Interested in Hunting
 

Hey everyone i'm new here, but I guess more or less i'm looking for advice. I'm 19 years old. I've never hunted in my life,its something that i've ALWAYS wanted too. Granted I was never raised too hunt, Only shot a 30-06 twice (apparently i'm a damn good shot, from what my friends told me). and I kind of have a guilty continence about killing a deer :/. No body in my family hunts, and I'm more or less the black sheep of my family(I hate the city, loves the outdoors etc...) Do I feel this way cause I've never done it before? is it something you become immune too over time? Should I start small? Am I too old too get into it? Any tips, advice, good ways too get started, would be greatly appreciated.

-TJ

1st you are never to old to get into hunting! and you may feel bad about it because you have never done it. A lot of us hunters do not feel bad about it because we do not let the game go to waste. We all respect the animals we harvest.

You could start watching hunting shows but a lot of them are just made for tv. I got a pack of dvds called Drury Outdoors Dream Season 3 and thats some of the more realistic bow/rifle hunting shows i have seen.

Your 19 so if your not gun shy i wouldn't start out on a small caliber unless you want to. Great deer calibers are .270, .30-06, ,308, .30-.30. If you are gun shy and want a gun with knock down power go with a 30-30.

You will learn a lot about hunting if you just start cruisin this forum.

First thing you need to do is sign up for a hunter safety class. They'll show you everything you need to know. Might be able to meet up with someone willing to mentor also. Good luck. You'll know your hooked when you drop a grand on a compound bow and think you got a good deal.

Good Post:happy0001: Take the class it is informative and in most states a requirement before you can purchase a license. As far as how to learn reading is a great way to become informed. I like watching the shows on TV but those are not real world hunts. You need to find some hunting buddies go to a club and use there range talk to folks there, ask around with the people you know, some folks hunt but just do not advertise the fact.And the most important thing get out in the field and hunt!

Some good advice so far. As for feeling guilty about shooting a deer consider this, a well placed shot from a hunter is better than being hit by a semi while crossing a highway.

Most hunters do respect the animals we pursue. As an example, a few years ago we were getting ready to leave our hunting area and a friend pulled up and said that a nice 6 point just crossed the road. I went back into the woods and set up on the ridge over looking a clear spot in the trail. As the buck reached that clearing he took 2 jumps and was back into the brush. The only thing I could see was the rack raised over the brush. I didn't shoot simply because I would be taking a blind shot through the brush. Deer are a beautiful animal and I enjoy the hunt even if I don't fill a tag at the end of the day. The time spent in the woods is enough satisfaction. Meat in the freezer or a rack on the wall is simply the finishing touch, or as it is said icing on the cake.

Agreed, it is NEVER too late to start hunting. I, like you, always had a desire to hunt, but never knew anyone to take me under their wing to show me how. Three years ago, at the age of 30, I decided that I was just going to do it, and started plugging away at that keyboard, looking for all the info I could find. Going into what I consider to be my third season of real hunting, the biggest regret I have is that I did not start much sooner in life. I literally feel like I wasted many years of my life by not hunting and fishing (just started fishing last year!). Take the initiative you have now to find out about hunting and run with it! In other words, don’t just “look into” how to start hunting, etc. Get your butt in gear and get a plan that will get you in the woods by opening day and follow it. You won’t regret it, I promise.

As Scott said, take that hunter’s safety course. Look up your course options and sign up for one ASAP! They fill up fast in my area. I disagree that it will teach you “everything” you need to know, but it is a very good start, a smart start, and probably required by law. It is also excellent advice to find some sort of a mentor that can help you with expectations (i.e. give you the low down on what hunting really is…it ain’t Elmer Fudd walking through the woods calling for the wascally wabbit), and talk you through field dressing your first deer. You can certainly learn how to field dress through reading and watching videos (and you should…over and over again), but when it comes down to it and you are standing over your first dead deer, it helps to have someone talk you through it. It would be awesome if you could meet someone on this board that would be willing to take you under their wing.

As far as a guilty conscious goes…do you eat meat? If you do, do a little research on how commercial cattle, poultry, etc. are treated, and that should cure your conscious quickly with regard to taking a deer that got to live its whole life as nature intended and met its demise quickly and humanely by a well-placed shot out of the smoking end of your firearm of choice. When I killed my first deer, I did not feel guilty. What I felt was an awesome sense of sobriety and appreciation for the life that was just given. Mix that with a feeling of excitement and the adrenaline that courses through your veins as soon as you see that deer, and it’s just an indescribable feeling. That sense of sobriety and appreciation should not occur only on the first deer, but every deer you take. If you start to lose that, it’s time to take a step back and ask yourself why.

One of the most satisfying things for me is when we dine on that fine animal, because I know that from the kill to the table, that deer has been with me the entire time, and is a product of my hand. A lot of hunters kill, field dress and just dump the carcass off at the butcher. If that works for them, that’s fine. But, for me, I need to do it all for every deer I kill. Clean it, skin it, quarter it, butcher it, package it. That is all a part of the experience for me (not just the kill!), and makes it that much more satisfying.

What is your hunting budget…the MAX you want to spend on all hunting gear this season (including gun and ammo)? When do your seasons start, and what firearms are permitted? Do you know where you’ll hunt and what the deer population is like there? Do you have a way to regularly practice your marksmanship skills?

I don’t say this to intimidate you, but if you want to get in the woods this season, you have got your work cut out for you, so get on it! Ask all the questions you want here…you’ll find plenty of help!

As others stated, never too old,
Have a lifetime of hunting ahead of you, enjoy it
First, get those certs, get as many certs as you can, don't want to be. Looking for them down the road say you decide to take up bow hunting. Also the classes are full of information.
You have an advantage many of us didn't have, that's online info.
Check your regs and look up your state lands to find were you can hunt.
While your waiting for classes and seasons to start, get out there and scout.
Don't need a license to scout and or hunt with a camera.
As for your conscious, that's a good thing will help you be an ethical hunter.
People hunt for different reasons.
You should know why you hunt and te benefits of your hunting.
Food for one,
Others hunt to help protect crops/livestock.
Also for wildlife management.
We aren't giving wildlife any more land, have to manage what we have.
In ny 30% of the deer will die each year, from starvation, disease, accidents, etc.
All hunting does is tap into that 30% so more end up on the table. And less as roadkill.
Enjoy your hunts, and be proud of what your getting into

If you can, find some older more mature person willing to help you along with this - this can put you on the fast track in a hurry. And take advantage of the vast amounts of info out there, although you can easily get overwhelmed at the thousands of dollars worth of gear pitched at you - this is where the older mentor can help a lot. And a hunters safety course would be a good idea too if you plan to gun hunt.

All great advise !

Hunter safety course is first.

Also go to your local shooting centers & gun clubs; I think you'll find a lot of the guys & gales are also hunters.

BTW - The kill is only a part of the rewards that come from becoming an experienced hunter.

Have some fun along the way !!!

Wow didn't think i'd get this man surprises haha, I actually did take hunters safety and still have my card, that was about 2 years ago though so i'm not sure if you have too renew them though

Don't have to renew hunter safety course. Find someone that can help you out a little and go from there. Being a good shot while shooting at a target is one thing...a critter being out there makes things a little different. Gives you just about the best rush there is to have! And, as others have said, when you are putting to use the game that you take there is absolutely no reason to feel bad about the animals you may kill. Anyone that simply kills for the sport and lets the meat go to waste should be ashamed of it...not enough are, however.

Something that I forgot to mention this morning. Call your local Bass Pro and Cabela's. They should be starting some educational seminars over hunting. They would be able to tell you when they are and sign you up to ensure that you have a seat. Sometimes these classes fill up quickly.

Don't worry about just starting now. I'm in the same boat as you. I just got my hunter's education certificate a few weeks ago and I've been shooting my bow almost every day. If you choose the bowhunting route, I recommend shooting whenever you can. Pick a few spots around you that are public hunting land, learn about their landscape and regulations, and apply for tags, licenses, other required elements. Use this site. I've learned so much, and if you ask questions, they will most likely be answered. Also, once season starts, get out as much as you can. That's what I plan on doing, but if you choose to hunt with a firearm, your season may be shorter. Let's hope that both of us enjoy our first season.

This has got to be the best post I've read on this forum so far. All great advice given. I'm 42 and started hunting in '99. Took my first deer that season with my 870 Express. A beautiful 8pt. and have been ate up with it ever since. There is nothing like sitting in a stand and watching mother nature waking up. It's really something to see. Whether I harvest an animal or not it's just great to be outdoors and enjoying life. Go for it, you'll know if it's not for you, what have you got to loose?

Most, if not all states, the hunter safety thing is a one-time certification, but check local law of course. I noted in the earlier posts much reference to rifles, and rifles are preferrable, but also check local law to make sure you are not limited to shotguns. I hunt Illinois, and the whole state is shotgun only (or muzzleloader, hand gun, bow, but no rifle).
As for feeling guilty, someone mentioned comparing it to commercial agriculture, and that's a valid point. Someone else mentioned passing on an unethical shot, and that a good point too. A couple years ago, I had a doe in my scope, but the only shot I had was on the hind quarter. They can run forever with such a wound. I passed. I've shot 3deer in the last 2 years, 2 died in place, one ran about 150 yard (that was a bow kill). I don't feel guilt, but I do feel a little conflicted-appreciative-spiritual after I harvest an animal. In the end, I think, it is just what happens in nature--maybe what's supposed to happen.

Wow thank you everyone for posting on this it's much appreciated. not sure if I'll get too start this season(currently laid off) But I can start saving up some $$$ for gear and a gun I was thinking of getting a Savage 111 FCXP .30-06 click me! Too start out with would yall recomend something like that or just save for something really nice like a remmington 700,(I'm looking for a .30-06)

It depends. Can you use a rifle in all areas you will wish to hunt? If so, a rifle may be the way to go. If you want to hunt in areas that are shotgun only, then you might want to get a slug gun or muzzleloader (the muzzleloading forum on this site is great!).

With regard to Savage vs Rem 700, here is a good thread to read: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=329317

You don't have to save for a really nice gun. In fact, don't be afraid to buy used (but DO take an experienced person with you to check out the gun to make sure its OK). Do your research and narrow your choices down to a few guns, then go to a gun store (or several if you have to), and make your decision based on the gun that feels best to you (I'm assuming by your research you'll have eliminated crap guns). Unless you're regularly hunting deer at over 150 yards away, 1 MOA vs 3 MOA isn't that big a deal, IMO. Don't get me wrong...an accurate gun is important, BUT most guns shoot better than you're able to shoot them. I think that a comfortable, more natural feel is more important in the field than sub MOA accuracy. JMHO. BTW, I think the TC Venture is a pretty good deal for a starter gun.

My thing is that I want too have a good reliable gun that I can pass down too my kids(when I have them) one day and something that is aquality product and worth spending the extra $$$ on if you get what I'm saying. Even if I end up not liking hunting I still love guns, and I love shooting them.

The best advice I can give is to find someone who hunts. If you know its something you wanna try, going with someone and watching first hand is a great way to learn. Books & mags are great but to really get a feel of what all goes into it you have to get in the woods. Even if ya don't have a gun/bow just sitting in the woods with someone who knows how to hunt will be so beneficial in your education of the sport and I guarantee will light the fire. Lol I hope ya get the chance this season cause its showtime!

If you were in VA I'd take you with me.

The hard truth about hunting is that if you are a complete newbie you will probably need someone to show you the ropes. To get into an elevated tree stand in a good location simply takes a lot of knowledge and a fair amount of scouting, not to mention buying a weapon and getting it sighted in and becoming confident and proficient. Lots of people that grew up hunting may say it isn't that complicated, but that is because they have a lot of knowledge which they take for granted.

Good luck.

Yeah unfortunatly I have nobody that hunts in my family in California my closest reletive is my great uncle and he's over in Pennsylvania so that makes things a bit difficult

I second that (taking the hunters ed course)! I have never actually been out on a hunt (this will be my first year) but that's because, like you, my family didn't have that interest. THE BEST THING I think I could have done was take a FREE hunters education course. With that little piece of paper that they gave me after the class I am able to do out of state hunts now (I'm pretty sure you have to have that to be an out of state hunter)! It's a win-win! You'll learn not only SAFETY, but ETHICS too! :D

Another Hobby to take up would be Archery,You can learn how to shoot a Bow and eventually Hunt with a Bow if You desire to do so.It will extend Your Hunting Season and get You more time out in the Field to enjoy the Wildlife.Some States also require a Hunters Safety Course in Bow Hunting..another thing to consider is stand safety and to always wear a Safety Vest when hunting from an elevated ladder stand or climber!

If Your into taking pictures of Wildlife a good Camera is needed or even a trail camera to help You monitor the Deer or other Animals in your area.If Your wanting a decent Rifle the Savages with the Accu-trigger are very nice and the Remingtons You mentioned are good Rifles too,there is also Brownings,Kimber and Weatherby's just to name a few more.The Bolt-action Rifles are more accurate in my opinion and will hold their value,a good gun needs a good scope so shop around for one that has good clear optics....I prefer the more afforadable Leupold Rifleman scopes!

Watching some Hunting Video's will help You some but it doesn't always happen that easily and You need to realize it takes lots of time and patients when Hunting.

I under stand the time and patients aspect of it all, I'm an advid fisher and i've had days where i've waited 7 hours for a bite and days where I went home empty handed but it doesn't stop me from doing it :). I found my hunters safety card, does that make me eligible in any state?

Not sure how it works now with everything being electronic,
But generally, you need to show your hunter ed certs to get your first license.
After that you should be in the system and don't need to show it anymore.
May also need it if buying an outofstate license for the first time in that state.
You should keep your hunter ed cert in a safe place.
As don't know if/when you will need it again in say 10-20 yrs.
I have had people retake courses because they couldn't find theirs, and for whatever reasons they weren't in the system.

just remember, half the fun of hunting and fishing is the anticipation of getting something, if u bagged a deer or caught alot of fish every time u went out .......you would soon get tired of it????