Hi there,

First of all, if you want a little more background about me being a new hunter, read my post in the young hunters forum: http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=917267

I have really been interested in hunting, specifically waterfoul and upland bird. I am a city slicker looking for info about becoming a hunter. I plan to take a hunters safety course at Pacific Rod and Gun Club and I was wondering what those classes are like/consist of. I have began skeet shooting with my browning BPS hunter to get ready for hunting. Also, where can I hunt such things in the bay area? And are they're people to take me and my dad for hire, or do I have to know someone who hunts (very few people here)Thanks in advance!

Anyone?

I do not live in california but if youve been shooting trap and skeet look up an outfitter(just look around on the internet) in your are for the species you would like to hunt. The two biggest types of hunting i have heard about in california are for hogs and blacktail deer which are not upland game.

I teach the archery part of California hunter safty in the small town I live in near Reno NV. If you pay attention and use common sense you will have no problem. Look in the Sac. valley it is good duck hunting for upland birds talk to the ranchers around Petaluma. The people at the gun club can also get you going in the right direction. If there is any thing I can help you with send me an E-Mail.

Hey Jimbo,
Its great to see you taking an interest in hunting. It could easily become a passion that will last all your life. You might try to request to tag along with somebody by posting on the upland or waterfowl forum here. Also, ask around locally at sporting goods stores and maybe contact ducks unlimited. Perhaps they can help you find someone that would take you. An outfitter or guide would be ok, but you'll probably get to go more often if you figure a way without having to pay. A guide or outfitter can be good initially but if you go with one--don't think that it can't be done without them.
hb

Hi Jimbo

I'm a CA'ian too - sometimes embarrassed to admit it, but it's true.

As to the hunter saftey course, don't sweat it. Ceder has it right - just pay attention and you'll do fine.

I don't do any upland game or waterfowl hunting, but I am somewhat familiar with the bay area (grew up in the east bay). I would think the general area of the Sac. delta would offer numerous waterfowl hunting opportunities. The problem may be access - this isn't going to be public land. For upland game, you might check the foothills around Mt Diablo. I know there is quail in the area. Again - access might be the issue.

Good luck!

Good for you Jimbo, when you take your safety class ask around, you may find someone there who knows some good spots, could set up a trip that way. Good luck hunting!

Thanks everyone! That's very helpful! I'm so exited. Today I am a member of the gun club and my dad says that we can shoot more often because of that. We also got the card for the guy who does the safety courses, so that's comming up. Thanks again everyoen!

I live in the Sacramento area which is about an hour from where you live and there are public lands in this area that you can hunt on. The best waterfowl hunting is going to be on the class A areas. Some good ones around here are the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, Colusa Bypass and the Delevan Wildlife Refuge. You can hunt turkey and other upland game at the Spenceville Wildlife Area near Marysville. Grizzly Island is also good for waterfowl and also has an annual wild pig hunt restricted to shotguns which you can enter a lottery for. Smaller areas that can also offer good hunting are Feather River Wildlife Area and White Slough Wildlife Area. All of these locations should be within a couple of hours of where you live. I strongly suggest you go to the California DFG website and click on "hunting". You can get a list of all the public hunting grounds in California, maps of the areas, game found in those areas and any special regulations that apply to them. Welcome to hunting, we need more young hunters in California.

Californiadoctor

Welcome, read your stuff.First off what is overpopulated in this state is people. Hunting and fishing isn,t like what it use to be.A lot of it nowdays is on private clubs or land. Public land has llittle or no roads,means lots of walking.Your hunter safety class is just using common sense.I don,t kill just for the fun of it,uless its varmits. I have been very lucky to live right in the middle of the hunting country that has been mentioned. Trap and skeet shooting is a great start to learning about your shotgun. It will be a llittle different in the field as i hope you will see this year. If i can help in any way feel free to contact me . vangunsmith