Never Hunted Before

[jaysly]

Brand new here and looking for some guidance. I am 33 and never hunted before. Spent some time at the local Academy store today but really have no clue where to begin. What is a good entry weapon, gun, crossbow, bow? What should I begin to hunt.

First take ya hunters safety course. I suggest starting with a rifle if your state allows. A good 30-30 or 7mm-08 will do ya good. Spend time at the range with it.

[Soilarch]

^^ ditto. As your questions become more specific aske them as well. Also, when it comes to thinks like hunting, finding a friend who is willing to show you the ropes is worth their weight in gold...and while there may be a few who might tease you 'newness' most guys in this sport would be more than happy to help share the sport with a newcomer.

Welcome

[Mike Hill]

When I forst started out I was kind of like you. Even though my Grandad and dad hunted I never took interest in it I was too busy chaseing girls around and sneaking beer. And then I went into the Navy right out of high school and stayed there for 23 years. So when I wanted to start hunting there was no one to teach me. I read mags all the time which back then was Outdoor Life and Field and Stream. Which is where I learned as much as I could and then just good old american go out and do it which is the best teacher of all.
But I would suggest buying a good 12 ga. shot gun ( the best you can afford) as this is a good do it all gun to start with. You can hunt quail to deer with this gun. Then study everything you can get your hands on. If you have questions you can ask here but be careful and think about what you are getting as some folks here don't have any idia what there talking about they just like to talk. But for the most part the folks here are pretty good so go with the general consensis and if something seems wierd it just may be. After a while you will be able to tell who is blowing smoke and who is not. Good Luck and let us know how you are making out if you need help let me know I don't have all the answeres but I have been hunting for 45 years and I will try to pass it along to ya. Mike

[huntingbuddy419]

ditto, but it helps to find someone who knows what they are hunting, no matter what it is coyote or squriells go with them and just observe what they do when they do it that kind of thing

[North Texan]

What are you planning on hunting and where?

[Vapodog]

go to a used gun store and buy a 22 rimfire and try hunting squirrels or othert small game.....there's planty of time to go to the centerfires later.

A 22 is a ball and cheap to shoot a lot and bill prime the pump for something bigger.

[jaysly]

I would like to hunt deer to start with. I live in Corpus Christi, Texas. Depending on how I like it will determine if there is anything else I want to hunt. It is amazing, last night I mentioned it at work and there was about three or four guys that got right in there offering to take me to the range and said I could hunt on their land. I had no idea. Thanks for the input. Keep it coming.

[retrieverman]

ORIGINAL: jaysly

I would like to hunt deer to start with. I live in Corpus Christi, Texas. Depending on how I like it will determine if there is anything else I want to hunt. It is amazing, last night I mentioned it at work and there was about three or four guys that got right in there offering to take me to the range and said I could hunt on their land. I had no idea. Thanks for the input. Keep it coming.

jaysly
I am in Nacogdoches, and if I were closer, I would love to help you get started as a hunter. You are in a great positionwith friends that want to help you. Since they are there and offering, take advantage of their knowledge andexperience. I would personally recommend borrowing a gun or visiting a pawn shop to pick up your first gun. If you see that you like hunting and want to upgrade your equipment, then go spent the big bucks on a new firearm. Good luck getting started.