Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Hi folks,

I'm interested in getting into hunting, a lost art in my family for two generations now. I'm mostly interested in deer, but I'm open to turkey or other game. The only rifle I have that I COULD hunt with is an SKS, so I'll probably buy a shotgun, or a bolt or lever rifle. I like the look, history and feel of Marlin 30-30 levers.

Do you guys have any suggestions for where I should start acquiring knowledge? There is so much to learn, and forums normally just offer bits and pieces of info which are hard to pull together into an overall knowledge of a subject. Are you guys aware of any classes (perhaps offered to the public) or something else to get me started?

Thanks in advance!

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries REQUIRES a Hunter Education course for all licensees. I recommend it heartily (besides...you have to anyway).

Also, the DGIF web site has a lot of game information you can look at.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov

burns wrote:I'm interested in getting into hunting, a lost art in my family for two generations now. I'm mostly interested in deer, but I'm open to turkey or other game. The only rifle I have that I COULD hunt with is an SKS, so I'll probably buy a shotgun, or a bolt or lever rifle. I like the look, history and feel of Marlin 30-30 levers.

While the SKS could be used for hunting, you may want to consider a more 'traditional' looking rifle/shotgun. I've had several private land owners I've approached say yes, and then add you aren't hunting with an assault rifle are you?

burns wrote:Do you guys have any suggestions for where I should start acquiring knowledge? There is so much to learn, and forums normally just offer bits and pieces of info which are hard to pull together into an overall knowledge of a subject. Are you guys aware of any classes (perhaps offered to the public) or something else to get me started?

at a miniumum you need a hunters safety class.

I'd pick up a subscription to outdoor life, its a general huntinf/fishing mag, but you'll get lots of good tips there.

Practice shooting from standing/kneeling/sitting at the range. I don't know about your woods, but in mine there aren't any benches near where the deer roam

Learn what you and your rifle can do and at what ranges.

Let us know where you are and there might be some one near by that can help buddy' you for the first season.

If you've got a .22 or shotgun small game season is a nice time to get out and get back into the hunting flow before big-game starts.

You may want to see if there is an Izzak walton club in your area. Generally a good bunch of sportsmen, and most clubs have hunt-able land available to you for being a member.

Spring turkey and squirrel is coming up...I'm gonna be out there...

zephyp wrote:Spring turkey and squirrel is coming up...I'm gonna be out there...

You know where there are some turkeys ?

Vahunter wrote:

zephyp wrote:Spring turkey and squirrel is coming up...I'm gonna be out there...

You know where there are some turkeys ?

A whole bunch about 10 miles north of where I'm sitting right now...that season opens 2 Nov...

guitarpicva wrote:The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries REQUIRES a Hunter Education course for all licensees. I recommend it heartily (besides...you have to anyway).

Also, the DGIF web site has a lot of game information you can look at.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov

You are incorrect about the above stated statement.
If you own your own property and only hunt on your own property then you don't need a lic. for any type of hunting.
For you Burns, I would suggest that you take the Hunter Safety Course altho you don't have to.
Bill

SgtBill wrote:

guitarpicva wrote:The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries REQUIRES a Hunter Education course for all licensees. I recommend it heartily (besides...you have to anyway).

Also, the DGIF web site has a lot of game information you can look at.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov

You are incorrect about the above stated statement.
If you own your own property and only hunt on your own property then you don't need a lic. for any type of hunting.
For you Burns, I would suggest that you take the Hunter Safety Course altho you don't have to.
Bill

Agreed, but that'd be boring to only hunt in one place (in my book). Besides, I don't mind helping out the DGIF with a few bucks each year. In any case, the Hunter Safety Course is well worth the day to take it. Doesn't cost you anything but gas money.

guitarpicva wrote:

SgtBill wrote:

guitarpicva wrote:The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries REQUIRES a Hunter Education course for all licensees. I recommend it heartily (besides...you have to anyway).

Also, the DGIF web site has a lot of game information you can look at.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov

You are incorrect about the above stated statement.
If you own your own property and only hunt on your own property then you don't need a lic. for any type of hunting.
For you Burns, I would suggest that you take the Hunter Safety Course altho you don't have to.
Bill

Agreed, but that'd be boring to only hunt in one place (in my book). Besides, I don't mind helping out the DGIF with a few bucks each year. In any case, the Hunter Safety Course is well worth the day to take it. Doesn't cost you anything but gas money.

Nope I never said that I only hunt on my property. I have in fact hunted from Maine to Georgia and many states between over the past 45 year's. I was simply correcting something that could be taken as the gossipple for a new hunter.
Bill

SgtBill wrote:...

Nope I never said that I only hunt on my property. I have in fact hunted from Maine to Georgia and many states between over the past 45 year's. I was simply correcting something that could be taken as the gossipple for a new hunter.
Bill

Roger that!

Can you guys recommend any good books for deer hunting?

Next year I'd like to try for something larger and more edible than Starlings and House Sparrows.

Not books but there are some good articles at:

http://www.virginiagameandfish.com

If you are interested in hunting with handguns, I have enjoyed:

http://www.handgunhunt.com

Another good resource:

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/outdoor-re ... /index.asp

An interesting outing opportunity:

http://www.holidaylake4h.com/vahunterweekend.php

@ Burns:
I guess one question I could ask is: Where are you located?
and then the next is: Have you registered/taken for your Hunter's Safety course yet?

There are several good books as well as Magizine articles for you to check out at the local Bookstore. The tips and instructions are generaly provided by experts you just have to watch out for the marketing that goes on.

As far as weapons remember this; just beacuse it is expensive does not mean that it is a sure fire way to get a deer. I had a buddy that had never hunted before and I took him out two weeks before season to the store and helped him pick out .50 cal Black Powder rifle and then took him shooting with it to practice. On opening day after sitting in a stand for about 2 hours he droped his first deer a nice 6 point. The gun and all his kit cost about $200 and he used that BP rifle the rest of the season and put 2 more in the freezer. Since that time 3 years ago he has gotten into Turky hunting and has taken trips to the Mid West for White Tail and Pheasent.
This was a guy that grew up in the city and never hunted before. Of course now he has fallen into a group of guys that think that only the most expensive guns and gear are to be used. I guess that is ok if you have the money, but I would put my .06 up against anyones at a 100 yds and I bought mine from Wal-Mart at $300. It is not how much the weapon cost that makes it good it is the shooter that makes it good.

If you are looking for a fun way to get back into hunting Black Powder is a great way to start and it is fairly inexpensive. Here is a good one to start off with

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=netcon&id=0078220217494a&navCount=1&podId=0078220&parentId=cat20815&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

and it is only $149 and then had your kit to it and you maybe have $200 or so invested

Just some thoughts.

Vern

Taggure wrote:...

If you are looking for a fun way to get back into hunting Black Powder is a great way to start and it is fairly inexpensive. Here is a good one to start off with

...

And the new inlines are REALLY accurate. Nothing to sneeze at with a good Hornady XTP in a sabot. VERY deadly for the deer. Not to mention the really pleasing cannon sound they make!

And the new inlines are REALLY accurate. Nothing to sneeze at with a good Hornady XTP in a sabot. VERY deadly for the deer. Not to mention the really pleasing cannon sound they make!

They are very accurate but you know I am thinking this summer I might buy me a .50 cal Hawkins, but I am not sure if I wan to go with the flint or percussion

Hey do we have an area for Black Powder on the forum as maybe the discussion is better for there.

Vern