Learning how to hunt

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Pleased2shootu

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I'm totally new at this sport and could use a few pointers. Im looking to go maybe in within the next year or so. I live in the Vancouver area and was wondering if anybody knows any good locations for hunting birds.
 
Time to start hanging out at a gunshop and making some friends. If you don't work or go to school with or know any hunters it can be tough to break into the sport. You might head down to Reliable Gun and Tackle on Fraser and chat with the guys. They'll likely reccomend you join a range and do some clay shooting. Then you'll get to meet some folks and make some friends. If you express an interest in hunting you just might get some invites to join people for the occasional bird shoot. It won't be a fast process, but you'll still be shooting and meeting folks.

If I was still in BC I'd suggest a weekend of wingshooting up at Chateau Popcan. Be a good way for the BC CGNers to get together again and get out in the woods. Be a good way for the numerous newbies to get together and do some bird shooting withthe more experienced guys. Fortunately I've moved so I just get to be the idea guy and leave the actual planning to the other guys.
 
Pleased2shootu said:
I'm totally new at this sport and could use a few pointers. Im looking to go maybe in within the next year or so. I live in the Vancouver area and was wondering if anybody knows any good locations for hunting birds.
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Lots of skilled hunters from coast to coast on this forum and can give you loads of advice on anything from gear to game. Do you have any Gov't land that is accessible to hunters?? I would also consider joining a Wildlife Federation that promotes hunting/fishing and ask if they have some land or someone in the club that will give you access.
Hunting is the best sport I've everbeen invloved in and am happy to see a new face :D

Cheers!!
 
Welcome to the boards!! I'm not sure I like your name but welcome non the less :D

The best thing you could do is like the others have said, try to join a club or talk to people at gun shops or even ask here if anyone would like to go hunting with you to "show you the ropes"...

It's a tough sport to start doing if you dont know anyone but once you're in it, you're hooked for life! :mrgreen:

Goodluck :D
 
Nice to see another hunter join up.

Just a few quick questions. (sorry to be intrusive)

You obviously have a PAL and a Hunter number, now if you say you want to go hunting for birds, did you mean ducks or upland or both?

Do you have transportation, ie. a pick-up?

If you want you could drive out to my place and we could go shoot some grouse about 15 minutes from my house. Might get lucky and see a deer or bear there too.

Let me know what you think...

I might be heading out with a buddy, so there is always room for one more.

Also do you have a rifle or only a shotgun?

Cheers,

Alex
 
Thanks for the grand welcome, fellas. It's great to see how welcoming the guys are on this site on teaching us rookies all about the sport. Thanks for the offer Alex, that sounds like an awesome time.

As for the birds I'd like to hunt, since I've never hunted anything before, I would be up for anything. I currently own a Remington 870 and a Ruger 10/22. I have yet to own a truck or a high-powered hunting rifle.
 
"...yet to own a truck..." You don't absolutely need a truck, but once you have one, you'll wonder why anybody would want a car. Start in your local library. You need to know the habits of the animals you want to hunt and the library likely has the books you need. There's usually lots of general shooting and hunting books too. Look for one with animal tracks in it.
Go buy yourself a pair of good boots. CF Combat boots will do nicely. Commercial hunting boots can cost upwards of $500Cdn, but combat boots will do. As long as they fit. Think wool socks and pants too.
 
The 870 is good for deer (00 or 000 buck shot) depending how it is patterning the buckshot at 50 or so yds. You can also use slugs or buckshot for black bears, but that is a can of worms i don't want to open :lol: (read some bear defence threads and you'll get it)

10/22 is good for grouse, neck or head shots, no meat damage. I'll let you know via PM, I might just have to tend the store on Saturday... :( in any case, do read up on relevant hunting info, i.e. don't start off with grizzly hunts :lol: although any info is good when you think about it.

Alex
 
It really is a tough game to get into,particularly here in the lower mainland.I am a member of two ranges,two fish and gun clubs,and have tried like crazy to meet the right people to get out and learn something new. But no luck so far.I got my hunters # three years ago I have only been out once.
I have recieved a million offers to let me tag along but so far all no shows.Anyway,I hope that you have a lot better luck than me.
 
sunray said:
"...yet to own a truck..." You don't absolutely need a truck, but once you have one, you'll wonder why anybody would want a car.
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Yup, the first time you put an eviscerated ungulate in the trunk of teh old lady's Jetta, you'll wish you had a truck. If not then, when you get home... :twisted:
 
Knowledge, Instinct and $hit luck is what you need!

You can get alot of knowledge from books, videos, the web, gunshops and experienced hunters.

Instinct you will achieve by getting into the game, learning and time spent afield.

The luck will come with a combination of the knowledge and instinct!

Welcome aboard and good hunting to ya!!

(PS : Hunting will also give you justification to go buy big trucks, expensive firearms, camoflauge equipment, boats and all terrain vehicles!! One of the benefits!)

Cheers,
 
gotta agree with 44Fordy especially the justification part :) :wink:

put in the time year round & learn the habits of the game - go for walks, identify & follow tracks, find out where the animal is going & why, etc... after a while you develop an instinct ( can't call it anything else) for where game is likely to be.

it's a lifetime pursuit & is a great incentive to stay in shape...
 
Yup, the first time you put an eviscerated ungulate in the trunk of teh old lady's Jetta, you'll wish you had a truck. If not then, when you get home...
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BigUglyMan.... LOL :lol: :lol: :lol: I am still laughing at that one!!!! I drove several sportscars over the years, taking some where no car should ever venture! :shock: :lol: Last year I bought a 2002 Fully decked out Jeep Grand Cherokee..... Day after we had a blizzard! I just smiled and laughed... All these years, what was I thinking?!

Welcome PleasedToShootU.... You got enough weaponry to get you started.... Lots of people shoot a deer with slugs, don't let these guys razz ya! :lol: I can't emphasize enought the importance of good, warm hunting gear.... I have seen guys with $3000 guns hunt with POS $30 Walmart boots and a crappy coat. Keep in mind, many hunts will last all day in all sorts of weather... Lots of walking too.

Buy the best boots you can effort (slightly larger to accommodate 2 pairs of socks), warm resilent, waterresistant coat (buy a camo one and buy a cheap orange vest for when you hunt deer... saves buying 2 coats right now), hat, touque, mits, Waders (if you hunt ducks), long-johns.... Other gear you will need is gun cleaning stuff, good flashlight, good knife, GOOD COMPASS (Like a Silva - DO NOT skimp on this - It could save your ass), waterproof lighter/matches...... Ammo holders....

That should start you. Best of luck. One warning though.... The sport is addictive and will sap most of your spare cash!!!!!!!!!! :oops: :twisted:
 
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