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Button Buck
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Last Login: 11/11/2009 6:29:01 PM
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I am 40 years old but have had a passion for hunting since the mid 1980's. I grew up not knowing anyone who hunted...so I didn't hunt, but wanted to learn. I bought my first rifle at age 18 and tought myself how to shoot. In the 22 years that have past, I have only hunted 5 times. All of these hunts were day hunts with a guide for exotics. All of these hunts were really fun and had me bringing home game but really didn't teach me anything about hunting on my own. I had thought about public land but feel that I am too inexperienced and would not want to ruin someone elses hunt due to my lack of knowledge. I also have thought about a week long deer hunt with an outfitter in N. Florida or S. Georgia. But, I'm not really sure how to tell which outfitters are the good ones. Also, would that prepare me further for a solo hunt?
My goal is to become educated and experienced enough to raise my kids in a hunting/outdoor activity houshold, teach them and hope that they have the same passion that I did growing up, but have someone to show them the way.
Any suggestions, comments, advice would be appreciated.
President/Biochemist
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Button Buck
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Last Login: 7/11/2008 3:08:34 PM
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| I would suggest that you equip yourself with a 22 and head out into the woods for a few squirrel hunts. This will help your shooting skills and will also make you a better woodsman. It is amazing what you can learn when you are after these little creatures. And for a bonus...they taste good too.
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Gameskeeper
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Last Login: 3/7/2010 6:47:11 PM
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Where are you from? I would try to get involved in any local outdoor organizations and meet as many people as you could. Try to see if there are any wild game suppers or any other events planned in your area.
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"Welcome to Tennessee, the patron state of shootin' stuff."
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
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Button Buck
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/11/2009 6:29:01 PM
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Thanks guys for the input. It is unfortunate that where I live there are no organizations that I have been able to find. Even the shooting range where I go, an hour away, the shooters there either don't hunt anymore (Southwest Florida is a big retirement haven) or travel to somewhere where they know people who have land, such as Elk hunting in CO, Moose in AK, etc. I've even contacted the NRA and the NAHC for local groups. The closest is Tampa, 3 hours away. If I contact those groups, I'd have to drive that far to a meeting. I may have to resort to that though, I guess. There is a Bass Pro opening about an hour North of me. That might open some doors.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm sure I'll learn a lot here and am happy to meet you. Thanks again.
President/Biochemist
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Woodsman
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Last Login: 12/4/2008 7:57:56 PM
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| Having visited Florida, I can see your hunting predicament. An awsome opertunity would be something like here in Texas where you get on a hunting lease with other seasoned hunters, and learne the ropes. There are up sides and down sides to this, especialy regarding your kidos, such as the beer drinking, and language a child will no doubt be exposed to, cuz thats what alot of guys go to do, sit around a fire and drink and get loud. Thats not a problem, however I have been on leases where the drinking got out of control and there where hunters going to there stands drunk, dragging a cooler behind them.The other thing is the possibility of picking up bad hunting ethics from killers that call themselfs hunters, and yes there is a difference. You need to figure out how far you are willing to drive, and realise you may have to look at leased land in a neighboring state. In Texas its nothing to get off work, kiss the wife goodbye, and drive five to six hours to the deer lease and hunt all weekend. But therein lies the lifetime memories of sittin around with Dad by a fire, hearing all those hunters telling there stories, freezing all night in the camper trailer in there sleeping bag, and getting up and seeing deer in the morning while you try and eat cinamon rolls you bought at a gas station. Thats what the whole thing is all about, not the kill, not the hunt, its years later when you start bringing up the past hunts. If nothing else, go buy a couple bowfishing rigs and hit the Glades on a night trip. Skinner
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Tracker
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Last Login: 9/20/2009 3:48:27 PM
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This might be a different approach to it, but spending as much time as you can observing
the animals you intend to hunt will actually help you decide where to hunt, even on public land.
It is even more fun if you take someone, even a young person, with you. Just remember that
deer are intolerant of scents and basic intrusion, so try to observe from a distance. Notice the
terrain features they travel, times you see them at those places, wind direction, food sources,
etc. What you are trying to do is get as close to them as you can when you are hunting. Another word of advice is to target shoot as often as you can at various distances to get comfortable with your firearm as possible. That is for your confidence. The advice given about critter hunting is also a great plan. There are also dvd's on whitetail behavior. You can try these, too. I hope some of this helps. Good Luck!! I almost forgot. Welcome to the obsession!
My worst day in a treestand is better than my best day at my work station!
NAHC Life Member
Uncontrolled Archer
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Marksman
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Last Login: 12/4/2009 10:33:19 PM
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I agree with taking a 22 and goin out huntin for squirel or whatever little small game... if your interested and have nobody to show you buy a ton of DVD's proferable mossyoak ha... but no if you wanna learn how to call in bucks and such get a dvd but all I can say is I had ppl teach me and I learned even MORE when I went out to the woods by myself just hike even if you cant squirel hunt.. get off the path try to stalk a tree or whatever walk quitely lift your feet keep the wind to your face as much as possible... heck put up a stand somewhere and practice sittn... its all about how much time you spend in the woods... sittin talkin about it isnt gonna help ya gotta go out there and do it, I welcome you to the hunting world Im guessin for whitetails... hope this helps and good luck 
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downin some brown in a new town
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Button Buck
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/11/2009 6:29:01 PM
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Guys I want give an update and say thanks for the help last year on this post. I did a lot of shooting during the year at a gun club that I joined. I used to go in off times when no one was there. Well, I changed my tactic and went when it was busy. I forced myself to go regularly. It's not fun driving an hour to the range then an hour home...especially with my work schedule. But, I put it in my schedule like it was a meeting and made myself go. Obviously, I became a better shot. But more importantly, I met a lot of shooters...some hunters.
I still don't have a lease or private land to hunt on. But, I met a guy from the range and one on a Florida forum that walked me through the WMA, public land permit application process. I pulled 3 permits for this season right here in Southwest, FL. I'll be going on all three hunts with the 2 guys I met. One has hunted one of the WMA's 6 times in the past and has scouted the property quite a bit.
I'm looking forward to my first whitetail hunting season. Hopefully, the next time I post will be with pictures. Even if I don't get anything, I'm looking forward to getting out there.
Thanks again!!
President/Biochemist
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Woodsman
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Last Login: 3/11/2010 1:19:01 PM
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Congrats to you . Dont get discouraged if you dont get anything . Learn from it , make it fun and enjoyable to you . Thats what it is , your enjoyment and what you want to teach your kids . I used to live and hunt in Florida , miss it from time to time . Good luck ...
Work is for people who dont HUNT ..!!..
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Marksman
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Last Login: 12/4/2009 10:33:19 PM
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that is great to hear. Im glad that you've gotten "gun ho" about it.. pun intended. Once you get out there and hunt you will love it more and more... there is nothing like sitting in the woods and enjoying nature... and GOOD LUCK this season
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downin some brown in a new town
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