Advise for a New Hunter?

[Vel454]

H&HHunter's responce to a post about Africa's dangerous game was actually what brought me to THR to begin with. =) I'll definitely be looking around for some stuff for those two when I get some time on my hands.

Thanks for all the replies guys. As far as everything relating to firearms goes, I'm very comfortable with that. I've been shooting 1-2x a week for years. Finding state land is easy - it's literally 3 blocks from my house, up an old logging road. And I know a few people that hunt up there fairly regularly.

As for hunting alone, I'm personally fine with that. I've been on 2 week long solo hikes before and was only really bothered by boredom. Even if a hunting partner had the same experience as I do, I still think it'd be fun and enjoyable to have a good friend/family member around to share the experience together with.

Stalking, tracking, finding game trails, water and food locations, etc. etc. is a bit of common sense, but will require some time to get down. Sounds like most of it can be learned on the fly, so long as you stay safe. Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Vel454]

Yeah, I've been wanting to pick up a M700 .308 for awhile now (original intention was long-range target shooting). But for a hunting application, the major bulk of my environment will be super thick forest (visibility rarely exceeds about 30-40 yards and can easily be 10'ish yards). There are a clear-cut areas from logging that are a few years old that I would likely work around as well, but again, I would need to see if that's where they hang out/travel through.

 

[splithoof]

A few key points:
First, find an older experienced hunter or guide who will go with you. They can teach you how to field dress, bone out, take care of meat, etc.
Second, learn how to shoot from actual field conditions and realistic distances, and how to correctly estimate those distances. It need not be expensive: 6" paper plates on stakes will get you started. Stay away from the benchrest. It has no purpose for hunting other than to confirm zero. Learn how to use improvised rests, and a bipod from prone, over rocks, etc. Learn off-hand snap shooting. Shoot up hill and down hill.
Learn how to use a good set of binoculars to find game.
Learn and practice all these skills in rainy weather.

 

[HarcyPervin]

take your time, sit still, think before you act, and pay attention. as long as you're careful and put to practice the safety rules that should have been drilled into your head when you were shooting on the range, you'll be ok. You might learn a few lessons the hard way, but it'll make you a better hunter. Gear can be purchased as you deem it necessary, my advice is to find a small shop and talk with the guys who hunt (that usually doesn't mean a box store with a guy in the hunting department just for the day because they didn't need him in footwear)
You'll be amazed how much information you can find on the internet regarding things like dressing game, strategy, and even public land to hunt.

 

[Art Eatman]

One thing about a hunt with friends who work over nearby areas is the campfire gathering of an evening. I still remember tale-telling while doing the "vertical rotisserie" by the campfire on a cold night. Funny how it goes: Great shots are told about other people. Goofs and mess-ups are told on oneself.

 

[Frozen North]

Find someone at work, church, the bar, anywhere you spend some free time. Ask people if they plan to hunt this year...

Then you tell them that you want to learn how, and would really like someone to teach you!!

It's like asking a girl out on a date. You will be rejected, but don't give up.

That's how I got into it when I was 19. A friend of a friend offered to take me out, show me the ropes, and put me in a stand. Just soak up the knowledge and let them know you appreciate it.

 

[tonytuna]

This is my first time hunting too.. I live in houston and go to the hill country for all hunting needs. But this would by my first time. I've been to different places and talked to lots of different people. All have told me the same; be safe, patient, and quiet. All the guys owned small firearms stores and gun ranges. And some guys are from the country and have hunted most of their lives.

I shoot a .30-06, .22 wmr, and a .44 mag revolver.... I think I'm ready.

 

[tahunua001]

so are you looking at hunting whitetail or blacktail? different deer will behave differently. are you going to be hunting in very thick woods? orchards? stubble fields? you need to know so that you can set up your gun for long medium or short range shooting.

 

[Austin97]

OK trust me, learn how to stalk hunt. You will have less success than in the stand, but that is how you learn to really hunt, plus you can take pride in the deer you shot because you worked for it. One of the biggest mistakes stalkers do is move to fast, don't move more than 150 yards in an hour. If you're stalking in the brush then get an old lever-action 30-30 with iron sights.

 

[Fred Fuller]

It saddens me to see so many folks who don't get the chance to grow up with fathers or grandfathers to teach them. It reminds me of how lucky I was, and for that I'm grateful. There's no way I can post enough to cover what I was taught by a variety of "old men" as I was growing up, but I can do the next best thing - I can point you to a book that pretty well does it.

Here's the book - http://www.amazon.com/Old-Man-Boy-Robert-Ruark/dp/080502669X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0 .

The author grew up not that far from where I live now, in SE NC, but I grew up in central AL. Ruark had one grandfather as his official "old man" and I had both of mine, plus a gaggle of my father's older friends and business associates who loved to hunt and fish. But the lessons were so close to the same, it still makes my heart ache to remember them and to think about the "old men" I was lucky enough to know growing up, all of whom have passed on now.

There's probably more teaching in that book than in any textbook you ever bought in your life, that I can guarantee you. It might not be about the exact place you live or the specific game you hunt, but the lessons are still good. And who knows - maybe someday you might decide to chase Gentleman Bob with a good bird dog, or venture into the southeastern swamps after a whitetail buck. And that yellow house where the Old Man lived is still there in Southport, NC if you decide to visit - it's currently set up as a B&B. In fact, in looking at it again, I see it's for sale. Hope it goes to someone who appreciates it and will keep it as a B&B. I've been promising to take my wife there...

http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/InnsForSale//nc-southport-7473.html

 

[22-rimfire]

I grew up hunting. Started with small game. Hunting squirrels for example gets you out in the woods and you learn about animal movements (deer) and techniques like walking softly, estimating distance, and observing all kinds of terrain and cover and how it relates to game. You don't have to keep your eyes closed to other wild life when you are squirrel hunting... it is a total learning experience.

Then you move to deer hunting. Best to hunt with somebody but I hunt mostly by myself. It is mostly about getting out in the woods or fields and observing game. You can do that any time of the year, but deer for example change from being more a daytime feeder in the summer to nocternal feeders in the early fall.

Get out there with some basic equipment and don't sweat the small stuff. You don't have to score. You will be constantly learning. (Sometimes it will seem boring. But that is part of hunting.) So when you or someone said... pick a tree and stay there... you can do that. But it is even better to pick a tree where there is already game and you can see things like deer tracks, trails, food, rubs, scrapes, and where they are bedding down.

Half the battle for a lot of us is having a "place to hunt".

 

[Sav .250]

You must have some buddies that hunt. Get into their heads. That`s a quick way to get "coached-up" on all the facets of hunting. Good luck.

 

[d2wing]

Here in Southern Mn the hunting isn't so good this year, but I'd be willing to help a new hunter. I used to be a certified NRA, DNR, and 4-H instructor so I am not a complete idiot. Over the hill and cranky but helpful. I like hunting up Nort too.

 

[cleardiddion]

22 here and still hoping to get my first deer this year.
Dad hunted years and years ago but lost interest and never got around to teaching me. Makes me sad since he's got some pretty good stories.

Can't go wrong with a lot of the advice on here. I've only gotten into hunting within the past year, year and a half or so. Though I have more or less had to start off on my own and try to apply book smarts to woods smarts. Some friends helped out and I'm working on getting that deer with a guy that I know who's been hunting here for pretty much all his life.

We'll have to see where all of this leads.

 

[Daveboone]

Just exactly what gun, round, etc. is a highly personal choice, dictated by region, tradition, game, so for your locally appropriate gear take your time and dont be in a hurry. Only advice is that for the whole darn country, the old 30-06 has been well proven for pretty much anything out there.
Learn your basic skills for safety sake. Fire starting, map and compass use, how to stay dry. Money spent on gear doesnt have anywhere near as affect on quality and utility as being carefull, remembering to avoid cotton at all costs (like t shirts and towells, it soaks up water and will cool you).
Learn patience, and dont watch the dang stupid hunting shows! In reality, many hours and days, if not weeks are frequently spent by succsessful hunters in the field. Hunt because you enjoy a challenge...not because you want to show off. Remember, once the gun is fired, you can never retrieve the bullet...allways be able to fully identify your target.

 

[Psa1m144]

I also live in western WA, kitsap county, 25yr old. I've never been hunting but I've had a growing interest over the past couple months. I'm fairly new to the area so I don't know anyone that hunts. I probably won't have an opportunity to get out there this year but I'm determined to be ready for next year. If you want to meet up maybe we could have a THR hunt

 

[Kernel]

Go to your local library. There are A LOT of good books written about hunting. Thousands. Hunting Fringeland Deer (An Outdoor Life Book) was one tht got me started.

 

[Art Eatman]

Just getting out into the boonies, casual short hikes. Most game animals are moving and visible right at first light and then again in late afternoon toward sundown. Pick out a sitting spot and just watch the country. Sometimes, nothing; other times, critters.

Learn to spot game trails. They tend to follow contours, and generally at the edge of brushy areas. Few critters ever go directly up a hillside or directly down. Generally at an angle or along a contour.

For whatever reason, though, bucks tend to go up through a draw, along the edge, and tend to go down on the side of the toe of a hill. Tend. No such thing as always.

 

[gtd]

I'm in the same situation at 50. I'm starting with small game because the skill set is the same but there are fewer things to worry about (like how to manage a 150+ lb kill).

If you can figure out how to hunt, locate, and kill a squirrel, rabbit, or bird, the skills are transferrable to other game.

Here are the rules I've set for myself:

1. Learn the regulations, because not every friend or "expert" you talk to knows what he's talking about. Study them carefully and over and over again. For example, we have a continuous small game season, but the different public hunting areas have more restrictions so you have to learn which ones you can hunt and when. Call the ranger or game warden if you have questions, because they're very helpful and usually friendly.

2. Make sure you are clear about firearm safety, and practice at least a little bit with your weapon so you know it's accurate and you know how to handle it.

3. Study the maps, especially if you hunt public land. You don't want to get lost, and you don't want to cross into forbidden territory. Use a map, compass, GPS, (I found my iPhone and Google maps to be most helpful).

4. Use your computer. Google Earth (free) can really help to locate good starting points.

5. Be quiet, move slowly, listen, and do not shoot unless absolutely certain. You might go out six or seven times and just learn by listening an looking. It's a great experience whether you bag anything or not.

6. Watch out for other hunters, be respectful of their space, and don't shoot them. If you don't know where they are but you think they might be there, don't shoot in that direction. For example, when hunting squirrel I hunt land that is open to archery deer hunting. I know the archers are out there, but I can't see them, so I won't take a shot parallel to the ground. If I can't shoot up (and therefore away from deer stands) I won't take a shot. I try to move away from them if possible.

7. Take some water and suplies, even if just a little. You'll be out there for hours -- there's no reason to make it a hardship.

8. Just get out there, and relax. Have fun. Enjoy the outdoors. There will be many times when you come home empty handed, so don't make filling the bag your priority. Just have fun.

9. Plan ahead what you will do if you bag something. Know how to skin and preserve your squirrel, or where the deer checking station is, etc. Have money if you'll have to pay a processor. Don't wait until you're standing over a deer to figure this part out.

10. WEAR ORANGE! I don't care what anyone says about scent, color, etc. I want to come home without an arrow in my lung, and most people won't shoot at a big orange thing (some will, so be careful). The last time I went hunting, I made a 5-minute movie of a deer 30 yards away while I was wearing an orange hat and vest and not making too much effort to be quiet. There were 10 others nearby in camouflage, but he preferred my company to theirs. I'd much rather take a chance on missing a shot than on getting shot.

Those are some of my rules for me. I've gone out by myself so far, and I'll have company for the first time this weekend. Each time has been a great experience, and a learning experience. You just have to get out there and do it, it's not that hard unless you psych yourself out.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[sKunkT]

I'm 26 and have been hunting for only 14 years. My dad hunted and naturally I wanted to as well. He used to take me bow hunting for deer when I was little and let me call and rattle. He pretty much let me have at it, and it really made me feel like an important part of the hunt. Now my wife and I enjoy hunting, and I hope to be able to share the sport with my baby boy when he grows up.

As far as deer hunting goes, one thing I can tell you from my short time hunting is to keep it simple. Don't get hung up on gear. As far as a knife goes, a Buck 110 folder is hard to beat for an all around hunting knife. Whatever rifle you have that shoots a deer capable round is fine. Just get out in the woods and try it. Whether you sit in a $300 tree stand or on a 5 gallon pail, you just have to be where the deer are.

When you do shoot one, take your time field dressing it and make sure to get as much of the esophagus and 'butthole works' out of there. Oh, and one thing my dad let me learn the hard way- when you stick your knife in, try to avoid piercing the stomach.

 

[kayak-man]

Well, I'll start by saying I'm in my mid 20's and live in Western WA. I grew up fishing a lot, but never did any hunting at all. My father was never into hunting and I wasn't "around" it much growing up, but it's something I would like to start getting into.

Exact same thing for me over in Kitsap County. I have the hunters ed card, and am thinking of grabbing one of the shotguns and getting a permit for one of the game birds (maybe pheasant or grouse) and going hunting this weekend.....

I've done backpacking and hiking both with groups and solo, so I'm not too concerned about being alone. As far as a Western Washington THR hunt goes, well, that sounds like it might be fun. Seasons getting late, so we'd have to go for either cougar or birds.....

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson