Pack well to ensure your gun's zero when traveling to hunt.
Traveling with a bow or gun is stressful. No matter how carefully you pack, you can't help wondering whether you'll still be sighted in when you get to your destination. And if you're traveling by plane, that feeling is compounded exponentially.
I've traveled long distances to several hunts where there wasn't an opportunity to check the zero of my gun or bow before the next morning's sit. On most occasions the result was harmless. In Wyoming just a few years ago, though, it cost me a really big 10-pointer. I can't describe the shock, disappointment and sick feeling of watching my arrow fly over that buck's back at 15 yards. I was lucky and shot an 8-pointer just an hour later, but it was
The best defense against travel-induced changes to your zero is to shoot your gun or bow before you head afield. During an Oklahoma hunt in 2013, I arrived in the early afternoon and was able to shoot my bow. Unable to get a consistent group, I turned the bow around to examine the sight. The sight housing fell apart in my hands! I was able to put the sight back together and re-sight my pins before dark and shot the wide old buck in the accompanying photo the next morning.
On another occasion in Texas in 2017, I wasn't able to shoot my gun before the morning hunt, but the host set up a target during the break for lunch. I was hitting two inches high, but dead-on left/right. Just as I was about to adjust my scope, I noticed the dial on the turret had moved off zero. It was the first and last time I have used a scope with an uncapped adjustable turret. I don't shoot long enough distances to need an adjust-on-the-fly turret, so why risk a repeat of that problem?
The next-best defense against losing zero during travel is to pack well. You want your gun or bow to fit snugly in a case, but you don't want to apply undue pressure. I've packed extra clothes and even a seat cushion in my cases to keep a rifle from flopping around. A rule of thumb is you should have to press a little to close the case, but it shouldn't be a struggle.
Finally, I've had an expensive gun case literally crushed during the airlines' baggage process. The gun survived, but the case was ruined. I can't image the amount or pressure it took to squeeze that case until the sides bulged out, but it happened. That inspired me to come up with a new support system for my cases. Carefully determine the distance between the bottom of the case and the lid when closed. Cut three or four sections of PVC pipe in that length and space them throughout your case.
You can glue the PVC to the bottom of the case or, preferably, just cut a circle in the foam and let that hold the insert(s) in place. PVC inserts can help keep your gun or bow from moving, and they'll protect it from excess pressure from outside the case.
Next week I'll share some advice on dealing with TSA regulations when traveling with a gun.
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