First Time Hunter... Anything I should know?
08-14-2009, 03:23 AM
#32
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 235
Thank you all so much for your wonderful tips and expertise! I'll be picking my gun up this Sunday and shooting with dad at the range. He said we'll be sighting it in. I am very excited and will be practicing after work with it clean up til the 
season opens. 
season opens.
08-14-2009, 12:25 PM
#33
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Coralville, IA. USA
Posts: 3,802
Sounds like you're on the right path. Practice as much as your budget allows, and do it from field positions, especially offhand (aka standing). If you plan to do any deer drives, where some guys sit and others walk to "drive" the deer to the sitters, then it's real likely that you'll get only quick shots at already spooky deer, maybe even walking/running shots at very close range, so you won't have time to find a tree or fencepost to steady the gun. Practice shooting an 8" paper plate standing. At whatever range you can reliably put all five shots into the plate is the max range to shoot while hunting. This helps make sure you only take shots that you'd be confident you're going to hit vitals. The quickest, cleanest kill possible is the ethical responsibility of all hunters. If you discipline yourself to take only shots you know you can make and not to take iffy shots, you'll not only be more successful, but you won't get the sinking gut feeling when you lose one. Trust me, it sucks to not find a deer after making what appeared to be a good shot. That's why I don't bowhunt anymore.
Mike
Mike
08-14-2009, 12:34 PM
#34
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 235
Yeah, I hear ya. I'd rather miss it than not be able to kill it. I too want the good, clean, fast kill, I'd definately lose sleep over maiming it. I'm just not up for pot shots. Hey, that's great advice with the paper plates too. Cheap... I like it!
I get to site the gun in this week end and then someone will have to pry it outta my hands.
I get to site the gun in this week end and then someone will have to pry it outta my hands.
08-14-2009, 04:04 PM
#35
Spike
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: southwestern pa
Posts: 11
Thanks guys. We're suppose to go to the gun range to shoot in the guns this Sunday. I'd like to go every weekend but I don't think that's possible for my dad but I will ask him what he'll let me hunt with and see if he'll let me borrow the gun and go myself so I can get use to shooting.
08-19-2009, 10:18 AM
#36
Spike
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 5
Since Ava is getting so much good advise here I thought I would throw my question out, maybe it will help him as well.
Has anyone had any expirence hunting with BDU's? I have my old air force uniforms and would like to be able to use them instead of having to buy some new camo. Not sure if it matters or not, but I will be hunting in central and south east ohio.
Has anyone had any expirence hunting with BDU's? I have my old air force uniforms and would like to be able to use them instead of having to buy some new camo. Not sure if it matters or not, but I will be hunting in central and south east ohio.
08-19-2009, 01:15 PM
#37
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Coralville, IA. USA
Posts: 3,802
Your utilities (that's what we called them in the Marine Corp, because they are hardly a "dress uniform" 
) should be fine. If you're gun hunting, though, I would strongly suggest, even if it's not required, that you wear blaze orange, which makes camo really moot. I wear brown coveralls and coat with my blaze orange vest and hat/cap when it's cold. And when it's warm I'll wear jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt (again with orange vest). I've shot deer from 10 yards and had deer closer without using camo.
Mike
) should be fine. If you're gun hunting, though, I would strongly suggest, even if it's not required, that you wear blaze orange, which makes camo really moot. I wear brown coveralls and coat with my blaze orange vest and hat/cap when it's cold. And when it's warm I'll wear jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt (again with orange vest). I've shot deer from 10 yards and had deer closer without using camo.Mike
08-19-2009, 03:46 PM
#38
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 235
08-20-2009, 12:37 PM
#40
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 2,414
Thank you for your response Robert. I have been thinking about what I will be needing and will start gathering some supplies in the next few weeks. Toilet paper will be at the top of the list as will a whistle if I do get lost. <I'd like to carry it even if I don't need it> I am also going to look into a compass and learn how to read one. 
As far as physical fitness, I can walk all day if I had too. I may change my mind if I wore a pair of boots but it's great advice. I'll be buying a pair of boots soon and will be hitting the trails to break them in. *ugh* that's the worst! I'm fortunate that I can get into the woods as they are right in my back yard. I will do that soon. Thanks! I may even spy a few deer too.
As far as navigating, my dad has his sweet spot. It's always the same place as far as I know. I know I'll have to get to know it but I plan on not leaving his side on my first trip out or ever for that matter. My brother will also be there to get us out if *God forbid* something goes wrong with any of us. I'm taking my son for his first experience too. That's if his grades are up to snuff. He didn't get to go last year because of poor grades. 
I love my dad so much, even if that buck never came, just the time spent with him is worth more than anything in the world.
As far as physical fitness, I can walk all day if I had too. I may change my mind if I wore a pair of boots but it's great advice. I'll be buying a pair of boots soon and will be hitting the trails to break them in. *ugh* that's the worst! I'm fortunate that I can get into the woods as they are right in my back yard. I will do that soon. Thanks! I may even spy a few deer too.
As far as navigating, my dad has his sweet spot. It's always the same place as far as I know. I know I'll have to get to know it but I plan on not leaving his side on my first trip out or ever for that matter.
My brother will also be there to get us out if *God forbid* something goes wrong with any of us. I'm taking my son for his first experience too. That's if his grades are up to snuff. He didn't get to go last year because of poor grades. I love my dad so much, even if that buck never came, just the time spent with him is worth more than anything in the world.
You sound very excited and that is a great start. Be safe, listen to dad and have fun. If you get a deer, that's great too