What do new hunters need?

M16LR.50

M16LR.50

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I'm looking to do my first hunt this year. Unfortunately, due to work and other obligations I probably will not get out until the snow is well underway. So, I've more or less decided to start humbly and try my hand at Rabbit & maybe grouse/pheasant. I'm not new to the outdoors, but new to the Canadian outdoors. So what do I need to get to be "properly" equipped in terms of shoes, clothes, gear etc. Would love to get specific product recommendations, bearing in mind that I'm not fond of buying equipment, so what i buy now should scale into big game hunting when I get to that in a year or two.

I'm in Ontario/GTA and if anyone has a land with a rabbit problem they wouldn't mind cutting me in on (lol), I have a few WONDERFUL recipes to apply to said game and share :) .

Oh, and I want to yank my 7yr old out to learn with me as well, so if you've had experience grooming a young one for the outdoors feel free to share the experience
 
If you can afford it, buy a Stanfields wool henley (and their wool blend onesie, if you plan on sitting). If not, at least buy a wool commando sweater - cheap at surplus stores. You also want a good set of wicking long johns; again, I think Stanfields might make good ones.

Three most important pieces of gear IMHO are a good set of waterproof boots, a good survival kit and some wool. All the fancy camo you can live without (although you'll find surplus army clothes hold up to brush very well - the uber-fugly Swiss stuff is indestructible and cheap). Deer, ducks, etc. can't see you if you are hidden behind a tree, and when you're walking up small game, it doesn't matter. They will hear you long before they see you.

You need a basic "hunting bag" to haul your survival kit - I use a rubber gas mask bag I got at an army surplus store for a few bucks, but you can use any old backpack or whatever. Depending on the size, you can keep spare shells or even game in it, if it's big enough. Also, I always bring TP. Seriously, you will need it someday.

Of course, you might not need your survival kit if you're hunting urban areas, or you can at least scale back on your gear; other guys on here can give you a better idea for contents, but you basically need something to start fires, a good knife, some basic first aid stuff, a space blanket ... you probably know the drill.

Personnally, if I was starting out hunting and needed to build a kit from scratch, I'd go to the Sportsmans Guide website and get set up.
 
A comfortable pair of boots you KNOW you can walk in all day and an appropriate coat for the day with a knife on your belt. Finding a mentor and getting to the range to practice your hunting positions is more important. Our consumer driven society is always trying to get us buying the latest, greatest ¤¤¤¤¤. A couple garbage bags are good for sitting on and letting the rabbits come to you never hurts to keep your butt dry.
 
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Warm clothes in layers, a good pair of gloves as well as boots and lots and lots of patience.
It took me five years of trying before I got my first deer.

I wear XL digital break up over my layers (long underwear, t-shirt, sweater, winter jacket for my torso. Long underwear, flannel pants and snowboard pants for my legs) because I already have it and I cannot afford to go out and buy all the "latest and greatest proper gear." The camo pants over the snowboard pants really cuts down on the "swooshing" sound they would otherwise make when I walk in them.
I've yet to get too cold but I always carry around those little heat packet things that you shake to activate just in case something happens.

Is it the most opportune setup? No, but it works for the time being.
 
Good quality pants and jackets are a must, as well as good boots. Ive found that hunting in the bush will find every flaw in your boots and clothing. Zippers will break, buttons will pop off, fabric can tear easier,, pockets are not strong or plentiful enough,clothes and boots will soak through in the wet quickly, etc, etc. Ive tried a few jackets and pants over the years and have found that military surplus stuff is as tough as you can find, and usually priced pretty good as well. The same for good boots, avoid the cheap Canadian Tire and WalMart stuff, the price is not worth having wet cold feet soon after your day begins. Even the Rocky brand boots are barely adequate, and you'll be lucky to get more than a couple seasons out of them, unless you do all your hunting from a truck seat.
 
Boots are the first thing. They don't have to cost a month's rent/mortgage payment either. Then look into wool pants and any coat with thinsulate. Think in terms of staying dry.
Suggest you leave the kid at home until you know what you're about. Better to take the kid for short day hikes well before you even think about taking him hunting. Kids that age have short attention spans and get tired and hungry fast. He has to learn how to be absolutely quiet too. No endless questions or fidgeting in a blind.
A trip to a range wouldn't be a bad thing. The loud sound of a gun shot might put him off shooting entirely unless he's got a bit of experience with it. Just forget about any shooting yourself on that day. A .22 youth model will do nicely.
 
Wow, great stuff guys! Thanks for the input so far. I've taken my son to the range a few times in Ottawa, and he loved it. It is actually him that has been pushing me to get into hunting. Nowadays, I cant event take up my iPad without him swarming me to find hunting shows/videos for him to watch. I came home one day to see him totally absorbed watching Yukon Men - that's the kind of interest he has developed. I don't want him to lose that interest either, because from what I can infer via forums, getting kids into hunting these days seems to be a chore!
 
for winter hunting, Good boots and good gloves (that you can shoot with if necessary). Layer up properly as oppose to bulky stuff. Make everything as light as possible if you are a walker.
 
For a couple new guys, especially considering one is a youth, look in to some blaze orange jackets and/or hats.
Excellent choice by including your boy! Best times you will ever spend.
 
Layers!

Don't make the mistake of buying the stuff with the coldest ratings. If you have an outfit rated for -50, what happens at -20? You either sweat like crazy which is deadly in the winter, or you have to keep unzipping every few minutes to regulate temperature. Get things you can wear in many seasons, but can be layered together for the really cold stuff. My jacket has been worn from +15 to -35 just with different layers under it. Woolrich brand wool field jacket, love it.

Base layer is important, I have recently switched to Merino wool, costs a lot but worth it.
 
i see a lot of guys mentioning boots right off the bat..... and i'll do the same. consider the conditions and purchase accordingly.
I have boots that are season specific and I also have several types of socks to add to the mix.
to really enjoy yourselves, you gotta be comfortable and dry ;)
I have an "allergy" to the wool clothing and it makes me itch like a bugger so I turn to the next thing i'll recommend , whether it's camo or not, waterproof, breathable, preferably with a cold weather liner, clothing, that is quiet in the bush. avoid pouches, packs and clothing with Velcro at all costs.
third thing, a quality set of binoculars for obvious reasons.
go have fun :D
hopefully you and yer partner can post some pics later this season of your new adventures.
 
Good solid leather hiking boots and gore tex gators for most of the year. Pack boots for the worst cold/still hunts.

Wool and layers and the rest will come with experience. Buy once cry once, but as has been stated you can find wool cheap in surplus stores. Don't be afraid to modify it with some thread and needle.

Map, compass and binos as you expand your area.
 
I haven't seen anyone talk about blaze orange outerwear, but that is required 'most everywhere in the east, and always advisable elsewhere. To avoid items of high tech clothing that you could only wear hunting, my recommended solution is to find a lightweight orange vest that is large enough to fit over your heaviest winter parka and use that. A BO ball cap and a toque will round you out for all weather conditions. I have a ridiculous number of specially made gloves and mittens but you'll get there.

BTW, heresy, I've written off Bean boots and most of their other clothing. Just never had any luck with any of it, and I'm the guy who grew up 200 metres this side of New England and made special pilgrimages to the big store in Freeport ME for a lot of summers.
 
Many thanks guys! One thing that I saw 45ACPKing mention, was socks. Should the socks also be wool? I know I've done a few winters in Ottawa, and just moving around from work to home my toes always were the first parts to start complaining.
 
yup, I don't see any point in a $600 camo suit or blaze suit. None of the deer/ bear or other animals I've taken seemed to care what colour I was wearing. They care when I stare at them, make unusual sounds and point things in their direction. A blaze vest as suggested above is the best on land and don't be afraid to buy a new one evry 4 years as they do fade. Quality sunglasses makes a big difference in open country as well.


eta, Yes wool outer socks, and moister wicking inners. It is very important to have space for air. If your socks are tight in your boots you will be cold!
Use this acronym for all your clothing in cold weather - Clean, (avoid) Overheating, Loose and in layers, and Dry
 
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...what do you need? ...a lot less than the stores want to sell you ...wool and leather are still kings in my book
 
Lots of good advice about your personal stuff. I just want to add a thought about your son.

Taking him along is obviously a great idea, but you must be very careful to make sure he never loses his enthusiasm on any given trip. If HE is cold, tired, or uncomfortable he may very well decide he doesn't like hunting after all. Make sure he is at least as well equipped for dealing with the weather and conditions as you are. He needs good well fitting boots too, as well as all the other clothing that will work for him. He has less body mass than you, and will need even better insulation to stay comfortable. Do NOT scrimp on his stuff. Don't think some old clothing he wore last winter will "do for now".

The second thought is that you must be sure that whatever trip you have planned is within his physical capabilities. Hunting can be physically demanding, especially if you are only 4 feet tall with short legs and little stamina, and you do not want him to experience a trip that is more than a 7 year old can handle. That may mean that he must not go with you unless you know for sure the trip will be easy enough for him to handle. There is nothing wrong with explaining to him that he is just no "old enough" to go on this one, but next time he will get to come. He must always be left "wanting more"; he must never be allowed to become frustrated, or cold, or exhausted at 7 years of age, if you want him to become a hunter. So you must be very careful to evaluate your plans before you let him come along. As an inexperienced hunter, I think you should be very careful introducing your son to the sport until you yourself know enough about what hunting is all about so you can be sure his experiences are always positive. At seven, maybe he should wait until next year before you take him out unless you know for sure the hunt will be within his capabilities, or that you will modify your own expectations of the hunt to accommodate his size and strength.
 
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