Im 32 and thinking about getting into hunting (deer mostly, but open to other things)
I figure most guys learn hunting from their dads and shit, but no one in my family hunts?
Im going to start with a bowhunting class and go from there. I figure this is best since hunting season is 5 months with a bow but 2 weeks plus lottery with a shotgun/rifle
any advice for an elevener or twelver (in hunting terms)?
Well when i was 12 i got my dad into it and he was 43 at the time. So he sought out his friends who hunted to take us along and get us started.
I understand where you are coming with wanting to start off with archery, but most guys start off rifle hunting so it might be easier to start with that since there isnt much with rifle. depeding on the state your in.
In Pa, rifle season consists of dressing in orange finding a good spot to sit and hope deer get pushed your way.
archery is a bit more difficult with patterning the deer movement and being able to get close enough just more of a challenge. but if its something you think your really going to get passionate about then all means give it a try!
hope this helps
thanks muppet, I talked to someone at my bjj class tonight that told me he has a really good connection.
so, i can pursue that way. do you know of any good hunting forums?
I'll give you some things to think about so you will be more prepared before going.
Do you know where you'll be going?
If so, start going out there and walking around learning the area and trying to find likely places to see deer, and think about places you'd sit when you are out there hunting. If you don't have a place start trying to find somewhere to go now. The more familiar you are with the area you'll be going the better.
How are you going to hunt when you get there?
Are you going to be in a treestand, sitting on the ground etc. In hunting, especially bow hunting, you'll be way more successful and see way more deer from a treestand. Then there's climbing stands, lock on stands, ladder stands etc. If you're going to use a stand you should get use to using it asap, or you can use a ground blind, it really depends on the area and you. Either way it gives you something to think about and start preparing for.
Are you prepared to make a good shot if you do see something
Practise with whatever you're hunting with so you're comfortable making a killing shot, the first shot, every time. Also think about what you want to shoot, you don't have to kill the first thing that comes out every time. Sometimes it's cool to just watch stuff out there and let it go if it's not the one you want, ie. too small or a doe with yearlings etc. You can learn a lot by just watching them too.
How are you going to gut it, and get it out of there
Learn how to field dress whatever you're going to be killing! And know how you're going to get it back to the vehicle. A dead 150-200lb deer doesn't walk itself back to the truck, and standing over a dead deer is not the time to think "now what". There's lots of videos and articles on gutting deer, so I'd read up on that and be prepared.
This is all stuff, as you mentioned, you normally learn from your father or whatever, and hunting with someone will help dramaticly but it's totally do-able by yourself if you're as prepared as possible, take it kinda easy and learn as you go.
Also, almost all hunters are willing to help, and even take out, people that are new to it. You shouldn't have any problem getting some invites to go along with someone along the way.
Thanks Phil
some of those things are interesting. my friend told me i could hunt his land (which is legal in our area because of overpopulation)
maybe ill see about walking around out there
archerytalk.com will help you out a ton. some really nice guys on there.
you can also try predatormasters.com but there more coyote but there is a forum there for everything else as well.
I just did some scouting today at a new location. Its important to know where your going in the dark. Ill probably walk it a few more times to get comfortable enough to not get turned around and set out my trail cameras.
good luck, report back as well
I started at age 32 (33 now). I'd go with my former boss who grew up hunting. Mostly for upland game and then for turkey. He never learned to dress game though but we figured out from watching youtube vids. Prepping for deer (probably go for dove and quail again too, turkey ain't nowhere to be found around these parts as far as I can tell)in socal now. Probably be going solo. Anyone know any good spots in socal and wanna throw a newcomer a bone PM me.
I hunted a couple of times with my dad in my early twenties. Then life just got to busy to really take an interest in hunting. My son and my dad go hunting all the time. I went turkey hunting this year at 37 and loved it. I read alot and figure that if I want to start hunting, its my business and people can laugh all they want but Im having fun. I also am getting more heavy into shooting especially handgunning. I shot rifles for fun since I was a kid but in the last two years my interest in firearms has grown exponentially. I joined a gun club with two extensive ranges and clubs for every shooting discipline excet 3 gun. EVERYONE so far has been welcoming and no one has been like you are too old, blah blah. Hunting and shooting arent like MMA where starting at 30 puts you at the end of the line of ever being top tier. If you can stay fit enough to walk in the woods, you can hunt till you are in your late 60's probably. Same with shooting.
Heres to you gayjitsu guys living out your homo fantasies on the mat.
zealot66 - Heres to you gayjitsu guys living out your homo fantasies on the mat.
whoa whoa whoa, if im living it out, how is it a fantasy?
anyway, had to travel for work, so will do my research over this deer season and hopefully get out next year
raoulDuke - heres to hoping you faggots shoot/injure yourselves in the process
bunch of manly men living their lives in fucking cubes and offices, reclaiming shit by taking out a beautiful creature from half a mile away with their super rifle
What?? Hunting/fishing/gardening is a way of life around here.. But keep eating your McMystery meat and have someone do the killing for you..
I can harvest a deer from my kitchen window they are so thick around here.
I think anyone that eats meat should have to kill/clean and butcher a cow or pig once a year to keep them in touch with the fact you are eating a once live animal and someone had to kill it..
I used to compete with rifles , so hunting seemed like a easy day out.
Now I am soon to be 40 and have started thinking about taking up hunting. I enjoy game meat and have a couple of freezers.
Growing up everyone I knew had deer tags every year so I always got venison.
Where I live now hunting is a big no no. Most all the game meat is small and pathetic anyways.
One thing you can hunt here is croc and hopefully in another week or two I will be going with some other expats for a croc hunting trip.
Rather excited the meat is awesome when smoked.
My suggestion would be start with small game like rabbits and birds.
Hessian - I used to compete with rifles , so hunting seemed like a easy day out.
Now I am soon to be 40 and have started thinking about taking up hunting. I enjoy game meat and have a couple of freezers.
Growing up everyone I knew had deer tags every year so I always got venison.
Where I live now hunting is a big no no. Most all the game meat is small and pathetic anyways.
One thing you can hunt here is croc and hopefully in another week or two I will be going with some other expats for a croc hunting trip.
Rather excited the meat is awesome when smoked.
My suggestion would be start with small game like rabbits and birds.
Croc? Where do you live? Australia?
Costa Rica (Pac NW)