I started hunting 20 years ago. I must have been 12 years old by then. Well, I went out with my papa lot, and the first kill of mine was a rabbit. It was the most memorable moment in my life. I guess it’s the one thing I have never forgotten.
The experience was so surreal that since then, I have never thought of passing a hunting invitation. But was the process a simple one? Not really. From when I could remember, everything changed after I made my first kill. I had to learn how to start hunting, get through proper shooting lessons, and graduate from hunting small game to bigger ones such as turkey and deer.
Deer hunting seasons become my most coveted season, and most of all, I learnt several tips on how to camouflage, set traps, and keep my meat fresh. The process looks complex, but it is not at all. If you are a newbie, you can draw some tips from my experience. In this post, I will give you the best tips on how to start hunting.
Take a look!
Choose Your Favorite Type of Hunting
The first thing that you must do when you want to start hunting is to figure out what type of hunting you’d like to go with. Hunting is like sports. You’ve got to make a choice. Are you going to go with soccer, tennis, football, or rugby? There are several types of hunting that you can choose from when you are just starting.
They include hunting for turkey, going for deer hunting, and roaming the high country when it’s time to go elk hunting. Whatever type of hunting you feel inclined to, make sure that you take your time to decide the kind of hunting that you’d like to go with. I recommend choosing something that you find to be enjoyable.
Take Your Proper Hunting Lessons
No matter the type of hunting you choose, playing by the rules is important. The best way to begin that process is to get your hunting lessons. You will be given your hunter’s safety certification when you are done. This is lesson forms an important part of your hunting process since it teaches you how to conduct yourself in a legal and ethical manner when out hunting.
It will give you a clear picture of what the hunting seasons are and which types of restrictions come with it. There are several game laws. This means that without proper education if you cross any of them, you could attract a fine or a jail term.
Having the right hunting lessons prior to getting down to hunt is the best way to stay say and play by the rules.
Make Some Friends with Same Objectives
Again you should make some friends. But that’s easy when you are taking your hunting lessons. During the hunter’s safety course, you could make friends with those you are studying with and those who are in the hunting culture. This is a great way to build your hunting team. Some of the best people that you can start with include the following.
- Game warden
- Classmates
- Game employee
Get Right into the Hunting Field
There isn’t a shortcut when it comes to this. It is time to learn the best hunting tricks that you can. Unfortunately, you can’t learn through the TV. When it comes to hunting, it has to be a hands-on experience. Get out there and tag along with the hikers. Don’t go straight into the next hunting trip unless you’ve got someone to walk with. If not, stick to camping and hiking areas.
You can use these places to learn how to track game, creep on a rabbit, or simply how to make and use your blind.
Take Further Lessons on Hunting
Yes. The lessons shouldn’t end with your hunter’s safety certificate course. On the contrary, there are several tips and tricks that you can still learn about hunting. Please do the following things to get it right.
- Read books, articles, and blogs
- Ask questions when around pro hunters
- Talk to experienced hunters
- Join a hunting group or team
When you do that, some of the things that you could easily ask about, learn, or read, include the following.
- Deer biology
- Best hunting areas/ locations
- Deer behavior
- Turkey hunting tactics
- Animal migratory patterns
- Signs of animal migration
Choose Your Best Hunting Equipment
Now that you’ve taken your hunter’s safety course and made new pals, you are closer to hunting your first game more than ever. As such, you must begin preparing your best hunting gear and tools. You’ve buy the right tools depending on your taste and preference, location of the hunt, and type of hunt that you choose. Some of the tools and equipment that you should look for include the following.
- Hunting Boots
- Hunting Jackets
- Bow and Arrow
- Hunting Shotgun
- Hunting Backpack
Whichever tool that you choose for your hunting, make sure you are comfortable with it. This is what makes up for a great hunting experience.
Time to Practice with Your Tools
Having bought the most “affordable” hunting gears that you could get, the next thing is to practice with your gears. Whether you are using the bow and arrows or simply a shotgun, you’d have to practice with them. Nurture your shooting or bowing skills. Make sure that you can hit a target that’s within range. More importantly, you’d have to shoot at the most critical parts of the game. Some of these parts are.
- Lung area
- Heart area
- The head
Practice makes your aim and shot perfect. It forms one of the most important tips when you want the best lessons on how to start hunting. To get the best practice, you should hire a professional or work closely with hunters that are experienced at working with your best hunting tools.
Take Things Slowly
There is no rush. There is still tomorrow. And trust me, hunting can be monotonous. Thanks to a similar routine that you’ve got to go with every day. So to avoid boredom, the best thing to do is to take it slow. There is no need to hurry. Learn about new species that you can hunt. Check on the types of animals that are endangered and their habitant, and do many more things.
How to Start Hunting: Frequently Asked Questions
With that said, it is time to catch up on some of the common concerns that newbies often have about hunting. Please take a look at what I have prepared for you.
What is the best way to learn how to hunt successfully?
One of the ways is to get into the field and have hands-on experience. You can learn through shadowing others too. But personally, I prefer volunteering as my most successful way to learn how to hunt. While it gives you a hands-on experience, volunteering provides you with the most legal framework when it comes to hunting for game. You won’t only be stress-free, but wild and easy.
How do I keep safe when out hunting?
There are several ways that you can ensure your safety when out hunting. One of them is to wear the right hunting gear. The next is to hunt with someone. In short, you should never hunt alone. Finally, you should go slowly when hunting; there isn’t a reason to break your leg over an escaped game.
What is the best thing to hunt for?
There are several hunting don’ts that you can opt for. Some of them include hunting for trophies or hunting with un-ethical hunters. Even so, the best thing that you can do is to hunt for food/ meat. It is safe and the most acknowledged reason to hunt.
What are other reasons why people hunt?
The other cool reasons why people hunt is animal conservation. While we love animals, maintain their population is key to having a smooth relationship. That’s why it is important to use hunting as a technique to keep them in balance.
Conclusion
Nothing sucks like finding the right game but having no clue on how to bag the kill. Luckily for you, you don’t have to go through all that hassle. With these tricks that I have given you, it’s evident that you already understand how to start hunting.
The next thing that you may want is to improve your shooting and aiming skills. No, that one you can do by enrolling for hunting classes, looking for pro hunters to help, and forming a hunting group that you could help each other through. The process is simple and requires just a little help. Don’t forget to take it one step as at a time. Hunting is a learning process, and hardly will you learn everything on the first trip. Remember, patience is the key.
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