Fall's here - leaves turning, coffee getting stronger, and the woods filling with that familiar crunch that tells you hunting season is finally not a dream. If you're packing light and aiming to bring home something worth eating (or at least tell a good story about), you don't need a safe full of toys. You need three dependable guns that cover most situations without drama. Here's the straight-talk list: what they are, why they work in fall, and the one honest downside you should know.

First up: a bolt-action rifle in a sensible caliber - think .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor. When the trees thin and visibility opens up, that rifle will do the heavy lifting. Precision, range, and the ability to place a shot exactly where you want it make a bolt gun the go-to for deer or any big-game scenario where you're not getting close. It's quiet compared to a blunderbuss, relatively light if you pick the right model, and it flat-out performs when you do your part. The downside? It expects you to be deliberate: you can't spray and pray. Practice your fundamentals and the bolt-action will reward you every season.

Second: a 12-gauge pump shotgun. Don't roll your eyes - this isn't a novelty. Fall brings upland birds, ducks, turkeys, and situations where a slug or a well-placed pattern beats paper-punching at distance. A pump shotgun is the Swiss Army knife of the field: versatile, nearly indestructible, and forgiving when things get close and chaotic. Carry slugs for late-season deer in thick brush, and stock up on bird loads for mornings when the dog has other plans. The trade-off is obvious: you sacrifice long-range precision, but most of fall's close calls don't need it.

Third: a lever-action in .30-30 or similar. This is the "old man wisdom" pick that still works because it's simple and built on luck and experience rather than electronics. Short, handy, and effective inside dense timber, a lever gun lets you make quick follow-up shots and handle awkward angles from stands or brush. It's not for the long glassing session, but when the deer walks out at 40 yards and your bolt gun feels oversized, the lever shines. Downsides? Ballistics aren't modern magnum levels, and effective range is limited - accept that and hunt accordingly.

So what's the play? Bring the bolt for distance and precision, the shotgun for versatility and close encounters, and the lever for comfortable, quick handling when the brush is thick. You don't need all three every day, but owning them covers the vast majority of fall scenarios without fuss. Pick what fits your terrain and style, practice until your hands behave the way your eyes tell them to, and remember: a good shot with a simple gun beats a fancy gun you can't shoot. Now get out there - the woods aren't going to wait, and neither is that venison roast.

Got an idea for a future article? Shoot it my way and you might see it in the next issue.

Until next time, stay locked and loaded.
- Randy, Locked N Loaded