. This in contrast to the landing receipts from only about 150 licensed, active commercial lobster fishermen. DFG biologists have estimated that the recreational catch equals close to half of the commercial catch, which is a significant amount of lobsters.

DFG is mandated by state law to manage the lobster resource, as well as other fish and game, and so biologists must gather as much information as possible from both the commercial and recreational lobster fisheries. When looking at a time series of catch data, Buck says it’s possible to see downward trends, which could signify if the sustainability of the resource is in jeopardy. If catch numbers remain stable year after year, the resource is considered sustainable and no further regulation is deemed necessary.

To learn more about the DFG Marine Region and the lobster report card program, please check out DFG’s website for California spiny lobster-related information, www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/research.asp.

Q: I am new to the sport of beagling and I was thinking about taking my dogs out rabbit hunting. I don’t carry a gun yet because I haven’t had the chance to practice shooting at low, moving targets. Therefore, I was wondering whether I really need a hunting license if I don’t actually shoot a rabbit? One of the legal methods listed in the regulations for the take of rabbits is with dogs, so are they the same as having a gun? (Anonymous, Greenville)

Rare 1836 Colt revolver draws record price of nearly $1 million

It might not be the best choice for a modern-day gun fight, but as a collector's item a rare 1836 Colt revolver in exceptional condition has no challengers.

The Holster Model No. 5 Paterson revolver from the Al Cali Collection has sold for $977,500 at auction in Dallas, setting  a world-record price for a single firearm.

The gun, with a nine-inch barrel and loading lever, is said to be the finest surviving example of Samuel Colt's first revolver, produced in Paterson, N.J.

"This is as desirable as any piece that exists, and as desirable as any piece I’ve seen in my more than 40 years of buying and selling the very best firearms in existence,” said Greg Martin, president of Arms & Armor at Heritage Auctions / Greg Martin Auctions. "Out of maybe 3,000 similar pieces made, with most likely less than 300 surviving, this is clearly among the very best, and the market realized that."

The West Coast buyer was only identified as "a Silicon Valley mogul."

All told, four pistols in the Al Cali Collection garnered $3.277 million.

Must abalone divers carry measuring gauge and fishing license when underwater?

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Pete Thomas Outdoors, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: I believe the regulations say you must carry an abalone gauge and a fishing license when diving for abalone. Does that mean both need to be on my person when diving or is having those items in my float tube sufficient? (Mr. Chee)

Answer: It depends on the circumstances. The short answer is that they may be left in the dive tube only if the dive tube remains in your immediate possession.   The long explanation follows:

According to Department of Fish and Game Lt. Dennis McKiver, all individuals including divers must have an Abalone Report Card in their immediate possession while fishing for or taking red abalone (California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 29.16(a)). In addition, every person while taking abalone shall carry a fixed-caliper measuring gauge (CCR Title 14, section 29.15(f)). As long as the dive tube is in the immediate possession of diver, then the diver may leave their Abalone Report Card and abalone gauge in their dive tube. It is required that "undersize abalone must be replaced immediately to the same surface of the rock from which detached," therefore it is always best if you carry your measuring gauge with you.

Let’s say you surface with an abalone and then have to swim a distance to retrieve your dive tube and abalone gauge, only to measure and discover the abalone is undersize. Now that you have had to swim away from the location where the abalone was taken, you may not be inclined or able to return and find "the same surface of the rock from which detached." If you are being watched by the warden and fail to replace the abalone "immediately to the same surface of the rock from which detached," then you might be cited for violating CCR Title 14, section 29.15(d), failure to immediately reattach abalone to the same surface of the rock from which detached, and also section 29.15(f), failure to carry a measuring device while taking abalone as required. The measuring device should remain in your immediate possession, so your best bet is to anchor your float tube close by so it doesn’t drift away while you are diving and your gauge and license are always close at hand.

Q: While hunting, is it legal to carry more than one firearm, not including handguns? I cannot locate any regulations that prohibit carrying a rifle and a shotgun together. (Jason H.)

Is it okay to jug line fish for catfish in California lakes?

In support of the California Department of Fish and Game and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Pete Thomas Outdoors, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's weekly Q&A column:

Question: I would like to know if it’s okay to jug line fish for catfish in California lakes. Jug line fishing is having a float (such as a one-gallon plastic jug) tied to a series of hooks, all on one fishing line. The hooks are spread 20 inches apart and submerged while the fishing line floats on the water. The line is about 10 feet long and does not drift due to it being tied to the fishing pole main line. The jug is also weighed down for this purpose. I do not see any laws in the fish and game manual that states this is prohibited. (Benjamin T., San Jose)

Answer: No, the device you describe is considered mousetrap gear and is not legal to use in California. Generally, all fish must be taken by "angling" which requires the line to be held in the hand, or with line attached to a pole or rod held in the hand or closely attended. There’s also a limit of three hooks per pole (Fish and Game Code, sections 1.05, 2.00 and 2.10).

Q: Before deer season opens, I try to spend some weekends hiking through the areas I intend to hunt to scout for deer, learn their patterns, spot deer trails and become familiar with the land. I am aware that no guns are allowed to be carried during this time.

My question is in regard to protecting myself while scouting out these areas. I have spotted mountain lions a time or two and this worries me. What does DFG suggest I bring along to defend myself? Can I bring a handgun or are all guns prohibited? (Mariel)