PORT ARTHUR — In the conclusion of our three-part series of outdoors myths I saved the hunting myths for last for a reason. Some of them are downright silly, while others are so ingrained in the public consciousness they have become “facts” to many.

Probably the most ridiculous of all myths is the public perception that hunters have wiped out most game animal populations in North America. I  have been blessed to have the opportunity to speak around the world on a variety of wildlife issues and I am shocked at how many people truly believe this nonsense.

Here is the true story.

In 1900 there were around 500,000 whitetails in North America. Now, there are more than 25 million.

At the same time the wood duck has almost been eliminated due to market hunting (not the same as sport hunting) and there are now millions. Wild turkeys were relegated to around half a million throughout the country and now we have more many millions.

Even the American bison which had been reduced to a tiny herd of only 500 stands proud now with 1,000 times that many.

As you can see hunters have not wiped out these species but due to enacting conservation programs have actually helped them along.

A myth that that hunters themselves fall into is thinking that scrapes are the best area to hunt deer.

That is not so according to “Dr. Deer” himself, Dr. James Kroll with Stephen F. Austin University.

He said according to game camera research, bucks, particularly the mature ones almost exclusively visit the scrapes at night. Kroll said fresh rubs are far more productive for hunters than scrapes.

Duck hunters often talk about the super speed of blue and green-winged teal and occasionally refer to them as the fastest ducks.

The reality is they are among the slowest with mallards actually flying faster.

Canvasbacks are the fastest ducks at 72 miles per hour (mph)that most hunters pursue although the red-breasted merganser (not technically a duck but listed under the umbrella of waterfowl) has been clocked at 102 mph.

Locally, there is frequently discussion about the “pineywoods rooter” variety of wild hogs being the “native” strain of East Texas.

The reality is that no hogs are actually native to the United States. The first ones were brought over by the Spaniards some 500 years ago. Any strain of hog in Texas or anywhere else stateside comes from a combination of these original stockings and subsequent stockings and escaping of domestic and wild swine.

A common misconceptions involves what some hunters call “brush guns”.

The idea is these guns delivering a hunk of lead can cut through the brush and not be deflected by obstructions.

Wrong!

No gun or caliber bullet can be counted on to consistently deliver lethal shots on animals through brush.

As far as I can tell by research the original term “brush gun” was used to described guns easy to carry in the brush and draw to the shoulder for up, close and personal shots.

Someone recently referred to the Marlin .30-.30 I carry while still-hunting in East Texas as a “brush gun” and they are right.

However, I do not carry it because of a need or desire to shoot through and bust brush. It is all about an easy gun to carry through thick, nasty habitat and the caliber is perfect for shooting from 15 to 50 yards.

A hunter does not need a caliber that reaches out to 300 plus yards when the average shot will be 1/10 of that range.

Hunters can make their own decision as to shots they make in brush conditions but I always opt for the ethical shot that places a maximum emphasis on positively identifying the target and making a shot that drops the animal (preferably) in its tracks.

You see, another myth is that hunters are cold and could care less about the prey the pursue but I have personally passed on many shots at deer and other game because they did not offer a high percentage kill shot.

I make no apologies for collecting meat to feed my family the old-fashioned way but like the vast majority of hunters I know, it is done with the utmost respect for the animal.

(To contact Chester Moore, e-mail him at cmooreoutdoors@yahoo.com. You can hear him on “Moore Outdoors” Fridays 6-7 p.m. on Newstalk AM 560 KLVI or online at www.klvi.com.)