How do I get into hunting for the first time

[jslo]

New this year is a free apprentice license. It is a one year waiver of the hunters ed requirement and can only be used once and must be accompanied by a "mentor" at all times in the field. It aim is to get new hunters in the field. Not sure if it includes birds.

[Big E3]

If you are going to hunt birds spend some time shooting trap. You want to be able to hit what you see or it will be a frustrating trip.

[gnihcraes]

Lots of time and lots of gas money. Lots of years scouting and learning. Not many folks I know who hunt, were shown a place to hunt. Had to figure it out all on their own.

Grab a friend, apply for a license go have fun. Even if you did a guided hunt, it's most likely on private land that you can't get back to anyway. Not really the same as having to find good and bad areas to hunt on your own.

Good places are typically known and semi-restricted by how many hunters will be allowed by DOWP.

[Irving]

I had to go out with family. They are familiar with the area, I mostly show up for the trip and help plan where to go each day. Even having done that for one or two years, I feel that I've learned enough to at least feel comfortable scouting if I needed to.

[hunterhawk]

Take hunter safety
figure out what you want to hunt
if it's in the mountains start getting in shape while you're doing the other two things.
try to find someone to show you the ropes
if you can't ask lots of questions on hunting forums like you are doing.
then just go at it alone!
i hunt big game a lot by myself.. Sometimes it sucks some times I love it... Starting out though I guess I probably wouldn't suggest it.
feel free to ask me questions.. I don't have a tv show but I fill the freezer from time to time.. I only bow hunt for big game but it's all the same!

[ACE2GOOD]

Born and raised in Colorado, hunting is nothing like it used to be. Less and less places to go with good game compared to when I was young.
I wouldn't recommend doing guided right away. You will most likely have a huge success rate and then when you go try on your own and don't get much action you may be very discouraged. Trial and error is all you can do.

Your best bet is to find a friend, your significant other, or family member willing to go with you on the expeditions and go enjoy the outdoors with you. Try small game first and don't get discouraged, enjoy the time outdoors and with your friend. I have had many days of seeing absolutely squat but I still enjoy spending the day outdoors, watching the sunrise/sunset, joking with a friend, eating lunch on the tail gate, etc. You will both remember and cherish the days.

Hardest part about getting into good hunting places is the time and travel to find it. And most hunters will not give up their locations because they don't want you getting to that public hunting place before them and add to the hunting pressure. I feel most members here will point you out an area at least to do research on. Go to Sportsmans, Cabelas, Bass Pro, etc, and grab the Walk In Access, SWA brochures, Small Game Brochure and start your research. Start close to home and work your way farther out. I personally like the books so you can scribble on it and cross areas out you personally didn't like. You can also print out maps online for a SWA you find and want to check out.

Good luck and happy hunting!

[Irving]

^^ Great advice.

[kawiracer14]

Thanks for all the advice folks. I hike and backpack a lot in the summer so spending time hanging out in the woods shouldn't be an issue. I signed up for a hunter safety course in April, that was the soonest close to Denver I found open but I will look some more for sooner dates.

[CO Hugh]

For Elk I recommend looking for an area with limited access: no motor vehicles. I hunted them for several years based on tips from people, in areas such as Rabbit Ears Pass, and Maybell area, I saw so few that I was beginning to believe they were mythical. Then finally got invited to go with a friend. The difference is spectacular. We don't know if it matters but there is a road above us a coupe of miles that sometimes is open during hunting season. Below is a private ranch with limited hunting. Our area is not wilderness, but no cars.

Scout and find a place where you see herds, at least groups of 3-4 to large herds of nearly 50. 1 and 2 elk at a time is a waste of of time, locate the herds and then hunt there. Also over the years I have become a believer in stand hunting. We use a ground blind, handy for napping or when the weather turns bad. Particularly with elk walking around just spooks them. I have shot a few that were stirred by other people.

Cow cal works great. Son and I called in a 5x5 bull last year for his first elk.

[sniper_tim]

1. put in a preference point for every species you think you will ever be interested in (remember the more/longer you hunt, your desire for different types of hunting may change). Cheap in my opinion, and all proceeds benefit CO hunting and other outdoor activities.

2. if you have kids do same for them (tags are cheap for kids), also enroll them in the youth program. You will have to accompany them and both of you will learn Both my sons were selected/hunted for all species through the youth program. I required my daughter to obtain hunter safety, she wasn't interested in hunting, however it was a cheap safety class. Now she hunts 10 years later and is thankful for the preference points! I think the youth program has changed and now you can only be selected for 1 big game, still good experience.

3. Ask friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, even people you dont think are hunters to; take you, give you advice, or "point you the right direction". You will realize quickly what is good/bad advice, in the beginning it is all good! You will also realize many hunters are happy to help, just not show you their "spot".

4. Pick an area to hunt this year. throw a dart at a map, choose someplace interesting you, choose an area you want to hike/camp/shoot, you get the idea. You may not get in on draw this year, but look up the area, find out if there are leftovers, buy one, or buy OTC. A left over cow/doe tag will increase your odds.

5. Hike, camp, visit the area this summer. Get acquainted with the area, buy a map, call DOW, get in touch with the local officer of the area and talk to him/her (during summer, not during hunting season, they probably don't have time to chat you up during their busiest time of year). Finally, now you have a tag and a reason/excuse to actually visit during hunting season.

6. Enjoy your experience, whether you are successful or not! Average Elk success rate in CO is 18%, keep that in mind. It may take you 5 years to harvest one.

7. Repeat next year, maybe pick a new area. Soon you will know several areas in the state, determine your hunting style. Soon after that you will be pro, have honed your skills, and know what/when you want it.

that was my approach when I first moved here 15 years ago. Mostly, I hunted alone, or with one of my kids. I've learned quite a bit of the state and have settled in on my favorite "spot" for the last 5 years. I still visit other places, usually with a leftover tag for a new area, different season, just for the experience. As an example, I hunted 3 GMU's last year and didn't fill a tag, however I would never consider it a waste of time or $, I still enjoyed it and I'm still learning. I've also been invited to several hunt camps over the years and learned who I like/dont like to hunt with. You may be surprised who might actually invite you, if you follow point 3 above. My current hunt camp consists of primarily my kids and several close friends. I've just started to be interested in fowl hunting, so I put the gun and dog in truck and drive to an area on a map, check it out, then repeat the next weekend. CO is fortunate to have LOTS of public land.

Finally, you will learn real fast that finding your "spot" will require a little more work than tooling around in your truck, get away from the crowds. PM me and I'd be happy to point you in a couple directions for areas that i've hunted with leftovers.

Cheers and happy hunting,
Tim