Experienced shooter but new hunter looking for help

[Chirol]

I've been shooting since I was a kid but never hunted. Last few years I've started doing some quail and pheasant, but usually just once or twice a year when I'm visiting family in South Carolina.

I want to get into deer but have 0 experience hunting them. I dont have anyone to teach me or show me the ropes. I also live in Fairfax county so opportunities are limited to begin with.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to get started. Books, classes, anything. I have a friend who's also a long time shooter, but not hunter, who's interested.

Thanks in advance!

[LoneWolf]

subscribe to this: http://www.deeranddeerhunting.com/Magazine/

Go to Amazon.com and search for deer hunting books or whitetail books there are tons...pick a few you like and buy them used. The authors in the magazine write some great books. Stay away from anything that talks about trophy hunting, etc. You want some basic deer biology and hunting guides. The more you know about deer, the more you will know about hunting them. Think like a deer to be a hunter.

After you have read some of the books and can recognize sign. Go scouting. Fairfax parks are great because they have lots of deer. Look for the prints, trails, bedding areas, etc. Might still be a few scrapes and rubs around. Learn to spot deer before they spot you. Track them in wet soil or snow.

Here is a great (old-timey) book that is a Great way to begin...buy it used on Amazon or new, you can also get original editions on alibris, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Shots-Whitetails- ... 0873418654

My cat is the best hunter I know. If I could have his concentration and stealth I could kill any deer.

The shooting is the last thing you need to concentrate on, but it's the learning of deer that counts. Start with Bow or Muzzleloader. Learn to get close, real close.

You have a friend, go together, read the books, practice the scouting, Do that a couple of times a month, then start on the method - rifle, bow, muzzleloader, etc, and some basic equipment. If you start now, you'll be ready for the fall.

The Big Boo

[meak99]

+1 Great advice.

Learn to recognize deer sign, learn their movements, find a good place to set up between feeding and bedding areas where you know the deer will be moving. Be quiet, be PATIENT. Learn to scan your area continuously. I've had deer walk within 15 yards coming from behind and I never heard them. You'll easily go days (weeks?, months?) without seeing anything - do not get discouraged - you'll see one when on stand eventually. There is an infinite amount of advice that can be given, but getting in the woods during the off-season to scout and do everything as though your're actually hunting is the best thing - in addition to continuing to do your research.

The shooting isn't quite the last thing you'll need to do.... don't forget to read up on field dressing and then either find a good butcher, or learn to do that yourself as well. Tons of videos on the YouTubes about these two topics.

[Taggure]

That is good advice

To expand on your statement

The shooting is the last thing you need to concentrate on, but it's the learning of deer that counts. Start with Bow or Muzzleloader. Learn to get close, real close.

You have a friend, go together, read the books, practice the scouting, Do that a couple of times a month, then start on the method - rifle, bow, muzzleloader, etc, and some basic equipment. If you start now, you'll be ready for the fall.

During Archery and Black Powder season it is not as crowded in the woods as it will be in rifle season. Also the rut is not in full blown yet so there is Some sense of normal patterns (Once rut is in there is no method to the maddness).
There are public hunting areas that you can go out in just look it up here
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/

This will give you a place to start. There are a lot of hunters on this board so if you have questions about things just ask. Make sure that you get your Hunters Safety course in before the start of the season

Here is a link to get started:
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/education/

Have fun and don't be afraid to just go out and walk the woods as that is how you will learn.

[Vahunter]

Hunting mags can be a good source of info but don't believe every thing you read. Most articles are written describing the ideal situation which rarely you'll find in the real world. BTW the rut here was in high gear the first week of muzzleloader.

[Chirol]

Thanks for all the tips. I ordered the book from Amazon and will definitely give it a read. I plan to take the hunter's ed at Quantico in July which looks helpful.

If anyone else has any ideas on places to go or specific steps to take I'd appreciate it. I feel bad writing such vague and open ended statements but as I'm not really sure where to begin, I dont have many detailed questions yet. My plan is

1) Take hunter's ed
2) Read books, websites, watch youtube
3) Get a bolt action .308
4) Identify places to go hunting
5) Try to meet people to go hunting with a few times.

[derek141]

Chirol, great question. To the reply posters, I am in the same boat and the replies are valuable here, too, so thanks!

[jsharlan]

Ya I just wanted to throw my thanks in there as well, I'm looking to try hunting for the first time this year as well and have some of the same questions Chirol does. Too bad you weren't closer Chirol, we could help eachother learn. Also something I've read, be sure to read the local firearm regulations where you might be hunting, that .308 could be prohibited.

[jim100]

Find a local hunting club, ask the older guys that are members, they will know everything there is to know about hunting.

[jsharlan]

I think the problem can be finding guys like that who want to take new guys under their wing, especially if they are strangers.

[Kreutz]

Interesting thread..I take it if one was not taught this a child its extremely difficult to learn how to hunt (ie even find a place, know the rules, know to find and clean a kill)?

Its a subject I have curiosity about, but man who would know where to start?

[jdonovan]

Interesting thread..I take it if one was not taught this a child its extremely difficult to learn how to hunt (ie even find a place, know the rules, know to find and clean a kill)?

Depends how you like to learn. If you are a reading-type learner then you can pick up quite a bit on your own.

I didn't start until college-aged and things seem to have worked out OK. There is meat in the freezer and I'm successful most years.

Its a subject I have curiosity about, but man who would know where to start?

Pick up some books, mags, read the net... gain some base knowledge and then ask some questions.

In VA you need to take a hunter safety class, and that also helps get you some basic knowledge as well.

[seeknulfind]

Start by going squirrel hunting - you'll see plenty of deer. This may sound flippant but really hunting is as much about learning about the woods and its inhabitants than it is about tramping into the forest with a gun.

It certainly helps to check out the habits of what you are after but remember deer tend to change their habits when their habitat is swarmed by blaze orange vests.

You also need to find a PLACE to hunt. If you don't know anyone with land you can hunt on, then you may be forced onto public hunting lands. One season there and you may find yourself begging for access to private lands. Of course, joining a hunt club can offer such access.

Andy

[Kreutz]

Start by going squirrel hunting - you'll see plenty of deer. This may sound flippant but really hunting is as much about learning about the woods and its inhabitants than it is about tramping into the forest with a gun.

It certainly helps to check out the habits of what you are after but remember deer tend to change their habits when their habitat is swarmed by blaze orange vests.

You also need to find a PLACE to hunt. If you don't know anyone with land you can hunt on, then you may be forced onto public hunting lands. One season there and you may find yourself begging for access to private lands. Of course, joining a hunt club can offer such access.

Andy

Hmmm, my backyard has quite a few of them. Zoning laws (and a naive idea of sportsmanship) I guess preclude me from popping them from my bedroom window though. Dont know if an arrows legal here, but methinks the neighbors would mind if a deer bleeds to death in their driveway a half mile down the road.

Have to say it seems silly to drive an hour into the sticks to shoot something that traipses around my yard without a care in the world.

Given my lower middle class metro NY upbringing (rich mans sport where I come from) I fear it will just have to remain a closed door; can't see myself strapping a deer on our Toyota RAV-4. Its a shame because it does look interesting and I will admit I am envious of those that grew up doing it.

[jrswanson1]

If the OP is near Quantico and has a bow, there's plenty of deer available for bow hunters on Marine Corps Base Quantico. Same with Ft. Belvoir. Both limit the number of hunters per parcel, so get in early. You do have to go through a course with the respective installations, but the number of deer available is really good, and I have almost hit a turkey at Ft. Belvoir.

[longtimegone]

There are some decent WMAs nearby. Phelps Thompson and Rappidan arent to bad to get to and theres more than enough room to hunt if your willing to walk in abit. I think most guys want to stay within a couple hundred yards of their vehicle. Call the state guys that watch over those places they are there all the time and know great spots further in where theres a fresh clear cut nobody knows about yet.

[seeknulfind]

Start by going squirrel hunting - you'll see plenty of deer. This may sound flippant but really hunting is as much about learning about the woods and its inhabitants than it is about tramping into the forest with a gun.

It certainly helps to check out the habits of what you are after but remember deer tend to change their habits when their habitat is swarmed by blaze orange vests.

You also need to find a PLACE to hunt. If you don't know anyone with land you can hunt on, then you may be forced onto public hunting lands. One season there and you may find yourself begging for access to private lands. Of course, joining a hunt club can offer such access.

Andy

Hmmm, my backyard has quite a few of them. Zoning laws (and a naive idea of sportsmanship) I guess preclude me from popping them from my bedroom window though. Dont know if an arrows legal here, but methinks the neighbors would mind if a deer bleeds to death in their driveway a half mile down the road.

Have to say it seems silly to drive an hour into the sticks to shoot something that traipses around my yard without a care in the world.

Given my lower middle class metro NY upbringing (rich mans sport where I come from) I fear it will just have to remain a closed door; can't see myself strapping a deer on our Toyota RAV-4. Its a shame because it does look interesting and I will admit I am envious of those that grew up doing it.

Kreutz,

You would find squirrels in the woods act differently than those in your yard. They are more wary and harder to find. Unless you are VERY stealthy it is often hard to sneak up on them, especially in the fall when there are lots of leaves. Then again, sometimes you can just walk along and there they are.

That's one reason I suggested hunting squirrels to start. Another reason is the sound of squirrels playing in leaves is hard to distinguish from a deer moving through. Just sitting in the woods and observing is a good way to learn some things, as is learning how to move through the woods without sounding like some clumpy city boy. (hint: learn to walk like a deer)

Hunting is more than target shooting. It's acclimating yourself to new surroundings and learning about a whole new world. It's about finding your way around without getting lost. It's about learning to read sign and knowing the habits of your game.

Starting with squirrels will get the new hunter started before the deer hunting craziness starts. Once the deer hunters flood the woods the game changes. I've never hunted down here but I suspect it changes even more due to the use of dogs. (A practice I despise for hunting deer.) But at least you'll know the woods a bit better and can more readily identify where the deer might have went.

Andy

[jsharlan]

Start by going squirrel hunting - you'll see plenty of deer. This may sound flippant but really hunting is as much about learning about the woods and its inhabitants than it is about tramping into the forest with a gun.

It certainly helps to check out the habits of what you are after but remember deer tend to change their habits when their habitat is swarmed by blaze orange vests.

You also need to find a PLACE to hunt. If you don't know anyone with land you can hunt on, then you may be forced onto public hunting lands. One season there and you may find yourself begging for access to private lands. Of course, joining a hunt club can offer such access.

Andy

Are there any resources that give you a listing of local hunt clubs? I'm finding these groups aren't exactly fond of the internet.

[dorminWS]

This discussion really brings home just how lucky we are out here in the far Southwest. Out here we have more habitat and fewer people; which helps with deer hunting; but is greatly offset by the fact that although there are fewer people, dang nigh every one of them hunts at least occasionally (I have not hunted in several years due to pretty severe back troubles, but I certainly used to do so). And a lot of us out here started hunting shortly after they were potty-trained. And once again I am confronted with how hard it is to explain something you have known and done practically all your life. I guess I'll realize I left out something very important after this is posted, but here goes:

Folks I know that always kill all the deer the law allows are the ones that spend 15-20 days in the woods scouting for every day they spend hunting. What I have observed these folks have in common is:
(1) They scout widely and determine how the deer are moving and where they are "using". These days, a lot of them place the motion-sensitive cameras when they find buck sign, so they pretty much know what they are going to get a shot at.
(2) They hunt well out into the woods where the casual ("first day") hunters don't go. They think nothing of walking several miles into the woods to get to their stand. Nothing screws up the hunting worse than too many people in the same patch of woods.
(3) They build a tree or other stand (or place a portable one) well before season so the deer will be used to it and not change their habits. Getting well off the beaten path also does a lot to avoid this problem. I have been told all my life that deer do not look up. It seems to be true, which is why elevated stands are so popular, I guess.
(4) They understand how to move in the woods. Too many folks go through the brush like a tank, and spook all the game for miles. The only thing they might accomplish is to drive deer away from them and into some other hunter (or have the other hunter shoot them thinking they are a deer, which at least thins the herd a little, I guess). And, yes, squirrel hunting (if you learn to do it right) is very good training for this.
(5) Most of them go to a stand and do not move. Only the most accomplished at woodcraft are good enough to move around and stalk deer. And even then it is dangerous because you may be shot by some less accomplished hunter.
(6) To a man, they will be in the woods on their stand before hunting may begin at daylight. Deer are mostly nocturnal, and your best chance to see one on the move (unless they are distrubed) is early in the morning and late in the evening. If you're moving instead of hunting from your stand at those times, you are unlikely to get a shot.
(7) Not a single one of them will leave any litter, body waste or other human sign behind as they move through the woods. They won't even take a leak anywhere close to their stand. Most I know carry a 2-liter soda bottle for emergencies. About all of them use something to mask their human scent. (incidentally, it is actually illegal to deposit human body waste in the National Forest; did you know that? You can be busted for doing what the bears do.) They don't use heaters, handwarmers, or any other gadget that make noise or emit any substance that doesn't smell like the woods. Same thing goes for any form of beer, liquor or tobacco while hunting. Even spitting on the ground is taboo to a lot of them. And when choosing a stand, they pay close attention to whether it is upwind of the place they expect their target to be. As a human, you don't belong there. Any sight, sound or smell that doesn't belong in the habitat is cause for alarm and flight to a deer.

I'd also have to observe that any place where several people will drive past your stand in a pickup truck is a poorly-chosen spot; and any dumb@ss that's out riding around in a truck where other people are trying to hunt just THINKS he's hunting, is almost surely dangerous to be in the woods with, and richly derserves it if somebody shoots his cotton-pickin' headlights out.

[N0VA]

That's one of the best, most informative posts I've read in a long time. Thanks.