Some years ago I had a friend with whom I went bow hunting a few times. I moved and then he moved and now that I am back I don’t know anybody who hunts anymore. Are the guides or something similar with whom one can go? Who can help and explain… mostly worried about the gutting and skinning etc.
How does one "get into" hunting? (Calgary)
- Thread starter DogBone
- Start date
- Location
- Saskatchewan
You DO need to meet some new friends! Yes, you can hire a guide, that is an effective strategy but expensive. You would need to interview prospective guides and choose one who is willing to teach, not just provide the normal hunting help. I mentor a couple of new hunters every year but I'm too far away. You could look into joining your local fish & game club, and then ask if a member will agree to be your mentor. That's about all I can suggest.
Youtube......many videos on how to gut and skin animals. Some better than others but watch a few and figure which would work best for you.
I have yet to gut/skin anything larger than a Snowshoe hare but same basic idea only on a bigger scale for larger animals.
I have yet to gut/skin anything larger than a Snowshoe hare but same basic idea only on a bigger scale for larger animals.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Another note - I believe Alberta is no different than other provinces, in that new hunters must take a course that teaches all the basic skills required, at least at a very introductory level. Your AB ministry of environment website would be a good place to start looking into that. Good luck!
DogBone, there are a lot of video's and written literature on gutting and skinning...you really can't do it wrong as long as the task is accomplished without contaminating the meat with unwanted flavours...there maybe quicker or better ways but no really wrong ways.
It might be worth your while to go to a local range and talk with some of the guys there...most hunters are very willing to help out with these kind of questions.
The other option is yes, you can hire a guide but the price may shock you.
It might be worth your while to go to a local range and talk with some of the guys there...most hunters are very willing to help out with these kind of questions.
The other option is yes, you can hire a guide but the price may shock you.
Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- ,location, location
...it`s the going out into the unknown, the figuring things out on your own, doing things the hard way, being unsure, being disappointed, getting lucky, getting dirty, making mistakes, learning form mistakes... that make hunting ``hunting`` for me at least.
...or you could get a guide.
...or you could get a guide.
If you have passed it once there is probably no requirement to take it again. But you can if you want, and it may be worth while. Most provinces accept the course from other provinces as equivalent.
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Just get out and hunt. Don't worry about the gutting and skinning. Watch a couple youtube videos on what to do. When you do your first one it will be a bit of a mess but who cares. If you don't try you will never learn. After a couple times you will get the hang of it.
I used to belong to the Calgary Fish and Game club and there were some good guys in it that would give you a hand. Do you still have your Win card if so you don't need to take the course again as it is proof you hunted before. As to crown land there is maps at the Queens printers and such that show where all the crown land is west of Calgary. I allways hunted in the Porcupine hills and in 402. I grew up at Okotoks and Black Diamond and knew a lot of people.
Where are you located?... If you are close I would be more than willing to go over should you shoot anything.... help you with the dirty work...
OK.... Dogbone... you shoot a deer and I'll be there in 8 hours... you pay airfare....lol... (main forum cuts title of thread in half)....
Suka
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Just be practical and careful; that way you'll do fine and not get yourself into trouble.
Ideally find a mentor or hunting partner, doesn't have to be super experienced, even those of us who've hunted all our lives at one point were 17 yr old's hunting with a friend and the sum total of skill between the two of us was questionable at best.
IMO you already have the most important thing, the right attitude.
You need to read through the regs and draw info, perusing your hunting course again is a good idea. I would also suggest doing some bird hunting next Sept. Birds aren't so daunting as walking up to an ungulate on the ground. As others have said, just check youtube, take your time, keep the meat clean and cool; people have do it forever; you'll do fine.
Next Aug. post in the mentor forum if you haven't found a hunting partner yet.
Starting to plan next yrs hunt now is the right thing to do and a guarantee of your success.
Best of luck.
Ideally find a mentor or hunting partner, doesn't have to be super experienced, even those of us who've hunted all our lives at one point were 17 yr old's hunting with a friend and the sum total of skill between the two of us was questionable at best.
IMO you already have the most important thing, the right attitude.
You need to read through the regs and draw info, perusing your hunting course again is a good idea. I would also suggest doing some bird hunting next Sept. Birds aren't so daunting as walking up to an ungulate on the ground. As others have said, just check youtube, take your time, keep the meat clean and cool; people have do it forever; you'll do fine.
Next Aug. post in the mentor forum if you haven't found a hunting partner yet.
Starting to plan next yrs hunt now is the right thing to do and a guarantee of your success.
Best of luck.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
We have land in Millarville that I hunt most years (deer & elk on the place). We have it leased to folks now though unfortunately and we live way up north, I'd be happy to bring out friendly folks looking to learn when I get back south one day. This isn't helpful to you this year but more just extending that there are folks out there looking to help. Good advice was to start with birds and rabbits (lots of both around Calgary), you're also close to great pheasant hunting, which is a ton of fun that I regret missing being in the north.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
^This, in Alberta as long as you have have your PAL and hunt unoccupied crownland, rabbit hunting season is never closed here in the daylight hours. You must know who owns what private land, and which land is unoccupied crown land, you have to go to the municipal district office for the rural area you intend to hunt in, pull out some cash and buy thier landowner's map. Don't forget to get a GPS or compass and be knowledgable in thier use, pack your sharpened gutting knife, small hatchet, matches and/or lighter, light tarp with string, emergency blanket and granola bar(s) for the trip in a day pack or a fanny pack. When you actually hunt it is really important to know landmarks and boundaries and keep your head around where is north, south, east, west. We/I ensure to tell someone when I go hunting and when I intend to return, especially if I hunt alone that day. And I followup with a quick hello when I'm safely back. Email and texting is awesome for this stuff. There's so much more friend, but these are the highlights I think.
Then you can grab your shotgun or rimfire rifle and have at it.
Good luck...........
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