Any tips for a new hunter???
 

I'm new to hunting, 24, and have tons to learn. I have the rare opportunity to go out to PA with my cousins for a day or two of lessons twice a year. Not much help when there so much more time left in the year. Any recommendations or suggestions that could help me in a hunt? Be it shooting (which i hit the range), or learning in general? thanks for the comments

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

just stay tuned into these forums and you will learn a ton

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

welcome to the boards, the best advice i can do is practice, adn read as much as possible. theres alot of info in magazines and on this board.

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

Thanks. Since my cousins are not close and my immediate family is not thrilled about hunting, I'm treating the boards as my closest hunting family lol. Any good recommendations on field dressing equipment or tree stands? I'm pretty much loaded up as far as weapons and camo goes. It's the finer things now I want to take care of. Things that will make a hunt more successful and in the end more enjoyable.

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

practice makes perfict shooting evrey now and the never hurt no one and learning things from your cousins wont hurt either

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

You will need a good sharp knife and a small hand saw for cleanly cutting the pelvic bone is a good idea as well. I prefer non-folding knives, as they tend to be much sturdier and you do not run the risk of it closing up on your hand when field dressing. Some use gloves when field dressing, I don't but it is your choice, as you may not want to get real bloody and the CWD issue.
As far as tree stands? I have a fixed and climber, but also use permanent stands as well. I would suggest all three types, as all three have benefits and drawbacks. Pick one based how how you are planning to hunt and the terrain, such as trees available. There are many good hang-on tree stands and climbers. I really like my summit climber and would suggest it to anyone.

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

read some books or magazines

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

Just read as much as you can....get a scouting cameria youll have fun with that.
this may not be how everyone hunts but this is my game plan this year.
Pre-rut/early season-A buck spends 70% of his time in his bed....so find his bed.... to do this find his prefered food source and look for rubs around the food source. Follow the rubs back till you find a cluster of rubs in some thick stuff. this is proble his bed.. back off this about 50 yards and hunt it only in the afternoon(bucks ealry season are usally back to there bed longbeforedaylight) and only hunt it when the wind is right.. Not blowing into his bedroom.

Rut-ANYthing can happen. Be onstand all day the first 2 weeks of november. FInd something that Funnels down deer movent. Hunt the does find the does=find the bigboys. If u only had 2 weeks to get some tail ud be running around all day 2.Use ur scnets and Rattle this time of year,..plus us the can. I see u hut PA, i also hunt PA get high on the ridges bc the bucks will be crusing the ridges catching thermals that are blwing uphill.

Postrut/lateseason-Most of the food has been eaten. Find the food sourde now. The bigboys have lost alot wieght and need to replensish there fat supplies to make it threw the winter andthey know that. Hunt sunny ridges the big boy you hunted early season may or maynot be in the smae bed bc the food source changes.

This is my 2 cents and i really hoped this got you ont he right track....anymore ? dont hesitate to shoot me a PM. Im only 21 so where about the same age.

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

These all sound like great tips. Looks like you are in good hands.

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

#1 thing to consider to me is where do you hunt? If you have some private land are you going to plant food plots then you need to get started clearing and limeing. Having a good vantage point to hunt with different wind directions should rank high on your list. A quality scope is a necessity.. Make a budget, and then triple it........

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

get a scent lok and or scent blocker suit...:D

buy as many of the drury outdoors, primos, or team realtree deer hunting videos....watch, take notes and learn from those...

practice, get into the woods, scout, study maps, ask locals about hunting spots...etc...

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

Takea Hunter Safety Courseif you havn't yet.

Wearing a safety harness when in a tree stand will keep you hunting for many years.

Good luck and have fun.

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

Check out if you can get any aireal photos of the area that you are going to hunt. Even some topographical maps will assist you. These will help esp. if you are unable to pre-scout the area. Look to see if you can find travel corridors from feeding areas to bedding areas. Keep asking questions and reading the forums here for their are many experienced people with tons of knowledge.

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

No offence toJNTURKbut i wouldnt take alot from hunting shows you see on tv. Most take place on highfenced areas and iKNOW alot of people on here that would put them to shame.... You can watch the videos to get the blood pumpn but be carefull bc alot of vidoes just getyou to think u need alot of products tokill deer. I suggest getting a book by the deer doctor-Peter Fiduccia.It explains alot of things.

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

No offence toJNTURKbut i wouldnt take alot from hunting shows you see on tv. Most take place on highfenced areas and iKNOW alot of people on here that would put them to shame.... You can watch the videos to get the blood pumpn but be carefull bc alot of vidoes just getyou to think u need alot of products tokill deer. I suggest getting a book by the deer doctor-Peter Fiduccia.It explains alot of things.



hes got a real good point!

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

Just hunt the food source ....the doe's follow their stomach and the bucks will follow the doe's sooner or later.

dd

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

Pretty awesome tips to be honest. Right now the plan is to hunt a couple times this year with the much knowledgable cousin. Once I decide that I'm ready to go at it alone, I will hunt NJ (although I hear that I am as likely to get shot as a buck is). Gonna be on public land so I'm thinking a ladder stand may be my best choice. I like the whole scouting idea too. I want to at least learn my prey, know their thoughts, so I can think quicker then them when the time comes. Since I have a shotgun at the moment, what's the thoughts on rifles and bows? I want a rifle for PA and a bow once I get used to the guns.

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

Practice a lot and be PATIENT. And...most everyone on this board is here to help you so take advantage of these forums. These guys know a lot!

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

My 2 cents again are to proble not go with a ladder stand. Why you say, bc
1. People will know where you are hunting/move in on you.
2. People WILL sit in it if they find it.
3.They will try to steal it.
4. LAst but def not least you will be limited to one spot to hunt, Spend a little bit of money and get a nice comfy LIGHT climber and i bet you wont regret it.
As you are new to the sport you want to be able tomove and adjust your stand. You also want to be able to find the fresh food source and be able to move in quick.
You want to be moble esp on public land..... ive had places on public land that where perfect and i set stadns up before the season to show up to hunt and find everyone and there brother in the woods and people setting up around me....

ps. you want to be able to hunt the WIND. One stand =limited hunting bc of the wind.

RE: Any tips for a new hunter???
 

you will learn alot off of forums and other websites and lots of practice.