How do I get into hunting for the first time

[Sackett]

Take up lion hunting...That will get you plenty of trigger time.

[3beansalad]

Take up lion hunting...That will get you plenty of trigger time.

And publicity!

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[StoutBassKiller]

I cannot echo enough the find a friend statements. While successful hunting is always the end goal, the experience of deer camp is where the magic happens.

I have a group of guys I have been hunting and fishing with since high school (and that was a lot longer ago than I care to admit), and the even if one or all of us get skunked, just having that time are the best memories I have.

No doubt you always want, need, dammit just let me see one to shoot, a successful hunt, however don't put too much emphasis on it. Disappointment can taint early hunting experiences too much.

Find a good group of hunters and just have fun, and if you ever need a hunting buddy give me a ring. We're always open to brining rookies up.

[whitewalrus]

I cannot echo enough the find a friend statements. While successful hunting is always the end goal, the experience of deer camp is where the magic happens.

I have a group of guys I have been hunting and fishing with since high school (and that was a lot longer ago than I care to admit), and the even if one or all of us get skunked, just having that time are the best memories I have.

No doubt you always want, need, dammit just let me see one to shoot, a successful hunt, however don't put too much emphasis on it. Disappointment can taint early hunting experiences too much.

Find a good group of hunters and just have fun, and if you ever need a hunting buddy give me a ring. We're always open to brining rookies up.

This is really what it's all about. I'd rather get nothing and spend the day in the blind with good guys than limit out with a bunch of people I cannot stand.

Most of the fun of hunting is not from harvesting anything- that's the end of the fun and the start of the work. That being said, getting nothing all the time, might as well go camping.

So find guys you enjoy being around and match your seriousness for hunting.

[kawiracer14]

I ended up going last year with two close friends and one of their dads that has been hunting for the last 50 years. I didn't take an animal but my friend's dad got a Cow Elk and she got a Doe. Learning how to gut and butcher the animals was a lot of fun. I have tags in for a Cow and Doe for this year. Thanks for all the advice everyone.

[Seamonkey]

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.

Cheers and happy hunting,
Tim

+1
I have been lucky and was invited to hunt with family. I was luckier and invited back. Went hunting with them in an area that was new to me and in turn, I tend to go back to that area in the summer. Camp, hike, explore the area around you, the lay of the land and all. As you learn what to look for you can find trails, watering holes and just general knowledge of the area.
Plus it gets you outside and roaming the land.

I don't go hunting expecting to fill my tag. I go spend a week camping with family, long walks in dark timber, hours gazing across meadows. We just happen to carry firesticks

[ray1970]

I've been invited to hunt with family.

Not sure I'd consider that "lucky".

[RobertFrosty]

I will echo getting your hunters safety class done then I'd say start small with bird and small game. If you're new to bowhunting go for a genesis bow with a [...] or something similar. There's a SWA in Hudson that I have smoked a few ducks and it's not a 3hr drive. Post up when you get your class done and I'm sure someone will chime in with some learning opportunities for you to take advantage of.

Once you get into a hunter safety course you'll be good to go. You literally learn everything to learn.

[ray1970]

Once you get into a hunter safety course you'll be good to go. You literally learn everything to learn.

I must have just gotten the abridged version. They didn't tell me anything about any of the areas or have any discussion about migratory patterns of game animals or anything. Heck, they didn't even have instruction about field dressing or anything.

It was probably a good thing I had over twenty five years experience hunting before I had to take the course.

[kawiracer14]

If I had gone out in the woods after Hunter's Ed without someone that knew what they were doing I would have no idea what the hell I was doing.