Looking for suggestions as to how to get into hunting

[bbqchef88]

Hello,

I've been wanting to get into hunting for quite a while now, but I don't know anyone who hunts and it is pretty intimidating to just start doing. I'm looking to hunt hogs, deer and rabbits. Any recommendations for resources? I'm in Cali for reference.

Thanks.

 

[Kansas Jake]

Of the three you mentioned, rabbits would be the easiest if you know a landowner who would allow you to hunt or if you live close to public hunting areas. A small bore rifle or shotgun and you have what you need. Even a larger bore rifle will work. Since you are in CA lead projectiles May be an issue.

For larger game you probably need to find a guide or join a sportsman group. In my area we have a local fish and game association. Also your State game and parks department may offer beginner hunting opportunities.

These are just a couple off the top of my head ideas.

 

[Patocazador]

The best way is to take a hunter's safety course. They are free in many states. While attending the course, ask the instructors any questions and also other participants. Knowing how California is about everything, it probably is mandatory to pass a safety course before being able to purchase a hunting license.

 

[sheriff john]

I second the hunter safety course. I was a hunter ed instructor for many years. Because some states require completion of a course before out of state hunters can buy licenses, every class had several experienced hunters sitting next to youngsters. Instructors know where to find hunting ground and such as that.

Or ...marry into a family of hunters. We always have some sorta critter chasin' going on. Some are even legal.

 

[64Springer]

Your state will have all the information you need to get into hunting.

Get on your state's Department of Natural Resources website. It will spell it out for you. Public hunting land, licenses, hunting seasons, required calibers, muzzle energy, feet per second, everything.

And unless you're a complete idiot or required by the state, hunter safety courses are bureaucratic nonsense. Human beings have been entering the woods and safely killing animals, not harvesting them, for the past 500 years.

How to skin and prepare animals after you kill them, not harvest them, can be found in books or online.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

The best way is to take a hunter's safety course. They are free in many states. While attending the course, ask the instructors any questions and also other participants. Knowing how California is about everything, it probably is mandatory to pass a safety course before being able to purchase a hunting license.

THIS

 

[Christophero]

I will counter the crusty response about hunter safety courses being complete nonsense. For the past thousands of years the vast majority of hunters had older hunters teaching them the basics, as I did, and many others on this board. That has all changed as society has made a drastic sea change in the past 50 years. Kids don't have dads and grandpas living close by to trapse behind and learn the ropes from, as I did, or as my kids did. Sure, we have the internet but that isn't hands on learning. At least hunter safety courses, (the ones I knew about) were in person and hands on. Even that may have all been changed by now, though. The next generation of hunters have to learn how to do it well or they will loose interest and our ranks will continue to dwindle. That's a lose lose for everyone, especially the next generation of future hunters. Kudos to those who have offered their time and knowledge to teach these courses for many years. It made a strong impression on my oldest, that even now, 25 years later, he and I still plan out hunts together every Fall. My other two sons took their courses when young, my oldest daughter, as well, and we enjoyed a number years hunting deer together. Now those 3 enjoy our stories and jerky, though their lives are not centered around hunting as their older brother and mine are. They are quite supportive of our pursuits.

Dismissing what is mandatory, even necessary for those completely uninitiated in field sports, hunting, isn't helping our cause in the least. Killing, harvesting, reducing to possession, it doesn't matter one iota what it is called, as long as we continue to promote the positives of this very important activity to a culture that barely recognizes we are still engaged in it or it is needed. And it is needed and desired to be learned, by the OP and many others who don't know how to get started. Hunter safety courses have been very helpful in providing the impetus for those willing to learn, with or without mentors.

There is a young man who has expressed interest to learn how to hunt. His dad isn't in his life in a great way any longer and his uncle with land won't let the young fellow learn in his 'Sanctuary' where he bow hunts. Suppose I need to devote some of this coming Fall to guiding him for a few squirrels or rabbits so he can gain a better idea what this is all about.

 

[BillyC]

FYI - the NRA offers free online courses specific to many states. My grandson is taking the PA one as I type this.

 

[64Springer]

I will counter the crusty response about hunter safety courses being complete nonsense. For the past thousands of years the vast majority of hunters had older hunters teaching them the basics, as I did, and many others on this board. That has all changed as society has made a drastic sea change in the past 50 years. Kids don't have dads and grandpas living close by to trapse behind and learn the ropes from, as I did, or as my kids did. Sure, we have the internet but that isn't hands on learning. At least hunter safety courses, (the ones I knew about) were in person and hands on. Even that may have all been changed by now, though. The next generation of hunters have to learn how to do it well or they will loose interest and our ranks will continue to dwindle. That's a lose lose for everyone, especially the next generation of future hunters. Kudos to those who have offered their time and knowledge to teach these courses for many years. It made a strong impression on my oldest, that even now, 25 years later, he and I still plan out hunts together every Fall. My other two sons took their courses when young, my oldest daughter, as well, and we enjoyed a number years hunting deer together. Now those 3 enjoy our stories and jerky, though their lives are not centered around hunting as their older brother and mine are. They are quite supportive of our pursuits.

Dismissing what is mandatory, even necessary for those completely uninitiated in field sports, hunting, isn't helping our cause in the least. Killing, harvesting, reducing to possession, it doesn't matter one iota what it is called, as long as we continue to promote the positives of this very important activity to a culture that barely recognizes we are still engaged in it or it is needed. And it is needed and desired to be learned, by the OP and many others who don't know how to get started. Hunter safety courses have been very helpful in providing the impetus for those willing to learn, with or without mentors.

There is a young man who has expressed interest to learn how to hunt. His dad isn't in his life in a great way any longer and his uncle with land won't let the young fellow learn in his 'Sanctuary' where he bow hunts. Suppose I need to devote some of this coming Fall to guiding him for a few squirrels or rabbits so he can gain a better idea what this is all about.

A mandatory hunter safety course, in my crusty opinion, is just another sad chapter in a long line of nanny state chapters.

 

[LeonardC]

I agree with taking Hunter Safety classes. Many states have them on-line and you can study them no matter where you live.

Alaska has Hunter Safety and Muzzleloading Hunting classes.

Check with your local shooting range. I'll bet there is some old crusty guy (RSO) hanging around that'd be happy to show you basic safety and shooting skills. They may have such classes you can take.

Good luck.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Be vehwy careful hunting wabbitts.

 

[64Springer]

Or read a book on hunting and safety and ethics.

Anyone remember books? They have things called front covers and back covers. I believe they have flimsy little numbered things in between.

I think they're called pages.

Antiquated, but still useful. Found in big buildings that house books. Can't remember the name of these buildings though.

 

[user 31232]

Hunter safety courses are an excellent way to introduce a young person to the outdoors! I'm sure it produces many different avenues to the wide scope of hunting. I took it many years ago with my son as he was required by state law to do so. I didn't need to because of my age but found many things useful and informative. I didn't have a father figure in my life to teach me,but rather had to read read and read again plus figuring things out on my own! This was before computers! I'm also pretty sure they didn't have books and computers thousands of years ago.

 

[64Springer]

Hunter safety courses are an excellent way to introduce a young person to the outdoors! I'm sure it produces many different avenues to the wide scope of hunting. I took it many years ago with my son as he was required by state law to do so. I didn't need to because of my age but found many things useful and informative. I didn't have a father figure in my life to teach me,but rather had to read read and read again plus figuring things out on my own! This was before computers! I'm also pretty sure they didn't have books and computers thousands of years ago.

You figured things out on your own???!!!

Horrifying Neanderthal thinking.

You're lucky to be alive.

 

[user 31232]

You figured things out on your own???!!!

Horrifying Neanderthal thinking.

You're lucky to be alive.

I suppose you were born with with all the knowledge there is to know and privilege the lesser knowing Neanderthals with the benefit of yoursupreme intelligence! Ah constipation of the mind diahreaa of the mouth

 

[user 31232]

NOPE!

That's why God invented books.

And why Al Gore invented the internet.

Point being people can and still do figure things out on their own. Without the help of some anal retentive in a blaze orange vest.

 

[Zutt-man]

There are TONS of Facebook groups if you’re in to social media. Lots of useful information if you can wade through the trolls. Most are game or state specific

 

[bbqchef88]

Not a big social media guy. I'll check out the hunter safety course, especially with a lot of stuff that seems to be California specific. I've already been looking around on youtube and the internet for guides for the past year or 2, but I like asking questions, and you can't ask videos and books questions.

Anyway, lots of good answers in this thread, I appreciate you all.

 

[10 Ga.]

I agree on the hunters safety course (in person if possible) especially for those who are not lucky enough to grow up with a hunting mentor. I would use it as an opportunity to learn from people who love to hunt. Most if not all the instructors are volunteers that truly love hunting and would be happy to answer your questions. After learning your local hunting laws and the basics about your quarry your states department of natural resources/game and fish department website is a great resource. It will usually tell you seasons, laws, methods of take, etc. after you know what to hunt, when it’s legal to hunt, and where the animal likes to live, I would take a look at public lands unless you know an amenable land owner. To do that your state has a public lands viewer ( Lands Viewer ) or you can download and use a service like onX hunt to find local accessible lands or find landowners to ask permission. Keep in mind when you’re hunting that public lands are a shared resource and that other hunters with varying skill levels or safety concerns will also utilize the area. Welcome to the world of hunting, it’s one of my favorite activities and I hope you enjoy it!

Your state wildlife organization website: Hunting in California

-10Ga

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Or read a book on hunting and safety and ethics.

EXACTLY, and you can get such a book, tailor made to where you are, when you take the hunter safety course.

OH and take the classroom instruction, not "online"..., where you will meet Other Hunters, just starting out, and so will be able to make connections that may lead to your being invited out to hunt.

LD