Hunting:What's the best way to get started?

[Ain't_the_average_NRA]

I am 31 years old and lived in the City all my life. I am originally from inner city Philadelphia and not live just our of the city. I am an advid shooter and gun rights supporter and now intersted in trying some hunting. I have never been and wanted to find out the bes way to get involved in the sport. If there is anyone who knows about beginners' groups in PA or I would even be willing to travel a few hours out of state.

 

[ACP230]

The best way to start is to take a Hunter Safety course.
It may be mandated in PA, as it is in MI, before you can buy a hunting license.

After that I'd try small game hunting. If that suited you then maybe deer hunting would be worth a try. Finding someone to go out with would be good, but can be difficult. Differing schedules mess up a lot of hunting trips.

There are a lot of books on various types of hunting. The local library may have them, or could get them from Interlibrary Loan. Larry Koller did a good book on deer hunting, and Grouse Hunting Startegies by Frank Woolner is a pretty good grouse hunting book.

 

[neoncowboy]

You can't overstate the value of an experienced mentor.

I'm not sure how to suggest finding one...but it would help a lot.

 

[Art Eatman]

Check the "Mentor" thread that's stickied up top of the Forum page.

Start going out into the countryside. Visit with farmers, politely explaining your desire. Offer to trade work for the right to trespass, if that gets access. State parks and national parks are good places, as well.

Just sit around at dawn to sunup, and/or in the late afternoon until dark. It's fine to take a book to read, while you just sit and watch whatever wildlife move. Binoculars are good.

Starting out, I wouldn't worry about guns. The main thing is the permission to trespass.

Art

 

[Grumulkin]

A hunter's safty course is required in PA unless you're old enough to be "grandfathered" in.

Get one of the free hunting regulation booklets available wherever hunting licenses are sold. There is public land available for hunting in PA but I don't know much about it since when I lived there, I always hunted on my own property with one exception.

If you're an avid shooter, join a gun club (if you aren't already a member). Best of all, find a club that shoots CMP matches and participate. I guarantee that there will be lots of club members that hunt. If you ask around at work, it's likely that some of your colleagues hunt.

If you don't belong to the NRA, you should join. One of the membership benefits is a magazine subscription to, I believe the name is, American Hunter (or American Rifleman if you prefer). To get around real "dyed in the wool" hunters, join Safari Club International.

 

[Mauserguy]

When I was 31 I was invited to go deer hunting. I was an avid shooter as well, but I just never had the opportunity to go hunting before. I took the hunters' safety course, and got my license.

When my group got to the field, we all split up. I was paired up with a veteran hunter. This guy had hunted everything from desert sheep to Alaskan something or other. He gave me lots of advice and kept an eye on me.

After I downed a deer, using much of the wisdom he imparted to me, he said a prayer and taught me to dress it out. It was an excellent experience. Definitely, if you can, find an experienced hunter to show you the way, or at least impart his wisdom to you.
Mauserguy

 

[islandphish]

I would say first- turn off OLN. You won't learn a thing. Then get in your truck and spend a few days putting around in the country. You will see deer. Hopefully this will be on public land. Now you know where to get out of your truck. Walk around. Take the time to closely examine anything that looks funny. For example look closely at tracks, rubs and scat. Look for a place that has a good view of tracks, rubs and scat. Show up there while it is still pitch black on opening morning. Be hidden. Wait for Deer. This may mean bringing a lunch. When deer shows up. Bang. Field dress, take home, eat, repeat.

 

[[email protected]]

Its my first year to, im 16 Id say a good start is getting a gun, scope sighting in, getting licence and checking out yur hunting area and preparing for hunting conditions and such. basicially. Talk to ppl to see if you got a good area or any tricks they have for ya and stuff like that.

 

[22-rimfire]

Take Hunter Safety Course first. They cost nearly nothing. This should get you a little information to begin. Buy license and read the booklet provided with license.

Get on the internet and look at the Pennsylvania Game Commission web site. The State Game lands (SGL's) will be listed and maps may be printed to show general location. Also, purchase a Delorme Atlas of PA (about $20). This also has the game lands on it, but the scale is not large enough to effectively use. The atlas shows most of the back roads, mountains, creeks etc. Great resource. Some state park lands and National Forests are available to hunt. Check those out. The Delorme atlas is your friend.

Find a friend to take you hunting the first time. Hunting small game is a great way to get started.

Read books and magazines about hunting. Much is available in the library.

Choose a SGL and do some driving and hiking around. Learn. The SGL's can be fairly crowded on opening day. Most deer are shot on opening day. Safety is very important when there are lots of people in the woods.

Assemble basic equipment for hunting. You don't need much, but you need to stay warm and you are required to wear hunter orange.

Check out HuntingPA.com forum. It is one of the best state forums.

 

[Browns Fan]

Go to a country, Baptist church and get involved. Most folks there you'll find are friendly, own farmland, and are accomplished hunters. Some may not like this advice, but, it worked for me! You'll also may find great friends there who really care.