New Hunter needs help

AR15meister

AR15meister

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I am new to hunting and I want to go on a hunt next fall. I am 23 and my Dad never hunted and I live in D-town Toronto. Needless to say I need some help.

I was thinking of paying to go up to Northern Ontario and go on some sort of a guided hunt so that I can learn some stuff from someone who knows. I dont want to spend too much cash though because I already have to buy a hunting rifle, a shotgun and some other gear I guess.

I am interested in Deer and upland bird hunting as I dont like duck meat and I am not so interested in bear.

Can anyone give me some ideas of what I should do, I know I am in the right place.
 
Well, first off, going to northern ontario is not going to increase your odds of shooting deer. They are more resident to the southern parts of Ontario. SO, you just saved yourself some travel costs.

If you want to hunt deer and upland bird, you may want to consider getting a shotgun first as you will have the versatility of hunting both upland, waterfowl, wild turkey and big game.

If you have the cash, you can go ahead and buy whatever.

There's lots of outfitters in the north, but guided hunts and lodging aren't usually cheap by any stretch. Figure out a budget you want to work with and then you can plan your trip accordingly.

There's plenty of deer hunting not far from Toronto. You can also find the "Ontario Outfitters Guide" that lists tons of lodges in Ontario, with good descriptions of what is offered.

You could also find some guys on this site that might be willing to drag you out with them on a hunt. That'll get your feet wet and you'll learn tons.

Read books, research the net, and get into the field whenever you can so you can witness nature at work.

Hunting is a combination of knowledge, instinct and luck. (You will find all that stuff by spending many a day afield, and learning from your peers.) I've been doing it since I was a kid, and I'm still learning....

Anyway, just some tips that I hope you find helpful.
 
I'd offer to take you but I am in alberta.do you have any friends that hunt?what i would do if you don't is read as much as you can about the animal you are after.read about there eating,sleeping habits.also read about what size of gun would best suit your needs,practice shooting.the fastest way to loose intrest in hunting is wounding an animal and having it get away.after you are a crack shot do some scouting and get some permision.you should also read about how to feild dress the animals and anything else you need.this is kind of a trial and error way with finding the animals and everything.another option is go to a hunting store and talk to the guys around there.your best bet would be having someone who is a good hunter to show you the ropes
 
I know your pain. I grew up in Vancouver, exact same situation. I'm still the only one in the family that hunts. What I did: read books, books on hiking, tracking, wilderness survival, shooting and of course hunting, read both non-fiction and fiction some stories have quit alot of real knowledge in them. Go to the gym, exercise during the week and try to do a day hike every other weekend to get used to your boots and your pack (make a 20lb sand bag). Join a Rod and Gun club in your area and practice, practice, practice. Not only will you become a good shot but you'll be exposed to hunters, shooters and all sorts of good natured riff-raff. Post a message on the bulletin board at the range with your situation, someone will offer to help. I don't know what kind of work you do but I was able to find a couple older co-workers to take me out a few times when I first started hunting. Once you start asking you'll be surprised at the cultural cross section of people who hunt. I've met tough guy Iron workers that have never left the city and gone afield in the rain and mud with men that drive sedans and wear ties everyday. Good luck man, and remember it's not about the kill, it's about the hunt.
 
I have to agree with 44fordy, there are definately more deer in southern on. than northern, in my wmu last year you could get 7 tags if you were so inclined, 1 regular buck tag and 6 additionals for bow or controlled hunts. I mostly bow hunt and its a fairly individualistic sport, but I also go in a controlled hunt with a bunch of other guys.

Like was said before, get to the range and ask around. Something might work out. I have never been on a guided hunt for deer, but I highly doubt that your odds would be any better than if you scouted around and found land owners that would let you hunt their properties. Expect to bang on a lot of doors and have some rejection, but if you keep at it you will eventually find a spot.

7.62mm
 
welcome to the family AR15.
there are plenty of places close to toronto *within a couple of hours drive* you can get some nice deer specimens. join a local rod an gunclub put an add out looking for a "mentor". like it was suggested you may only need to purchase a good shotgun for your first season as it is versatile enough to handle almost all your hunting needs. if you want a decent rifle for your first hunt why not look at getting a decent sporterized enfield they can be had for under $200 and are usualy in decent enough shape for hunting. for gear you wont likely need to much if your just going for day trips, think food ammo light weight blind extra socks *wool*, if your going for over nighters ofcourse you will need t oadjust that.
remember if you dont fill your tag first season out it doesnt matter because the more your out the more you learn
 
Yes, once you meet folks at the range, the sporting goods store and the 'net, you'll find folks from all walks of life.

My hunting pals include a concrete finisher, a lawyer, independent computer consultant, outdoors store telephone fraud investigator, electrician, sheriff, fireman, plumber, retired logging company manager, provincial forest service bug specialist, movie set carpenter/private range caretaker, Hydro environmental officer, dairy manager at Superstore, and I'm a journalist.

You have a hunter's web-site in Ontario?

We've got two in B.C.

Lots of advice there too and new guys get invited out by experienced folks all the time. I've been big game hunting since the 1960s, but I'm new at waterfowling and some vets have taken me out, shown me tricks and new spots. It's great.
 
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MD said:
Yes, once you meet folks at the range, the sporting goods store and the 'net, you'll find folks from all walks of life.

My hunting pals include a concrete finisher, a lawyer, independent computer consultant, outdoors store telephone fraud investigator, electrician, sheriff, fireman, plumber, retired logging company manager, provincial forest service bug specialist, movie set carpenter/private range caretaker, Hydro environmental officer, dairy manager at Superstore, and I'm a journalist.

You have a hunter's web-site in Ontario?

We've got two in B.C.

Lots of advice there too and new guys get invited out by experienced folks all the time. I've been big game hunting since the 1960s, but I'm new at waterfowling and some vets have taken me out, shown me tricks and new spots. It's great.
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you are lucky i hunt with 3 arseholes :p but i would never change a day of it:dancingbanana: start by setting a budget first then stick to it .you do not need namebrand items they cost the most.:eek: get a compass and learn to use it before you attempt to go out .then work on a good pair of boots.then you need a good knife and learn on how to put an edge on it.get your outdoors card if you don't have it yet.thatshould keep ya busy for a bit then we'll add more things
 
well first of all you need to take the hunter education course then the Firearms safefy course...you will learn a lot from these courses, you might also meet someone that you could hunt with..


In my opinion the best deer hunting in Ontario is about 45minutes-3hours north of toronto. Might be hard to get premission though, most farmers dont want some city person they dont know hunting on their property though....GOOD LUCK
 
I already have my PAL and I own guns but more restricteds than non. I have an SKS as well, maybe I can just use it at the beginning. I am a member at Burlington rifle and revolver so I guess I can try and talk to some guys there about hunting and such.

I was thinking about a guided hunt because at least then I know I am paying a guy to show me stuff and I dont have to feel like a 'tag-along'. Does anyone know of any good guides in Ontario that are reasonably priced?


I have been reading Hemingway on hunting and it really makes you want to go hunting. I appreciate everyone's advice very much. This forum has taught me so much #### about my AR15 I just figured I should use it for my foray into big game hunting. Much appreciated.

Let me know about the guides, maybe there are some who are members here?
 
Keep reading and posting here, be thoughtful and appreciative in your posts, and I'll bet some good CGN will get you out there... you can come with me if you like, but Fort McMurray is a hell of a long way from TO...
 
Reading Hemingway is not a good way to improve your understanding of hunting, particularly deer hunting in Ontario. Sitting in the wet and cold, on watch for hours on end is more like John Steinbecks "Cannery Row".
I had the opportunity to go pheasant hunting in Ireland years ago - now that was like a Hemingway novel - especially when we went up into the hills for some "poteen" after a very successful hunt.
 
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Even though you have your PAL, you still need the Outdoors card which includes taking the hunting course.
 
If you are going to be hunting in the GTA and are going to buy a new gun for hunting a Remington 870 combo may be a good option. There are a lot of shotgun only areas for big game in the GTA and then you have your bird gun also.

I know how you feel I am the same age and was in a similar situation. None of my family hunts either .I was lucky enough to have an older friend who hunts and has kinda taken me under his wing to teach me the ropes.

My advice it to read lots and talk to as many people as you can. You may find someone who will offer to take you out or maybe just learn a thing or two from them. If you don't find someone, find some crown land and go anyway. As long as you are safe your not going to hurt anything and worst case sinario you wont shoot anything. But at least you will be out learning something and hopefully enjoying yourself.

Good luck and have fun
 
AR15meister said:
I already have my PAL and I own guns but more restricteds than non. I have an SKS as well, maybe I can just use it at the beginning. I am a member at Burlington rifle and revolver so I guess I can try and talk to some guys there about hunting and such.

I was thinking about a guided hunt because at least then I know I am paying a guy to show me stuff and I dont have to feel like a 'tag-along'. Does anyone know of any good guides in Ontario that are reasonably priced?


I have been reading Hemingway on hunting and it really makes you want to go hunting. I appreciate everyone's advice very much. This forum has taught me so much s**t about my AR15 I just figured I should use it for my foray into big game hunting. Much appreciated.

Let me know about the guides, maybe there are some who are members here?
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Oh God! You've already got an SKS? What else do you still want to buy! ?SKS with soft point is weeee enough to put down a southern Ontario whitetail.:D
Hunting is hunting, and Hemingway is Hemingway. Did he take any record book deer in his life? If you want to learn how to hunt, just read through all the posts in this Hunting section. :rockOn:
 
Join a hunters and anglers club within the area. Barrie has a great club and you will meet some great folks that will most certainly take you out. Also there is some great areas within 100 km of TO that produce some of the best wildlife in Ontario. You could take a weekend early in the year and drive up around Orillia or Barrie and ask farmers for permission to hunt on thier property or check with MNR about available hunting areas such as the Minising swamp. Unfortunately I won't be around next year or I would invite you along. We are moving not sure where yet it is with work.
 
Start small. Don't go for deer right off the bat. Go out for bunnies and grouse, or any small game you can. Get some blood on your hands. Remember that hunting is 99% fieldcraft/animal knowledge, and only 1% shooting. I don't mean to sound patronizing, but are you an 'outdoors' kind of guy? Are you comfortable walking around the bush and finding your way out all alone? Have you ever helped gut and clean an animal? Ripping open a deer and spilling out guts and gallons of blood as your first kill may be a little too much for some people.

Don't turn down a duck or goose hunt because you dont' like the taste of duck. Chances are you can really improve the taste through timing, handling, and preparation. But Goose is like beef later in the season. Mind you, waterfowl generally needs lots of gear. Upland hunting is basically a light shotgun and good footwear.

Ask around at the trap/skeet club as well, which you should be a member at soon to develop some proper wingshooting skills.
 
Alot of good info.

I am taking my hunting course in May. Grouse Man- I am nervous about ripping open a deer and all of the blood and guts. If I said I wasnt I wouldnt be telling the truth! But thats the only part about it all I am nervous about.

Love the outdoors and I want to get out in the bush. Thats a huge part of it. Thats why I loved reading the Hemingway books about hunting. Makes you feel like you were right there with him. Awesome. whether or not it is a good book to learn from doesnt matter, it makes you feel WHY he did it. Which is as important as how IMO.

Maybe I will start with some Grouse or ducks/geese. I am very interested in hunting deer though, there is something about it being so traditional that appeals to me. Seems like the only thing I can do these days that my great grandfather did too.

One of the reasons I want to get a guide is for if I get queasy when that knife pushes into the ol' buck and #### starts coming out. Wouldnt want to pass out beside a dead deer and have us both wolf food!

I do want to join a skeet/trap club. Work on my shooting since I have little shotgun experience.
 
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