First Time Hunter

Hello, I am a first time hunter. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Figure out what you want to hunt.

Take a hunter education course (required to get a license in most areas). Learn to shoot well...off hand, not off the bench.

After taking the course and learning to shoot, you'll develop more questions. Ask away. But be more specific than 'any suggestions' and you'll get more help.

Start with the hunter ed class.

I don't mean to sound like a smart $*& but my suggestion is be safe. No one here cares what you hunt for as long as you don't get hurt. My second suggestion, have fun. Welcome to the world of outdoor sports. You'll love your stay.

Steve Crozier

Chris Frauenhoffer bragged

Study the hunting regs Sight in your weapons at the range Hunt with an experienced hunter Be willing to pass on a marginal shot Don't forget the TP

Well what would you be hunting for, or better yet what kind of questions do you have.

WGS
http://www.willsgunshop.com

Oh,jeez.... you're really leaving the field wide open with this question. So, my first suggestion is *be more specific*. The guys in here are a real friendly and helpful bunch, and would gladly answer any questions you have or offer advice.... but they can't read your mind. So don't be shy with the questions.

Having said that, an absolute MUST for you is to enroll in a Hunter's Safety Education class. I don't care what your background is - even if you're a Navy Seal, cop, or Olympic shooting coach - take the course. (It's also mandatory in many states as well... not sure where you live)

Second, go with a seasoned hunter your first season (or 2). It could be a member of your family, or a friend.... but preferably someone who knows the ropes, so they can mentor you.

There is a hell of alot more to hunting than being a good shot, and you can only learn so much by reading.... hands on experience and time in the woods with someone knowledgeable are far greater educators. AND, be a good student to whomever is teaching you - follow instructions, pay attention, commit to memory any lesson your learn.... and thank them for their help.

If you don't know anyone to help you with your first season, join a hunting club... you will have no trouble finding help there (and you'll make a few good friends).

Lastly, re-define your view of 'success.' A successful day in the field or woods is NOT marked by whether or not you brought home meat for the table. It is marked by your enjoyment of the day. If you come home with your soul refreshed, with a tired ache in your bones, and a smile on your face... with a memory of the smell of earth, leaves, and clean air... with an image etched in your memory of autumn leaves, fresh fallen snow, or *any* animal in its natural environment.... even if you come home still seeing that fleeting glimpse of a deer running away because he saw you before you saw him (and all you could do was helplessly watch him leave) but you learned your lesson.... then, my friend, you had a GREAT day hunting. If you have some meat for the table, then you got a great bonus!

Good luck.

Chris,

As a lifetime shooter/instructor/hunter the first thing I would suggest is that you join a Shooting/Hunting Club to receive some instruction. Hunting is a great expeerience, however, safety is paramount. Clubs are also excellent locations to learn about various types of hunting/firearms etc.

Good luck.

Jim Master Examiner/Instructor Firearm Verifyer

Dunno what you are hunting for but I know that I sure spent a bunch of years 'fooling' around not being very successful until I found a ol' man with a load of common sense and even bigger load of experience to teach me the ropes.

Crazy ol' coot never said too much. He would take my buddy and I out aways then stop and say something like, 'Well, what do you think?'. Damn. I didn't know what the heck he was expecting us to say. I'd look around as best I could and just shrug. I didn't think anything but I knew he expected us to 'see' something. With that he would just move on. I could tell he wasn't pleased. He never said a thing about what it was we missed. After a while we began to notice things during our stops. A hoof punch in the leaves, a little bark warn off on a stick over hanging the path, a couple strands of hair, a narrow strip of leaves tossed about with dampness showing in an otherwise dry leaf bed, a cresent depression in some grass, a subtile 'path' on the side of a saddle along a ridge line etc. All classic sign that for the longest time I never even knew were there. Once we started noticing things he seemed to open up a bit. A whole wealth of knowledge began the slow process of being transferred from one ol' man to a couple of impatient 'kids'.

That ol' man is well beyond being able to get out and about in the woods anymore but I still enjoy dropping in on him with a nice package of venison a couple times every season. I still learn something almost every time I drop by.

These days I consider myself a pretty fair reader of sign and a reasonable tracker. It took a long time and the lessons the ol' man passed on gave me a valuable start. These days I take my son with me on a few of my whitetail searchs. He still misses more than he sees but he is improving. I'm using the same basic training style taught to me by the ol' man. Not too many words and not actually pointing out everything. I just stop him and ask him, 'well, what do ya think?' and hope that he figures it out.

Good and safe hunting! And remember: It is much more of a thrill to draw up and then pass on a questionable shot than it is to spend an entire day tracking while wishing you hadn't made the choice you did. Take that advice from someone who has done it both ways.