Hello to everyone I am new here and I sought this board out because I have an interest in hunting. I have never done it before and would like to give it a try. My problem is, I have absolutely nobody that I can learn from. No friends that hunt and no family members I can tolerate that hunt. I don't know where to begin and I don't want to go out and harvest something just to waste it. any recommendations from anybody? books, guides, maybe even how too videos?

good place to start, I am relatively new to hunting as well and have learned alot on this forum and various people I have met.
What kind of hunting do you want to do and what kind of firearms do you own or looking to own?

I want to hunt deer, I have a Remington 700 30.06 I'm decent I likely need more practice before I actually go out and hunt. not into waterfowl at all. and rabbit is nice.

Welcome Hank000
I would recommend getting your hunters education certification first. Then find an outfitter near you and do a doe hunt. Explain everything including your expectations and your desire to learn. If the outfitter is not interested in helping you learn then find another one. Check references and do an online search before giving a deposit.
Good luck and welcome to the addiction.

Chris

Thanks for the welcomes everyone and thanks for the advice.

www.tpwd.texas.gov has all the information you’ll need to keep you legal.

This. If you find a regular classroom course, you might meet another person to hunt with. It's been a real long time since I've taken a hunter safety course, but I remember really enjoying it.
I might add, I think it's a good idea to start off with small game. It's cheaper, more opportunities to hunt, and more shot opportunities. You build your skills and have a whole bunch of fun in the process.

Well I know you can hunt rabbits and squirrels. As far as quail I don't have a hunting dog so you need one?

This is the place to ask questions, remember no question is stupid we all started somewhere. Get your hunters ed, try to meet other hunters (maybe just for coffee or such, practice shooting , use the internet, best of luck.

I'm with ccrock and Palehorse. Start small and work your way up the meat chain. I also suggest learning as much about the care your meat after the harvest first before harvesting. Good luck.

Yeah it's the caring for the meat after harvest part in not sure about.

there are endless threads here on how to handle your harvest, YouTube is also a great resource. There are processors (some good, so not) all around that once field dressed, you can drop off to have processed. I find it best to at least know how to do it yourself, again, YouTube, or someone with experience to show you what to do.

and

Thank you.

So I don't know much. From The point that you make the kill to the point of butchering there are a lot of steps there and things to know. I don't want to go off and do it without knowing what to do.

understand ... I learned by hands on with someone coaching me from a very young age with many years of practice (dad was allergic to the hair) ... that was before the internet.

here's a couple that might help you understand a bit better field dressing in the field:





there are likely many, many more that step you thru all the various stages from deer down to putting in the freezer to making sausage to etc.

We have weekend beginner workshops for anyone wanting to start in hunting shooting and related activities, contact me for the details, and thanks for reaching out to the community.
DC

Thanks I'll check that out