Possibly new hunter!

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DDrake

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I am a college student from Virginia, and me and a friend want to get into hunting. Neither of us come from a "hunting" family so we will basically be learning on our own. If any of you know any group (NRA, etc) that takes new hunters out in Virginia, I would love to hear about it. While I know there are some programs for young hunters, we are 20-21. I suppose most hunters start early.


Both of us are interested in small game, like fox and bobcat, and turkey. As far as I understand, in VA, you can hunt turkey with a rifle (except in certain localities). I been looking for an affordable and reliable gun/caliber, and I am thinking about getting a Mossberg .243 ATR rifle; having a wood stock (don't like synthetic plastic) and being in the 300 dollars range is what I am looking for and this seems to fit that. Not only that, I read that there are plenty of .243 factory loads that won't damage a fox/bobcat's pelt. Furthermore, apparently you can get heavy load .243 bullets for whitetail deer (in case I ever wanted to hunt deer in the future).

Essentially, the .243 caliber seems to be a "all in one" hunting rifle for game in Virginia. I would really like your input on using a .243 for small game and Turkey.
 
FIRST, i want to say that i do not own a .243. from the balistics tables i looked at prior to this post, it is a fine cartridge. while the .243 will certainly kill small game. i think it is a little overkill for it. but that in itself isn't nessesarily all bad. i use a .300 win mag for deer, is it overkill? CERTAINLY! but they drop where i shoot them. now a .243 for deer might be a little light. but if you can MASTER shot placement, and limit the yardage to 200 + -, i suppose you could do ok. the balistics tables show pretty good for deer, but .22 caliber just seems a little light for my tastes. if you want to harvest for fur, you should probably use full metal jackets, that way it is a 22 caliber in, and a 22 caliber hole going out. NOT what you want for deer! if someone loads a "frangible" round for it, that may also work for fur harvesting, and small game hunting. is the .243 the perfect one rifle only gun? perfect, well probably not, but definitly pretty good, especially for a beginner. if you do end up likeing hunting, you WILL buy more guns, sorry, its just kind of an addiction. as for somebody to take you out, well, a guide service would be VERY benificial to you as a beginner! it cost, but the VALUE is definitly there. they can show you the ins and outs of hunting, how to find your game, and you wont have to worry about getting lost. one night alone and lost in the woods will teach you MANY things! not all of them do you want to know as a rookie! i was lost in a swamp in my 3rd year hunting, i lived through it ok, but it will be FOREVER etched in my mind! now i carry AT LEAST 2 compasses, (i lost my compass in the swamp), and a lot of times 3. if you are bound and determined to do it on your own, FIRST learn to read maps and use a compass! then talk to a game warden, they are an invaluabe source for hunting. if you can find a shooting range, maybe you can make a freind there who could help you out on a couple od expeditions. you definitly want to do some shooting prior to hunting. you need to be intimate with your weapon. you should probably shoot a minumum of 200 rounds through it before you actually go hunting. shoot from different positions and ranges. soda cans will work quite well for honing your skills. they are small enough to make you a good shot, and its easy to tell if you hit them. also, go to the libraby and get a couple of books on the animals you want to hunt. that way you can familiarize yourself with thier kill zones (usually heart, lungs, liver, or a head shot). you need to know EXACTLY where to shoot so you don't just wound an animal. i wish you well in your endevors! d.s.
 
Drake, My first advise is to enroll in a hunter safety class. Check with your state wildlife enforcement officer for a class near you. The .243 is fine for deer in VA and many hunters use it for deer all through the south.
 
drake-
first things first, here. start by reading the hunting regs and get a good feel for what the law is. then get into a hunter's ed class - it really is worth your time. the hunter's ed class will really get things going for you, and most instructors are going to be a wealth of information.

rifle chambering, type, and brand can be argued until the cows come home, and you still won't know 'what is best'. i suggest digging up some info on your prey and see what you think from there. foxes don't just hang around waiting to be shot; you'll occasionally get an opportunity shot on one, but for the most part you need to either call them, or spot them w/ binoculars, etc, and just about any chambering will cleanly kill them easy enough.

if you're looking for a reccomendation, i suggest the 25-06 or 257 roberts for your needs. for rifle, you need to shoulder a few at ye olde gunshoppe and see what feels best. after shouldering a few, you will get a good feel for what you like and what fits. spend a lot of time by the used gun racks - that's where you are going to find the best deals. and be very patient. sporter-weight centerfire rifles rarely wear-out, so don't be put off by buying used.

best of luck!
 
Drake.. I live in VA and have been hunting for many years...

1st you must either have a hunters safety course or previously held a hunting liscense to obtain a VA hunting liscense... Now many people dont worry about checking this but its supposed to be the law...

2nd Where are you... I know guys all over the state and may could get you hooked up with someone or some more info for people in your area...
As i knwo of there is no one that "teaches" hunting... If you give me your location and such i can get you info as to where you can find national forrest to hunt on your own... I will give you any help i can with what you need

3rd 243 is a fine rifle... But as stated before its kind of light for deer sized game albeit it is legal to use.. If it were me i would look for something larger.. Say maybe a 270.. If you want to hunt yotes and such you can alway get a small 100gr bullet or such to load or use and you can get larger 150/165gr bullets to hunt larger game... Your location ahs a huge impact on your choice as well.. Some places only allow scatterguns... Some place a scattergun is about all you CAN use because of the terrain and such...
Send me a PM with you location and desires... Or post here... Ill do some research for you and see what i an come up with... If you are at Tech i can definately do some more with you as its somewhat close to areas i know pretty well... Let me know your experience, ability, desire of game to hunt, physical limitations (if any) and i will run the numbers for you
 
2nd Where are you... I know guys all over the state and may could get you hooked up with someone or some more info for people in your area...
Click to expand...


I am from Chesterfield VA, but go to school at James Madison University (Harrisonburg).

"3rd 243 is a fine rifle... But as stated before its kind of light for deer sized game albeit it is legal to use.. If it were me i would look for something larger.. Say maybe a 270.. If you want to hunt yotes and such you can alway get a small 100gr bullet or such to load or use and you can get larger 150/165gr bullets to hunt larger game..."

The hunting deer with a .243 just seemed like a plus. Me and my friend want to start with something small (fox, yoke, bobcat). But, the thing we are really interested in is the upcoming Turkey season.

Do you know if Turkey hunters in VA often use rifles? I only heard of people using shotguns, but it seems like they allow it (localities may not).
 
I would say you may want to start with a shotgun and use it for
turkey, rabbit and bobcat and shoot rifled slugs or get a slug barrel
for deer hunting.
 
This is taken from the VDGIF website
http://www.dgif.state.va.us/hunting/regulations/publiclands.asp

Legal Methods and Restrictions for Spring Gobbler Season
Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

Modern firearms
Archery tackle
Muzzleloading firearms
Decoys and blinds may be used
Unlawful to use electronic calls
Unlawful to use dogs during spring gobbler season
When using a shotgun it is unlawful to use or have in possession any shot larger than number 2 fine shot during spring gobbler season

There are no restrictions for Rockingham county or Highland county or Augusta county.. So technically a .243 is legal for using in spring gobbler season... Just be cautious at what you do since it is a deer approved caliber... Dont do anything to make other hunters think you may be hunting deer...

I am still working on getting you locations of national forrest lands close to you.. Incase you get back on before i find my maps are you inside Harrisonburg limits and would you be wanting to hunt the N, S, E, or West side of the area.. If you want to go farther how far would you want to drive to hunt...
 
Spring Gobbler Season
Bag Limit
One per day, bearded turkeys only. Hunters may take one, two or three bearded turkeys depending on how many turkeys were taken in the fall season.

Seasons: statewide
April 12-May 3:
One-half hour before sunrise until 12 noon each day.
May 5-May 17:
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
April 5: Youth Spring Turkey Hunt
One-half hour before sunrise to 12 noon.
Youth hunters (resident or nonresident) must be 15 years of age or younger to participate.
Youth hunters between the age of 12 and 15 must have appropriate valid hunting licenses. Hunters under the age of 12 are not required to have a license, but they must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
All youth must be accompanied and directly supervised and within sight of an adult. Adult hunters accompanying youth must possess a valid Virginia hunting license (or be exempt from purchasing a hunting license); may assist with calling; and shall not carry or discharge a firearm.
 
Ok it looks like you will have to go West to hunt.. Not too much opportunity to your east... There are some mountains directly west up 33 that are all National forrest... Judging by the VDGIF map it appears to be 1 of the better turkey areas in the state..

Click this link... All that in orange west of Hburg is huntable and the orange represents good turkey hunting
http://www.findgame.org/map.asp?act...W=1024&resH=738&mapImage.x=558&mapImage.y=412
 
This is more info on the selected area you will be hunting... Go to the forrest service office at the address listed below and buy a national forrest map for about 8 bucks... It will show all the national forrest in green and show you access roads and everything else... My advice if you a new to spring turkey hunting is to get you a set of calls with a dvd on how to use them and what each call signifies to a turkey... To learn or locate turkeys i would drive the access roads (without a firearm) just before the season opens stopping every 2-300 yds along the access roads and using locator calls to find gobblers territories... A little trick i learned is a trowel (for concrete work) (the diamond shaped ones) smacked against a tree is a great locator.. Its something they dont hear so they wont become alarmed at it and will shock gobble to answer it... Just mark each answer you get on your map and keep it as a record... Then when you hunt you have gobblers located and can go right to the general area and start your approach... They wont always be where you locate them but its a good starting point...

Information for the Selected Property
Name: North River Nat. Forest District
Owner: U.S. Forest Service
Contact: 401 Oakwood Dr. Harrisonburg, VA 22801, phone: 540-432-0187 or 540-265-5100
Notes: Comprised primarily of mountainous forest land this Ranger District is located in Rockingham, Augusta, Bath, Rockbridge and Highland counties. Occupies approximately 395,000 acres within the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
Features: developed camping, primitive camping, hiking, birding and wildlife trail, boat ramp, shooting range, trapping, handicapped accessible - contact manager


Species hunting quality:
Bear Good
Deer Average
Dove Very Poor
Grouse Average
Quail Very Poor
Rabbit Poor
Raccoon Average
Rail/Snipe Very Poor
Squirrel Average
Turkey Good
Waterfowl Very Poor
Woodcock Poor


This link can help you out some more too
http://www.findgame.org/index.asp

I would also reccomend downloading Googleearth.com program... Get the free version... Then zoom in to your hunting area.. It will show you terrain, roads, and other helpful tips... You can place markers on the map and when your happy with it you can print your own detailed topo map anytime you want... Laminate it and use a grease pencil and you can add and remove notes later on as well... If you want/need anything else dont hesitate to ask me...
I dont have anyone i hunt with/know in your immediate area so my apologies there... But i will give you anymore help you need that i can..
 
id say go with a .270. you can get a savage arms .270 for cheap with a scope. also, its a bit bigger of a gun, don't wanna make the animal suffer anymore than necessary
 
.243 is an OK caliber for deer and if you are primarily going after small game it will be fine. The important thing to remember is bullet design. Shoot small varmint bullets to avoid pelt damage on bobcats, I think 243 shoots 55 grains for that, and larger bullets made for deer hunting, like 95 or 100 grain. Shot placement on deer is more important than with bigger calibers, but it should be important no matter what. Ballistics cannot be understood just by looking at numbers on paper. I have seen deer dead before they hit the ground with an arrow from a bow, and I have seen deer run 100 yards with perfect shot placement from large 30 cal. rifles (shot took out the heart, part of both lungs, part of the liver was damaged, a follow up shot took out a leg, still made it down the hill 90-100 yards) Get a cheap shotgun for turkey hunting. Single shots run 80-90 bucks, or get something cheap like a 870 or mossberg. I beat my 870 and it keeps shooting (and they always go on sale). Tip for turkey hunting: the camo model guns are way more money, get krylon camo spray paint and do it yourself. I did on my 870 and it is a cheap, durable finish. When it gets messed up, just touch it up with more krylon. You can do OD green, or use it with brown and black to make a pattern. The best part is, if you are unhappy, just try again. I used cedar tree branches to make mine, but any sort of leaves or branches will work, you can match it to your surroundings. Its a good way to go for cheap guns. When you are hunting on the cheap, it is all about being inventive since we cant afford everything. The forend on my pump shotgun gets slippery in the rain, so I use skateboard grip tape on it. just be sure not to destroy nice guns that may be worth something or collectible. :)
 
If you still interested I have a friend that does his turkey hunting only with a rifle but they have a lot of land and some of it is very open. I live in Rockingham County so I am familiar to the area also, but I am also from a family that does not hunt a lot unfornatly, but I am getting into it and I know the George Washington National Forest fairly well ( that is the forest along US RT 33 West) Also if you need help getting to the local firing range let me know I will try and help out. How did your hunting season go were you able to go hunting ?
 
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