what would be your tip for a new hunter?

[police women of America]

Anyone have any tips for white tail (or just deer) hunting with a rifle (.308 win).
or just a tip for hunting in general. How to find the perfect spot, gutting, shooting, supplies, brands, calling tips, ect. Or maybe something you wish you would have known when you started. Or maybe something you wish you wouldn't have done 

[bobcat]

First thing I can think of is buy the best binoculars you can afford, and spend more time sitting and looking through them and less time on your feet walking.

[rtspring]

Time in the woods, scout scout scout

[Bean Counter]

Patience.

When it goes wrong, analyze everything that happened and how it could be done better next time.

[Duffer]

Well, you're already doing it right by being here on HW! 

Read as much as you can. Try to hook up with someone here to go out with, either to hunt or just to scout.

Or if you can, do what I did when I first started archery and do a guided hunt.

Just soak it all in and don't get impatient.

[police women of America]

Thanks for all the tips 

[pd]

Slow down!

Being quiet is important, we all know that.  But deer and elk are noisy, too.  The thing is, deer (and elk) don't walk like humans, they take one or two steps, and stop, and look around.  If you want to avoid spooking the deer, you have to do what they do.

So, how do you do this?  The theory is very simple.  Take two steps, and stop.  Look around.  Slowly look around (ideally with your eyes, not your head.)  Only then do you take another two steps.

If you do this, you can literally walk right up to deer (sometimes).   

[Tbar]

First I will say stay positive.  You are with the majority if you are not successful.  As others have said slow down and keep the wind in your face.  Next I will say is enjoy the little things, mountain sunrise/set,  the beauty,  and the fact that you are outside enjoying what many never take the time to enjoy.  Last, you get out what you put into a hunt (scouting, attention to detail pays off). Good luck and have fun.

[police women of America]

Slow down!

Being quiet is important, we all know that.  But deer and elk are noisy, too.  The thing is, deer (and elk) don't walk like humans, they take one or two steps, and stop, and look around.  If you want to avoid spooking the deer, you have to do what they do.

So, how do you do this?  The theory is very simple.  Take two steps, and stop.  Look around.  Slowly look around (ideally with your eyes, not your head.)  Only then do you take another two steps.

If you do this, you can literally walk right up to deer (sometimes).   

thanks! I heard walking directly at the deer helps too because they can't see very well directly in front of them.

[police women of America]

First I will say stay positive.  You are with the majority if you are not successful.  As others have said slow down and keep the wind in your face.  Next I will say is enjoy the little things, mountain sunrise/set,  the beauty,  and the fact that you are outside enjoying what many never take the time to enjoy.  Last, you get out what you put into a hunt (scouting, attention to detail pays off). Good luck and have fun.

thanks! I sure will.

[KFhunter]

I'd like to see you with a mentor, or if you have cash, a good guide.

It's overwhelming to start out on your own not having been at least exposed to it, worst thing would be to shoot a deer then have no clue what to do with it after the shot.  A big Whitetail is heavy, I can't pack it far with out first breaking it down to manageable bits.

So before you go hunting, make sure you have a good foundation on how to break down animals,  rabbits and grouse are a good start!

Have you been grouse or rabbit hunting?  Can you gut and clean them?  Well a deer is pretty much like a big giant rabbit.


The best way for a beginner to hunt whitetail is to put your back to a tree and sit there, let the deer come to you.   first though you need to find trails and areas they move through to feeding areas during the night.   Anywhere near hayfields, cattle or orchards will hold lot's of deer.  Also ponds, logging areas and edges of old burns and tree farms will have deer moving through.  It doesn't do any good to sit all day long if the deer aren't coming through your area.

Don't try to stalk through the woods like Elmer Fudd, deer can hear too well, see movement too well and their noses will smell you out even with the best cover scent spray gunk you can buy.

[ghosthunter]

Go to the range before the hunt. Not the gravel pit.
Go to a nice range with nice shooting benches. And no time limit. Take two three boxes of ammo.

Don't have anything else planned that day. Leave the non shooters at home.
Take the time to know exactly where you are hitting.

Don't settle for close. Dial it in.

Be friendly to everyone one you meet.

Good luck.

[police women of America]

I'd like to see you with a mentor, or if you have cash, a good guide.

It's overwhelming to start out on your own not having been at least exposed to it, worst thing would be to shoot a deer then have no clue what to do with it after the shot.  A big Whitetail is heavy, I can't pack it far with out first breaking it down to manageable bits.

So before you go hunting, make sure you have a good foundation on how to break down animals,  rabbits and grouse are a good start!

Have you been grouse or rabbit hunting?  Can you gut and clean them?  Well a deer is pretty much like a big giant rabbit.


The best way for a beginner to hunt whitetail is to put your back to a tree and sit there, let the deer come to you.   first though you need to find trails and areas they move through to feeding areas during the night.   Anywhere near hayfields, cattle or orchards will hold lot's of deer.  Also ponds, logging areas and edges of old burns and tree farms will have deer moving through.  It doesn't do any good to sit all day long if the deer aren't coming through your area.

Don't try to stalk through the woods like Elmer Fudd, deer can hear too well, see movement too well and their noses will smell you out even with the best cover scent spray gunk you can buy.

I haven't done any kind of hunting so fare. But I do know how to gut a deer and my dad knows how to do some of it too. A couple other members of my family will be going so I won't have trouble carrying it. Thanks for the tip!

[police women of America]

Go to the range before the hunt. Not the gravel pit.
Go to a nice range with nice shooting benches. And no time limit. Take two three boxes of ammo.

Don't have anything else planned that day. Leave the non shooters at home.
Take the time to know exactly where you are hitting.

Don't settle for close. Dial it in.

Be friendly to everyone one you meet.

Good luck.

thanks! I will.

[Badhabit]

Hunt with the wind in your face not on your back.

[grizzlyadams]

Hunt with the wind in your face not on your back.

And know the thermals!!!

[RadSav]

Anyone have any tips for white tail (or just deer) hunting with a rifle (.308 win).
or just a tip for hunting in general. How to find the perfect spot, gutting, shooting, supplies, brands, calling tips, ect. Or maybe something you wish you would have known when you started. Or maybe something you wish you wouldn't have done 

Well, these days my first tip to new hunters is different than it was ten or more years ago.  My first tip now is, don't be anxious to be a movie star.  Get a few deer under your belt before buying a video camera.

First deer should be the one you have the best shot at.  As should the second one too.  So often new hunters judge animals based off canned hunts on television.  And while Washington does have that class of deer get the hard ones in the bag.  Those hard ones are usually the first two. After that things get a lot easier and hunting bigger and bigger bucks balances out the challenge and enjoyment. 

Applying for doe tags is a good start as well.  They can really help a new hunter develop the skills needed to find success regularly.  And they eat/taste REALLY good!

As others have mentioned, good binoculars, watch the wind and patience top the list of important tips when hunting.  Those three things have probably led to more big buck successes for me than any weapon choice, ammunition choice or camo choice.

If you are still hunting, especially for women, footwear tends to be a great investment.  You tend to hunt longer, quieter and with a greater degree of patience with good footwear.  Especially during late seasons.  I think my wife considers it her most important hunting item!

I personally believe a good pellet rifle is worth the investment to a new hunter as well.  Cheap to shoot, can be shot just about anywhere and it helps develop gun handling and target acquisition skills.  Plus most pellet rifles have a hard long trigger pull.  Much more than your rifle will.  So it really teaches good form.  Plus they are really fun!

Final tip from me is to never forget...Hunting is meant to be fun!  Whether successful right away or not hunt in a way that makes you happy.  Meat at the store is cheap.  Enjoying everything nature holds is priceless!

[SGTDuffman]

In my case the best advice for finding deer would be to look for elk, then there are deer everywhere. I was out hunting elk Sat morning and had at least 8 deer inside of 200yds and 3 of them 60yds or less. Check shaded draws and depressions in clear cuts before the sun hits them, so usually before ~8am.

[The scout]

don't put questionable poop on your weapon

[luckyman]

There's nothing like hunting with an experienced person when you first start out. If you cant  do a guided hunt,
find a partner that will take the time to get you tuned in. going it alone is a tough way to start even with good advise.

[bear hunter]

Welcome to hunting. I started out 20 years ago with no help. I just read a lot of books on hunting Washington and picked up trail maps that had gravel roads and started scouting. It took me 3 years to bag my first deer and I have taken one or 2 (with the 2ND deer tag) ever since. I even took up duck hunting my first year LOL 75 rounds later 1 hen mallard. I am a hell of a lot better now LOL. If I was you read books and get out hiking, hit clear cuts and glass early morning and evenings. You will see some thing. Look for little things like ears, legs and horizontal lines. It could be a animal.

[bradslam]

don't put questionable poop on your weapon

 

[bradslam]

Anyone have any tips for white tail (or just deer) hunting with a rifle (.308 win).
or just a tip for hunting in general. How to find the perfect spot, gutting, shooting, supplies, brands, calling tips, ect. Or maybe something you wish you would have known when you started. Or maybe something you wish you wouldn't have done 

I would second what RadSav said.  So many people want to be a trophy hunter right off the bat.  Get some deer under your belt (even if they don't have the biggest antlers) and then worry about getting a trophy.  In the process, you will develop your skills and the big ones will come later if that becomes important to you. 

[Blacktail Sniper]

Reading through the above posts, you have a great baseline of info to start you out.

Like has been said, don't fall into the rookie trap of looking for and expecting to see an entire deer!  Twitching ear(s) or tail, flash of white butt or belly hair as it takes a step, raising or lowering its head as it browses...parts and pieces like that coupled with movement will expose more deer than you may imagine.  And sometimes, you really will see whole deer, so don't hesitate to use your bino's or spotting scope, sometimes those "stump" deer turn into real deer!

Practice enough with your weapon so you have the confidence that when you go for the shot, it will be successful. 

Dress comfortable, if you aren't reasonably comfortable, your mind will be elsewhere and may lead to a missed opportunity.

Good luck and keep us posted!!

[ELKBURGER]

Lots of good advice. However, you will need to find out what works best for you. I have had many mentors since I started hunting. Each one had thier share of success,  but most of thier styles differed. I found what style I enjoyed the most and have made it work for me. As many has said, dont scrimp on gear. Cold and wet weather boots and clothes could be the difference between life and death. Good optics will make the difference between seeing an antler tip or not. You are sure to learn tons but most importantly have fun doing it. 

[go4steelhd]

My advise has nothing to do with the success. It is to make sure to enjoy your time in the field. It's time to get away from the real world and life's stresses.... Just have fun

[billythekidrock]

don't put questionable poop on your weapon

Don't put any poop on your weapon!

[police women of America]

Anyone have any tips for white tail (or just deer) hunting with a rifle (.308 win).
or just a tip for hunting in general. How to find the perfect spot, gutting, shooting, supplies, brands, calling tips, ect. Or maybe something you wish you would have known when you started. Or maybe something you wish you wouldn't have done 

Well, these days my first tip to new hunters is different than it was ten or more years ago.  My first tip now is, don't be anxious to be a movie star.  Get a few deer under your belt before buying a video camera.

First deer should be the one you have the best shot at.  As should the second one too.  So often new hunters judge animals based off canned hunts on television.  And while Washington does have that class of deer get the hard ones in the bag.  Those hard ones are usually the first two. After that things get a lot easier and hunting bigger and bigger bucks balances out the challenge and enjoyment. 

Applying for doe tags is a good start as well.  They can really help a new hunter develop the skills needed to find success regularly.  And they eat/taste REALLY good!

As others have mentioned, good binoculars, watch the wind and patience top the list of important tips when hunting.  Those three things have probably led to more big buck successes for me than any weapon choice, ammunition choice or camo choice.

If you are still hunting, especially for women, footwear tends to be a great investment.  You tend to hunt longer, quieter and with a greater degree of patience with good footwear.  Especially during late seasons.  I think my wife considers it her most important hunting item!

I personally believe a good pellet rifle is worth the investment to a new hunter as well.  Cheap to shoot, can be shot just about anywhere and it helps develop gun handling and target acquisition skills.  Plus most pellet rifles have a hard long trigger pull.  Much more than your rifle will.  So it really teaches good form.  Plus they are really fun!

Final tip from me is to never forget...Hunting is meant to be fun!  Whether successful right away or not hunt in a way that makes you happy.  Meat at the store is cheap.  Enjoying everything nature holds is priceless!

thanks for the tips!

[Bob33]

All the gear and practice in the world will do no good unless you hunt where the game is. That is often where the other hunters aren't.

[elkboy]

A lot of good advice on here from experienced hunters! 

I would only add at this point: practice your shooting (in the following order) from bench-rest position, prone position, ground-seated position, kneeling position, and finally offhand or standing (learn what the "hasty sling" is).   Get an experienced shooter to help you with these.  The NRA also puts out a good basic rifle booklet, from which you can learn the fundamentals of these positions.  Also learn how to aim in field situations: steadying the rifle on top of a stump, the top of a branch, from prone position from the top of a ridge, etc. 

Good luck!  I did not grow up in a hunting family, and had many experienced people help me learn along the way. 

[police women of America]

Thanks for all the tips and good luck's!  I plan on using all of your advice!   

[Dan-o]

Find good people to hunt with and learn from.

It's much easier to learn from accomplished hunters by hunting with them than it is to read about it or learn all the hard lessons yourself.   It's also more fun.