Would someone please explain "tatical" to me ?

[Country Boy]

 I don"t know what this means. But I see a lot of articles and aqds for tatical stuff. Who would want it anyway in a hunting contex.
    Does it mean all that stuff I carried in NAM made me a tatical soldier ? Never heard the word back in 67-68 I was glad to get rid of all that **** when I came state side.
    Why would a guy need it or want it for hunting ?

[woodchukhntr]

It is a term that means that it looks cool, and is of limited (at best) or no use to 99.99% of shooters.

[kyelkhunter3006]

ROFLMAO, so true, so very true.............

[jcn59]

Tactical is analogous to "ninja".  It's a reason to put on your black tights and mask and yell at no one in particular.  It's for Ninja wannabees.

It creates a dark image of people interested in recreational shooting, self-defense, and hunting.  I prefer not to be associated with anything "tactical".  Scary, dark, black, sniper, for killing people.  Not the kind of image I want to portray as a hunter & gun owner.  No "drag bags" for me.

I'm not against using military style weapons for shooting, defense and hunting as long as legal.  I owned at one time an example of all the common USA & foreign ones.  Just don't describe it as tactical.

I don't ever want anyone to associate my hobby with an interest in killing people and I feel that the word "tactical" begins to link the two.

There.  That ought to start something!

[243dave]

After I got out of service I wouldn't wear camo for the longests except while turkey or bow hunt'n. I know a feller at work that wears a gilley suit when hunting, the first time I saw him in it I laughed till I cried, I wish I could remember how much he paid for that that hairy looking suit ! One thing I do know, it didn't help him with his turkey hunting abilities. Most things called tactical cost more than the non-tactical stuff and I'm cheap.  

[torpedoman]

tatical= please add at least 100 bucks.

[R.W.Dale]

It's just like the Harley thing in that's its a way for companies to get grown men to part with hard earned cash in a vain fruitless effort to look "badder" than they really are.

 It's all about image

women spend money to look pretty, men spend money tryin to look tough

[beemanbeme]

It's like changing the lettering on a box of soap and calling it "new and improved". The correct spelling should be "tactic-cool".  Basically it's adding a bunch of cheap junque to a (usually cheap) rifle/scope/whatever to make it appear like somthing you'd see on the saturday morning cartoons.  Or in "Men in Black".

Just look at all the "battle dress" (another cool term) that is available for the Ruger 10/22.

As I told a fellow once, you can put a $1000 saddle on a $100 horse but you've still got a $100 horse.

[WyoStillhunter]

Tactical = pay more $$ as stated so eloquently above.

I didn't feel particularly "tactical" during my Junior Year Abroad Program in Southeast Asian Studies ('68-'69), either.  The firearms supplied by my funding agency, USMC, required electricians tape if you wanted to attach anything to them.  No knee pads, goggles, etc. were available.  Everything was OD green.  Nothing was black except the night and my M16.  We got along just fine...and it was all free! 

And what's the deal with camo hunting knives and flashlights?  When I pull out a hunting knife or flashlight I'm not too worried about being seen.  And if I lay it down for a minute I sure as heck want to be able to spot it quickly when I'm ready to use it again. 

[woodchukhntr]

I don't understand about all the camo stuff.  If it is a good pattern, don't drop it and come back hoping to find it!  I found a nice Buck knife in its camo case that was dropped in the leaves.  If you can't see it, you can't find it.  A knife is one thing, what about a handgun?

[kyelkhunter3006]

Hey guys!  Camo is a fashion statement now!  Don't tell me you didn't know!      My sister in law came back from Macy's Department store with some "camo" jeans and a "camo" handbag.....I'd guess it was an urban camo pattern.   

[SHOOTALL]

the marketing guys have exceeded their wildest dreams with bass fishing and now have moved to shooting . Mag.,tac., police only , etc. are marketing buzz words to help you buy their latest creation . Remember the biggie is ASSULT WEAPON !
was a mod. 94 one back in the day ?

[kyelkhunter3006]

Oh yeah, the cowboy guns were the original assault weapons.  10 round mag capacity or more, rapid fire.  Compared to the old hawken rifles, they were "load once and shoot all day".   

[jcn59]

A $200. "tactical" flashlight?  what in the world??  Do we have a big red "S" tatooed on our foreheads?

[charles p]

Beats the heck out of me.  Can you imagine purchasing a camo wallet or a camo knife.  For God's sake, don't you want to find them if you lay them down somewhere?  Since when do you need a special wardrobe to go to the practice range?  Is a tactical belt necessary?  These "tactical types" rarely talk about hunting.  I think they are mostly paper target killers.  They live in a fantacy world I suspect.

Some here even have a tactical "handle".  I suppose we are suppose to fear them from afar, or in dense vegetation, or something.  Hope a ninja tactical black belt doesn't leap over my monitor and karate chop me, or turn over my beer.

[kyelkhunter3006]

Black suited ninjas kickin' BEER and taking names.... LOL

[Brithunter]

Sad I know but it's true as already stated it's fashion pure and simple. I ahvea couple of cammo garments for hunting, needed a pair of warm rain proof yet breathable trousers (pants) for my huntgn trip to the US back in 2003 and all I could get was realtree pattern  they didn't have any plain green and said I woud have to order the. Also got a realt tree hat that the top flips to reveal the hunter orange required in the US. I am dreading the time when I have to replace my coat as that's plain green and getting one now is going to be challanging.

  I do have some ex-army DPM which is useful for pigeon shooting  wood pigeons can spot the pink flesh from a long way off so the face needs to be covered as doe hands if you want a chance of success. Earth tones otherwise serve me for my hunting stuff and I have yet to lose the chance of my quarry due to a shiney blacked gun so no bead blasted cheap finishes for me thank you.

I suppose the closest I got to tactical was a Uncle Mikes cordura holster to my S&W 19 as even my parctical pistol rig was all about speed and made on nice polished leather  .

[kyelkhunter3006]

Yeah, I don't really have much use for camo, but about the only "hunting" type clothing you can get nowadays is camo.  I've got some mil-surplus green wool sweaters that I wear quite a bit, and I also have some cargo type pants that are a dark gray color that are flannel lined that get used quite a bit too. 

But, all of my waterproof stuff is camo.  I can't hardly find any non-camo waterproof/gore-tex clothing that's a soft outer fabric instead of the stiff nylon stuff used in ski gear and such.  I'm sure that I could if I wanted to spend several hundred dollars or more on clothing that get's worn for what's a combined couple of weeks a year, but I don't want to spend the money.

[beemanbeme]

Don't forget that most of this stuff (have you looked at a Cabela's catalog lately --camo bedspreads) is sold to cliff dwellers that set foot on real dirt maybe once or twice a year but want to appear that they have just returned from a 6 month trek thru the Rockies or Darkest Africa. 

You laugh about the possibility of laying down a camo knife and losing it; what about one of those totally camo rifles or shotguns? 

Brit, I buy soft, lightweight, extra large camo shirts and pants (usually at season's end when they're on sale) that are not water proof and such and wear them over my normal clothing that is warm and/or waterproof. Also, rather than pack around rain gear, I will carry a couple of large "job site" plastic trash bags. You can make a small slit in the bottom and at each corner and slip it over your head and poke your arms thru and then button the camo shirt over it and stay dry. It can also serve as a wind jacket. 

[jmayton]

Not to argue too much (I too think all the camo and tacti-cool accessories are silly), but history tells us that there has been countless trades between military weapons and tactics and hunting weapons and tactics...and vice versa.  The aforementioned ghilley suit was first used by Scottish hunters and then adopted by the military.  Many military weapons have either become or have inspired some of the best hunting rifles we use.  Knives are the same.  All that to say that even that pre-64 Winchester Model 70 that you dearly love has a significant tactical heritage.  As for me, I usually hunt hogs with a Colt M4.  Sure, it's tactical, but it's effective and lighter than anything else I have that can take down a hog.

[kyelkhunter3006]

Don't forget that most of this stuff (have you looked at a Cabela's catalog lately --camo bedspreads) is sold to cliff dwellers that set foot on real dirt maybe once or twice a year but want to appear that they have just returned from a 6 month trek thru the Rockies or Darkest Africa. 

You laugh about the possibility of laying down a camo knife and losing it; what about one of those totally camo rifles or shotguns? 

Brit, I buy soft, lightweight, extra large camo shirts and pants (usually at season's end when they're on sale) that are not water proof and such and wear them over my normal clothing that is warm and/or waterproof. Also, rather than pack around rain gear, I will carry a couple of large "job site" plastic trash bags. You can make a small slit in the bottom and at each corner and slip it over your head and poke your arms thru and then button the camo shirt over it and stay dry. It can also serve as a wind jacket. 

There was another post on either GB or another site last year or the year before that I remember reading.  A guy found a fully camo'ed Browning A-Bolt leaning up against a tree one day out in the woods.  The action was kind of rusted and so was the barrel, but it was functional.  He figured that it was left there during the last deer season, it was leaned against the tree and they guy couldn't find it afterwards.

[dukkillr]

Tactical is analogous to "ninja".  It's a reason to put on your black tights and mask and yell at no one in particular.  It's for Ninja wannabees.

It creates a dark image of people interested in recreational shooting, self-defense, and hunting.  I prefer not to be associated with anything "tactical".  Scary, dark, black, sniper, for killing people.  Not the kind of image I want to portray as a hunter & gun owner.  No "drag bags" for me.

I'm not against using military style weapons for shooting, defense and hunting as long as legal.  I owned at one time an example of all the common USA & foreign ones.  Just don't describe it as tactical.

I don't ever want anyone to associate my hobby with an interest in killing people and I feel that the word "tactical" begins to link the two.

There.  That ought to start something!

Well said. 

[SHOOTALL]

Guess tactical is a word like gay , its been taken over by a small group looking to force their definition on the rest of us even though it is meaningless out side their circle !

[Freezer]

    Most tactical gear is usefull only for an urban idiot.
    That said   I do use some surplus gear.  I found a pair of pant liners with suspenders that work great under my breathable waders.  I stay dry and comfortable.  The lite weight nylon cammo is also great in a duck blind or to make a impromptu ground blind when deer hunting.  The net covers the dog, bad blind covers, and inadvertent movement.

[jvs]

Tactical :  adj-- 1. Designed or implemented so as to gain limited, temporary advantage.

In other words, anything you buy with the intent to gain advantage, no matter what you are doing, whether it is hunting or shooting or not...  It IS 'Tactical'.

Perhaps someone should think just what ANY Special Ammo, Scope, Sling, Peep Sight, Warm Clothe, Gloves, Knife, Boots, Camo Make-up etc. etc. etc. are. 

Maybe 'tactical' is an overused term in todays world, and there may even be some that take it to extremes by buying things that alot of people do not think are necessary.  But when it comes down to it, your own hunting gear is 'tactical', to be used for taking an animal or to shoot the tightest groups.   

Your rifle, put together as it is, is considered "sniper" in some liberal circles.   A tactical description that is making its way around the anti-gun vocabulary.  Just so you aren't confused, you positively could be considered a 'sniper', when you pop off a Deer, a Ground Hog or Prairie Dog while they are going about their business.  Here one second, gone the next.  And you would be using 'tactics' and the tools you believe are necessary to do it.

Not only that, but if you go to the range or out hunting without a 'plan' or the right 'tools' that fit your understanding of what it takes to be successful, YOU'RE A FOOL.

Would I buy anything 'tactical' just to make me look more 'tactical' ?   ... NO, but I also realize that when I take my rifle or shotgun out hunting or to the range, I am using 'tactics' and the 'tactical' tools I believe will do the job. 

And, as long as I'm not spending your money, don't worry about it.  As a matter of fact, I intend on buying a new Scope.  Obviously, more 'tactical' gear.

[243dave]

JVS, Don't take it personally, we're just having a little fun. Your defination of tactical is a little different than mine. Gloves, warm clothes and boots probably don't qualify as tactical in anyone's book. I know I'm guilty of having a couple tactical rifles(ar-15 and camo predator rifle) and even one of those scopes with more than one crosshair. But if I see anybody out hunting with their ghilley suit and 13 pound rifle topped with 10 power mildot scope, I'm gonna laugh.

[jvs]

I don't take anything personal, but there is many ways of doing just about everything.   Who is to say which one is the most perfect?

Anything you do or add to gain an edge in completing your goal is 'tactical'.  Any accessory to any basic tool is 'tactical'.

Whether you or anyone else agrees to what others think is necessary to gain an edge is irrevelant.

Odds are that your Great Grandfather and your Grandfather might say the same thing about your hunting get-up.   Especially if you own more than one Single Shot with Open Sights.

[Brithunter]

Don't forget that most of this stuff (have you looked at a Cabela's catalog lately --camo bedspreads) is sold to cliff dwellers that set foot on real dirt maybe once or twice a year but want to appear that they have just returned from a 6 month trek thru the Rockies or Darkest Africa. 

You laugh about the possibility of laying down a camo knife and losing it; what about one of those totally camo rifles or shotguns? 

Brit, I buy soft, lightweight, extra large camo shirts and pants (usually at season's end when they're on sale) that are not water proof and such and wear them over my normal clothing that is warm and/or waterproof. Also, rather than pack around rain gear, I will carry a couple of large "job site" plastic trash bags. You can make a small slit in the bottom and at each corner and slip it over your head and poke your arms thru and then button the camo shirt over it and stay dry. It can also serve as a wind jacket. 

    Errr does not a plastic bag :-

A) rustle a lot

B) make you sweat a lot

C) Plastic bags normally stink and could this not effect the quarry?

   Thanks for the ideas but I will stick with a breathable material that will keep me warm, dry and hopefully will last a good few years. My current coat is showing wear now in some places but I have been using it for 11 years so perhaps I am expecting a little too much. Got wet in it once during a May time stalk for Roe Buck in mist and fog. The outer shell got soaked and so the sweat could not evaporate through like it should and walking round the estate which is fairly hilly got me very warm. I first thought the jacket had leaked and was annoyed but then thought some more and realised what had happened and sure enough that was the only time it happened  .

[dukkillr]

Tactical to the general public (JVS's definition) and tactical to a hunting and shooting crew mean slightly different things.  It's a matter of context.

[AtlLaw]

Tactical to the general public

Has just gotten a big boost!  I understand that the Army has licensed Sears to use 1st ID's insignia, et al on a new clothing line!  I'm sure it will all be "Tactical" apparel in appearance!   

I'm not sure I'd like the idea of some kid, or anyone for that matter, wearing my old division's "Horse Blanket" if they were never in that unit... or maybe never been in the military!