No Laughing. :)

[Volphin]

Ok, in all my life I've never been on a deer or big game hunt and I would like to try it out this Fall. I've read over alot of the FAQs and postings. What should I do first? How does one determine where to go hunt? I know, I know, sounds dumb to y'all but I've been a shooter a long time not a hunter. Any and all help appreciated. Looks like I need a lic, BG stamp for starters.

[Good_Steward]

This link should help out a lot.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - For Hunters

As far as where to hunt, you can ask your friends / family if they have any family / friends / aquaintances with land who don't mind letting a responsible hunter use it. If not, there are always the WMA's and draw hunts. Good luck!

[E4 No More]

I don't think it's something to laugh at. I've never been deer hunting either, and I wouldn't know where to go either.

But I've never felt the urge to sit in a tree freezing my butt off just to shoot Bambi in the head.

[Smith]

The hardest part is finding a place to go. I usually run into folks, mainly at church, who hunt and they let me go on their land or lease. Other than that use something bigger than .22 and sit and wait.

[Volphin]

I have a Russian SKS with a scope mount. Would that work?

[Smith]

I have a Russian SKS with a scope mount. Would that work?

Under 200 yrds!

[Guest mustangdave]

I have a Russian SKS with a scope mount. Would that work?

:cool:yep...especially IF you Ghillisuit and a spotter

[Motasyco]

The hardest part is dragging the darn thing out of the woods after you shoot it. Have a plan.

[ShaunM]

This link should help out a lot.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - For Hunters

As far as where to hunt, you can ask your friends / family if they have any family / friends / aquaintances with land who don't mind letting a responsible hunter use it. If not, there are always the WMA's and draw hunts. Good luck!

A big +1!!! Like Good_Steward said check around to see if anyone you know goes hunting or find some public land. Do a lot of research and ask farmers if you can hunt worst they can say is no. I have places to hunt coyote's but the land owner doesn't want me to hunt deer or turkey and vise versa. Good luck.

[Guest Smitty]

First you need to take the hunter safety course to obtain the license. TWRA will have more information on it. Second, make sure you have a caliber powerful enough for a quick, clean kill. Third, practice, practice, practice. That includes shooting, calling, setting up the treestands if any, etc. Also, if you are not a patient person, hunting is not for you. Trust me on this one. Hunting is not as easy as you see it in the videos. Anyway, you will enjoy it if you give it a try. Hunting isn't all about harvesting game. It's about enjoying nature and the wildlife that inhabits it as well. So enjoy the outdoors even if you do not harvest a deer everytime you go! Good luck!

[Guest TackleberryTom]

But I've never felt the urge to sit in a tree freezing my butt off just to shoot Bambi in the head.

Not the head...lung shot/chest. Bambi tastes good!! Would you wait in a long line for a great meal??

[Septicsam]

Best place for all kinds of info and great folks TNDEER.COM . Look for the forums.

TGO and TNDEER go hand in hand; great folks, great info.

[E4 No More]

Not the head...lung shot/chest. Bambi tastes good!! Would you wait in a long line for a great meal??

I have had deer on many occasions from all sorts of people who claim that they know the secret for removing the gaminess from the meat. They were all wrong. I can pick it out even with extremely spicy sauce enveloping it. I just don't like the taste, and it's not like I fault ya'll that do.

When I was the police sniper for my department, one of the officer's father owned a farm. He viewed the deer as a PITA, and wanted me to kill as many as I could. He even said that I could sit in the attic and shoot out of the window. I refused, because I don't see any sense in killing something that either isn't a threat to me or that I won't eat.

[ShaunM]

I have had deer on many occasions from all sorts of people who claim that they know the secret for removing the gaminess from the meat. They were all wrong. I can pick it out even with extremely spicy sauce enveloping it. I just don't like the taste, and it's not like I fault ya'll that do.

When I was the police sniper for my department, one of the officer's father owned a farm. He viewed the deer as a PITA, and wanted me to kill as many as I could. He even said that I could sit in the attic and shoot out of the window. I refused, because I don't see any sense in killing something that either isn't a threat to me or that I won't eat.

Have you tried soaking it in buttermilk?

[Good_Steward]

. Hunting isn't all about harvesting game. It's about enjoying nature and the wildlife that inhabits it as well. So enjoy the outdoors even if you do not harvest a deer everytime you go! Good luck!

Absolutely! There have been quite a few times that the only shots I have taken were with a Cannon (camera, of course ).

[Good_Steward]

Hunting101, back to something you mentioned: Coyotes. Most farmers with livestock are more than happy to have someone come out and let the air out of all the coyotes they can get in range. Something for Volphin to think about. Predator hunting is very challenging, and very addictive. The good thing about Coyotes is open season year round with no bag.

[E4 No More]

Have you tried soaking it in buttermilk?

I believe that's one of the things they've tried, yes.

[Howler]

Hunting is not for everyone, before buying all the stuff that goes along with it, find someone willing to let ya tag along. You will know within the first few hunts if it's something you like to do. Hunting is more than setting in a treestand and waiting on deer to pass by. You will see many things that most people will never see.

A few years ago a buddy asked me to play golf with him. I never thought I would enjoy it, but I did. Take the time to try it and see what happens.

[ShaunM]

Hunting101, back to something you mentioned: Coyotes. Most farmers with livestock are more than happy to have someone come out and let the air out of all the coyotes they can get in range. Something for Volphin to think about. Predator hunting is very challenging, and very addictive. The good thing about Coyotes is open season year round with no bag.

It is very addictive but again look at the rules and regulations for hunting coyotes or any Tennessee animal.

[Guest GunTroll]

Not to steal this thread but how is the public land hunting in TN? Is there much public land? Are most of you on your own land hunting? Or private permission given land. Leases? What would a new hunter to your state do? I'm no newb to hunting, but new to TN. I'm buying land there in your state but my budget won't allow acreage.

I would think this is still on point for the original posters topic. Could be wrong.

And to the OP......have fun! Once you start you won't turn back!

[Good_Steward]

I did 101. As per Tennessee regulations, these are the animals with year round season and no bag

Armadillo Year Round No Limit

Beaver Year Round No Limit

Coyote Year Round No Limit

English Sparrow Year Round No Limit

Groundhog Year Round No Limit

Nutria Year Round No Limit

Pigeon Year Round No Limit

Starling Year Round No Limit

Striped Skunk Year Round No Limit

[cybernorris]

The only thing I've ever hunted with a long gun was paper and those green plastic pop-up targets. I, too, wouldn't know where to start.

[ShaunM]

Public land can be good in certain area. When you move here ask around about places to hunt. Go to the TWRA website Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - For Hunters it has most if not all info on where to hunt on public lands. I have hunted on public land and I have mixed results. I much rather hunt on my own land.

[Volphin]

Thanks everyone for your replies! Hopefully I'll find a hunting buddy this Fall!

Then the master BBQ artist will bring forth the goodness. (Modest, aren't I?) lol

[memphismason]

Finding a hunting buddy is a great start.

I have turn a friend on to hunting last year, and he tagged along with me on a few trips. I think he is hooked. One more season of hunting together, and I think he will be ready to tackle it by himself.

You have received a lot of good advice here.