New hunter looking for some help......

[captainmarko]

Greetings all.

Got into guns later in life. Father died when I was young, so never really did much hunting or fishing.

Fast forward to my son, who is now 13, wanting to go camping (done plenty of that on my motorcycle) fishing, and hunting. He has been shooting with me for a few years, so he knows his way around a gun. I have not taken him hunting yet, and the one time we went fishing was a bit of a bust.

Why? Because I have no idea what I'm doing. And this is not the sort of thing you can ask help with as an adult. At least not around here. All the guys I know learned how to do it from their Fathers. If you say you've never been, they look at you like you say you were raised on the Moon.

So what would be some good reading material that would help me lay some groundwork before I shame myself in front of my kid.

 

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

Well im no dad or even that old but first learn all your states laws through DNR websites or local gun shops. Collect knowledge on weapons and tactics through field and stream, outdoor life, and asking abid hunters. Then go out and....well.....learn together.

 

[exbiologist]

You guys should both take a hunter safety course TOGETHER. Pick the teacher's brain as much as you can.
I really don't know where to begin with the literature for you, other than to suggest you start digesting everything you can get your hands on.

What state are you in?
We have a mentor list that you can PM.

I just wanted to add, that you are in a tough position. There is really nowhere and no organized group that focuses on grown men learning the ropes. You truly learn by doing, but you will move along the learning curve more quickly if you have a good solid background first. You should know what to expect to occur after each action. But sometimes critters throw you for a loop.

What else can we help you with, what do you want to know?

 

[KodiakBeer]

My advice is to spend a year hunting rabbits with a .22 and shotgun. They're plentiful everywhere and you'll get out and learn different areas and begin to know here to find deer, etc.
I used to tag team with my son that way. I'd carry a shotgun and he the .22. If we found one sitting, he'd take it. If it was running, I would take it with the shotgun. It's easiest in the winter when all the brush is down.

When he got about 13, I bought him a 20 gauge and we reversed roles.

The real trick to game like deer is to know the area and a great way to do that is to hunt rabbits.

 

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

Good call exbiologist I didnt even thing about the hunter safety course.

 

[Mitch from LA]

You guys should both take a hunter safety course TOGETHER. Pick the teacher's brain as much as you can.
I really don't know where to begin with the literature for you, other than to suggest you start digesting everything you can get your hands on.

What state are you in?
We have a mentor list that you can PM.

I just wanted to add, that you are in a tough position. There is really nowhere and no organized group that focuses on grown men learning the ropes. You truly learn by doing, but you will move alont the learning curver more quickly if you have a good solid background first. You should know what to expect to occur after each action. But sometimes critters throw you for a loop.

What else can we help you with, what do you want to know?

Excellent advice right there. I would add that if you have buddies who hunt frequently, tag along. That's how I learned to dove hunt as a kid and how to duck hunt later in life.

 

[wgp]

Definitely do the hunter education course, and together. I used to be an instructor and was always pleased to see parent and child in class together, and both usually seemed to get more out of the class. If there is a skeet/trap/sporting clays course near you that's not a bad place to get some basic gun handling experience and they may have some instruction available. Hopefully your state has some public land to at least let you get out -- your state wildlife department is a good contact. There are books in the library, and plenty of hunting shows on TV -- you might be able to at least learn a bit there. Perhaps there are outfitters in your state that you could try -- it's not cheap but if they can send you out a couple of times with a guide you could pick up a lot. Hunting seems to be something passed along, so you are at a disadvantage, but keep at it.

 

[dakotasin]

marko - i'll sign off on biologist and punisher's words.

take the hunter's ed class together. get your gf&p website on your favorites list and opt-in to whatever emails they want to send regarding meetings, season dates, season proposals, state land, etc. learn your state's laws.

pick up a couple hunting mags (pm me if you want back issues - i'm sure i have some you can have for free).

find out who your local game warden is, get his number, call him and take him to lunch. pick his brain as much as possible. you will get your money's worth - at least i always have (and still do).

go to the mentor list and find somebody from this board in your area.

the learning curve for a self-taught big game hunter is hellish steep, and i know that because i went thru what you are going thru... moved to an area where everybody had been hunting since they were babies because their dad/uncle/whatever took them out, while i never owned a gun of my own until after i got out of the navy, and never went hunting until several years after that (obviously, dad didn't hunt). so, believe me when i say the learning curve is steep and unforgiving. tap your networks and find some way to get mentored, tag along, or whatever.

good luck!

 

[22-rimfire]

It is hard to give advice when you don't say what you might be hunting and in what geographic area. So, I would suggest you visit one of the big bookstores and get one of the hunting annuals that describes a lot of hunting situations. If you are thinking deer, then choose a deer hunting book. Shouldn't be too expensive.

As others have said, take the hunter safety class together even if you have taken it before.

I would start with small game hunting such as squirrels, rabbits, and varmints such as prairie dogs or groundhogs. This gets you comfortable being in the woods or field together learning. It also gives you real life practice with a live target at varying distances.

Fishing... I would take about the same approach. Learn to use your tackle first. Fish for easy species first. Are you fishing freshwater or salt water? warm water or cold water?

 

[Art Eatman]

The more time you can spend out in the boonies just sitting and watching will be a good start. Learn to sit quietly without wiggling around. Don't talk.

Learn to walk quietly. In my hunting walking, I trained myself to glance down at the ground for the next three or four steps, and then look around as I walked. Pause, glance, walk. That way, I don't kick rocks or break sticks, but I don't lose "hunting time" by just staring at the ground. It takes practice to get good at it. Flat, crepe-soled boots are a big help as well.

Critters move around a good bit from just before sundown until dark, and again from first light to just after sunup. So, that's when to be out in the boonies. Or even a large city/county park.

 

[MachIVshooter]

IMO, the hardest part is figuring out where to go. Ask around, and study the GMU's to see where the best place is for the species/sex you want to harvest. Always put in for draw there, but most places have at least some over the counter tags for something.

Rifle hunting does not require the level of stealth and stalking skills that bowhounting does, because you don't have to get within 30 yards of the animal. But that doesn't mean it's ok to walk through the woods like a city slicker on a camping trip, stepping on every dried leaf and snapping every twig.

Now, as others have said, first learn all the applicable laws/regs. DWM's have no sense of humor and pleading ignorance has never helped any violators.

Scout the area in the weeks before the season opens, get an idea of where you'd like to be. Have some backup spots, since others may find your preferred one before you get there. If you use GPS, mark them for easy finding, as it can be difficult on memory alone.

Once the whistle blows (season opens), get up early and get to your spot before the animals are moving around. Yeah, that means in the dark. Take enough food and water to last through the day, more if you're in a very remote area where there is a real possibility of becoming lost. And your clothing should be appropriate for the potential weather threats. Spare socks; everyone steps in a marshy spot deep enough to overflow your boots at some point. Now just keep quiet and wait for legal light, hoping that an animal comes into your field of fire.

If you don't see anything by the time the day is getting on and it's warming up (say, 9 am), start moving around. Some guys go back to camp and wait until afternoon to get back to a spot. Me? I've scared up alot of game during the day, bedded down in tall grass or tight clusters of trees. I'll hunt dawn to dusk. Once you're withing a couple hours of sunset, find a spot to hunker down and watch again. Knowing the game your after, their habits, will help you decide where the best spots are.

Tip: If it''s just gonna be you and your boy, don't get so far out there that if you down an animal, you'll spend the next day and a half packing it out. 3 or 4 miles through rough woods with an elk quarter on your back is exhausting. Not so bad if you have several guys to pack the animal out in one shot, but no fun if you have to make several trips back to the kill site, hoping the local gremlins (unscrupulous hunters and scavenging animals) haven't discovered your prize.

We can help more with gear and tactics if you tell us where you are (or plan to hunt), what species you're after, and during which season.

 

[joshk-k]

I'm 24 and trying to teach myself to hunt. I was not raised with guns/hunting, etc. as a part of my life. I've spent a lot of time on the internet reading about hunting. Just like everything else on the internet, you should be discerning about your sources, but if you do enough research and reading, you will see the same tips, advice, etc. repeated. A lot of it is common sense, things like: "Don't make a lot of noise;" "be downwind;" "be prepared as far as gear goes;" etc.

Then just go out and do it. I learned more about hunting in four days by myself in elk country last fall then in months on the internet. I didn't get an elk (foiled by trespassers who blew my cover while I had elk in sight, followed by horrific weather) but it was an awesome experience. I felt that my planning had paid off and that I had made smart decisions about how to approach the task. Going out and putting my learning into practice made me confident and trust myself a lot. I have no doubt that I'm going to get an elk this fall.

I wish you the best. If you have specific questions, feel free to ask them here, or to PM me.

Josh

 

[desidog]

Good advice in all the posts above.

There is no classroom-substitute for learning field-craft, IMO. You need be out in the field. One way to do that, which i enjoy in the off-season, is hunting with a camera, instead of a gun. The same sneakiness can apply to getting a good shot with either - and by hunting season you'll have a good idea of where the game is hiding. Field-dressing can be learned at a hunter safety course; and we're all still working on our recipe repertoires!

 

[22-rimfire]

Assumption Deer hunting: The hardest thing for most is finding a place to hunt where you are welcome. There is no substitue for just getting out in the field, watching, and observing animal habits. It would be good after you have spent some time afield to find someone who has hunted to go along with you on a scouting mission. Taking a camera on walks is a great way to push you out into the woods walking around and exploring.

There are clubs that you can join where you may find people willing to assist you in the beginning. Some of these clubs have leased land for hunting and once you are a member, you can get out legally and enjoy the outdoors.

In some states, finding a place to hunt is much easier. Check out the wildlife management areas. In my state, they often require you to purchase a permit during the summer, so it is time to get moving on them in your state.

Quite frankly, the best way to learn about hunting is by doing it. Archery hunting is the best as there aren't many people in the woods and you can make yourself comfortable.

Turkey hunting can be a lot of fun and challenging.

 

[xmanpike]

Where are you located. That's one of the things that will help us to help you. Are you in Wisconsin? with lots of public hunting, or TX where virtually everything is private. Are you looking to go deer hunting or dove hunting? 2 totally different styles. If you can be more specific so can we

 

[OYE]

Looks like there are several good ideas here. My father never took me hunting either. I had an interest and was allowed to do so from about age 14 ( we lived on farms in the midwest). As an adult the states with large tracts of public land (Forest Service/ BLM) were more appealing and I settled in Idaho. I was always interested in hunting the backcountry so I acquired packhorses ( with no prior experience ) and we are now as competent as any outfitter in the state and have killed more than our share of elk. So it
is possible to start out from scratch. Most of your opportunities will depend on what area of the country you live in ( what state etc...), and how much time you can put into it.
Money has very little to do with it.

 

[Sav .250]

All I can say is, to bad you missed out. I know one thing for sure. There is no short cut. Good luck.

 

[Mr. T]

CaptianMarko,
If that is you're position on this, then you've already failed. "Hunting" is NOT "Shooting". Hunting is about going and trying to shoot whatever game it is that you are after. Most hunters learn their whole lives about the game they pursue; you need to start out like all hunters have, by learning. There's no cheap and easy way to get around it....you have to put in your time. My dad took me hunting, but he never showed me a damn thing about it. He took me out in the cold, dark woods at 5:30 a.m. and told me what tree to stand by and then he picked me up at the end of the day -- how much knowledge to you think he imparted to me....that's right none, and I'm a better hunter for it. I have been hunting for 30 years now and I don't know everything there is to know about every species that I hunt. I went hunting for the third year in a row now for turkeys and just got my first one this Spring. The reason I got it, was because I wasn't afraid to ask someone who's a "so-called expert" if they would come with me and call for me. Since they have won calling championships, they did an excellent job -- ended up calling a Tom across a river, who flew across that river to us and I got him....but I digress. The reason I got the bird is because of my friends calling ability and his knowledge about turkeys...he's hunted them his whole life and I learned from "his" experience. For reading material, I would look to Out Door Life, North American Hunter...watch the Out Door Channel, etc. Even some of the hunting videos can be really educational. The point I'm getting to here is you won't, more than likely, be an instant success at this stuff you've got to put in your time. The one thing you won't be is a failure in your kid's eyes....kids just want to spend time with their parents and hunting is time well spent especially with life long pals like your kids.

 

[captainmarko]

Thanks for all the replies!

FWIW, I am in SouthWest Missouri. Lots of public land around and I've been out a couple times on some of it. I figured we'd start out doing some rabbit hunting with our .22's.

So, that's the preliminary plan. Great tip about the local game warden. Never even thought about that.

 

[KodiakBeer]

Think about a shotgun. Most of the rabbits you'll see will be running. The .22 will be far more challenging, but maybe that's a good thing...

Good luck!

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // The SC DNR has organized dove hunts and youth hunts.

We have a varitey of permits here. The one I use is the Sportsman which allows me to hunt/fish public and private (with permission) lands and waters. We pay extra for Doe tags and have to get Turkey tags as well even though they are free.

There are sometimes blueberry/other farmers who are overrun with deer and get special harvesting permits, just ask around.
There was a Mentor thread in hunting forum here at THR and someone living near you might be a willing mentor, if not in person maybe by phone.
When we moved to NC in 1974 several neighbors were ready and willing to loan shotguns, knowledge and hunting places as soon as my dad showed an interest. Some of the places were a bit of a drive and this added to the stories and fun.

The DNR guys are a fountain of knowledge and most love their jobs.
You might want to go to a DNR run shooting range to make contacts if they have them in your part of Missouri, they vary in availabilty by county here in SC.

I'd say first stop after hunter safety class could be a DNR or equalivent organized youth dove hunt this September at least that is the first thing you can hunt here. Fishing.... I'm not much of a fisherman, in fact I'm such a poor hunter it takes all my time to get next years meat.

Like post #4 reads tag teaming a field is great camaraderie and especially useful if you do not have two shotguns. Seasons overlap so take ammo for whatever might pop up.

Hope you find what works for you. I enjoy just being in the outdoors and manys the day I have come home empty handed.......especially fishing.

 

[CoRoMo]

For the big game...

I think going out and scouting the possible hunting areas did the most for me. I had to learn big game hunting all on my own. I grew up hunting small game with my family, but never really did any big game hunting to matter. I just read a lot of articles on elk, moose, pronghorn, and deer hunting. Articles online, Outdoor Life magazine, Field & Stream, whatever I could find.

But getting out and scouting the mountains and forests did the job. I learned where the animals were, where they aren't. When they move and when they don't. I got a dose of the terrain and got the fever everytime I'd spooked up the specific quarry I was scouting for. I scouted/hiked just as I would hunt. i.e... Get up early in the dark, hike out into the wild, and try and find the beasts I would later carry a tag for.

I still do this every summer, just to keep a good tab on my favorite hunting grounds, but had I not started out this way, I would never have been as successful as I have been.

 

[buck460XVR]

I would contact your local Wild Turkey Federation chapter.....most have a youth/mentor type hunt where an experienced hunter takes a youth out during a special youth only season and shows them the ropes of turkey hunting. Many times the fathers of these youths are welcome to come along. Another option is to hire a reputable guide, either for hunting or fishing. They generally want success for their clients and will show you proper equipment and/or locations for fish and/or game. The public library is a excellent source for hunting type books. They generally will have more information on technique and methods than the average T.V. hunting show or hunting DVD. Most of these contain mostly kills and other BS to make those involved look like Daniel Boone, and contain little info or instruction.

Most of all, like others have already said, put in your time. I have ridden motorcycle in Missouri many times and have always been impressed with the amount of public land available to hunt. Public land animals can be a bit tuffer than private land game, but there are plenty of chances for success if one knows his way around and knows where the game likes to hide from the pressure of those that don't put in their time. Get a compass and some typo maps and get out and put some miles on....before season. Large areas of mast type trees always attract deer, turkeys and squirrels. Learn where they are(especially the ones that are a little tuff to get to) and you will always have a place to hunt. Squirrel hunting will teach you skills that you need for hunting deer and turkeys, and is a great place to start.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

If you are in a rural/semi-rural area check out craigslist. You can find cheap quasi-professional outfitters/guides, i.e. some retired guy who wants to make some beer money from his retirement spread.

 

[qajaq59]

I did learn one thing while raising my boys. When you take them hunting or fishing, don't hunt and fish yourself. Just back them up. You can't help a kid when you are busy yourself.