BRL234
Posts:3
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| 22 Dec 2012 07:34 AM |
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I've always wanted to get into hunting, just never really had the time before now. I just want to know where do I start.
For a new hunter, what would the best gun choice be?
What is the best game to hunt for a Rookie?
And what gear would I need to actually go out on a hunt?
Would appreciate some feedback, thank you. |
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Steve
Posts:1686
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| 22 Dec 2012 08:22 AM |
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First off welcome to the board. This place has a wealth of knowledge on pretty much any type of game. There are thousands of posts you can draw off of.
But you've asked a lot of questions and provided no background information on your self.
How old are you, can you already shoot proficiently, where are you, what kind of animals are around, what kind of animals are you interested in, what's your reasoning for taking up the sport, are there any seasoned hunters that you know that you could draw off of... and the list would continue but a LOT more info is needed from you before anyone could even think of formulating any sort of reasonable advice to you.
Not trying to be combative but to really help, that kind of information needs to be put out there. |
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| Steve:
OSOK - Poughkeepsie, NY |
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BRL234
Posts:3
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| 22 Dec 2012 09:23 AM |
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Well im 20 years old, Im currently in the military stationed in South Korea, so this is more for when I get back to the states next November, I have a decent shot and love shooting guns so i'll get plenty of practice in. Im from North West Illinois, I have quite a few buddies that have been hunting all their lives, so im sure i could tag along and learn a few things from them. Hope that helps! |
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Camo Dave
Posts:36
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| 22 Dec 2012 11:43 AM |
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Posted By BRL234 on 22 Dec 2012 10:23 AM
Well im 20 years old, Im currently in the military stationed in South Korea, so this is more for when I get back to the states next November, I have a decent shot and love shooting guns so i'll get plenty of practice in. Im from North West Illinois, I have quite a few buddies that have been hunting all their lives, so im sure i could tag along and learn a few things from them. Hope that helps!
Learning from your buddies is the best way to learn. Just be ready for a few pranks to come your way, and don't worry, if these are your hunting buds, the pranks will be all in good fun. We Hunters stick together. |
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mowgle
Posts:212
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| 22 Dec 2012 08:54 PM |
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Sorry but I'm not from Illinois but before thinking about buying a gun, check your state's laws. Not for sure but I think you have serious limits on weapons for deer. You could check on line for your state game laws. |
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SFC B
Posts:86
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| 22 Dec 2012 09:49 PM |
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Hey brother, I believe if you are hunting in Northern IL you will be shooting either shotgun or Black Powder. Definitely check with your DNR to make sure of the rules. Conservation officers for your area are also a great resource. Do you have your return assignment yet? Depending on where you get stationed yo might have some opportunities there as well. Buddies or other mentors (a lot of folks are willing to mentor, that is how I started at 33) are greatways to start. In the Midwest Whtetails are the big daddy of game and reasonable creatures to learn about hunting with. If you are going to get a gun for Illinois I would go with a shotgun. My personal suggestions would be a Remington 870 (great gun at a reasonable price that can be customized easily) or an H&R slugster. I was in your shoes 10 years ago. while it is some work to learn it is great fun and very rewarding. This year I shot my first elk and was resonsible for shooting, quartering, hauling out , butchering, packaging and now cooking it. A lot of satisfaction in it. Feel free to message me and I will answer everything I can. SFC B
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| Never apologize for being a Patriot!!
SFC B |
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Cherokee
Posts:194
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| 22 Dec 2012 10:25 PM |
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Posted By BRL234 on 22 Dec 2012 08:34 AM
I've always wanted to get into hunting, just never really had the time before now. I just want to know where do I start.
For a new hunter, what would the best gun choice be?
What is the best game to hunt for a Rookie?
And what gear would I need to actually go out on a hunt?
Would appreciate some feedback, thank you. WELL FOR STARTERS GO THROUGH A NRA HUNTERS SAFETY COURSE AND THEN AFTER YOU PASS IT THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL YOU BE ABLE TO KNOW ABOUT HUNTING THE SAFE WAY.. I TO HAVE SERVERED .. USMC RETIRED SNIPER FOR 17 PLUS YRS.. WELCOME TO THE FORUMS AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE HERE CAN HELP YOU WITH WE WILL TRY.. I MY SELF STARTED HUNTING WHEN , I WAS 7YRS OLD WITH MY DAD AND UNCLE'S AND PASSED MY NRA TEST 99% AND WOULD BE VERY PROUD TO HELP YOU IN ANYWAY .. HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEARS.. BE SAFE..  |
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bigrig
Posts:323
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| 23 Dec 2012 07:25 AM |
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Cherokee threw out a good point. Because of your age. The first thing you will have to do is go through a hunters safety course. It's not expensive. And is a fairly short course. I didn't have to do the course because my age. But, did it with my son anyway. It's not required in all states depending on your age. But, it is in others no matter what your age is. In my experience. Other states will accept the certificate. No matter what state you got it in. Get together with other guys you know to get info about hunting from. Get out with them too. you can learn a lot from the others. As was said. You will experience pranks. It's all in fun. Don't fall for the snipe hunting one. They will try to get you to get a bag and a flashlight and hold the light behind the bag and call the snipe after dark. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Thats the only way your going to learn. Just remember. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask. The club is a good start. All of are more than happy to answer questions. There are lots of opportunities to hunt where ever your stationed. I've hunted in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Kansas while I was in. |
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Steve
Posts:1686
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| 23 Dec 2012 07:47 AM |
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Most (all?) states have mandatory Hunters Safety Regs. PA didn't when I was that young but the other piece of the pie is if you have a prior valid license. Now I took the course and have actually taught it. I think everyone should have to re-take it every five years... but that's a different story. Hey bigrig... don't steer him away for one of the most fun experiences! Sheesh...  Ask away here and you'll get answers. More specific questions would probably yield more helpful detailed responses. It sounds like you're going to be in shotgun country. I hunt in both. I have a Mossberg 500 combination set. It has a cantilevered rifled barrel for slugs as well as a shot barrel with three choke tubes. Very flexible setup and won't drain your wallet. It does take some trial and error shooting with various brands and types of slugs to determine which one your particular gun "likes" but once you find it, you're good. I could easily reach out to between 150 an 200 yards with mine. Hopefully you'll be back here soon. |
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| Steve:
OSOK - Poughkeepsie, NY |
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bpearce
Posts:181
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| 23 Dec 2012 08:24 AM |
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Suggesting a gun option is almost impossible without knowing what type of hunting you want to get into. If you want to hunt upland game birds you might want a light weight shotgun, for duck or geese you would want a shotgun that was capable of shooting magnum shells. the same goes for varment hunting and big game hunting. You would use a smaller caliber for varments than for big game.
If you can only use a shotgun or muzzle loader for deer You could get the 870 with 2 barrels, the second barrel being a rifled slug barrel. Plus one that would handle 2 3/4 to 3 1/2 shells. That would give you the option of using it for several different game.
As for myself. I use my Franchi lightweight 20 gauge semi auto for dove and quail. For pheasant I would use my 12 gauge Rem. 1100. If I wanted to shoot squirrel I would take my 22, and for deer I use a 30-30 winchester or a Stevens 243 bolt action. Once I got hooked on whitetail hunting I have for the most part stopped my bird hunting.
Since rifle season for deer only lasts 10 days in Ks. I have taken up archery hunting. That runs from the end of Sept. through Dec. and am able to spend a lot more time hunting. |
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Steve
Posts:1686
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| 23 Dec 2012 08:53 AM |
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no argument there BP, that was the main point of my first reply but since shotguns had been brought up I figured I'd toss in my two cents on that. More specific information and questions will get much better and more informed answers.
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| Steve:
OSOK - Poughkeepsie, NY |
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bigrig
Posts:323
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| 23 Dec 2012 09:23 AM |
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It looks like he's getting some pretty good advice already. Your right Steve. I remember someone tryiing that one on me.  Goes along with running to FDC to get a box of grid squares in artillery.  |
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Steve
Posts:1686
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| 23 Dec 2012 09:32 AM |
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all in good fun. Those are the kinda of things you remember for a long time, and usually fondly although at the time felt pretty durn taken... ;-) |
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| Steve:
OSOK - Poughkeepsie, NY |
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bigrig
Posts:323
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| 23 Dec 2012 09:44 AM |
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Posted By Steve on 23 Dec 2012 10:32 AM
all in good fun. Those are the kinda of things you remember for a long time, and usually fondly although at the time felt pretty durn taken... ;-)
lol I heard that  |
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Steve
Posts:1686
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| 23 Dec 2012 09:51 AM |
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I can't tell you how many shirt tails were pinned to the walls of our old camp... lol
For those who may not be aware of that, there are traditions in some places that if someone misses, out come the knives and off goes the guys shirt tail... ;-) |
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| Steve:
OSOK - Poughkeepsie, NY |
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holly
Posts:2239
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| 23 Dec 2012 11:13 AM |
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Been there and done that too Steve .Seen a few pranks in my few years . |
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bigrig
Posts:323
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| 23 Dec 2012 11:36 AM |
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Be making a sandwich. If someone else wanted one.We'd leave the plastic wrap around the slice of cheese. Imagine the surprise when its bitten into. |
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Cherokee
Posts:194
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| 23 Dec 2012 10:29 PM |
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Posted By Steve on 23 Dec 2012 10:51 AM
I can't tell you how many shirt tails were pinned to the walls of our old camp... lol
For those who may not be aware of that, there are traditions in some places that if someone misses, out come the knives and off goes the guys shirt tail... ;-)
BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT TO .. BUT SOME OF THE GUY'S DON'T MUCH CARE FOR THE CUTING OF THE SHIRT'S.. OH WELL THEN DON'T MISS WE SAY.. LOL..HAY HOLLY AND STEVE.. 
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mowgle
Posts:212
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| 24 Dec 2012 06:37 AM |
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Reminds me when I was on KP in the army. Sarge sent me out with a big pot to get 20 gals of steam. I came back 12 hrs later and told him I filled it many times but it all escaped. But being drunk I don't think he believed me. KP for a week but no more steam runs. |
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bigrig
Posts:323
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| 24 Dec 2012 04:41 PM |
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It took me awhile to live this one down. I was the supply ssection driver for awhile. When we went to the field. I hauled the mess section around. I was firing up the imersion heaters, and let a little too much gas drip into the heater before I lit it. I saw it coming when the fire was swirling around the bottom of the heater. I didn't move fast enough when thee thing went woooof. The whole firing battery heard it. Luckily, all it did was burn my eye brows and lashes off. I had my helmet liner on. For the newer troops. Our helmets were two piece. A fiberglass liner with the steel pot. I was still aournd when we were issued the kevlar helmets. We once put an opposum in the back of a 2 1/2 ton with a new troop who was a mechanic. We woke him when the -possum was nose to nose with him. He screamed like a little girl and being unable to get his bag open. Ripped it to shreds getting out of it. Well, I guess you can figure out who ended up buying him a new bag. The mess section and me. |
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Cherokee
Posts:194
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| 24 Dec 2012 10:32 PM |
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Posted By bigrig on 24 Dec 2012 05:41 PM
It took me awhile to live this one down. I was the supply ssection driver for awhile. When we went to the field. I hauled the mess section around. I was firing up the imersion heaters, and let a little too much gas drip into the heater before I lit it. I saw it coming when the fire was swirling around the bottom of the heater. I didn't move fast enough when thee thing went woooof. The whole firing battery heard it. Luckily, all it did was burn my eye brows and lashes off. I had my helmet liner on. For the newer troops. Our helmets were two piece. A fiberglass liner with the steel pot. I was still aournd when we were issued the kevlar helmets. We once put an opposum in the back of a 2 1/2 ton with a new troop who was a mechanic. We woke him when the -possum was nose to nose with him. He screamed like a little girl and being unable to get his bag open. Ripped it to shreds getting out of it. Well, I guess you can figure out who ended up buying him a new bag. The mess section and me.
WE DID SOME OF THE SAME STUFF TO THE NEW TROOPS THAT CAME IN TO THE UNIT.. BUT THE FUNNY THING WAS , I WAS THE HIGHEST RANKING OFFICER THER SO IT WAS MY DEAL TO SCREW WITH THEM BUT SOME TIME'S , I LET THE OTHERS DO THE DEAL BUT TOLD THEM WHAT TO DO AND NOTHING ELSE.. SO THAT WAY THE NEW GUY'S COULDN'T GO TO THE MAJOR OR COL... I HAVE TO SAY THAT WHAT YOU DID TO THE MACHANIC WAS REAL FUNNY BUT YOU COULD HAVE BEEN IN ALOT MORE TROUBLE THEN JUST BUYING HIM A NEW BAG.. HELL , I WOULD HAVE DONE IT BUT ALL WE HAD WAS SNAKES AND STUFF LIKE THAT.. AND NO NONE OF GTHE SNAKES WERE DEADLY ALL WERE JUST WATER OR GREEN SNAKES.. BUT THEY WORKED .. |
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Cherokee
Posts:194
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| 24 Dec 2012 10:36 PM |
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Posted By mowgle on 24 Dec 2012 07:37 AM
Reminds me when I was on KP in the army. Sarge sent me out with a big pot to get 20 gals of steam. I came back 12 hrs later and told him I filled it many times but it all escaped. But being drunk I don't think he believed me. KP for a week but no more steam runs.
I GAVE OUT A LOT OF KP JOB'S TO NUM-NUT'S THAT JUST WANTED TO GET DRUNK ON THE WEEKEND AND COME BACK AND START STUFF WITH THE NEW GUY'S .. BUT WHEN THE NEW GUY'S THOUGHT THEY COULD GET BACK AT MY GUY'S , I FIX THEM UP WITH MANY DAY'S OF KP AND CLEANING OF THE JON'S.. SO IT ALL WORK OUT OK FOR ALL OF MY UNIT.. |
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Brian Warner
Posts:3346
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| 26 Dec 2012 08:11 PM |
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Like Steve said, tell us a bit about yourself so we can help more. Obviously a 12 year old won't be able to start hunting the same thhings as a 22 year old person. The type of game and your location are closely matched too. Don't want you to go hunting elk in a place that does not have elk. Help us help you and fill in a few more blanks. |
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| 20 Year Life Member NAHC, Whitetails Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited. Founder and owner of Heirloom Game Calls, Master call maker, Retired Airforce (22 years), Disabled Veteren, Survivor of stage 4 Esophageal Cancer, heart attack and 6 way by-pass, 2 kids, 3 grandbabies and 32+ years of marriage to the same great gal (Miss Kathy). |
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BRL234
Posts:3
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| 29 Dec 2012 05:14 AM |
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I'm 20 years old, and I'm from Northern Illinois, so there is no Rifle Season for deer. So I'm assuming to go with a 12 gauge, with a rifled barrel. I also plan on hunting some Duck and Geese with some buddies back home. So would I want a different set up for that? Or just a different barrel? Or will the original set up work? |
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Steve
Posts:1686
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| 29 Dec 2012 05:31 AM |
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That helps a lot. Yes, a 12 gauge. As I said before. I have a Mossberg 12 ga combination. Combination, meaning it's got a cantilevered rifled barrel that's or slugs an another barrel with 3 different choke tube. It'll take 2 3/4" or 3" shells. Remington sells a similar setup and not sure but I think Weatherby may. I'm very pleased with my setup. Have a 2x7 Leupold sitting on top. |
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| Steve:
OSOK - Poughkeepsie, NY |
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bpearce
Posts:181
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| 29 Dec 2012 07:45 AM |
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As Steve said. A rifled barrel would improve accuracy for shooting slugs. The different choke tubes affects the pattern of shot from a wide pattern for in close hunting as for quail and smaller pattern for duck or geese.
If you get addicted to deer hunting as I have you might want to consider getting into archery. Our rifle season for deer is only 10 days, but with a bow or crossbow I can hunt deer from end of Sept. through Dec. Then we have an anterless left over season for 10 days in Jan. where I can use either rifle or bow. |
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Steve
Posts:1686
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| 29 Dec 2012 07:50 AM |
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Plus a lot of places have separate muzzleloader seasons. Now this makes zero sense to me, but even places that are shotgun only allow muzzleloaders...
And shotgun only makes no sense to me either. My 12 ga with the rifled barrel and the right slugs could fairly easily reach out to 200 yards. Took me some time to shoot quite a few different brands of slugs until I found the one that my gun liked, but now it's freekin' right on. |
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| Steve:
OSOK - Poughkeepsie, NY |
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Brian Warner
Posts:3346
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| 01 Jan 2013 03:55 PM |
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I have to agree. A good 12 gauge with interchangable chokes as a minimum. The remington 870 is a great gun. Some will refer to it as an "Entry level" shot gun but I'm here to tell you that after over 25 years, mine still kills them just as dead. I hunted up that way oin Indiana this last fall and used a Muzzle Loader but would have no ills aboutusing my 870 with a rifled choke. If you have a bit extra to spend, you can opt for a slug barrel to go on it for around $150 or less usually if you shop around. The interchgangable chokes will let you hunt anything from squirrels and rabbits to deer and ducks with no trouble. Just match the choke and shot shell to your game. |
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| 20 Year Life Member NAHC, Whitetails Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited. Founder and owner of Heirloom Game Calls, Master call maker, Retired Airforce (22 years), Disabled Veteren, Survivor of stage 4 Esophageal Cancer, heart attack and 6 way by-pass, 2 kids, 3 grandbabies and 32+ years of marriage to the same great gal (Miss Kathy). |
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dgiampietro
Posts:12
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| 01 Jan 2013 10:35 PM |
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Yongju gol 79-80; Camp Garry Owens! Things are happening fast here "stateside" http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Govern...anning-LawI would tell a returning vet to consider the entire continental US their literal hunting-grounds. That means not to limit yourself to one state; plan to go where ever you want to find your challenge, some states have late seasons for deer and geese. A lot of states offer upland game shooting on private lands well after the seasons close on public lands. Duck season (on private land) extends well into March here in Oregon; same goes for spring goose shooting in the prairie pothole regions. There are some big corn-fed bucks in Illinois but that isn't the only place to hunt them by any stretch of the imagination. If you have your next assignment, hunting on that post will offer you the most access to the most acres of land. FT Benning was my favorite place to hunt, all we had to do was call in with our phones to move from one hunt-unit to another. Frikn whitetail deer all over the place; especially in the old pecan groves on the Alabama side. The limit back in the late 90s was a deer a day. The regulations are a more difficult to decipher than ever! Going online and getting the information is easier than ever! Don't hesitate to come up on the net and ask to borrow equipment before you shell-out a lot of money for something that will sit in your closet for decades between uses. X2 on the hunter safety course, a lot of states allow a hunter to take a major portion on-line and finish the course in one afternoon. Lastly, coming home and getting acquainted with your particular state while you plan and scout for your 2013 hunt is probably the best course of action; almost every state have reciprocity agreements, meaning if you forget to report a harvest in Oregon, North Carolina Fish and Game will know about it. New ATV and OHV laws are springing up all over the country. Stop in the Romance-Club (down the road from Snapper Bridge) and drink an OB beer for me and hurry home GI. |
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