Beginner looking for help in GA
 

It may be a long shot, but here it goes...

I am interested in starting hunting and I thought before I go out and look for guides and clubs that I try to find out from local hunters what they would recommend.

I am familiar with firearms and I have taken training (gun safety, hunting, etc.), but no experience with hunting.

I am looking for any kind of help, including tips on where to go, equipment, etc.

Any help is welcome!

if it's turkey your going after I'd like to recommend the Mossberg 500 in 12 guage with 28 inch barrell and changeable chokes, i also will say that you will probably have to play with different chokes and shot loads and sizes to get everything matched up so that it performs to it's peak. I have been useing this gun with 3 inch mag federal turkey loads and extra full turkey choke for years and i've taken birds as far out as 75 paces and it has never faild to do the job also im my opinion fora good all around deer rifle with long range, flat trajectory, and knock down power it recommend a savage bolt action 270 the seem to do a good job for either short or long range, I have takendeer at 25 yrds and out to 600 yrds with the same cartridge and they fell in their tracks with a 130 g federal factory load! Hope some of this helps. Also it would help toknow for sure what your hunting for and what types of guns your allowed to hunt with in your state as that varies from state!

Thanks for the helpful information!

Here are the regulations (page 17-18): http://www.eregulations.com/wp-conte.../12GAHD_LR.pdf

It is turkey season now, so I was hoping I could do some of that. I do not see any information about hogs season. http://www.eregulations.com/georgia/...-dates-limits/. Does that mean there is not restriction? If that is the case, I could look into that too.

I have hunted practically every SE USA state, including Ga. Short story ..... my expereinces since 1974 hunting across the SE USA, I think that you will find that your best bet will be to locate a reputable "hunting club" of like minded folks that has access to decent game habitat and join up with them.

As far as what guns? You can get by with a decent shotgun and a decent center fire 30 cal rifle. A 12 ga. or 20 ga. pump would be a wise choice. A typical bolt action center fire in something like 30.06 Spr. is a great choice for any medium game critter you are likely to hunt there in Ga.

As far as makes/models that will not break the bank and will serve you for a long, long time? Take a look at the Remington 870 in 12 ga. and a Ruger 77. If you need a rifle scope, do not fall into the trap of going for the "Blue Light Special". The cheap scopes are cheap for a reason. Plan to spend at lest $200-$250 on a scope.