Newbie looking for hunting tips

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AldoSam

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Hello all,
I got my (R)PAL not too long ago, and at first, I was mainly looking into getting into sports shooting. Lately, I have gotten the itch to want to start learning about hunting and preparing for next season (cloned meats definitely made the itch itchier). I'm aiming to get my hunting license by next fall so I'm ready to go. Would love to get into big game hunting here in Ontario.

My question/ask for you all is:
- What is a good hunting rifle (and caliber) and/or shotgun to start with that would last me for a good amount of time (budget at around $1200).
- What are some tips/advice you guys wish you had when you first started hunting?
- I know I can go on YouTube for advice and videos; are there any specific channels to follow that would cover on hunting tips and techniques, as well as gutting and butchering?

Any other tips or things you have found to help you that you wish you knew when you started out would be helpful.
Thank you all for your time and advice :cool:
 
Get whatever Hunter Safety Course Ontario requires. Get the regulations and see what the seasons are and if there is a lottery for tags where you want to hunt.

I know Ontario has some regulations regarding what can be used for Hunting, some areas are shotgun only, some areas have caliber restrictions. Pick your gun accordingly. I'd rather hunt with a $200 rifle and a $1000 pair of binoculars than a $1200 rifle and no binoculars.

I'd hunt as close to home as possible. It's really easy to get skunked if you only have a short time to hunt. For example, I went out Saturday and didn't see a single Deer.

Basic butchering isn't that hard, you know what you want to eat and don't want to eat.
Screenshot_20251124-201641.png

Get some knives, a boning knife is nice to have.
Screenshot_20251124-201850.png

Check your regulations for what is required to be left for evidence of species and ### but if you can hang the Deer, gutting and skinning are much easier and cleaner. I've used a sling between 2 trees and a cheap pulley hoist from Canadian Tire. If you're hunting in warmer temperatures pop bottles make good ice packs.

A vacuum sealer is nice.

You'll likely make up the price of the knives and vacuum sealer on the first deer or 2 you get vs paying a butcher

Good luck, I'm sure others will have more Ontario specific info.
 
Start by the beginning, buy a 22lr and go after rabbits and grouses, when you know you like hunting and you learned about small game then get on to bigger games. Try to find a mentor, someone who would be willing to take you out or at least point you in the right direction.
A good knife, good binos! Going in the bush is easy but coming out can be hard hahaha learn how to use a map, gps and use them!
 
I guess moose, deer, bear is what you will be hunting. What else is in Ontario for big game? A bolt action in 308 would be my suggestion. With a decent scope. Should be easy with 1200. Lots of field dressing videos. As for butchering It still tastes good if its not cut perfect. Same meat.
 
MiG25 said:
Get whatever Hunter Safety Course Ontario requires. Get the regulations and see what the seasons are and if there is a lottery for tags where you want to hunt.

I know Ontario has some regulations regarding what can be used for Hunting, some areas are shotgun only, some areas have caliber restrictions. Pick your gun accordingly. I'd rather hunt with a $200 rifle and a $1000 pair of binoculars than a $1200 rifle and no binoculars.

I'd hunt as close to home as possible. It's really easy to get skunked if you only have a short time to hunt. For example, I went out Saturday and didn't see a single Deer.

Basic butchering isn't that hard, you know what you want to eat and don't want to eat.
View attachment 1045917

Get some knives, a boning knife is nice to have.
View attachment 1045918

Check your regulations for what is required to be left for evidence of species and ### but if you can hang the Deer, gutting and skinning are much easier and cleaner. I've used a sling between 2 trees and a cheap pulley hoist from Canadian Tire. If you're hunting in warmer temperatures pop bottles make good ice packs.

A vacuum sealer is nice.

You'll likely make up the price of the knives and vacuum sealer on the first deer or 2 you get vs paying a butcher

Good luck, I'm sure others will have more Ontario specific info.
Click to expand...
Didn't think about the binoculars. Makes perfect sense.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it a lot!
 
Use the winter to get out in the bush.
Wait until the hunting season is over there so you dont mess up someones hunt.
Then pick a spot and learn it. Snow will show you all the deer trails in the area. It will make it significantly easier to learn a new spot.
 
I would get a decent 12 gauge shotgun and a .22 rifle. Start with small game rabbits/grouse/turkey etc. For deer/moose find a camp so you can get some mentoring from experienced hunters. Depending on whether you are in Northern or Southern Ontario firearms/game will be different.
 
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AldoSam said:
Hello all,
I got my (R)PAL not too long ago, and at first, I was mainly looking into getting into sports shooting. Lately, I have gotten the itch to want to start learning about hunting and preparing for next season (cloned meats definitely made the itch itchier). I'm aiming to get my hunting license by next fall so I'm ready to go. Would love to get into big game hunting here in Ontario.

My question/ask for you all is:
- What is a good hunting rifle (and caliber) and/or shotgun to start with that would last me for a good amount of time (budget at around $1200).
- What are some tips/advice you guys wish you had when you first started hunting?
- I know I can go on YouTube for advice and videos; are there any specific channels to follow that would cover on hunting tips and techniques, as well as gutting and butchering?

Any other tips or things you have found to help you that you wish you knew when you started out would be helpful.
Thank you all for your time and advice :cool:
Click to expand...
Your in Ontario you born Canadian or newly arrived must ask as I have fatigue
 
cruisercam said:
Your in Ontario you born Canadian or newly arrived must ask as I have fatigue
Click to expand...
Born in Guatemala, been here since '99.
6 year old me still remembers the Molson "I am Canadian" commercial, not knowing what in God's green Earth a Molson was, but was damn sure I wanted to be Canadian.
Oh how I wish it was something newcomers strived to become.
The fatigue is real.
 
AldoSam said:
Born in Guatemala, been here since '99.
6 year old me still remembers the Molson "I am Canadian" commercial, not knowing what in God's green Earth a Molson was, but was damn sure I wanted to be Canadian.
Oh how I wish it was something newcomers strived to become.
The fatigue is real.
Click to expand...
Thanks welcome to Canada if you want to assimilate if not go home.
 
saskgunowner101 said:
He says he's been here like 25 years, pretty sure he's "assimilated", and besides, who TAF are you to say something stupid like that?
Click to expand...
Don't worry about him. We don't need to give ignorant "Canadians" any attention. They're no better than the people who don't want to assimilate.
 
saskgunowner101 said:
He says he's been here like 25 years, pretty sure he's "assimilated", and besides, who TAF are you to say something stupid like that?
Click to expand...
Well first I asked if he's been assimilate to the country. Then I responded that I thank him for clean Immigration and assimilation. Sooooo if you read the posts u will realize that I said nothing negative just done as he is with Immigration fatigue . And " who taf am I to say to something stupid " I didn't say anything anything stupid. Read the posts
 
AldoSam said:
Hello all,
I got my (R)PAL not too long ago, and at first, I was mainly looking into getting into sports shooting. Lately, I have gotten the itch to want to start learning about hunting and preparing for next season (cloned meats definitely made the itch itchier). I'm aiming to get my hunting license by next fall so I'm ready to go. Would love to get into big game hunting here in Ontario.

My question/ask for you all is:
- What is a good hunting rifle (and caliber) and/or shotgun to start with that would last me for a good amount of time (budget at around $1200).
- What are some tips/advice you guys wish you had when you first started hunting?
- I know I can go on YouTube for advice and videos; are there any specific channels to follow that would cover on hunting tips and techniques, as well as gutting and butchering?

Any other tips or things you have found to help you that you wish you knew when you started out would be helpful.
Thank you all for your time and advice :cool:
Click to expand...
which region of Ontario are you planning to hunt?
 
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