Hey everyone, I have been wanting to hunt for a long time and I am just now getting around and getting my hunter safety here in Utah. I am thinking about putting in for a cow elk or deer tag. What would you recommend? I don't really know much about hunting but am really interested in finding more out about it. I would also love to hear any recommendations on different rifles/ammo that would be a good deer/elk rifle. Thanks in advance!
First time hunter...
- Thread starter WRB05
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Steel Talon
Member
Hi,
1st rifle for hunting? I'd suggest a 30-06 bolt action. Factory ammo is readily available even down to the mom and pop stores. Plenty of weights and types to choose from. Will handle all the big game animals on this continent.
Plenty of used rifles to find in this calibre, and all major manufacturers offer this calibre. Savage tends to give the very best deals in thier offerings makes your dollars go farther esp.in thier scope rifle combo's. If you find a used rifle then put as much money as you can afford into the optics Optics Optics Optics can make or break a killin moment. quality is the key.
Easy to handload for if you ever decide to scratch that itch.
Lots of other good calibres to choose from also but the 30-06 is truly a great if not the best to start with.
Good Luck
Peace
Steel Talon
1st rifle for hunting? I'd suggest a 30-06 bolt action. Factory ammo is readily available even down to the mom and pop stores. Plenty of weights and types to choose from. Will handle all the big game animals on this continent.
Plenty of used rifles to find in this calibre, and all major manufacturers offer this calibre. Savage tends to give the very best deals in thier offerings makes your dollars go farther esp.in thier scope rifle combo's. If you find a used rifle then put as much money as you can afford into the optics Optics Optics Optics can make or break a killin moment. quality is the key.
Easy to handload for if you ever decide to scratch that itch.
Lots of other good calibres to choose from also but the 30-06 is truly a great if not the best to start with.
Good Luck
Peace
Steel Talon
Welcome! Safety class is a good first step. Find a local gun shop, range, hunting club and get to know some people. Somebody will be willing to mentor you and get you into the field in a safe, fun manner.
Guns - You'll need to shoot and practice. Get a mild recoil, accurate gun with a decent scope. go to the range and shoot, shoot, shoot. A 270 is a good start. After you get better, learn more, you'll know what your second gun purchase will be.
Guns - You'll need to shoot and practice. Get a mild recoil, accurate gun with a decent scope. go to the range and shoot, shoot, shoot. A 270 is a good start. After you get better, learn more, you'll know what your second gun purchase will be.
Mr.Brown16
Member
In my opinion you should start off slow with small game if you dont have a buddy to show you the ropes.
For small game I will suggest a shotgun.
Small game will offer a good amout of action in a short time.
But its all up to you.
For small game I will suggest a shotgun.
Small game will offer a good amout of action in a short time.
But its all up to you.
Nathanael_Greene
Member
I'll second Steel_Talon's advice about the .30-06. Anything that's been bringing down big game for a century must have something going for it. Ammunition is cheap, plentiful, and has enough varieties to adapt to your game.
As someone who took up big-game hunting as an adult (mid-40's when I started), hunter safety is an important first step, but I cannot overstress the suggestion that you find someone to mentor you.
I had the help of several people to teach me a lot, and there's a lot to learn. Unfortunately, some of the first people I met were pretty worthless as mentors (they resented things I didn't know--I was ignorant, not stupid), but once I got connected to a couple of helpful guys, I had a lot more fun, not to mention success.
I'll probably never be a great outdoorsman, but I'm at the point where I can go on a hunt, have a safe and good time, make a clean kill, and enjoy eating what I shoot. That'll do.
As someone who took up big-game hunting as an adult (mid-40's when I started), hunter safety is an important first step, but I cannot overstress the suggestion that you find someone to mentor you.
I had the help of several people to teach me a lot, and there's a lot to learn. Unfortunately, some of the first people I met were pretty worthless as mentors (they resented things I didn't know--I was ignorant, not stupid), but once I got connected to a couple of helpful guys, I had a lot more fun, not to mention success.
I'll probably never be a great outdoorsman, but I'm at the point where I can go on a hunt, have a safe and good time, make a clean kill, and enjoy eating what I shoot. That'll do.
bavarianbrit
Member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2007
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starter hunt
Get some experience first of gutting large animals as that is where the difference in meat quality will show up when its cooked, and you need to experience first hand the way of opening up of the pelvic bone and the smells that hit you when the first deer is opened up (surprise).
Get some experience first of gutting large animals as that is where the difference in meat quality will show up when its cooked, and you need to experience first hand the way of opening up of the pelvic bone and the smells that hit you when the first deer is opened up (surprise).
Savage3006
Member
A 30-06 will be a good all around rifle. As I get older the 30-06 is now my default rifle. I do not have the time to mount and zero scopes on many rifles. With the 30-06 I know I can hit my target from 0 to 300+ yards and that sufficient for my need.
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