Lost

[txguyinwa]

Here's the deal.  I haven't been hunting since I was 14 I am now 28.  I've only hunted pheasant and dove with my stepfather and I had no luck.   The thing is I really have no clue on where to begin. I wish I would have had a chance to get up to speed before he passed away in 08. But I joined the army in 04 and there just want any time with deployments, getting married, and having children.  I'm not saying this for anyone to feel sorry for me.  I just need help on figuring these things out.  My plan is to hunt game of all sizes with a rifle that would be well suited for the different sizes.   I was at Cabela's yesterday and I looked at a Remington 700 for around $439 it was outfitted with a scope.  Unfortunately I can't remember the caliber.  I also would like to know the essentials as far as gear which will absolutely be needed as apposed to things that would be nice to have I.e. a scope with integrated range finder would not be something I need.  I would also need to know where I could practice with the rifle.   Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. 

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[ICEMAN]

Simple basic rifle with a low end scope would get you into hunting. Not necesary to go all out at first. .308, 30-06, .270...anything along these lines will get you a deer, bear or elk in this state.

I will PM you a place to shoot...

Welcome.

[crazysccrmd]

Range 15 on Lewis is the Sportsman's range and is open for military/friends to shoot on the weekends. Five bucks or so, can place targets out to 300m for rifle, 15m for pistol if I recall correctly. If you don't mind buying used to save some cash check out the classifieds on here, armslist.com and waguns.org. Might be able to find a good deal for cheaper or a nicer rifle for the same price as a new store bought one.

[raydog]

Obviously you will need a good knife and sharping stone. Are you planning on hunting the west side or east? I think binos are a necessity especially on the east side. The Remington 700 is a great gun. My favorite caliber is 7mm but almost all of the popular deer calibers will work. And most important thing is patience (I think so aleast). If you plan on hunting elk or going deep in the woods for deer and bear I would pick up a pack Frame. hope this helps. Good Luck

[gasman]

Here is a FB for a small group of people on or from JBLM.

They are always trying to get out an hunt. We met up with them a couple times duck hunting.

Check it, seem like some good guys 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/jblmmancave/

[Maligator]

All the advice given above is spot on. There are some decent deals in the classifieds here...and no none of them are mine

Essentials: rifle you are proficient with, scope: many hunting rifles don't have irons, quality game/hunting ammo, knife that will hold a good edge, a good pair of boots (your Army issue boots will be fine depending on location you hunt & time of year) WET WEATHER GEAR  for westside hunting, and most important ...PATIENCE 

[txguyinwa]

Thank you all for the advice.  I now know more today than yesterday. 

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[Bullkllr]

The Northwest Adventure Center at JBLM may be helpful to you as well.

[txguyinwa]

The Northwest Adventure Center at JBLM may be helpful to you as well.

I've tried them before.  It's pretty much a "depends on the shooter"

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[rtspring]

Find a partner to learn the basics, there is a ton of info that only comes from being in the woods. No video or book can teach you better than hands on. By the way I have been doing the hunting thing for 27 years. I'm still learning... Best of luck...

Rtspring

[txguyinwa]

Find a partner to learn the basics, there is a ton of info that only comes from being in the woods. No video or book can teach you better than hands on. By the way I have been doing the hunting thing for 27 years. I'm still learning... Best of luck...

Rtspring

Hopefully I find someone on post. 

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[txguyinwa]

Obviously you will need a good knife and sharping stone. Are you planning on hunting the west side or east? I think binos are a necessity especially on the east side. The Remington 700 is a great gun. My favorite caliber is 7mm but almost all of the popular deer calibers will work. And most important thing is patience (I think so aleast). If you plan on hunting elk or going deep in the woods for deer and bear I would pick up a pack Frame. hope this helps. Good Luck

I'm unsure as to where I would want to go.  More then likely I would want to start closer to home (jblm for the moment)

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[stevemiller]

i use to live there and we had horses.all the guys that were at the stables were hunters might be another spot to check for info in the area

[txguyinwa]

i use to live there and we had horses.all the guys that were at the stables were hunters might be another spot to check for info in the area

Thanks. 

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[DoubleJ]

If you're planning on rifle hunting on the west side and you haven't bought a rifle yet, save a few more pennies and buy stainless.  You will not regret it but you might if you don't.