Getting started hunting, a beginner’s guide

Thomas111

Thomas111

New member
Never hunted? Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it may appear at first glance. Hunting rules can be intimidating to a novice because they’re so comprehensive. The following hunting tips were submitted by hunters who through experience learned a valuable lesson.
Hunting for beginners. It seems like a subject, however there's plenty to be told for any hunter and therefore the education method never ends. when trying to find decades, i am still learning. However we have a tendency to all have to be compelled to begin somewhere--so beginner hunters, start here.
I'll do my best to advise you well, however if you're a hunter who began hunting as an adult, your experience may be terribly valuable to others. Please feel free to contact me and let let me know if there is something particular that I even have overlooked, that worked for you.
The hunting season isn't the time for a beginner to started hunting. You would like to start out the wheels in motion well before it is time to get out there and hunt. Once you do go abroad, you wish to be already educated to the extent potential and familiar to your chosen instrumentality. Spend some months before season learning how to use the stuff you will be taking with you and practicing together with your gun or bow.

What you need?
A hunting license. A license alone permits you to hunt several species, significantly small game and lots of upland game birds. For example, a license is all you wish for cottontail rabbits, forest grouse, California and bobwhite quail, grey partridge, pheasant and more. Hunting turkeys, that is popular for beginners, needs a separate tag that may be purchased at the same places you get licenses.

What about hunter education?
If you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1975, you are required to pass a hunter-education course, except for one-time participation in the Hunting Passport program. Hunter-education courses are available through classroom instruction and online courses.

FIND A MENTOR; BE AN APPRENTICE
CHECK THE REGULATIONS
REVIEW GUN SAFETY RULES
PRACTICE!
DON'T HURRY OUT TO BUY A GUN
BOWHUNTING?
PROGRAM FOR WOMEN
LEARN THE AREA
GET YOUR HUNTING LICENSE
GET YOUR GEAR TOGETHER--BUT DON'T FALL FOR HYPE
START SMALL


Why should I try hunting?
Hunting is about much more than killing animals. It’s spending time in their environment and intensively learning about wildlife through observation. You will experience nature on a deeper level when hunting, and probably come away with a greater appreciation for the animals you’re hunting.
Hunting is often a team effort, which makes it a very social activity in which all members of the family can participate. If nothing else, it’s a great opportunity to get outdoors during beautiful times of year and get into places you might otherwise not go unless you were hunting.
What if I decide I don’t want to shoot an animal? There’s no shame in it. When you get close enough to an animal to make that decision, it will be a very exhilarating and rewarding experience regardless of whether you pull a trigger or release an arrow. That experience is what attracts people to hunting and keeps several of them following it for a lifetime.

ENJOY!
Get out there and enjoy yourself. I think you'll find that hunting is one of the very best ways to spend time. It will provide you with a better understanding of (and a greater appreciation for) wildlife and how animals live in the wild and a deeper appreciation for all types of life. It will also help you stay more in touch with your roots--hunting is natural and has been a part of human life and existence ever since Adam and Eve were booted out of Eden. There's no shame in honoring that long, rich hunting heritage.
 
Don't forget to just get out there. Lots of new hunters hesitate thinking that they have to have everything perfectly lined up before they go out. You don't. When you go out, be observant. Apply what you have observed to your hunts.
 
^^^yes..I see more guys thinking they have to have all the gear and know how they see on TV or social media to go calling...you just need to jump in the truck and go. Have a couple fundamentals on your mind and start calling.
Mark
 
In California you can't legally hunt any birds with just a hunting license. You need a Upland Bird Validation on your hunting license to hunt quail, dove, pheasants and turkeys.

To hunt waterfowl you need a California Duck Validation and a Federal Duck stamp on your hunting license.
 
I get the spirit of the post but wish many of them would stay home til they've passed a common sense class.
I can't begin to count the times that newbies armed with this much info or less have ruined my stands directly.
This could take days of typing to replay every instance and every public expense they have cost people.
If it were just that simple!
 
Originally Posted By: tripod3I get the spirit of the post but wish many of them would stay home til they've passed a common sense class.
I can't begin to count the times that newbies armed with this much info or less have ruined my stands directly.
This could take days of typing to replay every instance and every public expense they have cost people.
If it were just that simple!


 
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Once I find good spots I’d gladly take someone along here in Colorado! I feel having someone there to walk you through the smaller steps helps the most. I missed and educated way too many in the start without any guidance!
 
Originally Posted By: tripod3I get the spirit of the post but wish many of them would stay home til they've passed a common sense class.
I can't begin to count the times that newbies armed with this much info or less have ruined my stands directly.
This could take days of typing to replay every instance and every public expense they have cost people.
If it were just that simple!


I would agree with the general sentiment, but you still have to be careful. I teach hunters ed and for the most part I work with a great group of guys. But every so often we get a hunters ed instructor who has no business teaching anyone anything. But they get that patch and they stand up in front of the class spouting THEIR opinions when they have no basis to do so. In one class we had a guy telling the class that firing an arrow within 1/4 mile of a building was the same as the law stating that discharging a FIREARM within 1/4 mile was illegal. The last time I checked arrows were not propelled by expanding gases of burning propellant and were not classified as a firearm. He then went on to claim that ANYTHING with a floor and walls was considered a building and that you could be cited for discharging your bow near a travel trailer. The last time I checked you don't license a house and it doesn't move.

I would prefer if people got some rudimentary training but that still has to be good training. Just doing an online hunter ed class is not the same as getting instruction from a competent, trained instructor.
 
Originally Posted By: Thomas111

What about hunter education?
If you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1975, you are required to pass a hunter-education course, except for one-time participation in the Hunting Passport program. Hunter-education courses are available through classroom instruction and online course


Not sure on other states, but Michigan it's 1960.
 
Originally Posted By: Tim NeitzkeOriginally Posted By: Thomas111

What about hunter education?
If you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1975, you are required to pass a hunter-education course, except for one-time participation in the Hunting Passport program. Hunter-education courses are available through classroom instruction and online course


Not sure on other states, but Michigan it's 1960.

Colorado its 1940's
 
A good way to learn to hunt is by not hunting at all. Spend some time in the woods just walking and looking. When taking a break, sit with your back to a tree or roock and just watch what takes place around you. A lot can be learned for free by watching and listening. This can be done in large city parks and state forest where hunting isnt allowed. There is no substitute for boots on the ground.
 
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