Want to learn to hunt

JesseH · 03-30-2003, 08:44 PM

Hi, I am a city boy by upbringing, unfortunately!!! I am really active but I know about nothing about hunting or survival. I really want to learn. I took a rifle basics course, and it was handy. I am going to the rifle range weekly to spend time on my marksmanship. I am going to take a hunter safety course as well. However, what do you recommend for my first hunt?? I don't know anyone who hunts. What do you think? Also what sort of rifle do you recommend I buy (probably go out varmint huntin or something)

Well sorry to sound stupid but I grew up pretty much clueless about hunting and survival and I have recently discovered i am really interested in this....and I need to know where/what to learn. Thanks for your help.

regards
Jesse

wes · 03-30-2003, 09:16 PM

Hunting is fun, even if you don't get anything. It's great to just be out in the woods looking for any sign of your animal, trying to out-think them.
I would suggest that when you take a hunter safety course to let it be known about your situation. You never know, some "grizzly adams" type might show you all the ropes. Other than that, read hunting books/magazines. Hunting birds is a great sport.

oneastrix · 03-30-2003, 09:27 PM

Welcome to the forum! We are always happy to help new shooters out. Feel free to ask any question you might have without feeling stupid as you said.

As for what to hunt, it would help if you gave us a generalization of where you are or what kind of game is indiginous to your area.

NRAJOE · 03-31-2003, 09:24 AM

First off, I hope your a member of the NRA: www.mynra.org second get yourself a nice 20 guage pump shot gun (Mossberg) for rabbits and squirrels. Rabbit and squirrel hunting is fun to start with. You can also use a .22 rifle for both but I'd use a shotgun first to bring up your hit probability as a beginning hunter, then as you get better and more comfortable use the rifle. Get a .22 Ruger 10/22 stainless steel rifle...unbeatable and there any many aftermarket parts to slick it up later if you want. Welcome to the forum, and don't be a stranger! :right:

PAPA G · 03-31-2003, 10:17 AM

where do you live??? it might help to know where abouts you want to hunt.

also check out for any hunting fishing clubs in your area, lots of fisherman hunt too, hang out at the local gunshop for places to go.

BattleRifleG3 · 03-31-2003, 02:01 PM

I was in the same situation, grew up in the city with plenty of exposure to the outdoors, but never got into guns and such till I hit 18. A few years later I'm into guns like mad but have as yet only shot one critter, and that was pest control, not hunting.

It helped me to find friends who were into guns and had land to shoot on to learn and practice safe firearms usage. I don't have my own land yet, but have the knowledge to pass on.

What I guess is the first thing to ask is are you 18 yet? If not, everything you do with guns is going to have to involve adults in some way. Next, your location is very important, as it will relate to gun laws, types of hunting, and a lot of stuff.

In any case, WELCOME! Glad to have you here on the forums and I hope we can all be of help to you.

AR-tim · 04-01-2003, 10:51 PM

All of the above is right on.... I would recomend starting out small (no pun intended). I would start hunting for squirrels, rabbits, and other small game (birds like grouse). I wouldn't get your heart set on getting any big game for a while. The 30 point buck you want on your wall can wait until you get your feet wet. Work your way up the "hunting" ladder and you'll have a lot of great times, and stories to tell.

Shane · 04-21-2003, 04:48 AM

Welcome to the forum. I'm pretty much in the same boat you are. Bought a pistol for self defense, then got a great deal on a rifle.
Have you checked out your local library? Mine actually has books on how to hunt deer, etc. There's also some good shows on OLN network. But probably the best suggestion is to make friends in the gun world. Your hunter safety class should be a great start.
Good luck,
Shane

practical · 05-18-2003, 09:10 PM

I'm not from a hunting family and only went a couple times as a child. I've fixed that though. I took a job as a field engineer working 14on/140ff on the alaskan north slope. The nice thing is they offer courses on big game hunting and meat care. And with 90% of the state being public land, i intend on getting myself into it. I may by myself 338-378Wby just because I can. Look out bears/caribou/mountain goats

03-30-2003, 08:44 PM	#1
JesseH Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4	Want to learn to hunt Hi, I am a city boy by upbringing, unfortunately!!! I am really active but I know about nothing about hunting or survival. I really want to learn. I took a rifle basics course, and it was handy. I am going to the rifle range weekly to spend time on my marksmanship. I am going to take a hunter safety course as well. However, what do you recommend for my first hunt?? I don't know anyone who hunts. What do you think? Also what sort of rifle do you recommend I buy (probably go out varmint huntin or something) Well sorry to sound stupid but I grew up pretty much clueless about hunting and survival and I have recently discovered i am really interested in this....and I need to know where/what to learn. Thanks for your help. regards Jesse

03-30-2003, 09:27 PM	#3
oneastrix Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 5,213	Welcome to the forum! We are always happy to help new shooters out. Feel free to ask any question you might have without feeling stupid as you said. As for what to hunt, it would help if you gave us a generalization of where you are or what kind of game is indiginous to your area. __________________ There's no one more thankful to sit at the table, than the one who best remembers hunger's pain.

03-31-2003, 09:24 AM	#4
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 18,662 Images: 5	First off, I hope your a member of the NRA: www.mynra.org second get yourself a nice 20 guage pump shot gun (Mossberg) for rabbits and squirrels. Rabbit and squirrel hunting is fun to start with. You can also use a .22 rifle for both but I'd use a shotgun first to bring up your hit probability as a beginning hunter, then as you get better and more comfortable use the rifle. Get a .22 Ruger 10/22 stainless steel rifle...unbeatable and there any many aftermarket parts to slick it up later if you want. Welcome to the forum, and don't be a stranger! :right: __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

03-31-2003, 02:01 PM	#6
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,397 Images: 13	I was in the same situation, grew up in the city with plenty of exposure to the outdoors, but never got into guns and such till I hit 18. A few years later I'm into guns like mad but have as yet only shot one critter, and that was pest control, not hunting. It helped me to find friends who were into guns and had land to shoot on to learn and practice safe firearms usage. I don't have my own land yet, but have the knowledge to pass on. What I guess is the first thing to ask is are you 18 yet? If not, everything you do with guns is going to have to involve adults in some way. Next, your location is very important, as it will relate to gun laws, types of hunting, and a lot of stuff. In any case, WELCOME! Glad to have you here on the forums and I hope we can all be of help to you. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

04-01-2003, 10:51 PM	#7
AR-tim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: WI Posts: 307	All of the above is right on.... I would recomend starting out small (no pun intended). I would start hunting for squirrels, rabbits, and other small game (birds like grouse). I wouldn't get your heart set on getting any big game for a while. The 30 point buck you want on your wall can wait until you get your feet wet. Work your way up the "hunting" ladder and you'll have a lot of great times, and stories to tell. __________________ "Unfortunately, the Army has revealed no plans to develop an air-droppable, laser-guided, self-chilling keg of beer!" From "Airborne" by Tom Clancy

03-30-2003, 09:16 PM	#2
wes Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Loveland Co Posts: 1,906	Hunting is fun, even if you don't get anything. It's great to just be out in the woods looking for any sign of your animal, trying to out-think them. I would suggest that when you take a hunter safety course to let it be known about your situation. You never know, some "grizzly adams" type might show you all the ropes. Other than that, read hunting books/magazines. Hunting birds is a great sport.

03-31-2003, 10:17 AM	#5
PAPA G Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somerset, kentucky Posts: 12	where do you live??? it might help to know where abouts you want to hunt. also check out for any hunting fishing clubs in your area, lots of fisherman hunt too, hang out at the local gunshop for places to go.

04-21-2003, 04:48 AM	#8
Shane Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 45	Welcome to the forum. I'm pretty much in the same boat you are. Bought a pistol for self defense, then got a great deal on a rifle. Have you checked out your local library? Mine actually has books on how to hunt deer, etc. There's also some good shows on OLN network. But probably the best suggestion is to make friends in the gun world. Your hunter safety class should be a great start. Good luck, Shane

05-18-2003, 09:10 PM	#9
practical Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Baton Rouge, LA/Casper, WY Posts: 736	I'm not from a hunting family and only went a couple times as a child. I've fixed that though. I took a job as a field engineer working 14on/140ff on the alaskan north slope. The nice thing is they offer courses on big game hunting and meat care. And with 90% of the state being public land, i intend on getting myself into it. I may by myself 338-378Wby just because I can. Look out bears/caribou/mountain goats __________________ Eric "The secret to life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made"

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