Brand new hunter

[Brewsky88]

At just shy of 28 years old, I figured it was time to start scratching the hunting itch that I've had for a while. I have been hunting once in Guam for wild pig but have always wanted to go deer hunting. Even though I know that deer hunting in CA is mediocre at best, I'm simply at a geographical (and financial) disadvantage to harvest a nice animal. I am not opposed to having a nice buck mounted on the wall but it is not my biggest priority, my interest is an average buck or maybe a doe (if a tag is available) that will provide a good amount of meat in the freezer. I plan to hunt with a 30-30, when I get another one. For Christmas a couple years back my dad got me a Henry Golden Boy and what a beautiful rifle it is, too beautiful in my opinion to be trucking through the woods and marring up the stock and brass receiver. Although there are other options out there, a 30-30 lever is a very proven hunting rifle and I am very comfortable and competent with it. Since I don't know anyone close that has hunting experience, I have spent hours and hours reading pages on the interwebs and watching YouTube to get as much knowledge as I can about deer hunting. I know there are certain things that can only be learned in the field and some knowledge gets passed from mentor to protege, but I at least want to have a good understanding beforehand. I look forward to learning more and hopefully being on a hunt within the next couple seasons.

 

[Predator55]

Experience is your best teacher. Get out there and hunt and you'll be amazed how much you learn with each outing. 30/30 is more than adequate and has probably taken more deer than any other rifle. Not familiar with California hunting but find some public land and shoot the first deer you can. Be careful because it's addicting. Also, you will meet guys out there while hunting and be sure to help with finding or dragging their deer and you make a few hunting buddies. Good luck and have fun.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

I myself started deer hunting at 28 years old. Killed my first deer that year too. I am now a "3 year Veteran" lol and I learn something everytime I climb in my stand.

I do have a few guys that have "taken me under their wing" and taught me everything I know. Experience will be your best teacher though, have fun and be safe.

 

[Airgead]

A .30-30 Win is a great deer caliber. Really anything in a reasonable-sized caliber that has the correct ammo for hunting will work. If you don't have a rifle yet and really want .30-30, keep an eye out for a used Marlin 336 (look for pre-Remington ones). They can usually be had for $250-$350 around here -- not sure if there's a mark-up in California. Great, accurate rifles.

Beyond hunting itself, make sure you're thoroughly familiar with the process of cleaning out the deer and prepping it for the drag out. The biggest suggestion I have is that if you have a "good" or sensitive nose, have a handkerchief or something else to put over your nose and mouth while you clean. Deer and their entrails stink and most videos, books, and guides don't really mention it. I have a sensitive sniffer and for some reason the smell of deer gets in my head and I can't shake the smell for hours.

Also, make sure you have a good knife that is sharp and make sure that your knife has really good finger grips and, preferably, a small finger guard. With all the blood and fluids, your fingers can easily slip forward onto the blade because they will be slick with blood.

 

[JackSprat]

I think the ability to pass on less than ideal shots is the most important part of hunting.It not only is crucial to the safety of other people,It is the humane,and wise thing to do..Just because you hit a deer doesn't mean you hit it in a good spot,and remember that your bullet will be loosing energy as you stretch your shots..I kill a lot of deer,but I let a lot walk too..Know what you can,and can't do,and remember that you probably won't be as perfect as you may be punching paper..I can't shoot free hand,standng up,so I don't attempt it..And the guy that mentioned cleaning the deer is right..The work begins after you pull the trigger..If a deer ain't gut shot,you should never encounter really unpleasant smell.if you gut right..I agree the 30-30 lever actions have proven theirselves,but since you already have one,and you don't want to beat it up.I would buy a used synthetic rifle in a different caliber..good luck.

 

[Brewsky88]

Airgead Thank you for the input, I have been looking at a few 336s on GunBroker that are in a good price range. I plan to try to get in contact with some local hunters that way I can have someone there when the time comes to educate me a little on proper field dressing. Videos just don't have the detail to see exactly where and how deep they're making the cuts and with not having an animal in front of me it's a tad difficult to make the connection of cutting just to the side of this bone or cutting until you reach this point of the chest. Are there any deer targets that are rated for rifles like the ones for archery? Nothing wrong with the paper or steel deer targets but I would like to be able to practice shooting from various positions as well as quartering on and quartering away without obliterating a $100 "statue" in less than 100 rounds, mainly so that I can learn what shots I can place well versus what shots I really need to practice or avoid until the animal is in a different position, or if the shots isn't feasible to let it walk.

 

[Choctaw]

Have you taken a hunter's education course?

 

[sage5907]

Deer hunting is like eating your favorite food. Once you get a taste of it and get that wild back to nature feeling you won't want to stop. Hope you have some extra vacation so you can go to places that have the animals. All you need is a place to hunt and the time to do enjoy the hunt.

 

[Airgead]

Are there any deer targets that are rated for rifles like the ones for archery? Nothing wrong with the paper or steel deer targets but I would like to be able to practice shooting from various positions as well as quartering on and quartering away...

Are you an archer as well? If so, practice your angular test shots with your bow and the same principles will apply with a rifle except for the quartering-towards shot. You should be largely taking the same shots as in archery, but a rifle is obviously more forgiving on shot placement. Some people will encourage certain types of shots such as spine shots with a rifle that you can't accomplish with a bow but I personally would never take such a shot.

The Pennsylvania Hunters Safety course online has a really good section on proper shot selection. See Unit 6, Topic 5 at https://www.hunter-ed.com/pennsylvania/studyGuide/201039/. I grew up in Pennsylvania but just took the class there about 5 years ago because I didn't start hunting until my mid-30s. Deer hunting is huge in PA (equivalent to a state holiday as many things are closed for opening day of rifle!) and their hunter training is actually really good because people in PA deeply care about the Pennsylvania Game Commission's actions such that they can usually effect change.

 

[Brewsky88]

Choctaw I have done the online portion for the hunter safety course but the soonest follow-up classroom portion that I am able to attend is Aug 6.

Airgead I am not an archer, although it is something I would like to pursue in the future. I presume that a quartering-toward shot with a rifle would be best placed on the leading edge of the nearest shoulder?

What are your opinions regarding neck shots?

I have looked at a couple maps and realize that CWD is not a known issue in CA but from my understanding if a deer has it then it looks sickly and not like something you want on the table anyway, correct?

 

[Art Eatman]

Whether or not you have a rifle with you, time spent in the woods and fields learning how to walk quietly and how to sit and imitate a rock or stump during the first and last hour or two of daylight helps a lot.

Many decades ago, my father commented, "You shoot 'em in the white spot, they don't go anywhere." Probably 3/4 of my kills were neck shots.

 

[Brewsky88]

Had read from a self proclaimed internet expert, uh oh look out, that in many areas deer have learned what human footsteps sound like and it can be advantageous to utilize short fast steps then pause for a couple minutes to somewhat mimic the sound of a squirrel scurrying. Is there any thread of truth to this or did I just get taken for a ride? Lol

 

[Airgead]

Airgead I am not an archer, although it is something I would like to pursue in the future. I presume that a quartering-toward shot with a rifle would be best placed on the leading edge of the nearest shoulder?

Yeah, shoot at the front shoulder of the near leg. See Quartering Towards Shot

What are your opinions regarding neck shots?

I personally would not take one, but I think that's a to-each-his-own decision. I know many others take that shot without hesitating.

I have looked at a couple maps and realize that CWD is not a known issue in CA but from my understanding if a deer has it then it looks sickly and not like something you want on the table anyway, correct?

I don't know what CA's guidance is, but in PA the guidance is to document the precise location where you spotted the deer and contact your local Commission office. Don't shoot at a CWD deer because then you have a mess on your hands, literally and figuratively.

 

[splattergun]

Do yo have a camera? start hunting with that! If you can get a decent photo of a buck without a telephoto lens, you can get a decent shot on one when you do get around to buying rifle for the woods.

HUnt with a camera to learn stalking, tracking, stealth, scent control, deer habitat and habits. It works in any season, and it doesn't require a license.

 

[Brewsky88]

I hadn't even thought of that, would also get me acquainted with where some of the potential honey holes might be

 

[gspn]

Had read from a self proclaimed internet expert, uh oh look out, that in many areas deer have learned what human footsteps sound like and it can be advantageous to utilize short fast steps then pause for a couple minutes to somewhat mimic the sound of a squirrel scurrying. Is there any thread of truth to this or did I just get taken for a ride? Lol

Deer have very good hearing. Whether you try to sound like a squirrel or a person or anything else they will hear you and be looking your way.

Depending on the amount of cover, how much pressure they receive, etc they may choose to lay still and let you walk right by them.

I've been hunting whitetail for over 20 years. i've killed over 100 of them with rifle, muzzle loader, and bow. I've hunted them from ground blinds, tree stands, and stalked them...and I've never taken short choppy steps like a squirrel. Try it if you like, but it's not necessary.

Spend as much time in the woods as you can. The deer will teach you what works and what doesn't. It doesn't have to be hunting season to get out there and learn their behavior. Go out and watch them, try to sneak up on them, use the wind, use cover, see how close you can get. When you hear them blowing at you...it didn't work.

 

[Predator55]

I think it's the cadence of humans walking in the woods that deer key in on. Some a stop and go works rather than a consistent gate. I carry a walking stick a lot of the times and I use that as another foot if you will. Does it work? I think so. I also hunt public land and I believe deer are use to humans walking around so I think that helps too. These are all things to pay attention to while your in the hunt and make notes. Carry a note pad on each hunt and make note of conditions, wind directions, temp, rain,etc... time of day you see
game and this will help from season to season.

 

[Art Eatman]

Critters don't march. Think about it: Deer take a step or two and nosh for a bite or two. Then it's rinse and repeat. So, do the same. A slow step or three; pause, rinse and repeat.

I've found that glancing down for where I'll put my feet in the next two to four steps keeps me from breaking dead sticks or kicking rocks. As I step, I look around to see who's doing what and where. Doesn't hurt to look behind you, either, 'cause Ol' Bucky might be sneaking away when you're not looking.