Hunting Mentors--You Can Help!

[Flyboy]

I've seen a few threads recently with people saying "I'd like to hunt, but I don't know what I'm doing." I know it's normally something passed down from parents to their kids, but many of us missed that opportunity. I know I did--dad and I hunted on several occasions, but he never really taught me what we were doing (in no small part because he didn't know, I think). Consequently, I can go out into the woods, or fields, or marshes, with a gun, but my odds of being successful are pretty slim. This seems to be true of several people, and probably a bunch more who won't admit it.

I'd like to change that. I wish I could go to dad, but he's given up hunting (any shooting, actually), and was never that good at it besides (sorry, Dad, but you know it's true). That being the case, I need somebody else. I'm in central Oklahoma (and willing to travel statewide)--is there anybody around here who'd be willing to go hunting with me? Any game, really, I'm not particular.

Beyond myself, though, is there anybody who is willing to take other people out on a hunt and pass on what you know? If so, post with your location; I'm sure there's somebody in your area who would like to learn. And, for those of you who want to learn, speak up; maybe somebody in your area would offer a hand, if he knew there was somebody who needed it. The only way we're going to keep the sport alive is by passing it down to the next generation (which happens to be mine).

 

[dakotasin]

i was born and raised in los angeles, ca. my parent didn't hunt, nor did they own guns. they were both pro 2a, but not rabid or vocal about it - my mom more than my dad (she signed me up to the n.r.a. when i was 13).

w/ that background, i had to teach myself everything about guns, hunting, handloading, and am now developing an interest in wildcatting... this all started in 1994 or 95.

so, i haven't been at it as long as many, but i don't do bad, either.

if logistics can be hammered out, i don't mind having someone tag along for a deer or antelope hunt, maybe even ducks and geese.

no prairie dog excursions, no pheasants.

 

[fjolnirsson]

Thanks for bringing this up, flyboy.
I was born and raised in the S.F. Bay Area, and nobody hunted in my family. Now that I live in Oregon, I plan on hunting, but I have no idea where to start. I did get a couple of good suggestions from a thread I started the other day.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Anyone that wants to get into hunting birds/deer down in Southern Arizona then PM me and I'll get you started.

 

[1911 guy]

Northeast Ohio

I'm willing to do the same in my area. PM me and we'll set up some times to shoot and hunt. Just be forewarned, if you're not safe, there will be no second trip. Hard headed is OK, so am I.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

but I have no idea where to start.

Know where to start, know where to look. Got a rifle for every day of the week and a few spares. Not quite sure what to do AFTER Bambi is on the ground.

ZM

 

[dakotasin]

well... everything on the inside needs to come out...

i make a cut at the belly (pull the hide out so you don't run the knife into the stomach/intestines), and run that cut up to the ribs. reach in, and cut the windpipe. run the incision all the way down to the bung, cut to the bone at the pelvis. run your knife around the starfish to loosen it up, run a zip-saw thru the pelvis to open that up. go back to the windpipe, grab it, and pull. if you shot cleanly, firm constant pulling will get everything out down to the pelvis. you'll have to look to see where there are attachments and just slice as you find them, but it all will pull out into one big pile (thus, gutpile).

check your laws... there are better/easier ways to do it, but some places specify what has to come out, and as near as i can tell, here, the head must be attached to the carcass, or evidence of sex - and you can't do that if you do the field-dressing-w/o-cutting-into-the-belly field dress.

drag it away (the deer, not the gutpile... leave the gutpile because you'll be back tonight or tomorrow morning to shoot coyotes off it - and its pretty gross to be carrying around, anyway), rinse the cavity out, and your on your way to skin and butcher. skinning is easiest while carcass is still warm. or, you can drop it off at your local locker and have them skin and butcher since you'll have them make sausages, sticks, jerky, etc anyway.

 

[Art Eatman]

A "legwork" thing is to check out the gun shops and the seed'n'feed stores, looking for places that advertise hunting leases. You can always ask them if you can just go sit and look and watch wildlife, during the off season; commonly such folks will give you some hints and tips.

Same for just driving up to a farmer or rancher and telling him of your problem and that you want to start learning. Do the "clean and neat appearance" thing. Don't go during what are commonly working hours. Commonly, Sunday afternoons are good. And, offer to help out as best you can if you have time to do so; lotsa folks can always use extra help on small projects...

, Art

 

[sumpnz]

The problem though, in places like AZ, is that one has to put in for a draw to get tags to hunt "big game" like deer, elk, bear, etc. One can, conceivably, be all ready to go, have read up on everything, have a hunting partner lined up, and then only get to go hunting 2-5 years later because they failed to get drawn for that length of time. Or maybe they get to go that first year, but then they can't get drawn for another couple of years. Then it's almost like starting from scratch again.

I know the first year I put in I failed to get drawn. Then the second year (last year) I got drawn for mule deer. Although I should have gotten a deer (and if I was experienced I would have - didn't see the buck as soon as I should have) the pickings were so slim that even after 9 hard days of hunting I had nothing (but a fun time) to show for it.

This year I've only put in for cow elk. I'd love to go deer hunting again, but I just don't have the vacation time this year on account of changing jobs. Depending on when my wife gets pregnant again, I might have to skip hunting altogether next year.

If only we had the deer problem in AZ that the east coast has . Then I'd just about be in heaven.

Edit: If anyone is going to PM Lennyjoe about deer hunting, you better hurry. Today at 7PM is the deadline to put in for the fall season draw.

 

[noonanda]

Flyboy send me a pm, Im in down in Lawton. What are you interested in hunting?? I didnt start till I got stationed out here in 2002, so I am still a newbie compared to some. I started small with squirrels, then quail, rabbits, then doves and finally deer and feral hogs. Now Im trying to learn the ropes on coyote hunting.

 

[Pulsar]

hey Flyboy

i have been hunting since i can remember
from homemade slingshots to my guns and bows now

the best hunters i know are always outside in the Mts
it just takes some time to get good

the way i learned to hunt from my dad
is to walk slowly and look around alot
hunt slow
keep out of the horizon, stand next to trees when you look around
im not as good as my dad or older brother yet
but i'll get there
and never give up on yourself

hunting is alot harder that most people think
so if you dont get anything the first time out dont worry you'll get him next time plus he'll be bigger

take care

 

[Lennyjoe]

Lets not forget over the counter tags for deer during archery seasons

I put in for 2 bull elk hunts and 3 cow elk ones. We have a bonus point so hopefully we get to hunt them this year.

I drew a whitetail tag last year and seen alot of deer but nothing with antlers. It was during quail season I found some monster mule deer bucks. I went after them in the late archery season and got to about 100 yds of them before they did a Houdini act on me. Never did see them again.

Close enough for rifle but not for bows.

 

[sumpnz]

Lennyjoe - How do you think they got to be monsters?

I put in for 5 cow hunts (Unit 9, and 5B South Melatone Mesa were 1st and 2nd choice respectively, both mid-October). Of course, if you don't get your 1st or 2nd choice, chances are you won't get anything. Even most cow tags are gone after the first round of the draw.

My hunting partner for this year drew a deer tag for Unit 9 last year. While scouting in mid-October he saw a ton of elk, mostly cows. If we're lucky enough to draw tags for that unit I'd say we have a very good chance of both scoring in the first day or two of the hunt.

Can't wait until the end of July to find what I get drawn for.

 

[22-rimfire]

The lack of mentoring is a real problem as far as hunting is concerned. I might be game with the right person here in Tennessee as far as providing some assistance. It would probably make my hunts more interesting.

 

[scout26]

I'm in Illinois. I hunt Rabbit/Pheasant/Archery Deer in the Joliet Army Training Area, I got a hard-headed beagle. But would also be willing to go with someone who wants to do pheasants at a Hunting Preserve (South Wilmington SC)/or Des Plaines SWA. Firearm Deer (1st Season) we hunt the Shawnee National Forest.

My 11 Year old daughter and I do Spring Turkey, so if you have a roughly same age son/daughter you'd be welcome at Turkey camp. She's also going to do one of the Youth Pheasant hunts this year.

If interested in any of the above e-mail me.

 

[sumpnz]

Hey Mods - Could we maybe get a list of people, and their location that are willing to mentor new hunters? Keep it up top with a sticky. Maybe have them post to that thread and then have the post deleted with their info transferred to the main list so as to keep a short, simple list that doesn't require people to scroll through tons of posts to find someone in their area.

 

[1911 guy]

Hunting W/O lottery tags

There are still quite a few states that sell big game tags without the lottery hassle, Ohion being one, W.Va, many others. Let's also not forget that small game and birds can be hunted with just a purchased license, no drawn tag needed. Let's keep our options very open when introducing new shooters to hunting. Many folks find a first hunt less stressful without the high expectations of trophy hunting and large cash outlay. That first enjoyable experience will keep them coming back for more.
Once again, if you're in this situation in N.E. Oh., PM me and we'll hunt.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I might just PM you next time Im home in Lorain visiting the family just to get some field time with a fellow THR hunter.

 

[Berek]

Cattaraugus County & Southern Erie County in Western NY.

As I teach hunter's ed, I'm always willing to put my money where my mouth is. Besides, nothing gives me more pride than the success of my students.

I would ask that anyone interested be willing (but not necessary) to attend my class. I refuse to be with anyone that is unsafe around firearms.

Berek

 

[Sunray]

"...I need somebody else..." The best thing you can do is to join a shooting club. Be it handgun, shotgun, a CMP/NRA affliate or anything else. Puts you in the same place with like-minded people who will rapidly become your friends. Sooner or later, you'll be hunting with them. If you can cook, you'll be in demand. Moreso if you don't mind washing dishes.
In any case, joining a shooting club is the way to go.
"...was never that good at it besides..." Your da got you into it. Taught you to shoot did he? One's Da doesn't have to be good at anything. Just having a da who will help you get started is good enough where I come from.
You have 'Father's Day', Sunday, where you are? Thank him for me, too.

 

[BeLikeTrey]

Well Deer I aint so good at

The property I hunt (blackville, and private property) is decent for deer, which I'm not so good at, but would love to have someone to go with. I would really like to find somone with some hogs/boars on their property too. basically I'd like to have a hunting buddy myself My girlfriend will go, but she hunts the "mobile stand" (the truck, and she hunts a place to sleep)

 

[ID_shooting]

Since there are several new folks to my area on here, I will volunteer to show them where the good upland game hunting sights are around here. The biggest thing I can reccomend to do now is get signed up for and take your hunter's ed class. Not required if you are over a certain age or have taken one before (have have proof) but needed to get a licence.

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/

There are some good pheasant, quail, chukkar, dove, whistle pig (done for the year), jack rabbit, and some cotton tail lands I can show you.