Never hunted before, What to start off on?
 

Hello. I am new to this discussion board. I never hunted or fished when I was a kid and now I want to do all of these activities. I figure it could be some fun and a great way to save money. I have my fishing license but I don't have my small game hunting license yet. Before I buy one I'd like to know what are some small animals that I could hunt? Frogs and squirrels were my first guess. How does one go about starting to hunt? I never have in my life before.

Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

Get on your state wildlife site and find out what licenses you need. And what public land is open and when. Then decide what form of firearm you want to hunt with and start practicing. Not sure about saving money by hunting. It can be done but most hunters I know would come out better in the end buying filet mignon at the grocery!! Youtube is a great tool for hunting tactics you got to weed through the morons, but there are some good videos out there. If I was getting started again and wish someone had given me one piece of advice it would be don't caught in the new gimmick hype. If something promises to make it easier or guarantees more kills it probably don't work worth a crap or is very environment specific. Your woodsman skill are way more important then the newest gimmick of the market. You want to kill squirrels study up on squirrel behavior. Same goes for any target animal. You fish so you understand A $500 rod and reel won't help you catch a bass if you don't know where to look for them!

Not much we can tell you about what YOU can hunt. We have no Idea where you live so don't know what seasons are open.

Saving money by hunting and fishing, now that is really funny. Maybe if you spread the equipment start up cost over many years and do not buy the latest and greatest you may save some money. Michigan Fire arm deer season for example you need a license, really two now. A base for small game even if you don't want to hunt small game and one for a deer. A rifle, muzzle loader ,pistol or shot gun and that is going to from 200 to 500 depending on new or used and scoped or not on it.

Then there is the warm clothing and boots figure another couple of hundred for that. Free to hunt on land to hunt on is scares here in Michigan during fire arm deer season, Ya lots of state and federal land but are swamped during the first week at least and you would still need a place to stay tent or motel.

If you don't know how or have the things to do your own butchering it will cost from 50 to 100 dollars for that and even more if you want sausage sticks made and other special cuts done.

Better to think of hunting as a reason to be out enjoying the out doors not as a way to save money.

After 54 years I guess I break even hunting, I drive 3 hours to bird hunt, 6 hours to deer hunt and can walk out my backdoor for squirrels, coyotes and even deer when I don't want to travel.

A cane pole from a lake or streams bank is probably the cheapest way to fish and you may save a bit doing it that way.

Have fun.

:D Al

I'm located in the deep south. I went to the wildlife hunting & fishing website and it looks like I'm out of season for gray squirrel. Just missed it. The other option I was thinking was hunting frogs for the frog legs, I've read that they are very good to eat. I need to do more research before I go out and do that though. I don't want to get bit by a snake. I went frog hunting years ago with a friend of mine but then I lived in an area where I didn't have to worry about snakes, gators, spiders, and so on... we just used a net and a pellet gun to dispatch the frogs. I fish with a fairly cheap rod and set up and I've caught some nice fish so I feel that it's not necessary to buy really high end, expensive gear-just as you said Tufrthnnails.

alleyyooper, I live in the deep south. Gray squirrel season is over now. I missed it. Yeah maybe I am a little in over my head thinking I can save money by fishing & hunting... then again I've never been one to go out and buy **** I don't need when it has come to all my other hobbies or anything really... I don't plan on hunting any large game such as deer as of now. I'd like to start off small with some squirrels, frogs, maybe some other small game animals. I already liked bike riding, hiking, and other out door activities so I figured I'd take it a step further and get serious about my fishing and even start hunting a little bit.

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.

Eager Beaver if I were you I would look far and wide for a local mentor ! go to sporting goods store, contact game warden even church, you will find a good person to head you in the right direction, You may even make a lifelong pal H H

A mentor, if possible, is great advice. See what your states website says about hunter safety requirements. Your state game dept. may offer beginner hunt programs and you could find a mentor or experienced hunting partners from them.

Smaller species you could hunt are waterfowl/migratory or non migratory game birds. For waterfowl/migratory birds, be aware of HIP requirements. Birds can be tough targets, and expensive hunting for that reason. Rabbit hunting is another consideration when the season comes in. Where rabbit is concerned, look for videos or articles on Tuleremia.

That window of time before the season can be very beneficial. Preparation through species study, shooting practice, learning of available land and scouting it will have you very prepared for season openers.

That's a good idea I know I still run over and grab my granddad from time to time during small game and we take a walk in the woods and shoot some squirrels it funny he may not remember how to try his shoes, but he can knock a squirrel out of the tree with a .22 with iron sights from 50 yards still.

Also I'm from Lakeland, Florida dead center of the state I've been hunting our swamps for 25 years and I still like having a hunting partner for the safety side of it. If your hunting in my neck of the woods snakes are moving like crazy right now.

THE FIRST, place to start is with your local Resources office, and get safety training. Then decide the what, how, where and when.

Well, you won't save money initially.... But you will enjoy yourself allot.

Deep south where, I am in the deep south of Michigan but you can go deeper even. The bogie man hasn't knocked on my door either.

Join a sports mans club and you will meet people there who are willing to take a pup under their arm.


Lake Land Florida Watch out for all those tigers prowling that area at this time of year.

:D Al

Thank you for the advice on finding someone who is willing to show me the ropes. I'll look online to see if there are any outdoor/hunting/fishing clubs in my area. I think that would be fun. I never really thought about that initially because every hobby that I've taken up I've learned how to do, as well as various techniques, through the internet. I live in an area where I don't know anyone so finding someone with similar interests has been next to impossible. I just learn by doing a lot of research beforehand, learn by trial & error, and practicing.

Boca, you are right. I probably won't save any money initially. You got me thinking about the money that I've spent on fishing so far vs how many fish I've caught. Not that I've spent a lot of money... literally I've probably only spent about $60 to 70 so far-most of that cost was for my fishing license and my fillet knife. I already had a few fishing poles that had been laying around in the garage. But true.

When you think of "the deep south", that is where I'm located. Not the southern part of any northern state. I live in a highly populated area that not only 20 years ago was nothing but cow pastures, farms, and commercial fruit groves but there are still a lot of lakes in the area. I haven't found any rivers or ponds (for frogs) yet but I know they are somewhere fairly local. Shooting squirrels in the backyard is out of the question because I live in a neighborhood... I'd love to make some squirrel stew.

Haha they are everywhere and they brought there own fans with them. It's pretty fun to go watch the games, but I have to say a large portion of the fans are fairly obnoxious in public at say restaurants and grocery store. Very different then the normal snowbirds that are starting to leave by now or maybe Baseball just brings the A-hole out of people it is the American sport after all.
At games they are actually super laid back and rarely do much heckling unlike yankee and redsox fans that I really think need medication for anger issues.

Hahaha that never stopped my son when we lived in town. I am pretty sure his BBgun was taken away by his moma more then he had it for shooting squirrels (which BTW me and him ate I love squirrel stew).

You said there are a lot of farms and such. If you are wanting to shoot squirrels asking for permission to hunt with a pellet gun is never a bad idea. Most people don't freak out over air rifles like they do a reg rifle. I got permission from a local Grove owner to shoot rats in his orange grove which turned into permission to hunt hogs in the grove when I was a teenager.

First make sure it is legal to hunt with a pellet gun, it is not in many states. In addition, make sure to take a hunter education course and buy a license. You also need to check if you need a fishing license to take frogs, and if there is a season on them as well. You have a lot of research to do and the best place to start is with your fish and game agency

Yeah you are right... I need to do a lot more reading and take a hunting ed. course before I just go out with a pellet gun and start shooting squirrels. The official website for hunting & fishing is very vague... It says (for gray squirrels) "by all legal rifles, shotguns, muzzle loaders, crossbows, bows and pistols." But what exactly is a 'legal rifles'? And I'm out of season anyway, It says Nov. 14 - Mar. 6. The next one starts up Aug. 1 - 30 but is by bow only. Guess I have to wait another year.

I definitely don't need any tickets or trouble with the police. Agh... I'm kind of bummed out now but I'll be back. Thanks everyone. Take care.

Rome wasn't built overnight, there is a learning curve to hunting, stick with it and learn all you can. Join a sportsman's club and associate with people who hunt and ask questions. You will get there.

Some thoughts that may or may not help. Do you have any relatives that hunt? Even if they're in the next state, they can still be a resource for learning and maybe an annual hunting trip.

I realize a lot of people are reluctant to list the state they live in but in this type of topic, it can be very helpful. We have members who live in just about every state in our country and you can often get advice from somebody in your own state (such as what is a legal hunting rifle) that shortens your learning curve. Members who live in your own state can also tell you about public hunting opportunities, game specific to your state that you maybe never thought of and other things that might be useful.

As an example, in my state (CA), it is legal to hunt turkeys with airguns. Primarily this is because so many turkeys are in urban areas where firearms and even bows might not be allowed to hunt legally (or for safety reasons) but hunting itself is still legal. Something like that may help you in your state or not.

Hopefully some of this helps you move along that hunting learning curve we're all on to some degree or another.

What state are you in? I usually call the state I am going to hunt's wildlife office and get any questions I have about their regulations answered straight from the horses mouth when I am hunting out of state. You should probably give them a call. I will never tell someone not to get a hunters safety card, but here in FL it is only required if you are born after 1975. My brother is 31 and he just got his done last summer so he could go to KY with me and hunt.

Yes tiger and lion fans are pretty obnoxious :mad1:. Can't under stand why they don't just stop waiting around for a string of championships (tiger fans) or a super bowl play off even (lion fans). They have a team in town that has been to the play offs 25 years in a row about to make it 26, won more championships than the tigers and lions combined.


We have gained so much hunting land usage rights just because of our coyote hunting usually, but some times whistle pigs. We show respect for the farmers property, closing all gates we open , leave no trash and remove carcasses from sight. Park out of the way where the farmer has told use is the best place for us to be out of their way.

With the seasons closed in my area you will run into plenty of older and young people who want to keep their shooting skills up and make use of the sporting clays course, 5 stand, skeet and trap range.

There are the rifle and pistol people who shoot at those ranges every week end too and belong to leagues, or sillowet shooting leagues. The archery range is busy also even during the deer season because of the archery leagues for indoor shooting and the field course.

Most of the people will share information if you don't go getting to pushy and just listening to them you gleam a bunch.

I would never ask to handle or shoot some ones rifle, pistol shot gun or bow. I may say that is a nice looking shot gun can you tell me about it. Some times that will lead to an offer to shot it if for example your on a clays course and shown you are a responsible person.

Our club has persons who teach fire arm safety and usage, also persons who teach archery. Normal charge is for so many rounds of ammo.

Al

I live in NW Florida and can give you some pointers for hunting in the "deep south" and a lot of other people on here good if we could know your state of residence but for starters this is how I would go about it:

Contact your fish and game to see if they can point you in the right direction for a hunters safety course. Most, if not all (I think), require you to have a hunter education

Next decide the game you want to start hunting before you go out and buy anything whether it is squirrels, deer, coyotes, etc

Next decided what weapon you want to use whether it is bow, crossbow, pistol, rifle, muzzleloader, etc

Then buy the stuff that you will need tailored to what you are hunting and what is legal. For example in Florida for deer hunting I need a climber treestand but for squirrel hunting I don't.

Then after that locate the nearest public hunting areas and again you can go on your game and fish website or give them a call.

From there figure out the seasons then scout, read a bunch of articles on the animal your are hunting and have fun.

Btw a lot of states of local forums you can get on so local guys and point you in the right direction. Like me we have Gulfcoastgunforum and pensacolafishingforum that both have a hunting section.

Most of us started hunting small game very young. You will learn a lot even by chasing squirrels around in the woods. Get the Hunters Ed done. Most states have a online version too were you complete the lessons and just go in one afternoon for a shoot and a test instead of committing a whole weekend. Also SOME states have a hunters apprentice program were you can hunt with a legal hunter to see if it is something you want to pursue without committing to it all to early. If your just hunting squirrels your legal take method can just be an Air Rifle, though most states have a caliber minimum for different size game. What it is saying by legal take method is just they type of weapons you can legally hunt with. But any Air rifle from walmart will get the job done on them squirrels. They are good eating to so don't be afraid to eat them.

Hello everyone. Thanks for the new replies. I have a few air rifles (bb/pellet guns) that I bought at walmart about 5 years ago. They have been sitting in the garage for a good while now. Stupid me, I don't think I took the best care of them...

Well I took them outside to do some target shooting the other day and they are pretty damn inaccurate! Any way to fix this? I have a Daisy 880 multi-pump air rifle, a daisy red rider, and a crosman 760 pumpmaster air carbine. The funny thing is... the red rider was probably the most accurate of them all. I was hitting small cambell's soup cans from over 20 yards away haha. I am currently located in Fl. Still have the desire to hunt... I was born after 1975 so going to have to get a hunters safety card. Squirrels arent in season anymore... just missed it. Don't have any relatives besides my immediate family, the ones I grew up with in my household. None of which hunt or have any desire whatsoever to hunt. Don't know anyone in my town that's why I came here to the good ol internet.

Take care.

That will help. There are actually quite a few members who live in Florida and can point you in the right direction. Good luck.

Where are you at in FL Eager? depending on where you are I've hunted a lot of the WMA's in central and a few in North FL. I don't mind giving you some help.

Chipmunks with BB guns.

BTW - BB guns are even better now, but them chipmunks are still tuff as nail !!!

Hahahahaha!!!!

Sure hope you can get started, Eager Beaver. It'll give you a lifetime of memories. ;)

central fl.

thank you sharps, so do i. i love going fishing these days, think i will enjoy hunting too.

Being in Fl, I would highly recommend getting out fishing, alot. You guys have some of the best fishing around and a easy trip to the coast every once in a while, jumping onto a head-boat can land you pounds of meat in no time. As mentioned, doesn't make it cost effective if you get biting by the fishing bug. I have close to $10000 in fishing gear in my garage last I attempted to calculate for insurance purposes and that doesn't include the boat stuff I still have, that is just rods/reels, tackle, lures, bags, etc.

But fishing can be done for cheaper then hunting, and you can do fishing year round while you get set up and prepped for hunting.
1. Hunter Safety Course
2. Licenses
3. Basic gear list (search this site, it has been asked many times)
All the rest is just getting boots on the ground and learning.

Well... if you live out in the woods.. .and you buy a "cheap" pellet gun rifle and go hunt squirrels I guess you might save some money? I wouldn't call that hunting though.

I am myself starting on this (this will be my first time hunting). My winchester model 70 (used) .270 win, already cost me $500 with a scope. Then I had to buy all the cleaning stuff +~$50. Hunting ed course in VT is free, deer hunting license is $25. Oh and I still need to buy basic gear, and camo stuff. Will I get a deer this season? prob. not... I am probably just going to watch my friend hunt and teach me, if anything, he'll get the deer. Oh, and you have to practice at the range; 20 rounds? at least $20 for my rifle.

I dont' see it as "money saving", but as a way to connect with our true human nature. That is priceless, and adding up all the costs, it is not that far from the costs of skiing.

Go here to find information on squirrel huntoing. http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/smal...ps-tricks.html

Anything in season.