I'd like to start deer hunting: advice
 

Hello everyone!

I've been wanting to get into deer hunting for a few years now. I've been on a rifle squad and am a generally good target shooter, but hunting animials is completely new to me.

My question is this: I do not and cannot own a gun based on my living situation. I also don't think I'll be able to afford a $500 rifle in the future, regardless. (Which seems to be the price for the better hunting rifles at Cabela's.) Is there any way to become involved in hunting, otherwise, or should I just wait five or so years up the road to pursue this as a hobby? Are there community clubs or trips out there, for people like me?

I'm mostly interested in deer hunting because I figure if I'm going to pay for a liscene, I might as well get some meat out of it; that would actually break even, IMO.

Thanks in advance,

Kate

http://katiemcginnis.wordpress.com

why...............:confused:

Is bow hunting an option??

Sounds like you need to find a hunting partner that is willing to let you borrow a gun for now. Whne you are able to buy one, hopefully you could store it at the partner's house, until your situation changes.

There are lots of guns, shotguns and rifles, new and used, that can be had for less than 500.

You can get a pretty credible deer hunting rifle for way less than $500 by buying used. It takes a long time to learn to hunt if you have to learn on your own. You might try to cut down the learning curve by finding someone to tag along with, even without a gun, just to learn the process. Start with squirrel hunting. To me, the best training for deer hunting is squirrel hunting. There is a lot more to hunting than just shooting. By the way, welcome to the forum.

Get a bow. Practice. Start hunting squirrels 1st. You will have success, and it will help you become a better deer hunter down the road.

As DB mentioned...maybe You should get started in Bow Hunting?You can learn to shoot one and Hunt with it,go to 3-D Shooting Competitions and learn the outdoors that way.Another thing to get in to would be runing a trail camera and getting pic's of misc wildlife Deer etc...!

Katie did you get a bow and were you shooting in New Hampshire at Monadnock yesterday? i met a girl that was new with her boyfreind and daughter there yesterday shoot her name was katie just wondering

convicted felon?

Come now katie , fess up. Unanswered = RED Flag......

You can bow hunt but you don't need a lot of money to get a gun single shot shotguns are 80 bucks at a pawn shop but make shure that you have a hunting licence

You need to look up a mod called huntingenouse i hear hes looking for a date and hes willing to let u borrow his guns.Btw hes not a very good shot so u might get to fill his tags for him

Sorry thats hunt genious

Getting into deer hunting, fire arm or bow (or cross bow) can be rather expensive. For under $500 it can be done with a good job of shopping around, and probably will mean finding a bargain on good used equipment. A good archery or cross-bow set up can easily equal or exceed the cost of a decent long rifle setup. So I see no "economy" going rifle opposed to going archery. Out of curiosity I took a look at the used gun selection where I do a lot of my hunting-fishing supply purchasing. There was a large enough number of choices in that price range that one could find something very adequate. So under $500 is doable for sure.

As far as getting "involved"? It would be great if you could find a hunting "buddy" who would take you out into the field and introduce you to woodsmanship and what it takes to become a good deer hunter. In my book, punching paper and killing deer do not equate. Yes, some of the skill sets that it takes to become an accomplished target shooter are indeed applicable to deer hunting ..... rapid target aquisition, distance and windage judging, shooting tight groups at 100 yards and beyond, etc. .... but the effects of a dramatic adrenalin rush (buck fever), the reality that you are about to "kill" a living creature and must do so cleanly (dealing with the ethics), and the challenge of less than ideal conditions (foul weather, low light, moving target, etc.) all add up to a whole lot of differences between hunting and shooting on the range.

You ain't gonna "break even" ! Trust me. I often remind my wife that the venison that I bring home for her has to be among the best quality meat available because it is some of the most expensive meat in the world ! Alas, that doesn't seem to help my case when I want a new hunting "toy".

yes find someone you can tag along with and try to borrow whatever guns you can prior to spending any money. Always ask questions and stay involved in the forums and most of all have a great time