If I wanted to learn to hunt, where would I start?

[BigToque]

I guess I'd like to learn some basic survival skills first, but I'm interested in learning to hunt animals for food.

I can't say I'm too pleased at the way our society raises their animals (growth horomones, etc) to make them grow more quickly. So I figure I'd like to lessen my dependance on this market for my meat.

Where do I start?

Also, I think I might actually prefer a bow to a gun. Is this still a feasible method of hunting larger game?

 

[ggnl]

First place would be a shooting range. Then once you can shoot you'd have to either buy or lease some land with some wildlife thats legal to hunt on.

Yes, bows can still be used to hunt.

Edit: It's be easier to go vegetarian if you're that worried about it.

 

[sao123]

due to hunting regulations and bag limits, survival off of hunted meat is not very feasible right now.

perhaps you should just raise and slaughter your own cattle? If you like you can shoot them with your bow when your ready to slaughter.


now if you just want to suppliment, your food supply, you can hunt deer and bear with a bow. however larger game (buffalo, moose, elk) would definately require a large caliber firearm. Rabbit, Squirrel, and wild turkey require a shotgun.

start at the shooting range for sure.

You can also try fishing...
Trout, Catfish, bass, are available for 6-9 months every year.

 

[wvtalbot]

Originally posted by: ggnl
First place would be a shooting range. Then once you can shoot you'd have to either buy or lease some land with some wildlife thats legal to hunt on.

Yes, bows can still be used to hunt.

Edit: It's be easier to go vegetarian if you're that worried about it.

lol wtf, plenty of public land you can hunt on.

 

[ryan256]

First place to start is at the range. Bow, rifle, or whatever it is you plan on using learn how to use it and learn about safety. Plus you should also be able to find out about places or camps to hunt at from the range. But learning to be safe with your weapon is the most important.

 

[ggnl]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: ggnl
First place would be a shooting range. Then once you can shoot you'd have to either buy or lease some land with some wildlife thats legal to hunt on.

Yes, bows can still be used to hunt.

Edit: It's be easier to go vegetarian if you're that worried about it.

lol wtf, plenty of public land you can hunt on.

not around here

 

[BigToque]

Originally posted by: sao123
due to hunting regulations and bag limits, survival off of hunted meat is not very feasible right now.

perhaps you should just raise and slaughter your own cattle? If you like you can shoot them with your bow when your ready to slaughter.

I don't intend to live off it, I just think it would be a nice way to lower my dependance on the market, plus I'd learn some valuable skills that could come in handy sometime.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: BigToque

Originally posted by: sao123
due to hunting regulations and bag limits, survival off of hunted meat is not very feasible right now.

perhaps you should just raise and slaughter your own cattle? If you like you can shoot them with your bow when your ready to slaughter.

I don't intend to live off it, I just think it would be a nice way to lower my dependance on the market, plus I'd learn some valuable skills that could come in handy sometime.

I kinda figured that after i realized how tupid it sounded what i wrote. re-read my post, i edited it.

 

[MrVeedo]

first things first, take a hunters safety course, you dont want to pull a dick chaney. it would best if you could find a friend that hunts, and tag along with him for a while. someone to show you the ropes would be better than any course you can take. scout out some land, get outdoors before you even decide to bring a gun. where do you live and what do you want to hunt?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Take a hunter safety course. They're good at teaching the basics of gun safety.

 

[fitzov]

Start out in the woods with some bright orange clothing so other hunters don't shoot you. I recommend complying with the local laws.

 

[JDMnAR1]

You might want to check out some places that are more geared towards hunting.

Some links to get you started:
HuntingNet
International Bowhunting Organization
Bowsite
Fulldraw Hunting

 

[BigToque]

Originally posted by: MrVeedo
first things first, take a hunters safety course, you dont want to pull a dick chaney. it would best if you could find a friend that hunts, and tag along with him for a while. someone to show you the ropes would be better than any course you can take. scout out some land, get outdoors before you even decide to bring a gun. where do you live and what do you want to hunt?

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. There are lots of area's that I can go to hunt.

I guess I'd be most interested in starting with a deer. To be honest, I still don't like the idea of killing an animal, but the truth is I'm part of the food chain and something has to die to end up on my plate whether it comes from the supermarket or my own hand.

 

[wvtalbot]

Originally posted by: ggnl

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: ggnl
First place would be a shooting range. Then once you can shoot you'd have to either buy or lease some land with some wildlife thats legal to hunt on.

Yes, bows can still be used to hunt.

Edit: It's be easier to go vegetarian if you're that worried about it.

lol wtf, plenty of public land you can hunt on.

not around here

where do you live downtown LA?

 

[ggnl]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: ggnl

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: ggnl
First place would be a shooting range. Then once you can shoot you'd have to either buy or lease some land with some wildlife thats legal to hunt on.

Yes, bows can still be used to hunt.

Edit: It's be easier to go vegetarian if you're that worried about it.

lol wtf, plenty of public land you can hunt on.

not around here

where do you live downtown LA?

South TX actually. The closest WMA's (public hunting areas) are all 4-5 hours away because the King Ranch owns 98% of the huntable land around here.

 

[elektrolokomotive]

I understand Dick Cheney gives hunting safety lessons. Give him a call.

 

[DeadByDawn]

It's feasible to live off of hunted meat year round where I live in MO. Between deer, turkey, and fishing you could never have to buy meat again if that's what you wanted to do.

 

[Thurgo0dy]

Your back yard. Get rid of some squirrels.

 

[robisc]

Join the NRA or otherwise you may not have access to a gun one day, they also have lots of literature and offer training.

 

[skyking]

Your best bet is to find a local friend who knows about hunting in your area. Ask around at work, school. You should get hooked up with a local group, both for the hunting safety aspect and also where to hunt.
If you try and wing it on your own, you can end up breaking some local law maybe, wasting tons of time hunting in the wrong place, and worst of all, going out alone.
Going out in the woods alone without a backup is a calculated risk I would not take.
It would be a crappy end to die of a broken ankle down in a hole.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Definately hook up with an experienced hunter to learn the ropes from. Nothing better than tons of first hand experience.

 

[UpGrD]

I agree, your local NRA chapter is a great place to start.