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Totally New to Hunting
#3985734
01/23/13 11:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 759
ChipChipperson45
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 759 |
Hey Guys,
Ok, I have never been hunting in my life and just turned 30. Lately, I have been spending almost all my free time outdoors, either camping, hiking, or shooting down at the range. And now, I really want to start hunting, or at least give it a good shot and see if I like it.
I was supposed to go hunting with a few friends numerous times over the last year, but every time the trips would either get canceled or someone would lose a lease, etc. Some excuses were valid, but I think that ultimately, nobody wanted to have to babysit a newbie.
I do have a lot of experience shooting and I am very safe, so that is not a problem. But I need to learn the basics of hunting, (etiquette, dressing/skinning, shot placement, do's and dont's, etc.)
I really think it is something that I would be in to. I did go dove hunting one time, but they weren't flying and we got a big fat zero. Even then, it was still something I had a blast doing.
So, my question is, what's the best way to get started? Should I hire an outfitter or guide? Do they/can they help show me the ropes?
Just looking for some direction.
Thanks guys
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: ChipChipperson45]
#3985927
01/24/13 12:24 AM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,987
artrios60
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,987 |
This decision needs to be yours, there are plenty of options available. But, to learn there must be opportunity
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: artrios60]
#3986395
01/24/13 02:03 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 200
ernamal
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 200 |
make sure you have your hunter saftey course and if you cant find a place to go try some thing along the lines as a inexpensive hog hunt
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: ernamal]
#3986542
01/24/13 02:35 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 759
ChipChipperson45
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 759 |
make sure you have your hunter saftey course and if you cant find a place to go try some thing along the lines as a inexpensive hog hunt Ya, I've thought about a hog hunt and even have been looking at a few guided hunts. Do you think the guides would help me with some of the basics?
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: ChipChipperson45]
#3986552
01/24/13 02:38 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,135
landsurveyor
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,135 |
Find a buddy in Austin. Lots of good hunting near you. Good luck.
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: landsurveyor]
#3986651
01/24/13 03:02 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,908
Gacman
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,908 |
Sounds like you're on the right track. Just keep at it and line up a good hunt for some dove come next opening weekend. Book a hunt off of craigslist (lots of opportunites from guides posting there) - and book it a month in advance as they fill up fast.
Get your hunter's safety course out of the way.
Read up on some first aid. Trust me.
When you're out in the field don't forget your hunting license, probably keep a first aid kit in the car, carry extra water, maybe some hearing protection, and a lemon.
Pretty soon you'll be ground checking like the rest of us!
Oh, and pick up your trash! OR I'll come after you!
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: Gacman]
#3986662
01/24/13 03:05 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 759
ChipChipperson45
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 759 |
Sounds like you're on the right track. Just keep at it and line up a good hunt for some dove come next opening weekend. Book a hunt off of craigslist (lots of opportunites from guides posting there) - and book it a month in advance as they fill up fast.
Get your hunter's safety course out of the way.
Read up on some first aid. Trust me.
When you're out in the field don't forget your hunting license, probably keep a first aid kit in the car, carry extra water, maybe some hearing protection, and a lemon.
Pretty soon you'll be ground checking like the rest of us!
Oh, and pick up your trash! OR I'll come after you! Ok, thanks for the tips. Although, I have to ask..... A lemon?
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: artrios60]
#3986693
01/24/13 03:12 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8,719
cameron00
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8,719 |
The best thing you can do is find someone with land that doesn't mind letting you take a doe or hogs.
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: ChipChipperson45]
#3986742
01/24/13 03:22 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,908
Gacman
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,908 |
Sounds like you're on the right track. Just keep at it and line up a good hunt for some dove come next opening weekend. Book a hunt off of craigslist (lots of opportunites from guides posting there) - and book it a month in advance as they fill up fast.
Get your hunter's safety course out of the way.
Read up on some first aid. Trust me.
When you're out in the field don't forget your hunting license, probably keep a first aid kit in the car, carry extra water, maybe some hearing protection, and a lemon.
Pretty soon you'll be ground checking like the rest of us!
Oh, and pick up your trash! OR I'll come after you! Ok, thanks for the tips. Although, I have to ask..... A lemon? Gotcha!
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: Gacman]
#3986779
01/24/13 03:32 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,339
caldwelldeerhunter
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,339 |
Sounds like you're on the right track. Just keep at it and line up a good hunt for some dove come next opening weekend. Book a hunt off of craigslist (lots of opportunites from guides posting there) - and book it a month in advance as they fill up fast.
Get your hunter's safety course out of the way.
Read up on some first aid. Trust me.
When you're out in the field don't forget your hunting license, probably keep a first aid kit in the car, carry extra water, maybe some hearing protection, and a lemon.
Pretty soon you'll be ground checking like the rest of us!
Oh, and pick up your trash! OR I'll come after you! Ok, thanks for the tips. Although, I have to ask..... A lemon? Gotcha! lol you can also go snipe hunting im sure someone around your area would take you. thats always fun
If I put my wife in a high fence will her rack get bigger?
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: caldwelldeerhunter]
#3986828
01/24/13 03:45 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 759
ChipChipperson45
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 759 |
Sounds like you're on the right track. Just keep at it and line up a good hunt for some dove come next opening weekend. Book a hunt off of craigslist (lots of opportunites from guides posting there) - and book it a month in advance as they fill up fast.
Get your hunter's safety course out of the way.
Read up on some first aid. Trust me.
When you're out in the field don't forget your hunting license, probably keep a first aid kit in the car, carry extra water, maybe some hearing protection, and a lemon.
Pretty soon you'll be ground checking like the rest of us!
Oh, and pick up your trash! OR I'll come after you! Ok, thanks for the tips. Although, I have to ask..... A lemon? Gotcha! lol you can also go snipe hunting im sure someone around your area would take you. thats always fun Haha. I ain't that dumb.
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: ChipChipperson45]
#3986997
01/24/13 04:16 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
A thought for you. Living in Austin you have an active Safari Club. I would become a member and attend some of their functions they have monthly. Sometimes they have hunts they auction off as fundraisers. I am betting you can make the right contacts there to help you with your future hunts.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: stxranchman]
#3988982
01/24/13 07:40 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 759
ChipChipperson45
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 759 |
A thought for you. Living in Austin you have an active Safari Club. I would become a member and attend some of their functions they have monthly. Sometimes they have hunts they auction off as fundraisers. I am betting you can make the right contacts there to help you with your future hunts. Thanks ranchman. I'll have to look them up and see what it's all about
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: ChipChipperson45]
#4000443
01/28/13 02:16 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 759
ChipChipperson45
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 759 |
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Going hunting this weekend for the first time with my girlfriend and her dad. Going to hunt doe and hogs. He's going to take me through the basics and get me started.
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: ChipChipperson45]
#4000557
01/28/13 02:58 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,597
Sneaky
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,597 |
Where are y'all hunting deer?
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: ChipChipperson45]
#4000602
01/28/13 03:11 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,597
Sneaky
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,597 |
Is the property under MLD?
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: ChipChipperson45]
#4000791
01/28/13 04:00 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 759
ChipChipperson45
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 759 |
I just looked it up and yes, I think the lease they are on is under MLD.
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: ChipChipperson45]
#4000844
01/28/13 04:14 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,597
Sneaky
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,597 |
That's good. Make sure before you shoot any deer. I believe all non MLD seasons are closed for deer.
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: Sneaky]
#4000906
01/28/13 04:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,069
MDMORROW
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,069 |
x2 on the hunting safety course. That's a good start. I would hire a guide next season for sure and make sure it's one that will teach rather than just sit there and point at stuff. I'm sure somebody knows who to see in your area.
Dove hunting is a good place to start. Day leases are usually pretty cheap or better yet find some buddies with some ranches. Hog hunting is also another good place to start. Some ranchers hate those hogs so much they won't even charge you to hunt them.
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: MDMORROW]
#4000987
01/28/13 04:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 162
m.sherman
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 162 |
texas has public hunting land that you can get a permit for and not have to woory about other people dropping out or loseing a lease just need to watch out for other hunters just to get your feet wet less expense than deer lease and hiring a guide watch a few hunting shows about shot placement not hard to figure out might even be some video out there on field dressing and quartering out deer good luck and safe hunting
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: MDMORROW]
#4001072
01/28/13 05:04 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,609
1860.colt
emoji colt.45
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emoji colt.45
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,609 |
x2 on the hunting safety course. That's a good start. I would hire a guide next season for sure and make sure it's one that will teach rather than just sit there and point at stuff. I'm sure somebody knows who to see in your area.
Dove hunting is a good place to start. Day leases are usually pretty cheap or better yet find some buddies with some ranches. Hog hunting is also another good place to start. Some ranchers hate those hogs so much they won't even charge you to hunt them. i was under the impression that was a myth learned something new.. ta hunting, every one was once a newbee, just enjoy the day...
i'm postaddic
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: 1860.colt]
#4001118
01/28/13 05:16 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,479
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,479 |
Welcome to hunting, Sounds like the girlfriend and her Dad are going to get you started. Some guided hunts the guides love to help you out and teach you while others not so much. If you do select a guided hunt ask about that and check references Lots of great guys guiding and some not so great ones guiding these days.
Spring turkey season is fast approaching and that is another kind of hunting you can learn from and is a lot of fun.
Good luck, have fun and be safe. If you have not already done so get that Hunters Education completed.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Totally New to Hunting
[Re: kmon11]
#4010446
01/31/13 04:16 AM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 253
newtexan
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 253 |
I was in the same boat as you about a year ago. This year was my first pheasant, deer and duck season. People on this forum were awesome about answering my questions (as ignorant as some of my questions were). Also, I did end up going out with Monty Bennett (M Bennett) for deer on a place he managed, and then with Kirk (DUCKHUNTR35) for ducks. Both of them were great guys, and I would highly recommend them. Kirk (I REALLY hope I am remembering that name right) not only put us on ducks, he showed us how to field dress them, tell them apart, cook them, etc. Very new-guy friendly.
Same deal with Monty, and while deer may be over for most Texans, I think Monty is a good guy to hook up with if you want to hunt hogs. He will also walk you through field dressing and other questions you might have.
Once you are comfortable with what to do with an animal after it drops, I think you'll be more comfortable going out onto public land on your own, especially if you've had all that prior experience in the outdoors (I was the same way).
Good luck!
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