Currently a shooter and becoming a hunter

[kd7nqb]

Ok so long story short I have been shooting since I was young but have never hunted. I have no moral objection to hunting as long as you eat what you kill and make a good clean kill.

A good buddy of mine on the other hand is originally from South Dakota and has been hunting since he was little. Since he moved to Oregon 2yrs ago he has not hunted at all and he explained to me that the itch just wont go away. So he and I are going to go hunting this fall. The plan is more that he will go hunting and I will tag along and fill in the role of hunting buddy, however I see no problem with getting a tag myself just in case the once in a lifetime deer presents itself.

So here is what we have decided,

1. He wants to hunt in eastern or southern Oregon since that terrain is more what he is use to. He is not use to hunting in dense woods.
2. Hunt can't last more than a long weekend.
3. The game will be mule deer
4. As far as guns I don't know what he will be taking but I plan to take my Mosin M44 and a M&P .40 (although the mosin is heavy so if I get a deal on another gun I may choose that)

Other than continuing to working on my rifle skills is there anything other knowledge I should bone up on before we go? I figure there are a lot of skills that are best acquired in the field I.E tracking, gutting ect.

 

[Macchina]

As far as your current equipment goes:The M44 is a great deer rifle if and only if you meet these criteria:
-Soft point hunting bullets (surplus steel core ammo should be avoided)
-You should be able to hit a 4" circle at 100 yards consistently.
-The deer should be within 100 yards.
-The rifle should be carried with an empty chamber because the safety is so hard to engage/disengage.

I would carry the M&P if you have the proper license to do so (for protection and the such), but would not shoot a deer with it under any circumstances. It simply is not enough gun.

I would use this opportunity as an excuse to get a new rifle. Some cost effective recommendations are the Mossberg ATR, Stevens Bolt action, or Savage 110, Marlin Lever gun (30-30 or .44 Mag). There are many others, used rifles are nice too if you know what you are looking for. As far as calibers go, 7mm-08, .30-06, .270, or .308, and .25-06 are nice and usually easy to find. A decent package deal with a scope will get you started at $350-$550 for the guns stated.

As far as your original question about skills:
Know where to shoot a deer. Many autonomy charts are available online. I like to shoot just behind the shoulder on a broadside shot, or aim at the far front shoulder with canting towards and away shoots. Get a nice knife and keep it sharp, this will help you a ton in gutting/butchering a deer. Have your buddy help you with the first deer you gut, DON'T CUT THE STOMACH, you will barf and wreck your meat. Don't track your deer as soon as you shoot it, wait an hour if it leaves your eyesight. Wait a few minutes if you see it go down to see if it moves. Practice standing shots, it's harder than it looks, a sling wrapped around your forward arm will help. Carry lots of water. Carry a kit (compass, map, lighter, tinder, first aid, knife, rope, whistle, duct tape, multitool, food, water, etc.) wherever you go if you are in the woods. I use my "emergency kit" for non emergencies almost every time I hunt and it gets me out of a lot of sticky situations. These are just a few tips I can think of. Hunting is one of my favorite hobbies, I hope it becomes one of yours. Squirrel hunting with a .22 is one of the best ways to hone big game hunting skills, it hones your ability to stalk, see movement, notice detail, shoot a specific target, etc. I usually have more fun hunting squirrels than deer anyway! Have fun and make sure you report back.

 

[mike724]

If you can find a 6.5x55 Sweede, consider it! It's effective well beyond 100 yds. It's fun and rewarding to practice with all through the year, and easy to reload, as well. I have two, a rifle in original military stock with iron sights, and a carbine in a synthetic stock with a 3-9 scope. I've killed several white tails with the sporter, and will carry it on my next rifle hunt

 

[Art Eatman]

If you can make the free time, go to the area where you plan to hunt, and look it over. Get a feel for the country. USGS quadrangles are good things, showing roads, jeep trails, contours, vegetation by color, etc. These are commonly available at outdoor stores and engineering/architecture supply stores. Spend time just sitting and watching, particularly at first light in the morning and then again in the late afternoon until dark.

State wildlife departments commonly have pamphlets about the characteristics and behaviors of various game animals. They often offer commentary about population surveys of game animals. And, of course, the regulations.

 

[mejeepnut]

Hunter Safety Course!

 

[Greg.B]

+1 on the Hunter Education program. These programs will give you some classroom time learning the basics of firearm safety, wildlife conservation, basic shooting skills and hunting techniques, etc. Definitely a good place to start, as well as a good place for some of us old timers to review!

 

[Regolith]

IIRC, if you were born after 1960 or so, you're going to need to take a hunting safety course in order to get a hunting license.

I believe it's too late in the season to put in for a deer tag, but I haven't hunted in Oregon before so I may be wrong. Pick up a copy of the game regulations at any store that sells hunting licenses and read through it. It will have a lot of the information you'll need to know.

As for the gun: The M44 will work so long as you use non-FMJ ammunition, but unless it's Finnish it leaves a lot to be desired. My suggestion is to use this as an excuse to get a new rifle and pick up a bolt gun in 7mm-08 or .308. Both will be entirely adequate for mulies, and they give you a bit more range than most lever guns, which can come in handy out in the desert.

 

[kd7nqb]

Thanks for the positive feedback. As far as the emergency kit and stuff thats pretty standard for me any time I go out and about.

As far as the mosin not being the perfect rifle, I may very well keep an eye out for a good deal on a used rifle.

 

[Deer Hunter]

If you know how to use the Mosin, then go for it. I hunted my M44 regularly last deer season and had good luck with it. None of my shots were made at over 100 yards though.

Pick your shots and you should be fine.

 

[GRB]

The rifle should be carried with an empty chamber because the safety is so hard to engage/disengage.

Ain't that the truth!

As for a hunter safety copurse, it is probably required before you can get a hunting license. if so, you want to make arrangements now for a class. Could be different out west, but here they fill up fast. Also licenses go on sale here this month, and if you want any special preferences ofr permits, you probably need to apply early.

Happy hunting,
GB

 

[JayTee]

You'd better check your regulations. Unless you and your buddy have already drawn your permits, you will have to stick to the East side of the mountains. All of eastern Oregon is permit only for modern firearm deer hunting. Depending on where you hunt, it takes 2-7 years to get drawn.

If you bowhunt, however, you can hunt deer anywhere in Oregon with an over-the-counter tag.

Best of luck.

JayTee