My wife and I are just starting out...

[NL-Hunter]

Lots of good advice here... You may also want to consider guided hunts. A guide can get you close to the prey, start by practising so you can complete your part.

 

[FoymountFarm]

So, like the title states, my wife and I are just starting out with hunting. I have my hunting license, waiting on my PAL. My wife is taking her PAL and hunting course next month. I am looking for the opinion of the group here on what would be the best way to go, given our situation. At first I was just going to gun hunt with people I know, so I wasn't too worried about starting out and not knowing what to do, etc. Then my wife took up interest in what I was doing. She also loves the outdoors and is not afraid to get dirty and get involved with hunting. Only thing is, she is more interested in archery, as she used to shoot bow in high school. So, now we are looking at compound bows for the both of us to do archery/bow hunting together. I'm still interested in getting a basic shot gun to start out so I can hunt deer/turkey. Things are starting to add up after purchasing all the clothing, let alone gear for gun hunting and bow hunting for two people. I just don't know anyone who bow hunts, so it could be challenging to tag along with someone to get some experience. What would you more experienced guys/gals on here recommend? Would it be acceptable to start out with just bow hunting, and then next year when I can afford it, I can get into firearms (my wife is also interested in firearms, just not as much as bowhunting)? Or, is this asking way too much for two newbies to try and accomplish? Obviously, I am accepting that it is going to take a while regardless of method to actually be successful, and the experience for us if more time in the field together. I guess I'm just more or less getting some opinions here...anyways, thanks in advance.

Hi. Lucky guy and gal. I hope youse get so wrapped up in it you never want to quit. I'm 60, haven't missed an opening day since I was 16. IMHO here's some tips I think are useful. You might want to consider them in your planning.

- A good, experienced, hard hunting crew is priceless. Find one and do whatever it takes to hook up with them.

- Make sure there's game where you are going to hunt.

- Unless you're going to be exclusively doing drives or still hunting you'll find that hunting (especially deer and turkey) really is a lot of sitting alone trying to decipher every frigging sound you hear out there. Hunting a watch is mostly 95% mind numbing boredom and 5% adrenaline pumping thrill. You can also expect that sitting really, really still, either in a tree stand or a ground blind, will be cold, wet work. At least that has almost always been the norm where and when I hunt. I'd suggest you buy the best waterproof, breathable warm clothing available (something like Gortex but there's lots of good brands out there). Spend as much or more on clothes than you do, initially, on guns, bows etc. If you get cold, wet and uncomfortable on the watch you won"t have a good time and could well end up disliking hunting so much that you ditch it, and that would suck. I personally don't like a heavy outer layer, like a parka. I've found that many light under-layers topped with a light waterproof outer layer works best. You can shed and add back layers as needed. I'd also suggest staying away from polyester/polypropylene inner layers. I've used those materials a lot in the past but I've found that while they'll keep you warm enough they will begin to stink almost as soon as you put them on. I've gone old school again, I wear nothing but merino wool and cotton (yup, killer cotton) inner layers now. I stay toasty on stands and also limit game alerting odour better. Now, if you plan on hunting from your back deck and don't need to worry about how much gear you need to pack, go for the polyester/polypropylene. It tends to be way cheaper than good merino wool.

- guns, shotguns, bows, crossbows...whichever style of hunting you finally decide to buy, decide on the best quality kit you can afford, then upgrade by $150 bucks to the next model. Ref point 1, get someone from the crew to go shopping with you. Not to tell you what to get but to discuss your choices with you so that you know that what you're getting will do the job you are going to want it do.

Hope I didn't sound preachy, hard to give advice like this sometimes without coming across that way. If I did, certainly wasn't intended.

 

[Ganderite]

Foymount Farm - I used to live in Foymount. As a kid, my first 22 (Cooey) came from the Cormac general store.

 

[Jmassecar]

I've been hunting since I was 16 and am now 42. I had a 15 year break in there while I lived the city and have been hunting again for the past 7 years. My wife got her hunters safety training a couple years ago and comes with me now and again. This was her first year deer hunting with a tag. I find the best way to start is to get a bait pile going and a trail cam. It's fun to go out and bait together and check out the pictures. If you decide to hunt the bait it will offer you a easier shot (ethical shot) and decrease the chances of tracking a wounded animal (a real buzz kill for a new hunter). Or alternately you can just sit where you know deer come out to feed. If you are in a position to shoot accurately without moving too much you will be more likely to be successful. scouting out these possible hunting areas can also be a good way to get out of the house.

I would personally get a cheap bolt action rifle (used if possible) and share it. Also spend some time at the range. When we go out we often just go with one gun. I go a lot on my own So when I take the wife out I do whatever she feels like doing and it's working well so far.

That's some really good advice, thanks. Unfortunately here (southern Ontario) we can't hunt deer with rifles. Shotguns are somewhat limited in the areas where I will be able to hunt.

 

[Jmassecar]

Hi. Lucky guy and gal. I hope youse get so wrapped up in it you never want to quit. I'm 60, haven't missed an opening day since I was 16. IMHO here's some tips I think are useful. You might want to consider them in your planning.

- A good, experienced, hard hunting crew is priceless. Find one and do whatever it takes to hook up with them.

- Make sure there's game where you are going to hunt.

- Unless you're going to be exclusively doing drives or still hunting you'll find that hunting (especially deer and turkey) really is a lot of sitting alone trying to decipher every frigging sound you hear out there. Hunting a watch is mostly 95% mind numbing boredom and 5% adrenaline pumping thrill. You can also expect that sitting really, really still, either in a tree stand or a ground blind, will be cold, wet work. At least that has almost always been the norm where and when I hunt. I'd suggest you buy the best waterproof, breathable warm clothing available (something like Gortex but there's lots of good brands out there). Spend as much or more on clothes than you do, initially, on guns, bows etc. If you get cold, wet and uncomfortable on the watch you won"t have a good time and could well end up disliking hunting so much that you ditch it, and that would suck. I personally don't like a heavy outer layer, like a parka. I've found that many light under-layers topped with a light waterproof outer layer works best. You can shed and add back layers as needed. I'd also suggest staying away from polyester/polypropylene inner layers. I've used those materials a lot in the past but I've found that while they'll keep you warm enough they will begin to stink almost as soon as you put them on. I've gone old school again, I wear nothing but merino wool and cotton (yup, killer cotton) inner layers now. I stay toasty on stands and also limit game alerting odour better. Now, if you plan on hunting from your back deck and don't need to worry about how much gear you need to pack, go for the polyester/polypropylene. It tends to be way cheaper than good merino wool.

- guns, shotguns, bows, crossbows...whichever style of hunting you finally decide to buy, decide on the best quality kit you can afford, then upgrade by $150 bucks to the next model. Ref point 1, get someone from the crew to go shopping with you. Not to tell you what to get but to discuss your choices with you so that you know that what you're getting will do the job you are going to want it do.

Hope I didn't sound preachy, hard to give advice like this sometimes without coming across that way. If I did, certainly wasn't intended.

Not preachy at all, thanks so much for taking the time to provide the advice! I spent some time in cold, wet trenches in the reserves, so I am pretty prepared to sit motionless for hours, staring into the woods...wondering...mind and eyes playing tricks on you, etc. At least I know I wouldn't be discouraged there. I have been given the advice to look for merino wool by my sister's boyfriend. So far, I have a pair of socks and they are amazing. We were lucky enough to do some shopping at an Under Armour outlet in the USA over christmas, so we picked up a bunch of hunting clothing there for some pretty amazing prices. You are right though, probably going to be as much, if not more, than the firearms/bows we use to start out with. Oh well, it is an investment in sanity, health and well being.

 

[amosfella]

Go to a a bunch of gun stores, and hold and shoulder a bunch of different guns... Take notes of the guns you like the feel of model, caliber, price. Then start looking for used models of those guns... A good example of that gun should be 80% of the new price, with some exceptions of course.
A lot of guys really like the CZ shotguns for hunting. Their rifles are really nice too... Get one of their rimfires, and see if you can get a 453 model... That will give you much cheaper practice...

 

[Jmassecar]

Go to a a bunch of gun stores, and hold and shoulder a bunch of different guns... Take notes of the guns you like the feel of model, caliber, price. Then start looking for used models of those guns... A good example of that gun should be 80% of the new price, with some exceptions of course.
A lot of guys really like the CZ shotguns for hunting. Their rifles are really nice too... Get one of their rimfires, and see if you can get a 453 model... That will give you much cheaper practice...

Thanks man! budget friendly tips are greatly appreciated.

 

[amosfella]

Thanks man! budget friendly tips are greatly appreciated.

Not a problem... CZ rifles are not the cheapest, but in my opinion, they are among the best quality wise for the price.... Get a good quality rifle. It's much better, and you'll probably have a better experience....

 

[The ROC]

Thanks man! budget friendly tips are greatly appreciated.

You've received some great advice above and I'll chime in as I've just pasted my second deer season.

1 - Wait for the sales to happen for your hunting gear... Sail is predictable on their sales: They pay all the HST, 15% 25% and so on for their hunting gear. Check out Cabela's Bargain Cave... I picked up a Sitka outfit at 40%.

2 - When it comes to hunting clothing... My opinion is buy what you really what the first time... maybe expensive at first but cheaper in the long run.

3 - Consider a 12g like a Mossberg with a three barrel combo and that should fit your needs for deer, turkey, grouse, waterfowl and coyote. If quiet hunting is desired so both you and your wife can tag out the same day then look into a crossbow. Meaning if you tag out first say on a turkey you won't scare off any potential opportunities for your wife. My primary is compound bow and when the temps drop where I need to bundle up then I switch to crossbow. Too difficult for me to come to full draw when bundled up plus a treestand harness attached.

4 - Google is your best friend. Do a search for public hunting spots in your area. In Port Hope/ Cobourg area you have Northumberland and Ganaraska forest that are public... there you go... I just got you started.

5 - It's great to have big dreams for that prized buck or turkey but reality is this... baby steps. Hunting is a life long heritage and doesn't happen in just one season. Most likely your first time out will be a trial run. Your subsequent outtings will be your learning trial by error and with each hunting season that passes will you gain knowledge and experience.

6 - If you two generally go away to sunny south for vacation then do consider a "Stay-cation" and spend it on a trip to a reputable hunting outfitter.

7 - Research, read, research more reading and more research.

8 - Whether your day's hunt is successful or not the most important part of hunting is just being out there and listening to what nature has to say and sharing those moments with your loved one's.

Good Luck

 

[Jonny_Cannon]

I wouldn't go super-expensive on gear, either. I just started this year hunting bird. The gf hunts & fishes. Now it is something we do together. It's fantastic walking through the woods together, hunting grouse or whatever. She's teaching me to track different animals, etc. I'm learning a lot, and boy can she cook what we catch.

Opening season for duck it poured. I went to Crappy Tire and picked up, for $100 a set of camo jacket and pants that are waterproof. Perfect. I use the winter rubber boots I got at TSC for $40. Damned best all-weather boots I have ever purchased. They come with the felt liners. Good for mud, water, snow. For our orange, I use my old spare FLR gear from work. Cost = nothing. For warmer weather camo, we have stuff I got at the surplus store. Maybe $50 for jacket and pants and t-shirt, total. TSC also sells the stuff. I think I got her pants for about $20 there. Safety glasses for her from work, and I have prescription shooter glasses anyways.

I have a bandolier to carry my 12-gauge shells, and she keeps the .22 shells in a box in her pocket. We use a Savage bolt-action .22 that I got on sale for $220. I use an 870 pump I bought new for less than $400. Both guns can get banged around and scratched and who cares. I bought an old surplus mail bag on EBay to use as a game bag.

Cannon

I originally didn't buy high-end stuff in case hunting wasn't for me. However, I found we love doing that together, and the gear is just fine.

 

[tigrr]

Hey Justin you might want to mention the area you are from, general area. That way if someone wants to show you their tips and tricks they know if your close. You tube has videos on most hunting techniques, take them with a grain of salt though. Not all are worth watching. Baiting is allowed in some hunting areas but check the regulations before using it. A salt lick is for the cows though right!!
I borrowed a gun the first few times I went hunting. I bought the shells though.
My wife came out 3 times with me and found she couldn't sit for long without getting cold. Never thought about spot and stalk. Mind you it was -25 and 10km wind. Should of had a blind with a heater in it. Scouting is very important too. The new night vision mono spotting scopes are great for checking out a field in the dark. Versus pit lamps!!
The other thing is finding some farmer who would be willing to let you hunt on their land. Go for a drive and introduce yourself to them and ask. Mention things like you safely shoot away from any buildings and their cows/other livestock. Offer to help haying on your days off in exchange for permission to hunt. lots of good tips above too.

 

[Jmassecar]

You've received some great advice above and I'll chime in as I've just pasted my second deer season.

1 - Wait for the sales to happen for your hunting gear... Sail is predictable on their sales: They pay all the HST, 15% 25% and so on for their hunting gear. Check out Cabela's Bargain Cave... I picked up a Sitka outfit at 40%.

2 - When it comes to hunting clothing... My opinion is buy what you really what the first time... maybe expensive at first but cheaper in the long run.

3 - Consider a 12g like a Mossberg with a three barrel combo and that should fit your needs for deer, turkey, grouse, waterfowl and coyote. If quiet hunting is desired so both you and your wife can tag out the same day then look into a crossbow. Meaning if you tag out first say on a turkey you won't scare off any potential opportunities for your wife. My primary is compound bow and when the temps drop where I need to bundle up then I switch to crossbow. Too difficult for me to come to full draw when bundled up plus a treestand harness attached.

4 - Google is your best friend. Do a search for public hunting spots in your area. In Port Hope/ Cobourg area you have Northumberland and Ganaraska forest that are public... there you go... I just got you started.

5 - It's great to have big dreams for that prized buck or turkey but reality is this... baby steps. Hunting is a life long heritage and doesn't happen in just one season. Most likely your first time out will be a trial run. Your subsequent outtings will be your learning trial by error and with each hunting season that passes will you gain knowledge and experience.

6 - If you two generally go away to sunny south for vacation then do consider a "Stay-cation" and spend it on a trip to a reputable hunting outfitter.

7 - Research, read, research more reading and more research.

8 - Whether your day's hunt is successful or not the most important part of hunting is just being out there and listening to what nature has to say and sharing those moments with your loved one's.

Good Luck

Really solid advice, thank you!

Jonny_Cannon, I think you made a great point there in the beginning about walking around in the woods together. That's what it's all about, right?

 

[Jmassecar]

Hey Justin you might want to mention the area you are from, general area. That way if someone wants to show you their tips and tricks they know if your close. You tube has videos on most hunting techniques, take them with a grain of salt though. Not all are worth watching. Baiting is allowed in some hunting areas but check the regulations before using it. A salt lick is for the cows though right!!
I borrowed a gun the first few times I went hunting. I bought the shells though.
My wife came out 3 times with me and found she couldn't sit for long without getting cold. Never thought about spot and stalk. Mind you it was -25 and 10km wind. Should of had a blind with a heater in it. Scouting is very important too. The new night vision mono spotting scopes are great for checking out a field in the dark. Versus pit lamps!!
The other thing is finding some farmer who would be willing to let you hunt on their land. Go for a drive and introduce yourself to them and ask. Mention things like you safely shoot away from any buildings and their cows/other livestock. Offer to help haying on your days off in exchange for permission to hunt. lots of good tips above too.

Thanks for that, I have hear the ground blind/heater is a good idea. I may have another use for our whisperlite backcountry camp stove