Beginning hunter needs advice
 

My name is Tiffany, I am 20 years old. I have never been hunting before but would love to. I was wondering, from everyone's personalopinion what the best gear is for deer hunting (gun, calls, decoys, et cetera).

Thanks!

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

all of the gear you use depends on where you hunt and what part of the season (pre-rut, post-rut, rut)deer behave differently during these times and require different techniques.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

What state would you be hunting in?

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

I amin Missouri. I still need to take the classes to get my hunting permit, so I know basically nothing except what I want to hunt. I have a .22 for squirrel and rabbit but that's about as far as my knowledge goes. I decided I want to go hunting about a month ago so I am learning as I go.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

BunnyHoney,
I think its great that you are interested in hunting. What has made you decide to give it a try?
As for your questions about what is the best stuff to use: I personally don't think that there is a "Best" I think its all personal preference. But, there are definately some products that are better than others, and we can definately make some recomendations towards or against them. If you give a little more information such as what type of firearm / bow, what area and season you are hunting in will help us alot in our recomendations

Its great to have you on as a new member.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

If you want to rifle hunt for deer get yourself a .243 nice rifle small kick. check your states regulations for blaze orange.Then after your hunter ed courses get yourself a map of state and county land open for hunting and go to a spot thats close your home or work and look for deer sign.Or in your hunter safety class the person that teaches it my have some info or can point you to a local hunting group. Good luck and let us know if you need any more help.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

Do you have a rifle other than your .22? Maybe one that you can borrow? I hunted from ground blinds that i built from limbs and leaves when I first started hunting. You need to be elevated when you hunt. For 2 reasons. Scent and sight. I have only been hunting hard for 2 seasons. Just don't get discouraged. Before the next season start you may want to do some scouting and see if there are any signs of deer in the area you are hunting. This may increase your chances when seasons open. but honestly everyone has their own way. just keep asking questions and I'm sure that we all will do our best to help ya out.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

Welcome to the sport of hunting!
Wear something that's blaze orange, practice shooting your gun (I agree with getting a .243-that's what I hunt with), and watch where your gun is pointing. Alsoconsider getting a deer call. Enjoy and be safe!

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

if you want to learn alot, buy the sportsman channel, they have hunting on 24/7

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

that is true.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

.30-.30 Marlin with a 2x7 power Burris Fulfield II scope, Hornady leverevolution ammo, muck boots, weatherby wool camo coat and bibs, cotton and wool socks, any camo shirt and pants, bachleva, blaze stocking cap, blaze vest, a small back pack for carrying essentials, hand and toe warmers, buck call (optional), 2 diet cokes, some beef jerky, trail mix and something to read.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

I know that I will take some slack for saying this, but I do not advise the .243 rem. Don't get me wrong, its a great little gun, minimal kick and will kill a whitetail just fine. But my personal feeling is I would suggest a .260 rem. or a 7mm-08. I personally shoot a Browning BLR .284 win. It has been an excellent gun for me. I've never lost a deer with it (very few heve even ran 10 yds). My only complaint is that it is not the easiest gun to find ammo for. Its my understanding thatit is quite simmilar to the 7mm-08 (which is more common). Basically the only difference is the neck shoulder of the casing is steeper on the .284 giving it a little more punch.Most important is shot placemnt. But, I think the calibers with a little more punch can in some cases put a deer down a little quicker, and in the unfortunate event of a not so perfect shot, a little more power can sometimes help.I also hunt with a shotgun, bow and flint lock M/L. depending on the season and the state.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

get a good skinning knife... a buck fixed blade will do the trick.

a good pair of rubber boots. it is a must for them to well insulated. camo or black

camo cloths.
and my all time favorite. a face mask, nothing has gotten me spotted by deer more then not wearing one.

and for a gun, go with a 243.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

If your name is Tiffany, why does your picture say Chelsea?

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

shes multi talented

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

Get yourself, a Stevens Model 200 Rifle in .243 Caliber, with a 4-12x40 Bushnell Sportsman Scope.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

Chelsea is what people call me, but my birth name is Tiffany =]. Thetaxidermist I am working for recommended a .30-.06 (probably wrote that wrong - I know!). Anyone have complaints for that rifle? Where's the cheapest place to purchase hunting garbs? I have Bass Pro nearby but they are terribly expensive for me.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

hold up a 30-06 is too much gun for a small lady ,,im sure he ment a 30-30 ,,,but a 243 win ,,is just fine,,for a small lady with pretty eyes ..

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

a .30-06 would work just fine. I personally feel its a little more than you need, but alot of people use them. What action are you looking for (bolt, lever, pump, ect.)? The .30-06 is considered a long action cartridge meaning you need to have a longeraction throw. another excellent long action option is a .270. My Dad has used one for 30 years ansd has never had a complaint. as I mentioned above I use a .284 (which is a short action cartridge). My recomendation to you would be to find a gun you like, and that fits youin a price range you can live with. And try to find it in either a .260 rem, 7mm-08, .284 win, .308, .270, .280, or even a .30-06. Any of those would be an excellent choice. And there are many, many other options that would work just fine.
As for finding cheap hunting stuff, good luck.... Its all to expensive... But really, I'd possibly look for a good used gun, and basically watch for sales. You want to make sure thatthe apparelyou buy is at least ofdecent quality because being cold and wet can make it very hard to stay out and keep hunting. Near where I live, most of the sporting goods stores will be putting on end of the season sales right after xmas. That can be a great time to pick up a few items.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

I say a .25-06 would be the perfect gun for deer hunting.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

a female interested in hunting should have no problem in getting advice from some local male hunters that frequent your shop you work at.. i could care less what gun you get just as long as you are comfortable with it. you might be able to handle a 30-06 better than most guys anda .243 may be to light. find some locals to let you shoot there guns and see what you like.. by first piece of advice would be to cover your scent. without doing so with all the best equipment in the world you still want tag deer

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

i would say go with a .243 savage accutrigger for a begginers gun, it is easy to handle and has virtually no kick! Plus it is a good price at under $300. Then get some quality camo thats going to keeep you warm, your local shop will have some good guys working there to help you out with that! Next I wouldn't worry about calls at this point since the rut is already over, but for next year I would go with Primos "The Can" and a True Talker! Also when it comes to boots you cannot go wrong with anything Rocky Brand, Danner, or Irish Setter. We are all here to help you and am happy to see a girl who is enthusiastic about it and also don't take this the wrong way but easy on the eyes.

P.S.- My name is Ryan and would be more than happy to help ya out.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

For clothes, hit the local Wal-Mart NOW. They should be having clearance sales, get it a size or two to big and you can pile lots of clothes under it to keep warm.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

I totally agree... personal preference on gear... but be warm and dry... the days out can feel agonizing [:'(] if your wet and get cold...

good luck on your future hunts.:D

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

Buy yourself a good hunting book and then decide what type of hunting you want to do.

Then if you decide to hunt with a rifle, go buy a book called "shoot better II".

The first chapter will tell you everything you need to know and understand about a bullet once it leaves the barrell. The rest of the book is nothing but tables/ballistic charts. Use them to pick your new rifle.

Good luck,
KP

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

go tp bass pro and ask some peps there what kind of stuff u need but for gun get a 243 wssm harder to find ammo but bass pro will have get a good rifle and scope i have a browning abolt and a lepould 4-12

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

From the looks of your pic, you better bring someone to haul a deer out of the woods for ya too!I think its great that you want to learn how to hunt deer,but you will learn alot faster if someone shows you the ropes.You can watch t.v. all day long and read books,but you wont know what they are talking about till you see it, feel it,and actually do it.Then you can hone down the skills you have into something.
As far as guns,you have to know what kind of terrain youre hunting.A fast bullet wont do any good in the brush,thats shotgun,30-30 kind of stuff.A shotgun wont do as well on longer shots,Thats for a faster-flatter gun.After you determine that,theres a zillion kinds out there,differant makes,styles and sizes.TRY THEM,and find out which one will allow you to drop a deer and leave your shoulder where it is.I mentioned dropping a beer because you dont want to be wounding them,because of shot plasement,or too small a round.Sometimes a dead deer is only dead because you chose a certain type of round.and thats another issue.....
I wish you luck! and keep at it.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

I would also check into Savage rifles, they are very accurate guns and they are decently priced. The size is up to you, no one can really tell you what to go buy unless we see you shoot every different style and cartridge. A .243 to .270 would be a good starting point I would say. Just to to the local gun shop or Wal-Mart and hold as many as you can to see what feels the most comfortable to you. If you can find someone to let you shoot their guns that would be even better. Buy enough clothes to keep you warm as mentioned above. Camo bibs/coverals are usually more expensive than regular stuff so you can just buy the normal good insulated clothing and get a camo shirt and pants thats big enough to wear over all your other clothing, thats what I do. I actually got a pair of camopants, zip-up shirt, 3 pairs of gloves, face mask and bow limb covers off ebay for $22 and thats what I wear, fits over all my clothing. In Missouri you have to wear a blaze orange vest and hat during firearms season. Another thing, DON'T STINK! I wash everything I am going to wear in regular detergent and then rewash in about a half cup of baking soda to remove any odors.Do not use a dryer sheet either! Spray yourself down with a scent killer before you get to your hunting spot also. There are quit a few people on here from MO and I am sure anyone close to you would be willing to help you out if needed or people who come into the shop you work for. Last of all, good luck and be safe.
Brandon

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

there is hunting on tv 24/7 but come on folks, that hunting isnt realistic most of the time. lets not give this girl false hope

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

I wish i could fast forward through the boaring parts of my hunts,mabe not.Its all kinda part of it for me.If it was like on T.V. Id get board with it.

RE: Beginning hunter needs advice
 

30-06,30-30, and 243 are all good rifles. I would probably tell you to go with the 243. Thats what I used when I started with and have taken plenty of deer with it. It really depends on what type of area your hunting. A 243 is great for 150-200yds for deer. I've heard of people taking deer out past 300yds with it. Its a good all around cartridge that doesn't kick much and doesn't get much credit for how good it is. I would also look at buying a muzzleloader, the new inlines are fairly accurate out past 175 yds and will enable you to hunt more than one season