New Hunter

[bradkincaid]

Hi all,

I recently moved to Colorado and I am looking to get into hunting. I come from a family of non-hunters (non-gun people really) so I have no experience hunting. I own a .22 rifle, I do have shooting experience, and I understand the importance of honing my shooting abilities before going out and shooting at game, so don't be concerned that I am a total moron. I also realize that I need a license, safety class, etc.

Anyway, I figured the best way to get into hunting, having no experience and no family or friends with experience to guide me, was to try and get out during squirrel season. I live in the Littleton area, just south of Denver, and I was wondering if there were any good (or just half decent) public areas within 1-2 hours of where I live to get out and wander around for squirrels when the season arrives. So, are there decent public squirrel hunting grounds around Denver? Or within a couple hours travel by car?

I'm also open to general advice for new hunters and how to get into hunting.

Thanks a bunch.

Brad

[JohnTRourke]

very first thing, go take a hunter safety class.
1. they tend to fill up (esp this time of year)
2. you can't get a license without the card
3. you'll learn a TON

[rhineoshott]

First step is to take a hunters ed class, and get your hunters Ed card.

If you want to hunt squirrels on public property, you need to get a small game license (good for only one year, expires every march I think).

Be careful of your backdrop if you're shooting critters out of trees. Always make sure you have something solid behind your target.

If you want to hunt big game, you need a bigger rifle.

[spleify]

Welcome aboard.

I also sent you a PM but please update your profile to show your current location, Colorado is not specific enough, we are all in CO.

Thanks

[theGinsue]

Welcome.

There is a LOT to learn for hunting in CO but there are lots of hunters here who can help you pick it all up.

So, while you're waiting to take the Hunter Safety course (get scheduled ASAP), you'll need to decide what it is you want to hunt. Big game (elk, deer, antelope, Mtn lion, Mtn goat, Mtn sheep, eventually moose), small game or varmits (spelling error on purpose) or all of the above.

Once you know WHAT you want to hunt, stop by a WalMart or a sporting goods store & pick up a free Colorado Parks & Wildlife (commonly called DOW) booklet with the rules & regs for the game you want to hunt (different game, different booklets) - these are essential! Read through it front to back once then several more times focusing on the specific species you're interested in. This will probably fill you with questions that we can help answer.

Now, armed with some knowledge, you can start thinking about what make, model & caliber rifle you will want & need and what scope to put on it. We can help with that but remember that many folks have personal preferences for rifles, optics and calibers that may not be right for you. Stop by some sporting goods / firearms stores to actually handle & cycle the rifles that have caught your interest - but DO NOT BUY RIGHT AWAY!! Check out many guns & many vendors before making your final selection. A used rifle will save you some money, but be careful who you buy from or you could end up with junk. After you've been a member of this site for 30 days you can check out our Trading Post section for one from another member.

Now, practice with the rifle & find out what ammo YOUR gun likes. Any 2 guns, even off the same assembly line with sequential serial numbers will shoot differently. Most of the hunting rifles I've shot seem to like Remington Core-Lokt cartridges. Yours may not. Get the scope sighted in and know where you are hitting at 100, 200, & 300 yards and learn how to estimate these distances.

With all of this out of the way you'll know enough to know what questions you need to ask to cover anything else like what gear should I carry or have back in camp/vehicle, where to go to find the game, etc. if you can get this stuff knocked out before the Hunter Safety class you will really be set to know what questions to ask.

Be forewarned that folks tend to protect their hunting spots like a serious angler protects his honey-hole. If someone is hesitant to offer up where they hunt, don't be offended and don't push.

Good luck.

[thebolt]

Welcome aboard Brad!

[bradkincaid]

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

I have just registered for a Hunters Ed class in September, so that should be an excellent learning experience.

At this point I don't think going after big game is the right choice for me. I don't have the experience to dress out a large animal, nor do I have the freezer space. In addition to that, I don't think I can afford a big game rifle and ammo for practice, so I am going to focus on small game for now. I have a Marlin 925 that I have been shooting with aftermarket aperture sights, but since I plan to go hunting I am going to purchase the necessarily pieces to mount a scope.

I didn't want to come off earlier like I was asking for anyone's secret hunting grounds, I just wanted to make sure that if I go tromping around one of the national forests to my West or South I stand an okay chance of seeing squirrel or other small game. The idea of pursuing game is not new to me, I quite enjoy fishing, but I don't want strike off for an area completely devoid of any game.

Keep the advice coming, I sincerely appreciate it.

[rgvt4]

very first thing, go take a hunter safety class.
1. they tend to fill up (esp this time of year)
2. you can't get a license without the card
3. you'll learn a TON

+1 Welcome

[spqrzilla]

Look at the Division's website for the walk-in small game access program. Other thing you can look at is the list of State leases and wildlife areas, they list which will allow small game as well as big game hunting and when.

[pookawa]

and dont foget rabbit season is coming up soon. I dont have any spots, but am going to give it a try myself this year (never tried small game before).