New Hunters, learn from our experience......

It's been mentioned a time or two but I'd like to underscore that there is more to hunting than the stalk and kill, and it extends beyond the hunt itself. How much more does one appreciate the simple things like a warm roof over their head, a cup of (insert preference here), and a fresh set of warm dry clothes after they've spent all day out in the bush?

Appreciate the simple moments out in the field, too. My defining memory of last hunting season, other than the doe I put in the freezer, was just after legal time started, I was out in a field working my way around an abandoned farm yard and the sun was peeking up above the prairie horizon. And there was silence- absolute silence.
 
You and your gun . . .
Make sure you know how to run the gun you got.
Make sure the ammo you carry on the hunt will cycle through the gun without difficulty.
Get into the habit of cycling the action without dismounting the gun.
Make sure the gun fits when you are wearing the clothing you will be hunting in.
Practice getting the gun into position quickly from your carry position.
Learn to acquire your sight picture quickly and develop the technique to shoot quickly.
Concentrate on the mechanics of the shot rather than the game animals you're sighted on.

Prior to going . . .
Tell someone where you are going, and how long you expect to be there.
Learn to use that GPS and bring extra batteries.
Bring a map, laminate it if possible.
Learn how to use a compass and bring it.
Bring more food than you need.
Bring at least one change of clothes.
Bring enough gear to ensure comfort.
Bring lots of matches or other fire starting equipment.
Bring a compact set of 8X binoculars.
Bring a flashlight and batteries.
Bring a book for those long dark evenings.
Bring a cell or satellite phone in case you need help.

While hunting . . .
Be aware of changes in the weather.
Keep track of the time so that you don't end up attempting to find your way back to camp in the dark.
Drink enough water.
Don't become impatient.
Keep in mind when hunting on foot, that the same amount of ground you cover will have to be retraced later when you're tired and the sun is dropping.
 
oopswasthatyourdog? said:
spend enough time in the bush and sooner or later the poopoo fairy will tap you on the shoulder, wipes work better than TP. They also clean blood off your hands real well. Small pakage to tote, many uses.....
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Geez man, maybe you should see a doctor...




:D

Yes, I bring the baby wipes too.

Bring something to share with the rest of the group like some homemade cookies, dried pepparoni/jerky or a bottle of good whiskey for a sip after the hunt. Do your share setting up/collecting decoys. Around the hunt camp, do the dishes, tidying up, collecting/splitting firewood etc. These things get you invited back again.

When waterfowl/upland hunting don't correct or give commands to another mans dog, even if you are an dog expert. If he wants your advice on handling, let him ask.
 
Water!!! If you are heading for your stand to sit for a day, take lots of water ... 2 bottles won't last you as long as you think.

Nap. Enjoy that mid-day yawn session, check that yoru safety is on and have a short catnap - there is nothing more satisfying than waking up refreshed in the bush, in your favorite hunting spot, with a gun in your lap. Don't worry about what you may not see ... if it was meant to be, you'll be awake for it. The last thing you want is to be fighting the yawns and blinks and make a bad shot, only to wound the animal.

TP or baby wipes for sure. Especially if you are hunting at a camp "away from home".

Prior to the hunt:

Sight in your rifle at least 3 seperate times! This will tell you for sure if during transport, etc.. if anything is changing (loose scope, etc..)

Make A List of what you want to take with you for the trip - include the most "obvious" of items on your list. We all know that you wouldn't go hunting without your favorite knife, but it's just these kind of "everyday" items that get overlooked when you are busy thinking of the small details.

If you are hunting Dear/bear/moose ... take your latest UnRead hunting magazine to the stand with you every day. When you make your shot, read a few articles. Then read one more. I find this is the only method that keeps me from jumping up and searching for my kill too soon. It's dead, it's not going anywhere - enjoy your time outside while you can.

Again, with larger animals ... if you are sitting on the edge of a brush/swamp waiting for something to emerge from the trees ... Don't shoot the animal when you first see it emerging. Let it have it's drink/snack, then shoot once it has turned to head back to the bush. When you shoot them, they tend to bolt int he direction they are already pointed. The last thing you want is to have them bolt 100 yards into the muskeg. Your patience ahead of time will reward you with a much easier recovery of your kill. If it's a narrow clearing with swampy bits, set yourself so that you can shoot them after they have finished crossing the wet parts in either direction.
 
... and the most important rule of all

you can't learn how to hunt sitting in front of a computer screen. Get out and do it, and when hunting season isn't open get out and scout. A 1 hour scouting trip will teach you more than 4 weeks sitting here will.
 
Stumpfian said:
Still a new hunter here, but here's my advice to other new hunters. Go with someone who knows what they're doing.

Makes it so much easier, more successful and more enjoyable.
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While hunting with a seasoned hunter might make for an easier time, hunting isn't about hitting the "easy button", at least not me. I started out about 4 years back, with just the information available on Youtube and hunting websites.

I've had success every year, a lot of it I earned, some was luck, same as any venture in life. It's good to know the crops of the area, where you think they eat, where you think they bed, and that spot in between where they cross. Tramp around pre season will give you a good idea.

Granted, I wish I could have witnessed a deer being field dressed instead of youtube videos, but that's a small detail. After the first one it goes quicker.

So if you're reading this, and have no one to go hunting with, go for it anyways!! Don't think you won't have a good time just because you don't have a pro to tag along with.
 
I try to be in my stand before daybreak but to be truthfull, I have seen more deer between 10am-2pm than in the twilight hours.

This may be because I hunt hardwoods/ small clearings. Large fields will be best at dusk/ dawn.

Animals are unpredictable, a neighbor at my camp shot a nice buck on the dirt road in while everyone else was sitting in the woods.

You never know where/ when you will see them.
 
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