New hunter - NOT youth! Help
 

Hi guys... I'm going to make a long story short. I'm a very avid fisherman (mainly ice fishing), but I've never hunted. I am 27 y/o and never fired a gun in my life. (To make the embarrassment worse my wife is an Iraq vet who has fired more guns than I have fishing poles... ouch!) anyways... I've grown up without a dad so hunting is something I was never taught.

People have suggested I start with squirrels and rabbits. I would agree. (I don't want to dive into deer hunting, and I don't have a dog for pheasant hunting...yet).

My goal is to get equipped and a few outings squirrel/rabbit hunting this season, and hopefully progress to something else next season.

So I'm kind of hoping I can get pointed in the right direction of where to go, what kind of gun/equip I should get etc.

Any advice is good advice, and I surely do appreciate it.

Thank you for reading (longer than I had intended).
Tink

I'd start with a hunter ed course. You can learn many basics, and it all stems from the basics...

If you've any friends with guns, you might ask if they'd take you somewhere to get some shooting in. Offer to pay for ammunition and fuel, and see about joining in on hunts if possible, if only to tag along and watch.

You obviously need a gun to get started, and since you're just starting out, a 12 (or 20) gauge pump shotgun can get you far. From doves to geese, squirrels to deer, you can do a lot with it. I'd look into the Remington 870, Mossberg 500, and Benelli Nova. By look into, I mean that they all are solid performers or I wouldn't recommend them, but feel 'em. See how they fit you, and decide from there.

When you finally have your gun, learn about it. Read your manual, learn how to disassemble it, learn how to use chokes to control shot pattern, and spend some time shooting targets.

Apparel is sort of important, but don't think you need to get $1,000 sets of camo. Jeans and a sweatshirt will get a guy far for small game, though I'd grab a vest with a game bag. Obviously, dress for the weather.

Ammunition must be matched to the game. In general, use smaller shot size for smaller game, and vice versa. You'll learn about shot size in hunter ed. You'll probably want to use #6-8 shot on squirrels and rabbits... I carry ammunition on a belt.

Be aware of how to field dress the animals you're going to kill.

After some simple preparation, you're dressed for the day and have your gun and ammunition, the ability to hit what you're shooting at, a knife or two, etc.... hit the outdoors and try to get some stuff shot. You can learn about the good spots in your area and how to approach situations with some thought and you'll only become better.

In the future, you may want to add a 22 rimfire rifle to your collection. From there, perhaps a centerfire rifle, maybe a muzzleloader, a bow, whatever. Some guns you'll want more than one of, just because. Some guys stick with small game on occasion, though a lot of us hunt about anything as often as possible.

Sorry to hear that you did not have a dad growing up. Welcome to the hunting world.

As noted above, take the hunter safety course. See if there are hunters who will take you under their wing for instruction.

Not all hunters are safe. If you are not comfortable with how they handle a firearm or their attitude, leave immediately.

See what gun clubs are around your area (look for NRA clubs in particular) and what they allow to be fired at their club. See if they would be willing to work with you (our club would be). Our club is an all volunteer NRA pistol club with caliber restrictions, but we also allow 22LR rifles. Members are allowed to fire certain pistol caliber carbines if it is approved by a club board member. A good 22LR rifle is the first firearm I would purchase. Ammunition is the lowest cost you will find, and a 22LR is great for working on proper form and accuracy. Check your local and state hunting laws to what restrictions may be in place for 22LR rifles (some states do not allow semi-auto for hunting).

Here is a NRA link that may be helpful to you.
http://www.nrahq.org/education/index.asp

Oops! I thought I had it. Minnesota - metro area.

Thanks for the replys!

May also want to check for local shooting ranges. There is one I use that offers different types of classes ie. defense, ccw, etc. One of those would, at least, get you some focused instruction and hands on training on safely loading, unloading and firing a gun. Hunter Safety course is a great idea also for more generalized information.
Sounds like you live with a pretty reputable instructor already....

1- SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY!!! I agree, take a hunter ed course.

2- SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY!!! Take an NRA rifle or shotgun course. The NRA teaches proper shooting skills (and SAFETY!); whereas, the hunter ed courses teach safety in the field. Hunter ed doesn't teach how to shoot, the NRA doesn't teach field skills. You need both.

3- I believe a .22 rifle would be your best first gun. They are wonderful to learn on, and you'll keep shooting it for the rest of your life. It's easier to learn rifles first and then learn shotguns later, rather than the other way around. They are shot very differently! Shotgun shooters have a tendency to jerk the heck out of rifle triggers when they're first learning rifles. I also disagree with a poster who suggested hunting squirrels with a 12 gauge and #6 shot. That load would blow a tiny squirrel to smithereens, unless your squirrels are the same size as a fox! In fact, I used to use that load to hunt pheasants (haven't hunted pheasant since I moved to Colorado).

4- Lastly, thank your wife for her service, but keep this in mind (and don't tell her I said it): After 16 years of military service (and continuing as a Reservist), five years as a cop, and 10 years as an NRA firearms instructor I've come to one conclusion. There are two groups of people who carry guns everyday professionally, and the same two groups of people scare the piss out of me with their gun safety: Cops and soldiers! Your wife may be able to shoot 40/40 on the M16 qualification course, but if all she knows about gun safety is what the Army taught her then she's probably dangerous. We (the Army) are failing. As an NRA instructor, I give the Army a big, fat "F" on safety. Take the NRA course and bring your wife, too.

tiNK3R, here's a link, http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/index.html for ya for your states hunter information, including hunter safety course availability. First thing off, as has been said, attent a hunter safety course first and foremost. You'll learn a lot there ranging from how to handle firearms safely, to animal identification, to hunting regs., and probably will get to fire some sort of gun which might be a 22 long rifle and maybe a shotgun. While in the class, ask questions, the person teaching the class will be willing to help.
From the safety class, take what you learned and apply. Also, try to hook up with like minded people that enjoy hunting the critters that you desire to persue. And go from there.
Good luck.

Take your wife hunting too. She doesn't necessarily have to carry a gun, but you can take her with you.

My wife comes with me occasionally for dove, duck and deer hunting if the weather isn't too cold. She doesn't carry a gun, but she like to watch our dog do retrieving work; and she like to look for deer from the stand.

October in Minnesota, the only things that are probably in season right now are ducks, geese, and small game like rabbits/squirrels.

Your best bet for a first gun is a 12 gauge pump with a 3" chamber. Any brand like Remington, Winchester, Benelli or Mossberg is fine. The best one is the one that fits you the best and that you are most comfortable to handle.

You don't have to just hunt either. You can shoot clay pigeons with another person or two with a hand held thrower. Don't get a mechanical thrower, get a handheld one. Also, put a 3/4" dowel rod extension on the handheld thrower. That give the person doing the throwing a little more leverage. Shoot several boxes of the cheap 12 gauge 7.5 or 8 shotshells at clay targets before trying to shoot a rabbit, duck or whatever. It's fun to shoot and it's good practice. You will not necessarily do much shooting when you hunt. You don't want the shooting you do when you hunt to be your practice.

I totally agree!!! It is not just the army but all branches of the military and law enforcement that need to work on safety AND sound shooting fundamentals. They really need to work on muzzle control, keeping their finger outside the trigger guard until the firearm is on target along with several other safety areas. This guy is REALLY scary. Prime example of ignorance and carelessness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmRN00KbCr8

Sadly, most military and LE do not have sound fundamentals in handguns. If you know a person in the military or LE, suggest they take NRA courses - starting with NRA Basic Pistol. Note what Todd Jarrett says regarding training of military and LE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48

Well both the wife and I completed our hunter safety/gun safety course last night. We got to shoot some interesting 22s.

I plan on buying a rem 12gauge for small game hunting, but with the flexibility to get into deer/pheasant as well.

Thanks for your help guys... everything seems to be going to plan!

Good for the two of you. Sounds like a wild game cook book is in your near future.

if you are small game hunting, you should look into getting a 20 gauge. my experience with my 12 gauge is that if you miss the head and hit the body on a rabbit or pheasant there is a ton of meat damage. the 20 guage will also have plenty of power to knock down a deer.

Tink,

You got some great advice from some of this forum's best.

Now that the both of you completed the hunter safety course, time to practice up.


Just to repeat; safety first !


Head out to the shotgun range; start by shooting some trap, then skeet and finally shoot some 5 stand.

IMO - each sport requires increasingly difficult skills.

The more time you put in at the range, the more you are likely to be successful when the opportunities present themselves in the field.

Like fishing - nothing beats catching fish !

Have fun and good hunting..........................

welcome
 

i also started late in life,
Growing up in NYC, hunting wasnt something i grew up with,
now couldnt imagine life without it,
first step as others stated is hunter ed course, go for both gun and bow, get the bow certification out the way, so you have that option later,
until your set up to hunt, what you can do and a must for hunting is scout areas,
where will you be hunting for what?
scout with same intention as hunting, trying to spot and get close to the animals,
just walking/hiking through the woods isnt the same,
as you walk , animals scatter, especially squirrels, they wont make a sound as your walking, but if you sit still for a while, you will notice the wildlife around you.
learn the areas, remember animals need food, water and shelter,
where are those three where you plan on hunting? look for tracks/activity to/from those places,
for turkeys, get some calls, and try to call them in, even if you cant hunt yet,
slate and stick is an easy to use turkey call,
take it step by step, and dont forget to check in here with any questions
and yes as others mentioned, safety first!!!!

You're right where I was last year, but my first hunting trip was aged 36!! I moved to Colorado from the UK. I also got the advice to start with squirrels and a year on I completely agree, it's a great way to start. As a stand alone hunt it's great, long season too compared to big game (in Colorado), as prep for other hunting it's good too.

I've found hunting is much more than just walking through the forest with a gun! Clothing, food, water, navigation and equipment, getting used to the terrain and environment etc, other than the weapon, are all more or less the same as big game hunting. Then there's the regs. Hunting in Colorado is the first part of a lawyers degree. It's not bad when you get your head around it but I was mighty confused for the longest time about where I can hunt what and when.

I have a 870 now but as someone who has stood in your shoes last year, I would say if you're looking to progress to hunting deer or anything with a scoped rifle, buy a .22 with a scope. Learning how to use a scoped weapon is another skill, and it's entirely different to shooting at a range. A shotgun requires less from you for accuracy but when you hunt deer you need to have you skills down. A shotgun wont get you there.

IMO you owe it to the animals you hunt to be well practiced, and a sufficient marksman for a humane kill. Some people don't care about that, but I do. I feel good about hunting and taking responsibility for the killing the meat I eat, but I take no pleasure in inflicting an unnecessarily gruesome death on a living thing.

While range practice is important, the adrenaline of hunting can't be simulated. Getting the cross hairs on your quarry makes your heart beat fast. No target will do that. Getting a shot off on a squirrel at 40yards is a challenge, I'm told a similar challenge to getting one on a deer at 200 yards.

Range time will get you familiar with your weapon, improve basic marksmanship and safety, and teach you ballistics (bullet drop). When you're in the forest though, you don't have a shooting bench so you have to get out and learn how to steady yourself in less than optimal conditions. I've started using a sling or shooting sticks and try to brace myself against a tree or practice sitting/squatting comfortably. I've found accuracy is all about creating a stable shooting platform. I bought a bipod and at the range I was deadly, out in the field the grass was too long and it was useless. lol.

I decided to get tags and a 30-06 rifle this year after being invited to go Deer Elk hunting in November by a couple of wildlife rangers buddies. I felt last years hunting squirrels was good practice but still feel I'm moving on too early but what an opportunity to hunt with such experienced people. I'll be scouting the hunting area over the next few weekends and will have my .22 with me, so a dual purpose trip each time!

I was given a Marlin .22 model 60 by my in-laws and punched paper for a couple of years before realizing I was allowed to actually hunt, by myself, for real. So I went. I headed out numerous times for squirrel and rabbits but didn't see a thing. Slowly I learned the skills I needed and how to find my quarry and get close enough for a shot. My final trip out last year I got my first squirrel.

I spent the summer hiking and climbing as I always do but with an eye towards spotting the signs of deer, elk, and small game; identifying trees and shrubs etc. It's added a dimension to my other activities. My first trip out this year I got my second squirrel. I also saw a bunch of squirrels and should have got a couple more. I expect to be more successful this year. I cooked him in the mountains in a stew, with a potato, onion and seasoning. Eating my free range organic meat in the mountains sheltering from the rain under a huge boulder left me feeling very at peace with the world.

I'm of the opinion that going hunting (and fishing) is the prize, coming home with something is just a bonus.

Best of luck!

Be very careful with rifles where you load the magazine at the muzzle end. Make sure you never have the muzzle pointed at any part of your body or anyone else.

Good advice, and not just for the Model 60! :)

I also suggest starting with a good 22. I don't suggest a auto for a beginner because you could get use to pray and spray method. I suggest either a boltaction savage or marlin or a leveraction Henry or marlin. Either one would be great for starting out. If you are set on a shotgun a good 12 is hard to beat. But if you aren't use to recoil I'd look into a 20 guage. My pet guage is 16 in between the two but gives the best of both worlds just ammo is harder to find. Also look into used guns there just as good and usually alot cheaper than a new one. I find used remington 870's and mossburg 500's all the time for 125-150. That's my sugestions...

Go to a Hunter Education course and learn the basics, your teacher will be glad to answer all your questions and can help you a lot.
Get a good rifle- It does not matter whether scoped or not but have a good all around rifle something from a .22 to a .243 is ideal for small game and predators.
When you feel comfertable with a gun and can shoot a pie plate at a hundered yards then go for a big game hunt.

PS. If your wife was in the army ask her about the AQT targets and practice on those.
They are very helpfull.
Glad you are a hunter now!

Sorry mate but I have to disagree. IMO simply being able to paper punch with a .22 to pie plate accuracy at a range, does not prepare you to hunt big game.

o__O,

What Samuel ment, was that most PH's hear from their clients that they can shoot XXX many yards !?!?

So, the only real answer is.............let's see you do it (10 out of 10 times) !

A pie plate is commonly used as the approximate size of the vitals on big game animals.

Another question... if I get a .22 I assume it's a bad idea to shoot up into the trees at squirrels? Since there is no backstop that sucker will fly..

I guess it's possible but I've hunted squarels with a w
22 my hole life and have never herd of anyone/anything being hit or Hirt by a 22 flyer

Airiron????

and yes never shoot higher than the horizon with a .22lr unless there is something behind ur target to stop the bullet, and woods typically arent trustworthy enough to shoot it.

but i agree with Big Z's post, the first response to you. That was my succession into hunting. first i got myself a 12ga (not a 20) and i hunted squirrels, birds, then rabbits for a long long time. Then i bought myself a .22lr got used to scope shooting and doing the same hunting with a scope, and i just put a deposit in for a .35cal marlin 336.

but i always got the most pleasure from rabbits and squirrels, theyre all around a relatively easy hunt if u have land, they have a nice pelt, and they taste great and you dont even really have to do much to prep them if youre out at a bare basics cabin for a few days. where a deer is a little more to deal with if you dont know what you're doing.

The CO DOW Elk hunting University covers a lot of basic hunting tips and advice. It's well worth the read, even if you not in Colorado, or hunting elk.
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/...ingUniversity/

One of the best pieces of advice i can give you is save money =]
When you get ready for buying camo, i'd say asat is the best choice out there for a beginner and pros. I bet most of the pro hunters wouldnt wear the camo they are wearing now if they werent being paid to wear it. asat has some of the best technology for hiding yourself in the forest, i saw some of their pictures on their website and some, i couldnt find the hunter for a long time.

http://www.asatcamo.com/2_2_testphotos.htm#location1

i just got some new stuff from bugs n bullets.com and love it, the prices were the best i could find too.

http://www.bugsnbullets.com/ASAT_Cam...og_mid_44.html

i saved a ton of money by using some of the NcStar equipment from them too. The quality was decent enough to where i would suggest it to anyone starting out!

http://www.bugsnbullets.com/NcSTAR_catalog_mid_95.html

they have some cheap optics too that work really well

Agreed. Solid advice