A few questions from a beginner

this is a bit different but this is some of my pack contents for up to 3 days back pack hunting.

IMG_3183Backpack%20content%20AH.jpg~original



and this is something I would day pack all day with a chance of getting lost
IMG_3181AHDaypack.jpg~original

What's up with this. No Tim Tams or Anzak biscuits?? :)

All fun aside- looks similar to my pack contents for sheep hunting excursions.
 
Fingers crossed no itchy trigger fingers are around!

Good point I forgot up wear I hunt we don't have to worry about trigger-happy yahoo's
You probly better dragging your deer out if you don't have a packboard a small tarp can realy help dragging a deer
 
From someone who also had no experience with hunting rifles, but was a marksman with the C7, practice a lot first. Intermix practice with a .22 if you can to avoid developing a flinch. The .270 isn't bad for recoil, but it is still a lot different than a C7.
 
From someone who also had no experience with hunting rifles, but was a marksman with the C7, practice a lot first. Intermix practice with a .22 if you can to avoid developing a flinch. The .270 isn't bad for recoil, but it is still a lot different than a C7.

Good pont a cheep 22 is probably one of the best piece of equipment any new Hunter should have .

All Hunter to some extent suffer from buck fever but it is worse when you are starting out this will be your biggest challenge as a new Hunter the more time you get with a 22 will help with buck fever
 
I think I will definitely take te advice and go with a used rifle that is better quality. its what i was leaning towards initially.

I don't recommend this for a newbie, unless you already have a lot of firearms knowledge and trust yourself to evaluate a used firearm. When you buy new, you know what you are getting and you have recourse if things aren't right. That goes a long way in my experience.

The people who put down the Savage Axis are typically very experienced people who have used far better rifles their whole life. In comparison to very expensive rifles, the Axis does feel cheap. It is cheap, after all. However, the vast majority of Axis owners are very pleased with the accuracy of their rifles. The two biggest cons are the stock and the trigger. The stock can always be upgraded later when funds allow, and there are several options for the trigger (either buy a new trigger assembly or McGiver the spring, or buy the Axis II which has Accutrigger). I McGiver'd the spring in my wife/daughters' .270 Axis and the pull weight is down to about 3.5 pounds. Each of them can easily shoot within a couple inches at 100 yards. The rifle itself is capable of sub-MOA accuracy. Same goes for their .243 Axis.

Ugly and cheap feeling, but my girls end up putting deer down with it, so I don't think you'd have any trouble.

.270 is a great choice, IMO.

The gear advice so far is great so the only thing I'll echo is "KISS."
 
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My first deer/moose rifle was used 303 Lee Enfield still have a soft spot for the Old war horse each time I see one
Even though I love the Lee Enfield It's hard to find one that is not beaten up and ammo can be realy hard to fing so avoid the lee's for now
 
I think one person mentioned it in passing.
You need a good "sit upon" that clips to your belt loop in the rear.
Makes sitting on a stump, rock, whatever reasonably comfortable.
Something like this.
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I've never understood the rational of buying cheap then spending cash on "upgrading" stocks, triggers, scopes, barrels, etc, etc, later. Unless you want a project rifle down the road. Purchase quality the first time and never look back. Take along a mentor to the shop if you are uncomfortable with buying used. Any reputable business is not going to sell you POS and will help you with your purchase. Many businesses have a return policy even on used firearms. Its not hard to learn what to look for in a used rifle; google is your friend.

BTW the bottom tier rifles from the majors are cheap in price and build but are accurate for the most part.
 
thanks. while talking about this, a family friend over heard and told me that their father passed away some years ago and may have some guns that were forgetten about.. they are getting back to me. fingers crossed! im sure th countless hours i have spent cleaning a C7 will come in handy if i do aquire these old relics.

firearms aside i really appreciate all the info on gear, will take it to heart when i go do some shopping. definitely going to embrace the KISS principal and only get the basics for my first season.

im now trying to figure out a location so i can go hike it and get to know the area. im hoping to find a large wooded area with 4x4 trails that i can get my jeep into and explore. My family does own some woodland in lunenburg but nobody has been on it in years. my dad hasnt hunted in probably 20 years but we are going to check it out soon.

Does anyone have any leads on land in Nova scotia or advice on how to ask land owners for permission? In reading the Property protection act for nova scotia i do see that is says hunting in wooded areas is permitted even if its private property but i still would want permission as to not burn any bridges.
 
thanks. while talking about this, a family friend over heard and told me that their father passed away some years ago and may have some guns that were forgetten about.. they are getting back to me. fingers crossed! im sure th countless hours i have spent cleaning a C7 will come in handy if i do aquire these old relics.

firearms aside i really appreciate all the info on gear, will take it to heart when i go do some shopping. definitely going to embrace the KISS principal and only get the basics for my first season.

im now trying to figure out a location so i can go hike it and get to know the area. im hoping to find a large wooded area with 4x4 trails that i can get my jeep into and explore. My family does own some woodland in lunenburg but nobody has been on it in years. my dad hasnt hunted in probably 20 years but we are going to check it out soon.

Does anyone have any leads on land in Nova scotia or advice on how to ask land owners for permission? In reading the Property protection act for nova scotia i do see that is says hunting in wooded areas is permitted even if its private property but i still would want permission as to not burn any bridges.

A rifle that is a gift is by fare the best rifle no amount of money can get you a finer rifle as a gift
You have a jeep so it's probably safe to assume you have camping gear as well ?
So you just need a Basic pack plus Basic field kit and sum good boots and your ready to go that's KISS rule
 
I hunt with a quad a lot so I can pack a fair bit of kit on the quad.

when I'm walking I use my pockets for everything I need.

so my walking list

2 knives and a hatchet
minimum 6' light rope (20' would be max)
Toilet paper, about half a roll squished flat in a ziplock bag.
Matches in a container
flint striker
compass
headlamp
map or air photo mosaic (in a ziplock bag)
water, about 1 liter in normally enough
can of sardines in oil, (I usually have 2) unless you don't like sardines then something you can eat for a quick snack.
ammo, I normally have 20 rounds
small roll of flagging ribbon

with that load out I am comfortable shooting moose by myself. (I gut it and then go back to the main camp to get the quad to haul it out)

on the quad I have lots of other stuff, chainsaw, axe, more food, water, stove, tarp, etc... weight is not a problem.
 
On survival thinking, don't worry about food, it is low on the list and going a day or two without food is a nothing.. I went for years and years and never carried water, depending on finding some in the area I was in. After a trip or two, you will see how much water you can find, or maybe you will have to carry some.
I will present here a very common occurrence that can kill you over one night. It is late fall, weather just above freezing, it clouds over in the afternoon and rains, getting you soaking wet. The rainy weather confuses your time and directions, you wonder if you are going to make it out of the bush, so you hurry more and work up a great sweat.
The storm moves on and the temperature gets below freezing over night.
If you have to spend this night in the bush, you will be dead by morning, unless you get a good fire going, get warm and your clothes dried out.
Thus, reliable fire starter, waterproof matches in a closed little jar, with some cloth that has been soaked in warm paraffin, stuffed in the jar.
The most important tool you can carry is a small, sharp hand axe.
The most important information you can learn, is how to start a fire in a wet bush.

My Grandfather was not a bush pilot like you Bruce but he spent one pile of his life in the bush and he never went so much as grouse hunting without a compass, a fire starting kit, a good knife, hatchet and length of rope at minimum. Great advice!
 
OP, hand me down guns are great....... Many have seen little use and have nice wood and blue....... Fingers crossed for you......

As far as the C7 is concerned, I would love one for a coyote rifle..... But forget all but basic marksman stuff you learned in the forces and learn your new rig..... Rifles are like women, they all have their quirks and can get picky but sometimes it's worth learning what they like and complying and sometimes it's best to send them on their way...... (I have fired more rounds from a c7 and c9 than I will likely ever fire for the rest of my life)......

I personally don't like budget rifles, and that is not because they won't fill the freezer, it's because I lament all of the coin I spent on them only to sell them at a loss, only to buy quality that holds its value...... But, if you need to get something budget in order to hunt, do it...... I had humble beginnings with budget guns (milsurps, hand me downs, cooeys)..... And I have metric $hit ton of memories involving them, so do what you have to do...... Getting out and hunting is most important......
 
what kind of money would a decent quality used rifle run me? i could probably spring for something in thr 800-1200 range assuming the lead on hand me downs falls through.
 
what kind of money would a decent quality used rifle run me? i could probably spring for something in thr 800-1200 range assuming the lead on hand me downs falls through.

That's a great budget....... I am personally a Ruger fan, but that is my choice..... But I will say that I have seen good Ruger rifles in common calibers on the EE with decent scopes as low as 750........ I assume it may be the same with other brands.......
 
if you have lots of time you can pick up a deal.

bought a Rem 700 in 270, scope was an older weaver, paid $475
Savage 111 one of the older classic versions with the wood stock and blind mag for $325, scope was junk.

but you need to go to lots of auctions to get those sorts of deals, and know what your looking for.

starting out with a Savage Axis is not a bad way to go.
 
That's a great budget....... I am personally a Ruger fan, but that is my choice..... But I will say that I have seen good Ruger rifles in common calibers on the EE with decent scopes as low as 750........ I assume it may be the same with other brands.......
Faster than me. I was going to suggest the EE. Also, what area of NS are you located Wildest? There must be at least one store near you that sells firearms.
 
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