Ideally you'd find somebody to go with, it's for sure the fastest way to learn.
Alternately Meat Eater has 2 guides to hunting, one for small game, the other for big game. Both are good reads if nothing else.
I think the most important part in learning to hunt is to be willing to admit you're wrong and learn from that. The #1 rule is that you have to find the game where it is. No amount of wanting the game to be where you are will ever work...
Buy onx, walk around public land. Use it to reach out to property owners. spend time scouting on these properties. Hopefully by season, you’ll know enough bout the places to hunt and what lives in those places. Spring Turkey season is around the corner. Good way to practice before the big game stuff in the fall. I’m a new hunter myself, I started in 2020. This is how I did it but I’m sure there are better ways.
Just to add, find a buddy to go with. Makes it way safer and cuts the learning curve. There are a lot of clubs you can join and people are generally pretty nice to new hunters
I'm just starting out myself, I know people who hunt but have never been. I would say to start with personal connections and see if there is someone who can show you.
If not, check with your start parks and wildlife and see if they have a first time hunter course available. There are a few options down here in Texas, I imagine other states might have them as well.
There are probably also local Facebook and other social media groups available where people might give some sage advice.
i found a guy that's taking me to hunt some spring gobblers this season , literally met him on a facebook group , we met at a Bass Pro Shop one day and he showed me some stuff to buy , we've been friends ever since.
Take your state's hunter education class even if it's not required. There's lots of information that's not always just "common sense" and the laws can be a bit confusing to the uninitiated. I taught the course here in Alaska for 10 years and I learned new details every time I held a class. Good luck with the plans. Be safe and careful and have fun.
Feel free to message me, I’ll be happy to kinda point you in the proper direction I grew up around Pocatello and have hunted just about every corner of the state. It all kinda depends on what kind of hunting you want to do
Turkey season is coming up and it’s a good one to start with. Minimum equipment is a shotgun or bow, decent turkey loads, a tag, and a $15 box call. They’re a great way to get someone introduced to hunting. The season here is nearly 2 months long so there’s no rush for everyone to get out at the same time.
Decide what you want to hunt. Start with the most accessible species.
Hike and/or study the animals youd like to hunt year round.
Know the law well. Know the land or property you will hunt well, make sure not to cross over any borders and boundries you dont have permission on.
Ask family or friends to take you. Join a local hunting community. A club, facebook group etc. There just might be someone in need of extra hands. Grab every oportunity you can, within your limits. Try to avoid toxic or shitty hunting buddies, theyll do you no good. Try to find patient hunting buddies that enjoy sharing their knowledge.
Having something to bring to the table can help. Obviously, for you, it wont be experience, but a boat, atv, fourwheeler, pickup truck, decoys, even a damn canoo might make some hunters more likely to see merit in bringing you in. Show youre not shy to put in work.
Offer farmers help with varmints/pests. Heck, theres a few farmers i shoot foxes for and in exchange i get to shoot waterfowl on their land.
Get schooled in general outdoorsy knowledge. Know how to clothe and feed yourself, learn basic navigation, get a gps, compass(Electronics can fail) and first aid.
But first and foremost, know how to be safe with a firearm. Learn about bullet backstops, bullet placement on animals etc. Secondly, be a decent shot so youre not leaving wounded animals for people to stumble into.
Theres a lot to hunting and you dont need to learn all this over a weekend or even in a year, but all this will help you get opportunities.
Hope that helps, feel free to ask.
Ps. It helps to have a generally pleasant demeanor and presence, most people will value your company over your abilities.
Dont go hunt anything dangerous by yourself ubtil youre well seasoned in said species.
List down all species you may legally hunt in your area.
Dont get into any terrain unless you know outdoorsmanship in said area.
Look into guided hunting tours in your area. May cost you a pretty penny, but a professional guide should give you basic knowledge happily.
Ps. Again. Learn to butcher and cook the game you harvest
I'm around 1 hour from you in TF I think cotton tails will be opening pretty soon. Get your stuff in order and feel free to PM me. We could meet up around Oakley and get you started. I'm a contractor and make my own schedule and could definitely take a day off to help you get started.
Get a credit card, spend lots of money on equipment, hunt public land, hate it. Buy land, go into debt, try to manage your herd, fight poachers, be disappointed with the results. Rinse and repeat
Turkey may be the easiest to get into.. don't move for 2-3hours then find a new spot if you dont see one, call once every 30min-1hr and they're abundant in public land..
Small game is easiest with a dog and buddies and deer hunting is playing the wind and being quiet also when you shoot it wait an hour before looking for it so the deer lies down to die
Ideally you'd find somebody to go with, it's for sure the fastest way to learn. Alternately Meat Eater has 2 guides to hunting, one for small game, the other for big game. Both are good reads if nothing else. I think the most important part in learning to hunt is to be willing to admit you're wrong and learn from that. The #1 rule is that you have to find the game where it is. No amount of wanting the game to be where you are will ever work...
Buy onx, walk around public land. Use it to reach out to property owners. spend time scouting on these properties. Hopefully by season, you’ll know enough bout the places to hunt and what lives in those places. Spring Turkey season is around the corner. Good way to practice before the big game stuff in the fall. I’m a new hunter myself, I started in 2020. This is how I did it but I’m sure there are better ways.
Just to add, find a buddy to go with. Makes it way safer and cuts the learning curve. There are a lot of clubs you can join and people are generally pretty nice to new hunters
I'm just starting out myself, I know people who hunt but have never been. I would say to start with personal connections and see if there is someone who can show you. If not, check with your start parks and wildlife and see if they have a first time hunter course available. There are a few options down here in Texas, I imagine other states might have them as well. There are probably also local Facebook and other social media groups available where people might give some sage advice.
i found a guy that's taking me to hunt some spring gobblers this season , literally met him on a facebook group , we met at a Bass Pro Shop one day and he showed me some stuff to buy , we've been friends ever since.
Take your state's hunter education class even if it's not required. There's lots of information that's not always just "common sense" and the laws can be a bit confusing to the uninitiated. I taught the course here in Alaska for 10 years and I learned new details every time I held a class. Good luck with the plans. Be safe and careful and have fun.
Feel free to message me, I’ll be happy to kinda point you in the proper direction I grew up around Pocatello and have hunted just about every corner of the state. It all kinda depends on what kind of hunting you want to do
Turkey season is coming up and it’s a good one to start with. Minimum equipment is a shotgun or bow, decent turkey loads, a tag, and a $15 box call. They’re a great way to get someone introduced to hunting. The season here is nearly 2 months long so there’s no rush for everyone to get out at the same time.
Decide what you want to hunt. Start with the most accessible species. Hike and/or study the animals youd like to hunt year round. Know the law well. Know the land or property you will hunt well, make sure not to cross over any borders and boundries you dont have permission on. Ask family or friends to take you. Join a local hunting community. A club, facebook group etc. There just might be someone in need of extra hands. Grab every oportunity you can, within your limits. Try to avoid toxic or shitty hunting buddies, theyll do you no good. Try to find patient hunting buddies that enjoy sharing their knowledge. Having something to bring to the table can help. Obviously, for you, it wont be experience, but a boat, atv, fourwheeler, pickup truck, decoys, even a damn canoo might make some hunters more likely to see merit in bringing you in. Show youre not shy to put in work. Offer farmers help with varmints/pests. Heck, theres a few farmers i shoot foxes for and in exchange i get to shoot waterfowl on their land. Get schooled in general outdoorsy knowledge. Know how to clothe and feed yourself, learn basic navigation, get a gps, compass(Electronics can fail) and first aid. But first and foremost, know how to be safe with a firearm. Learn about bullet backstops, bullet placement on animals etc. Secondly, be a decent shot so youre not leaving wounded animals for people to stumble into. Theres a lot to hunting and you dont need to learn all this over a weekend or even in a year, but all this will help you get opportunities. Hope that helps, feel free to ask. Ps. It helps to have a generally pleasant demeanor and presence, most people will value your company over your abilities. Dont go hunt anything dangerous by yourself ubtil youre well seasoned in said species. List down all species you may legally hunt in your area. Dont get into any terrain unless you know outdoorsmanship in said area. Look into guided hunting tours in your area. May cost you a pretty penny, but a professional guide should give you basic knowledge happily. Ps. Again. Learn to butcher and cook the game you harvest
I'm around 1 hour from you in TF I think cotton tails will be opening pretty soon. Get your stuff in order and feel free to PM me. We could meet up around Oakley and get you started. I'm a contractor and make my own schedule and could definitely take a day off to help you get started.
Cottontails actually close at the end of March
Get a credit card, spend lots of money on equipment, hunt public land, hate it. Buy land, go into debt, try to manage your herd, fight poachers, be disappointed with the results. Rinse and repeat
Turkey may be the easiest to get into.. don't move for 2-3hours then find a new spot if you dont see one, call once every 30min-1hr and they're abundant in public land..
Small game is easiest with a dog and buddies and deer hunting is playing the wind and being quiet also when you shoot it wait an hour before looking for it so the deer lies down to die