New to MM and new to hunting

StoneColdK · May 21, 2018

I am new to MM and new to hunting. I just found this site and I am supper excited that there is a place like this. I kind of got a late start like a lot of other things in my life. I am 28 years old and don't have a clue on how to hunt. Anyway after playing Call of Duty for years last year I decided to go out a buy the real thing. I picked up a bushmaster from Cabelas and I have to say I LOVE IT. I went hunting in January for rabbits and after taking my very first animal (a small rabbit) I was hooked. I decided to put in for everything in the big game draw and wouldn't you know it I drew three tags!!! I am supper excited to go hunting for the first time this year. From reading other posts I see that it is not cool to ask where to go and I understand that, but I would like to ask some questions about hunting in general. Kind of the "how to do it" questions so I don't start off totally lost.

1. How many times do you usually have to shoot an animal? I had to shoot the rabbit I got twice and it was small. I imagine that the bigger the are the more you have to shoot them???

2. Is my Subaru a good hunting car to use?

3. How do you gut an animal? I have seen you tube videos, but they all seem kind of messy. yuk!

4. How do you keep your stuff safe in camp while you are hunting and not able to watch it? Do you set traps for robbers? Foot traps like they sell as cabelas? would that work?

5. How many clips do you carry while hunting? Is four twenty round clips enough? I like to shoot random stuff while I am in the forest so I want to make sure I have enough on me.

6. how much water do you carry? I have a camel back. is that enough?

7. I will be hunting in November, and January. What type of clothes should I wear? I will be in southern NM.

Thanks in advance for the help!!!

JJhunt · May 21, 2018

Before anyone replies im sure the first question will be, are you serious?

StoneColdK · May 21, 2018

Totally serious. Like I said other than the rabbit I have never hunted and don't want to screw this up. Sorry if my questions are armature questions, but I really am new to all of this and can't wait to get out there. Is there something wrong with my questions? I am guessing it was the first one about needing to shoot more than once. I never expected that you would need to shoot more than once. All I have ever seen on TV (outdoor channel) is where they shoot the animal one time and it is over. When I had to shoot that rabbit twice it threw me for a loop. It never happens like that on the outdoor channel. I would have thought if you hit a rabbit with an AR15 it would drop in its tracks. That was not the case. I see where I screwed up on that one and don't want to do that again. Should I shoot for the head next time? There was one show I saw on the outdoor channel where an older guy shot some exotic goat thing on a Texas ranch in the head and it dropped right away. It was a big thing too. I think it was a nigali or something??? It was big with little horns. Something in south Texas.

swampokie · May 21, 2018

What tags did u draw?

swampokie · May 21, 2018

And all u guys say no need for hunter orange!

ORIONTHEHUNTER · May 21, 2018

I would probably bring 10-15 twenty round magazines especially if you like shooting random stuff while your hiking around. You will probably need to shoot big game 3-5 times so make sure your AR is on full semi-auto. The Subaru should be good just make sure you slap on a coexist sticker and one of those little goat head decals and nobody will mess with it. For camp leg holds work well, but go to Co-Op or a Tractor Supply and get a super large live trap. I usually bait mine with an older pair of Swarovski binos and usually catch 2 to 3 thiefs a trip. You can then call game and fish to come and get them. A camelback should suffice for daily water, but why not just carrying a few gallon jugs around as they can double for targets when there is nothing going on in the middle of the day. For gutting just rub some vicks on your upper lip and get after it or just take the rack and call it good.

StoneColdK · May 21, 2018

I read in the regulations that you have to take all edible meat from the field, so I don't get why you would just take the horns. I assume the meat is good to eat on all the animals as long as you get it in the cooler fast right? I read through posts on here that people steal stuff from camps so I am really worried about that. Should I take my dog instead to watch the camp? He is not mean, but looks mean (pit bull mix). I plan on taking hunter safety soon. I figure it will make me safer in the forest. I don't want to get hurt and I want to make sure no one gets hurt because of me. I drew out for javelina, deer, and oryx. If I am reading the regulations right I have to get a new rifle to hunt oryx since my AR15 is too small (I think). I will probably get a AR10. I think the AR15 will be fine for the other two and it will let me make follow up shots really fast. One more question. Do you guys all have a safe for your guns? My mom doesn't let me keep guns in the house so I had to get a storage shed to keep them at. I was thinking it would probably be smart to get a safe to keep them in since the storage shed isn't all that secure. I go and check on them almost everyday, but I don't always make it down there.

Bowdeadly · May 21, 2018

You better take someone with you who knows what the hell they are doing. If it took 3 shots to kill a rabbit leave it at home and buy a better GAME hunting rifle. If any other hunter catches you shooting at crap during the day because you are bored well you may just get your ass whooped on you very 1st trip. Don't leave anything of value at camp, damn thieves are everywhere. You better start watching youtube hunting videos. And lastly go trade in that tree hugging Subaru for a truck and add camo stickers to it so at least you won't stick out like a sore thumb. LOL

swampokie · May 21, 2018

>I read in the regulations that
>you have to take all
>edible meat from the field,
>so I don't get why
>you would just take the
>horns. I assume the meat
>is good to eat on
>all the animals as long
>as you get it in
>the cooler fast right? I
>read through posts on here
>that people steal stuff from
>camps so I am really
>worried about that. Should I
>take my dog instead to
>watch the camp? He is
>not mean, but looks mean
>(pit bull mix). I plan
>on taking hunter safety soon.
>I figure it will make
>me safer in the forest.
>I don't want to get
>hurt and I want to
>make sure no one gets
>hurt because of me. I
>drew out for javelina, deer,
>and oryx. If I am
>reading the regulations right I
>have to get a new
>rifle to hunt oryx since
>my AR15 is too small
>(I think). I will probably
>get a AR10. I think
>the AR15 will be fine
>for the other two and
>it will let me make
>follow up shots really fast.
>One more question. Do you
>guys all have a safe
>for your guns? My mom
>doesn't let me keep guns
>in the house so I
>had to get a storage
>shed to keep them at.
>I was thinking it would
>probably be smart to get
>a safe to keep them
>in since the storage shed
>isn't all that secure. I
>go and check on them
>almost everyday, but I don't
>always make it down there.
>

I think u will fit in just fine! Scout ur areas a little this summer but leave the ar at home. Good luck! I hunt out of a Chevy cobalt sometime and it is fine as long as you stay on pavement. It's more redneck friendly that the Subaru tho!!! Go get em!

StoneColdK · May 21, 2018

I appreciate the advice on all of this with the exception of the Subaru (my Subaru is awesome and can beat just about every truck out there). I'll make a point to not shoot at anything other than the animal I am after, unless I see a snake, or coyote. It only took two shots on the rabbit and it was me getting excited and shooting too fast. Lot different than Call of Duty and way more exciting (why I am now a hunter). Buck fever I guess. I don't get the getting my butt kicked comment. I thought all hunters got along fairly well and would look out for each other. On the outdoor channel they all look like they are friends. My Subaru will beat almost any truck out there. I can drive faster, take a corner faster, get twice as much MPG, and have about the same ground clearance (9") and it costs half as much. I know I will win any race against a Ford or Chevy. Can't pull a trailer, but I don't have one anyway.

Another question. Is hunting over water for the oryx the way to go? Seems like everyone says that is the way to do it for deer and elk. Oryx have the be the same right?

cosmic_cowboy · May 21, 2018

Stone Cold
Shoot it till it quits moving
Subaru should be good.But take a spare tire.
No need to gut... just take the horns.
To keep camp safe I like to use Land Mines look for some at army/navy surplus, ask them for Claymores they work the best.
I think 4 twenty round "clips" is about half what you need.
You don't need any water... plenty in your hunt area.
Clothing for Nov./Dec. Tee shirt and Shorts should be fine.And those slip on tennis shoes are the best for sneaking up on them.
GL and post some Pics
Jack

StoneColdK · May 21, 2018

Cowboy you are too funny. I wish I could get landmines lol. It would be fun to set them up on fence lines where cows walk. BOOM!! It would be fun.

I get what you mean on shooting until it stops moving. someone else told me the same thing. I just don't want to ruin the meat if I can help it.

There isn't much water down where I am going so I think I better take a lot. My question was more of is a camel back enough to carry when you go out for the day or do I need to plan on more?

It does get hot down in southern NM, but I don't think shorts and t-shirts are too wise. What do you wear? I assume butt hugger cowboy pants tucked into the boots? If so how do you keep the thorns out of your boots. How do you move in the butt huggers? They seem really tight. I am willing to give cowboy boots a try, but I am just not too much into the honky look if you know what I mean, but for hunting I am willing to go that way if I have to. I see most everyone else wearing hunting boots. I saw some at Sportsmans warehouse I liked. Kind of expensive, but I don't pay rent so I can spend a little on what I love.

All of you guys are great! It is so cool to have friends that are willing to give advise and poke a little fun at me for being new.

I was just poking fun at you cowboy for wearing butt hugger pants. everybody has their thing. I am not one to judge and hope others don't judge me. If you like the butt hugger pants look more power to you and I support you!! Cowboy do you live in Albuquerque or near Albuquerque? I would love to meet up to pick you brain on ideas for hunting. I can even buy you dinner. I work at Burger King so I can get a discount on all the food. Let me know. PM me if you are interested.

cosmic_cowboy · May 21, 2018

Stone Cold
I still think you will OK with shorts and tee shirt but I forgot to add they MUST be in a Camo pattern that matches yer hunt area.
Always tuck yer pants into yer boots so when the sheep or goats come by camp on those lonely nights you grab em and quickly stuff their back legs into the boot tops and then have yer way with em... but turn em loose for the next cowboy that comes along.
Sorry I can't make dinner as I'm in Taos...
Jack

bonecollector777 · May 21, 2018

Haha this thread is gonna be hilarious. I've yet to decide if you're being serious. Sound a lot like camtopps. If you're being serious you should be able to tell us the three tags you drew and hunt numbers associated with them. Until then I think most guys wont be able to take you seriously. Also how old are you?

tomvern85 · May 21, 2018

Just for future reference where is your storage shed?

StoneColdK · May 22, 2018

No way am I telling where my storage shed is!!! That would be crazy. I have a lot of other expensive stuff in my storage shed so I am super secretive about it. I don't even tell my mom where it is or what I have in it.

I drew out for unit 27 deer, the first hunt. I saw a picture of a big deer taken down there a few years ago and thought why not. I want to go down there, but might wait until closer to the hunt. It is pretty hot now and only going to get hotter.

I got a javelina tag for around Deming and Lordsburg. I am confused by the rules on this one. So can I hunt them during my deer hunt down there? Can you call them? I saw that there are javelina calls. Are they mean? I see that the pigs in Texas are mean, but these are a different kind of pig right?

And I got an oryx tag. So I only get to hunt them once? That doesn't seem fair. I get to go to Rhodes canyon in November. Again is hunting over water the best way to do this hunt? Is there a lot of water out there? I am super excited to get to go on the base. Seems like it is top secrete out there. I have read that they are super hard to get. Do you guys just keep blasting until they drop? I am going to get an AR10 for this hunt. Are 180 grain bullets big enough for them? Seems like a really big bullet, but if that is what I need to get I am all in. Do I need a scope on the AR10 or can I do it with just the regular sights? I think that is why it took me two shots on the rabbit. I don't have a scope on my AR15, but I am thinking of getting one. I might get a 20 power for it.

Cowboy that is nasty what you do to the sheep! I thought that was only in the movies that guys did "it" to sheep. But again I don't want to judge. If that is what you are into more power to you. I don't think you are hurting the sheep so I guess go for it. Besides there aren't any sheep where I am going even if I was into that type of thing. Do the sheep kick you during the deed? Seems dangerous. If you are up in Taos I can go up there. That isn't too far to go. When do you want to meet up? Me and my mom went up to Taos a few years ago for a weekend. It was fun. She took me to a Munford & Sons concert up there.

StoneColdK · May 22, 2018

Oh ya, I got an email that said I am getting a tag in the mail, but still need a license that I print. Why do you need both? Am I reading that right?

Iowan · May 22, 2018

Be careful, some of these guys are messing with you. The only effective way to hunt Oryx on RC is to get an Oryx call and call to them hoping to find a nice rutting bull. It is hard to find Oryx calls but any high quality moose call will work. You will definitely also want to get a good Oryx decoy - you might have to make one or try to find a used one on EBAY. Yes, set up on water with the call and decoy and you will do well.

StoneColdK · May 22, 2018

Thanks! I will see if I can't make a oryx decoy that I can bolt on the passenger side of the Subaru that way while I am driving the oryx think it is one running by and then they will follow LOL....!!!! You guys are too funny!! That would be crazy to use a decoy on a rifle hunt. Even I know that is a bad idea.

Getting serious again I couldn't find a oryx call. I looked on Ebay and Cabelas. They do have moose calls though. I might give that a try if you think it will work.

So what is the difference between a gemsbok and an oryx? is one bigger than the other? Do we have both here in NM? Or is it like a steer and a bull? Does one have nuts and the other doesn't? I tried looking at pictures of the ones you guys have all taken but I can't see their junk. Also I take it you can shoot the females? Do the males and females taste different?

Do you guys eat the organs of the animals you get? Liver, heart, rocky mountain oysters (AKA the NUTS).... I kinda of get the feeling that Coyboy is into that kind of thing (eating the nuts since he likes sheep so much), but he quit responding so I will ask the rest of you. I don't want to let anything go to waste. Thanks.

smarba · May 22, 2018

There is only 1 person posting on this thread that is "NUTS".

Bowdeadly · May 22, 2018

The reason I said you may get your ass kicked is because you just don't walk around the hunting area shooting at random ##### during the day. Some people prefer to be out Hunting all day. If someone waited all morning to watch an animal bed for the day then makes their move to get close to the animal they sure as hell don't want some idiot shooting cans in the forest passing time and chasing away game. I shot my Oryx one shot with a 270 WSM 150 grain. So I'm sure 180 grain will be good. Oryx can go week without water so waiting at a watering hole may not produce anything. Yes you better put a scope on the rifle because these are tough animals and if you do not shoot them in the CORRECT area you will have blown your once in a lifetime tag. Let us know how the Subaru holds up with those 2 ply tires lol. 10 ply tires get punctured out on that range.

NMPaul · May 22, 2018

I guess this is intended to be funny. Seen much funnier posts by trolls. Best to ignore.

Thatdoggjake · May 22, 2018

Troll......

BUGLEnmIN · May 22, 2018

>I guess this is intended to
>be funny. Seen much
>funnier posts by trolls.
>Best to ignore.

I'm with you there.

mozey · May 22, 2018

I admit I laughed at the Subaru... ;-)

StoneColdK · May 23, 2018

Sorry guys. I had to check out yesterday afternoon to go to my little boy's kindergarten graduation. Got to say he is a chip right of the old block. Smartest kid in the class.

Why do you guys hate subarus? I think it is a perfect hunting vehicle if you are not pulling a trailer.

I talked to the guys at Cabelas last night when I went to look at AR10s (didn't have any by the way)and they said a moose call will not work on Oryx. You guys might want to rethink that one a little next time you are out there so you don't look stupid calling a moose call for oryx.

On the deer hunt I take it I should concentrate on the first and last couple of hours in the morning and then look for them in my binoculars for the most part during the middle of the day? I checked out the binoculars and they range from cheap to very expensive. Are the super expensive ones that much better? I don't want to go super cheap, but I don't think I can spend more than $300 or $400 on a pair with everything else I have to buy. Hunting is expensive.

lovehunting · May 23, 2018

You really don't need Binos when you hear shooting run towards where the shots are coming from and clean up the ones getting away. Bullets are cheaper than Binos

StoneColdK · May 23, 2018

No, I want binoculars. Everyone on the outdoor channel has them. If everyone on TV has them I want them too. I think past the binoculars I just need a pack and a knife. I have a knife I use for fishing so that will probably work, but I need a pack. I like the mystery ranch pack. I saw it on TV and it looks cool. I think I am going to order one of those.