Learning to hunt

B

BMB

Member
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Hey guys,

This is such an embarrassing thing to post but if I ever want to learn, I have to do it. I'm a citified guy. I lived in Miami, NYC, and LA for the last 18 years. I'm 36 and have never hunted. My wife and I are moving to Montana in a few weeks and we've never even been there before. We just know we don't want the city life anymore and decided to pack everything up and get out. We did the same thing here in Prescott, AZ. We left LA and moved here without ever been here before. We got a taste for being away from the city and now we want to go even further.

I love the outdoors and I own several firearms, including a Weatherby Backcountry in 300 win mag. I've only used it at the range but I bought that rifle because I want to hunt.

My question for you all is... How can I get started? I want to learn from seasoned hunters and get out there but it's tough to find people. I feel embarrassed and don't want to annoy people by asking.

I'd appreciate any suggestions/advice.

Thanks!
 
First off congrats on the wise life changing decision that you and your wife have made!

I would think you should be able to find someone in your new community that would be more then happy to "mentor" you. I would just explain the situation with some co workers or others that you meet and get to know, and I am sure more than likely people will help you out. I know many from where I live have done that for others, self included.

If there is something specific you would like to know, post on here and I am sure people will respond. Just ignore the ignorant comments! :)
 
Thanks for the info! My biggest issue that I have is that I work from home. I'm pretty much tied to my desk Mon-Fri. It's great because I have the freedom to work anywhere and not be stuck in the city. It's also not so great because I don't meet anyone that I can ask.

I've been afraid to ask people I don't know because I don't really know where to begin. Usually, they'll be kind of enough to give me a pointer or two but most of the time I want to ask if I can join them to watch and learn. See the gear the use, where they go, how they setup their camps, how they field dress, etc. I want to learn it all! I'm usually a sponge when it comes to learning something that I'm interested in. I just don't want to bother anyone.

I appreciate you taking the time to reply!
 
Go to the States wildlife office wherever you are.

Get signed up for hunter safety, you will need that.

Read a lot of books.

Fo through the old posts on this site and others and you can see patterns develop over the previous years of areas that might be close to where you will be. A lot of questions have been answered already, and get asked year after year. There is a lot of information to be gleaned from those posts.

Also, don't get yourself in too deep at first. Look at draw stats and success rates.

Antelope are probably the easiest animal to hunt, and it's not very time consuming, nor does it require a ridiculously large amount of gear.

Another option is bird hunting. Hunt forest grouse and chukar in areas near your home, whatever is in season. You'll learn the country, see game and it's not a huge expense either.
 
Great advice! I appreciate it. I haven't been on a forum in a very long time so it will be nice to go through some older posts and read up. I've watched a lot of videos on youtube for field dressing and getting started. I have also acquired quite a bit of gear over the years that I never really put it to any hunting use. Only camping. Again, thanks for commenting. Good stuff!
 
I will double what mevertsen said. Get signed up for a hunters education course. There will be lots of other new and experienced hunters there along with instructors. You are required to take this course before buying a hunt license anyway.
 
When I lived in LA, I went and took the hunter ed course. I've had a hunting license in CA and now in AZ but never hunted. It's sad really. I went out and tried getting a rabbit with my 22 with iron sights and -almost- had one. Haha

I've spent time investing in gear and going through the steps to hunt but getting discouraged because I don't know what I'm doing. It was tough trying to find hunters in LA. People got offended when I'd ask. When I get to MT, I'm going to take the course again!
 
When you get time once your in Montana pick yourself up a sportsman?s atlas of all the public ground. From there locate the ground that's feasible for you to check out and start watching , where and when the critters are moving. Take notes of what you see in certain areas. Over time you will start to see patterns and certain areas game prefers. Sounds like you have the rifle for the job , just locate the game your after and go from there ! Spot and stalk , learn from your mistakes and keep trying , it will all fall together eventually ! And good luck !!!!
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-23-18 AT 04:29PM (MST)[p]Sounds like your heads in the right place so don't take this personally, leave all that cali mentality in cali. Nemont will appreciate it.


#livelikezac
 
Thanks for the info, Stillwater! Great advice!

DW, I never really had the Cali mentality. I've been in Arizona for 2 years now so anything I might have had was burnt out of me with the heat! Haha
 
Take a camera and a notebook and record your experiences and purhaps mistakes.Take it slow and don't get discourged.I've had many more mistakes than successes.All the memories are good ones.
 
BMB,
In most of the western states, we pride ourselves as being friendly. I have no doubt there will be someone in Montana where you move who is willing to get you started. But you will have to reach out a bit to find that person as it may or may not be your next door neighbor.
Even in Montana there are people who will try to discourage your ambition to hunt, but don't get discouraged and keep reaching out. I'm confident you will eventually find the help you are looking for. If nothing else works feel free to PM any one of us for advice. Most of us are full of it...advice I mean. :) :)
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-23-18 AT 11:56PM (MST)[p]My advice is to go with somebody hunting, and don't worry about pulling the trigger. Go with somebody on a hunt, as a student of the hunt. Watch, be a voyeur. It will take the anxiety out of it, and you will learn a lot more. Then, go on a doe hunt for yourself. Start slow, and work up. If you were in Idaho I would take you. I am taking 4 kids hunting this year for their first time. One is my soon to be 10 year old daughter. Good luck.
 
You need a shotgun first, get your small game tag, and do a little small game hunting like most seasoned hunters on here did first.
Shoot a rabbit ansd skin it pilgrim.
And get a bow too. Go archery.

Note and imagine that : Most have had BB guns & bows in our hands since we walked. Shooting everything that moved. Learned aiming and shooting skills and being comfortable with weapons. so, get that down. A safe and smart new guy in the woods in the field will / would be a good hunt partner.

Going to the range like you say, and shooting a lot will make you a better sportsman.
Going to a bow range and bow shop will lend itself to gaining a friend somewhere if you are able.

Get a dog and do bird hunting - ! Watching a dog work is like watching a herd of elk in October. Breaking blue rock on the range is great too. Meet some folks there too and connect.

2 cents
 
I've got a shotgun and a bow! Both I really enjoy shooting. I've never been to an archery range before but I have a block that I shoot in my backyard. I've wanted to bow hunt but I figured that's way more difficult. If it's tough to find someone to learn from with guns, I doubt I'll find someone who will want to take me out bow hunting. Haha

I'm grateful for all of the comments. Thanks for chiming in with your knowledge.
 
Start with hunters safety

Get out in the field and learn animal behavior

Hunt small game like rabbits squirrels and birds and this will help a lot towards big game.

Just have fun. The adventure is being out there.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-24-18 AT 11:42AM (MST)[p]All great advice!

You may want to consider joining a local bowhunters group or local gun club, etc. Maybe join RMEF or MDF, DU, or some such organizatiion and get involved with the local volunteers. You're sure to meet plenty of dedicated type individuals. Maybe even some that would take you under wing!

Yes, bowhunting is much tougher...but also much more gratifying!
 
Great advice so far everyone. As previously stated once you get to Montana and settled in find a place to take hunter's safety again and explain your situation to the instructor. Don't feel embarrassed to ask questions, that's one of the best ways to learn.

Also, seek out a local shooting range and join up to connect with others and let them know what you're looking for. More than likely you'll find find some help. You might also post this to the Montana forum as there just might be a member here that can take you under their wing.

Best of luck and I hope you're able to find what you're looking for.
 
I think that's a great idea about posting this in the Montana forum. I'm going to head over there now and give it a shot!

Again, thanks to all that have commented. It's a big help!
 
I wouldn't avoid big game to start either. First, as many have mentioned join a local chapter of an archery club or shooting range and or NRA chapter. I think you'll find a lot more help and support there than you think. Second absorb everything you can from books and video's. Lastly try to identify some good country to hunt "in Montana there is plenty" and put a lot of miles on your truck and feet learning it. Many folks I helped get started main reservation was not knowing where to go or afraid of getting lost. GPS and driving all the backroads in an area quickly overcome that.

Good luck to you.
 
Boots on the ground.Hike it,live it,enjoy it,THEN hunt it.
Life in the outdoors is about living it.Not killing it.
You are young,enjoy every day with family and friends.(OUTDOORS)
 
Put a big AD in local paper saying "Free Beer and Grill Night" come by if you are a hunter or fisherman, Bring your Wife and Children. This a meet and greet night.
OR go to the local churches or the local Bars.
BEER& GRILL night is better


"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]
 
Dirtclod some rednecks are church people too.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]
 
BMB Looks like you have been given lots of good advice. One thing you should check on is buying an AZ life time licenses before you leave AZ. That will save you a lot of money and make it a lot easier to draw AZ tags as a non resident. Good luck
 
Just go. Stop buying gear. Stop reading. Get onx, and take off. Too often the barriers to hunting seem to be mental. Take a hike, get dirty, come home, do it next week.

Try BHA they do a lot of pint nights, they have a lot of folks new to the life.

But just go.




From the party of HUNTIN, FISHIN, PUBLIC LAND.
 

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