Considering Hunting

[H Wally]

Hi to all,
So, for the last several months I have been weighing up whether or not I will try hunting this year. As it stands now however, I am a can and paper shooter, and know nothing about hunting. What are requirements for getting one's hunting liscence? I have heard of the CORE course, but know nothing about it, have heard of hunting draws and know nothing about them... as you can see, I know very little from the legal requirement standpoint. I am familiar with deer, bears, and to some degree cougars, and am confident in my outdoors skills.

My main purpose in hunting would be to get a large supply of meat for over the school year. Could anyone roughly field a cost of taking the required courses, getting tags (or whatever else is required)? I have several different .303 chambered rifles and a Mosin nagant, so from what I can gleam I won't be needing a new rifle for the job. Also, my father was taught to be a butcher, so he can help me with processing the animal if I run into trouble. In short, I am looking at hunting as a means to a good supply of good meat. Would it be reasonable to think that it will be both a cost effective way of eating, and a good opportunity to learn more about the sport? Would people suggest I start on small game first? What were other's first experiences?

P.S. - I'm doing some research and checking Huntingbc.ca as well, just wanted the CGN communities input on it as well.

 

[MD]

Well, haunt huntingbc and huntshoot.com. as much as you can.

By the time you take the cost of the course into consideration, vehicle (do you have one?) fuel, binoculars, ammunition, licences, tags, time away from work, it really doesn't work out to be that cost effective. Not for the first few years anyway.

CORe though silvercore is $175

http://www.silvercore.ca/courses.htm

When I came home from five days hunting last fall with a duck, two quail and a pheasant my wife said those were the most expensive birds she had ever seen.

The number of skunk trips I 've made to come home with one deer or no deer in a season weren't very cost effective.

A large amount of meat? Depends how much you eat. An island deer will get you 60 to 80 pounds if you're lucky.

Do you go to the range much? Meet hunters? Talk to them, ask for advice. Same with at your local sporting goods store.

Some people get lucky driving around, but deer hunting just ain't that easy.

If you want meat, bears are easier and can be pretty meaty, but like deer, you have to be where they are when they are there.

Take the CORE course, ask on huntingbc who gives it in Victoria. It'll explain the LEH draw thing, something you don't have to worry about for a year as this year's deadline expired last Wednesday.

There's a lengthy open season for deer and bear on the island though.

Use your lightest rifle you can shoot confidently. They get heavy after a few hours walking in the bush and up steep deactivated logging roads.

See if you can make friends with somebody from the Island who'll take you out and at least show you the ropes if not a good spot.

Some first-timers get lucky and have someone to show 'em good spots right off the bat.

The rest of us have to work at it.

 

[rollingrock]

I don't think you need another rifle for hunting. 303 and Mosin are pretty 'overgunned' for island bears and deer . That being said, you need to practice enough to be confident to bring your guns out for hunting. I'll bring my MOSIN and 303 out this fall too. Like MD said, read all the posts on huntingbc.ca/huntshoot.com and ask your questions except for specific spots. Oh one more thing, do your homework by reading hunting synopsis, city bylaws and maps, then you'll figure out where to find your honey hole. That's what I've been doing.

 

[glang1]

MD made some good points. IMHO if your just in it for meat, you'd be better off buying bulk meat from a butcher. Also remember that you will need enough freezer space to store your kills. I just spent $400 on an extra freezer so I can harvest a black bear this Fall. Unless you own property that has game on it, hunting can be an expensive proposition. I'm NOT trying to talk you out of hunting; it is a great sport, just want you to know that it ain't cheap!

George

 

[H Wally]

It just so happens that I live both on the island and on the mainland. Where I intended to hunt is an area about 2 hours north of whistler where I mainly grew up, and know the area. I am familiar with most of the animals up there, game trails, times they move etc. I would be hunting on the weekends that I had free, and as I would already be up there, it wouldn't be costing me too much extra in that respect. In the end it'll be the course and tags that will be the big cost I suspect. In the end I'll go where I can find the best source of food, and if it costs too much, I'll eat the bunnies that have infested the UVic campus .

Edit - For the most part I know where I would be hunting, so that isn't as much of a problem as finding regulations, understanding the legalities etc. I can't say my interest in hunting is anything more than for food, so if it turns out to be too costly, I'll buy meat in bulk. Also, I can get ahold of a chest freezer with little or no problem, and my roommates have already agreed on keeping it in the living room if that means they get good cheap meat.

 

[MD]

Once you take the CORE, that is a once in a lifetime expense.

It''ll help you understand the regulations too, but you could get a head start and get a copy of the new regs when they come out in in a few weeks, study up on your area, understand the region, sub-area, opening dates for deer, antler restrictions, that kind of thing.

Region 3 for example has a few areas open for 4-point bucks from Sept. 1 to Sept. 9., then nearly the whole area is open for 4-point bucks to the end of September. From Oct. 1 to Oct. 31 it's open for any buck, and then reverts to the 4-point rule Nov.1 to Dec. 10

4-point buck means four major tines per side, not a total of four points counting both sides. That's a 2-point (western count)

All this is in the CORE book.

 

[Workin Man]

You may want to buy a rimfire rifle or shotgun if you want to hunt small game as well. 30 plus caliber rifles are not ideal for rabbits/grouse . I'm not sure what the BC course costs, but keep in mind its a one time expense, so factor it in over probably 30 yrs at least. When I factor in all my costs (keeping in mind that bows, guns and other non-consumable gear are in fact assetts, not expenses) I find game meat a lot less expensive than store bought.

 

[hunt365]

Not sure it is much more cost effective but definately much more rewarding and certainly more fun. But I must warn you it is also highly addictive. Let us know how you make out Wish I were in your area I would invite you along with me and my son as we too are meat hunters first.

 

[BIGREDD]

If you want a cost effective meat supply take agriculture become a farmer and raise cattle.
Hunting is not Harvesting... or everyone would be doing it.
I do encourage you to take up the sport though but don't have high expectations at first. Your .303's will work fine for most big game.
Good luck.

 

[rollingrock]

The main objective of hunting is to get meat, no difference from thousands of years ago. If you don't have expectation of bagging your game before each trip, then you won't be a good hunter. Expectation is motivation which pushes you to learn and be better. You might spend more at the beginning, but I believe you'll break the cost even in the long run as you'll get better and your success rate will be higher.

 

[H Wally]

The main objective of hunting is to get meat, no difference from thousands of years ago.

Exactly. I have no intent of being a trophy hunter, I just want to eat well. I spend most of my year rowing competitively and trying out for teams, so I can't work enough to pay for the amount I eat, hence my interest in a good source of high qaulity food.

 

[cosmic]

You're better off dating a babe with some coin - most of the hunters I know would die of starvation if they had to live off their hunting take. Its not as easy as it may seem - particularly if you are new at it. Perhaps you can hook up with someone that knows the ropes - its customary to share the proceeds of the hunt amongst the camp - that way you can get some experience and decide if you really like venison etc. (Many folks dont like the taste of game meat.)

 

[Longwalker]

Don't let the naysayers discourage you. We need more hunters like you! Go hunt for meat, and appreciate each animal as a trophy whether it is " big" or not. I raised three kids on game meat. It can be very rewarding and cost effective here in SK, but I suspect in BC you may have to work a little harder to get a deer. The skills you'll develop and the time spent afield will become a cherished part of your life, AND you'll get a great source of good food!

 

[RobSmith]

Been struggling with the same debate myself for a few months, with a little luck I'll convince one of my cousins to let me tag along so they can show me the ropes ...

 

[Beadwindow]

I tend to agree with the the consensus among most posters here that one should not gamble too much on filling the freezer with meat lest you end up going very hungry as a result. Nevertheless I surely see nothing wrong with the basic motivation, and think that you'll probably eventually find the chase very fun in and of itself.

In today's age of people spending top dollar for all sorts of toys, I also think it a good idea to try and plan to harvest a decent amount of game while spending only what's needed to comfortably, safely and humanely get the job done. In that vein, I suspect that you should add an inexpensive .22 and/or light shotgun, so that in the event that you regularly come across grouse that you'll be able to take one, or a couple, or perhaps a dozen over the season. Find out from local hunters whether a .22 is sufficient, since depending upon hunting pressure they might be easy to shoot on the ground or prone to flushing instead.

The milsurps that you have available are great guns. Just make sure to practice enough in the shooting positions that you are likely to use and sight in whatever ammo you'll be hunting with. Igman provides some reasonably priced SP ammo for the Mosin, as well as .303.

As suggested by other posts, don't hesitate to see if there's any oldtimers in your area that you can hunt with and/or learn from. I'm sure that there's plenty of them out there who'd be thrilled to see someone your age interested in the sport and be happy to pass on their knowledge to the next generation. Add some serious time before the season scouting the areas in which you'll be hunting, both to familiarize yourself with the terrain and where the animals are (the latter being somewhat fluid as the seasons and foodsources change) and you'll be in a far better position than many hunters with all of the toys.

Good Luck!

Frank

 

[Mumptia]

I have no intent of being a trophy hunter,

No need to HW just get your butt put in the wild and enjoy the scenery.

Being out in the bush is rejuvinating and will keep you in shape for rowing if you like to walk.

Hunting is more than filling the freezer. The meat is great when you get some but go out for everything else as well.

Get hunter qualified, go to the range and go for a walk. You will never regret it

 

[Arctic]

Go for it, if you get meat, you can rest assured that it's the most healthful available. protein, mineral, and vitamin wise. If you don't you'll have had some great exercise, both physically and mentally. Years ago I paddled, and a proper diet that had wild meat was a big part of my success. ~Arctic~

 

[Calum]

Find a butcher who also hunts that is willing to show you how to clean game.
Also plan on hunting North of this Island (Campbell river etc), as most of the good spots south island are closed off and owned.

 

[walksalot]

Hunting is not Harvesting... or everyone would be doing it.

Actually BIGREDD hunting is harvesting. Hunters "harvest" or "crop off" a percentage of the population of a species of game animals as part of a responsible wildlife management strategy.

 

[BIGREDD]

Actually BIGREDD hunting is harvesting. Hunters "harvest" or "crop off" a percentage of the population of a species of game animals as part of a responsible wildlife management strategy.

Yeah I know it... just using the word to make a point. My point is that Hunting is an expensive sport even when doing it on a budget. Hunting to save money by shooting enough meat to offset the cost is very unlikely. Especially by someone new to the game.
You should take up hunting for many reasons... meat is only one of them.