How to get started hunting...

[Alpha13]

I have not been interested in hunting until recently. What is ago of way to get started? (Besides the obvious, get a gun.)

Speaking of guns, what is an inexpensive rifle to start with?

Tia!

[R_Bert]

If born on or after January 1, 1969, you will need your Hunter Education certificate -

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency- Hunter Education

(A one-time TWRA Apprentice Permit Hunter Education Exempt (Type 012) is available, but includes restrictions on the holder.)

Edited January 4, 2012 by R_Bert

[dats82]

What do you want to hunt?

[DaveS]

What do you want to hunt?

What he said.

[Sidinman]

^ What they said, because it does make a difference.

[bigwakes]

I have not hunted since I was in high school. I just bought a Remington 700, a camo jacket, some deer pee, and headed to the woods on my cousins property. Didn't see anything my first time out, but I'll go back.

[ShaunM]

Make sure you read the hunting regulations and know when the seasons open and close. Also it tells you the weapons and ammo you can use and other do's and dont's.

[whiskey]

Go to the hunter's safety course, or take one online, before you head out to the woods. It could save you some fines and possibly your life.

[DaveS]

He must have left......

Edited January 7, 2012 by Hunting101

[ShaunM]

O.k I am re-opening this thread on the request of another member. I guess just because the OP hasn't showed back up doesn't mean someone else couldn't learn a thing or 2 that's in the same boat. Who knows the OP could be having computer problems or something. So lets keep this thread on topic. That is all carry on..

Edited January 7, 2012 by Hunting101

[Guest Patty]

I would suggest that you study the game that you want to hunt, find out its habits in the area you have to use to hunt on. Maybe it would be best to just start watching and tracking for awhile before attempting to harvest.

Guns are not the only way to harvest game, so a gun may not be needed. But it you did choose a gun, a rifle is limited to alot of places and types of hunting. A shot gun works well in many types of hunting areas. But other methods work with great results too.

What ever you choose to do, be sure you are aware of the area you are going into, let somebody know where you will be, and what time you expect to return within a reasonable time frame.

[DaveS]

Patty said it pretty good. Concentrate on one thing at a time, and your hobby/sport will grow with time. Believe this or not, the cheapest deer rifle available today, is a Mosin Nagant. Under a hundred dollars, accurate and deadly on big game! And the game goes on and on!

[FJCrusing]

And find an experienced hunter to go with to help get you started. I would not recommend someone new to hunting to head out by themselves.

[BigDaddyx4]

I'd also recommend www.tndeer.com. A lot of good info & folks over there that would be happy to help you get started & even take you along a couple of times.

Definately take your hunters safety. Only costs you time.....

[dats82]

I am not a real successful hunter, perhaps because I do not devote enough time to it. However, I think one of the most important things to think about before you go out is the question, "What do I expect to gain from this experience?" It is likely that you will not harvest game the first time out or even the first season. So you must consider, is it a failure if you don't harvest game or is it still a charished experience to gain knowledge and be a part of this wonderful creation? For myself, I think my hunt would almost be equally enjoyable if I did not even take a gun.

If your sole objective is to harvest an animal, good luck to you, but also remember that you might be setting yourself up for failure and a dismal experience. Take time to enjoy the other aspects of a hunt that most people never have the pleasure to experience.

All that kinda sounds like I am a hippy or something, and maybe I am a little. However, this philosophy has allowed my to never have a "bad hunt." Any day hunting is a good day regardless of the day's bounty.

[DaveS]

I am not a real successful hunter, perhaps because I do not devote enough time to it. However, I think one of the most important things to think about before you go out is the question, "What do I expect to gain from this experience?" It is likely that you will not harvest game the first time out or even the first season. So you must consider, is it a failure if you don't harvest game or is it still a charished experience to gain knowledge and be a part of this wonderful creation? For myself, I think my hunt would almost be equally enjoyable if I did not even take a gun.

If your sole objective is to harvest an animal, good luck to you, but also remember that you might be setting yourself up for failure and a dismal experience. Take time to enjoy the other aspects of a hunt that most people never have the pleasure to experience.

All that kinda sounds like I am a hippy or something, and maybe I am a little. However, this philosophy has allowed my to never have a "bad hunt." Any day hunting is a good day regardless of the day's bounty.

VERY WELL SAID!!

[ShaunM]

I am not a real successful hunter, perhaps because I do not devote enough time to it. However, I think one of the most important things to think about before you go out is the question, "What do I expect to gain from this experience?" It is likely that you will not harvest game the first time out or even the first season. So you must consider, is it a failure if you don't harvest game or is it still a charished experience to gain knowledge and be a part of this wonderful creation? For myself, I think my hunt would almost be equally enjoyable if I did not even take a gun.

If your sole objective is to harvest an animal, good luck to you, but also remember that you might be setting yourself up for failure and a dismal experience. Take time to enjoy the other aspects of a hunt that most people never have the pleasure to experience.

All that kinda sounds like I am a hippy or something, and maybe I am a little. However, this philosophy has allowed my to never have a "bad hunt." Any day hunting is a good day regardless of the day's bounty.

You are correct. A lot of people forget the beauty God created for us. It's nice to harvest an animal but there is so much more to gain. Just getting out in the woods trying makes you a better hunter.

[sjames90]

I am not a real successful hunter, perhaps because I do not devote enough time to it. However, I think one of the most important things to think about before you go out is the question, "What do I expect to gain from this experience?" It is likely that you will not harvest game the first time out or even the first season. So you must consider, is it a failure if you don't harvest game or is it still a charished experience to gain knowledge and be a part of this wonderful creation? For myself, I think my hunt would almost be equally enjoyable if I did not even take a gun.

If your sole objective is to harvest an animal, good luck to you, but also remember that you might be setting yourself up for failure and a dismal experience. Take time to enjoy the other aspects of a hunt that most people never have the pleasure to experience.

All that kinda sounds like I am a hippy or something, and maybe I am a little. However, this philosophy has allowed my to never have a "bad hunt." Any day hunting is a good day regardless of the day's bounty.

I couldn't agree more with this. I'm still a hunting beginner, but know enough that the experience of the hunt is more important to me than harvesting an animal. Being outdoors, having some alone time with my gun , enjoying nature. And if something happens to cross the path of my gun, all the better. But not getting an animal wouldn't constitute a failure. And everytime I get to go out, I learn something new for the next time.

[DaveS]

I couldn't agree more with this. I'm still a hunting beginner, but know enough that the experience of the hunt is more important to me than harvesting an animal. Being outdoors, having some alone time with my gun , enjoying nature. And if something happens to cross the path of my gun, all the better. But not getting an animal wouldn't constitute a failure. And everytime I get to go out, I learn something new for the next time.

You have the right attitude! Well said!