Let me start by saying I've never been hunting before but am really hoping to get out there to enjoy nature and hopefully add some meat to the freezer. Since I've never been hunting, what would you all recommend I do to best learn the ropes? Certainly I don't think it'd be a good idea to just go out on my own. Should I find an experience bowhunter to tag along with? What other suggestions do you have for me? Any and all guidance is appreciated.
Read everything you can. Watch TV. Ask questions. Research some hunt clubs. Ask some buddies (who are experienced) to come with. The more you read and research (like on this forum and others) the more you can learn and avoid some beginner mistakes. Hunting was taught to me at a very young age (like 20+ years ago) but i am new to bow hunting. Ask some specific hunting questions you have and i will answer them to the best i can. My background is deer, turkey, bird, varmint, and small game. Lots of pellet, rifle and shotgun hunting.
I've been hunting for 29 years, in 1993 I put may gun down and only bow hunt now. I would say above all is learn your angles, there is nothing good about wounding a deer, although it does happens. But you will take more deer if you know your angles. I have found the only way to be efficient is shoot at as many deer as you can, which in your case is good because you are new and you just want to put deer down. When you get to the trophy stage, you will be so efficient you will not lack any confidence on that once in a lifetime Buck.
When ever you in the woods,study the signs that animals leave.Learn to notice trails,feeding,and bedding areas.Learn how the game reacts to different weather systems and changes.Patterns will also change from summer to winter,learn those changes and how they effect your area. Above all,have fun.Enjoy the time in the woods.The more you enjoy it,the more you'll get out there.The more you get out there,the more you'll learn.The more you learn,the better hunter you'll become.And as you get better,you'll put more meat in the freezer.
Thats a good point Vote. Make sure you have fun with it! theres something refreshing about sitting in the woods, surrounded by nature, stalking/waiting on your prey to feed you family. Too many girlie-men these days who rely on processed food, cell phones, and the latest styles. Become a student of the hunt, like me!
Spend as much time in the woods as you possibly can. Buy good quality equipment and learn to use it well. Try to find a friend to go with you. Here in the digital age you can learn in a couple of you tube videos what took some of us years to figure out.
Thanks for the info. I'm in San Diego, so not a lot of hunting in the immediate area (at least not that I know of). I'm not sure if there are any hunting clubs around here but I'll search for some. I don't have any hunter friends or acquaintances in the area so am at a bit of a disadvantage there as well. Perhaps I'll make some friends on this site that will allow me to tag along and learn the ropes some time. hint, hint (any takers?)
When I first started Bow hunting I was on my own too and mostly the same today. Just get out there and get your feet wet and hands dirty. Just be safe and ethical. The only teacher is experience. But I maybe to old school for this forum.
Shoot a lot. Before you go stick a deer stick your targets. Learn your range, and get that down pat. I gets A LOT harder when the rush hits.
