The cost of getting into hunting

M

MOntario

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Hi all,

I am currently a target shooter and looking to get into hunting, I have a shotgun and my hunting licence. I was wondering what the rough cost of equipment required would be, I know it is dependant on what I hunt but I don't know what I'll be hunting yet.

Thanks in advanced,
M
 
Nobody can give you any kind of sensible answer to that without more information. You could go out locally and push some bush for some grouse or bunnies right now for the price of a box of shells. Or, you could spend thousands of dollars on a guided sheep hunt in the Rockies.......

Seriously, I'm trying to be nice here, but get your sh!t together, ok?
 
sk8r said:
Nobody can give you any kind of sensible answer to that without more information. You could go out locally and push some bush for some grouse or bunnies right now for the price of a box of shells. Or, you could spend thousands of dollars on a guided sheep hunt in the Rockies.......

Seriously, I'm trying to be nice here, but get your sh!t together, ok?
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Fair enough, I'm looking to hunt within Ontario, not guided, small game or deer.

I don't know about hunting grouse or rabbit but I have no hunting gear and I mean I don't even have a camo jacket, would I need one to hunt rabbits?

M
 
I'm pretty sure if you have had any kind of experience in the outdoors you should be pretty well already set to go minus the orange vest,if it's required in your area.
 
To add to that if you have absolutely no outdoor gear whatsoever I'd say around $500 should be plenty to get you well equipped,at least enough so as your passion increases you can upgrade as you see fit without suffering.
 
jongun said:
To add to that if you have absolutely no outdoor gear whatsoever I'd say around $500 should be plenty to get you well equipped,at least enough so as your passion increases you can upgrade as you see fit without suffering.
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Agree. GOOD boots a must. Game bag, or a coat with a game pouch. Something waterproof to wear. A decent knife. Compass. Sling for your gun (if you're old & tired like me...). Camo is up to you. Personally, I don't really use mine (unless it perfectly suits the weather...) except for waterfowl and turkey. If you're out in deer season, even if not for deer, some blaze orange as per Hunting Regs. Have fun!
 
I would hate to consider what I've spent over the years. Gear and the need for it increases with time. Good boots, clothes, and a not too cheap hunting knife are a good start. If stuff goes on sale and you have the cash, pick it up. There are lots of neat goodies out there, but not everyone needs or uses them. Spend your money on practical things.
 
Let's see. On my first grouse hunt I wore runners, my old fall jacket, had some string to carry any birds I shot, and that was about it. I had my Scout knife to dress the bird. That was it.

Really, for grouse or rabbit, you really don't need anything hunting-specific to begin. Camo is NOT required. I'm sure you have some sort of hiking or work boots you can use. Use an old backpack as a game pouch. Or spend the $30 for a cheap blaze orange game vest.

As you get into it, that's what birthdays, Christmas, etc. are for - hunting gear.
 
Yeah, camo isn't needed at all. It's a nice to have for most people rather than a need to have. As long as your clothes are weather/conditions appropriate, all you need is a gun, liscencse, and yourself. Do a search, there are several threads on what people carry in their hunting packs for info. I generally have a knife or two, dry socks, extra gloves, and the type of stuff you'd take on a day long hike. Usually it's some rope, lighter, matches, bandages/small first aid kit, small sewing kit, compass and food/snacks as a minimum.
 
MOntario said:
Hi all,

I am currently a target shooter and looking to get into hunting, I have a shotgun and my hunting licence. I was wondering what the rough cost of equipment required would be, I know it is dependant on what I hunt but I don't know what I'll be hunting yet.

Thanks in advanced,
M
Click to expand...
A good idea is to join a hunt club or find a mentor. Contact and make inquiries with the local fish and game associations, hunter education, hunt clubs, sporting goods stores or even the game warden...........it's a start, good luck!
 
First off you want to hunt because you like it, secondly you usually start off knowing what you want to try for, 3rd you have some land or some area you can use its important, 4th know what is required for that thing you are looking for. Other than that, if you want to go out just to hunt and shoot things, thats not quite what hunting is about. Its about conservation and or pest control, like crows around here out number the people.
 
Lots of good advice so far. You don't need to spend a lot of money to hunt. Lots of people do, and there is multi-million-dollar industry out there that will do everything to convince you to spend, spend, spend.

Avoid it at all costs. Do NOT let yourself get lured into buying every gadget at the "BassPro Wonderland."
 
Good pair of boots, good knife; that is all you need for rabbit.(plus some plastic bags)

If you are hunting with other people in thick brush I would recommend an orange hunting vest $9
 
blasted_saber said:
Thats a pretty ignorant comment.
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In most of Ontario, South of 118, and West of say 62, if you get lost on what ever area your hunting, you'll walk a couple of hours, but you'll eventually make it back to your vehicle. A compass is not required for a big part of the province.

Your either boxed in with roads, or there are other large geographic features (such as rivers and lakes) that you can guide yourself around.

A Compass may not be required, but I'd still suggest either knowing your location well, or grabbing a map.

Dimitri
 
blasted_saber said:
Thats a pretty ignorant comment.
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No its not. Most places below Algonquin you can't go 10 km in a straight line without hitting a road of some sort. My experience oof 30 years of hunting fishing and atving in the "lower" part of Ontario. I probly couldn't tell you where my compass is or when the last time I used one for rabbit hunting.

YMMV
 
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