Never Hunted, Seeking Mentor/Opportunities to Learn

[Kmino]

I'm also an "adult onset hunter". I've only been at it for two years now and I've sourced a wealth of knowledge from this forum. The search function can be narrowed down to search the forum topic of your interest ie, go to the Black Bear hunting topic and use the search box to look up terms/areas topics/tips of your interest specific to bear hunting. This forum is old and there is vast amounts of experience if you're willing to dig it up. It took me my second year hunting to bag my first big game animal and I owe a lot of that due to the helpful folks on this forum. A lot of your questions will most likely have already been answered and can simply take some sleuthing around. My best advice is to head into your first year under the impression you will not bag an animal, and focus on learning the area you plan to hunt. Learn it throughout the seasons and where the animals move to and from throughout the year.

Thanks for your two cents. I'll certainly utilize this forum.

I am going into this year with that exact expectation; to learn a bunch, hopefully see a buck in the mountains, and come back the next year better prepared.

[vandeman17]

This is how a first post to the forum should be. Well done on introducing yourself and giving us some background about you.

What are you thoughts on coming over to the eastide of the state to hunt?

Glad my post was appropriate.

While I am keen on hunting where I have spent nearly 2 weeks scouting on the west side of the cascades, I am desperate for more hunting exposure anywhere I can get it. I'd be very willing to head east to contribute to another person's hunt if possible.

I will keep you posted on my plans for general and late buck over here. Depending on schedules we might be able to work something out

[Kmino]

This is how a first post to the forum should be. Well done on introducing yourself and giving us some background about you.

What are you thoughts on coming over to the eastide of the state to hunt?

Glad my post was appropriate.

While I am keen on hunting where I have spent nearly 2 weeks scouting on the west side of the cascades, I am desperate for more hunting exposure anywhere I can get it. I'd be very willing to head east to contribute to another person's hunt if possible.

I will keep you posted on my plans for general and late buck over here. Depending on schedules we might be able to work something out

Roger that. I will absolutely follow up. Thank you for your consideration.

[Woodchuck]

This is how a first post to the forum should be. Well done on introducing yourself and giving us some background about you.

What are you thoughts on coming over to the eastide of the state to hunt?

Glad my post was appropriate.

While I am keen on hunting where I have spent nearly 2 weeks scouting on the west side of the cascades, I am desperate for more hunting exposure anywhere I can get it. I'd be very willing to head east to contribute to another person's hunt if possible.

I will keep you posted on my plans for general and late buck over here. Depending on schedules we might be able to work something out

Roger that. I will absolutely follow up. Thank you for your consideration.

If that guy invites you to hunt, get in shape.
Pretty sure he does triathalons on lunchbreaks 

[vandeman17]

This is how a first post to the forum should be. Well done on introducing yourself and giving us some background about you.

What are you thoughts on coming over to the eastide of the state to hunt?

Glad my post was appropriate.

While I am keen on hunting where I have spent nearly 2 weeks scouting on the west side of the cascades, I am desperate for more hunting exposure anywhere I can get it. I'd be very willing to head east to contribute to another person's hunt if possible.

I will keep you posted on my plans for general and late buck over here. Depending on schedules we might be able to work something out

Roger that. I will absolutely follow up. Thank you for your consideration.

If that guy invites you to hunt, get in shape.
Pretty sure he does triathalons on lunchbreaks 

  Don't scare him off. I wouldn't drag him THAT far into the hills...

[nwmein199]

This is how a first post to the forum should be. Well done on introducing yourself and giving us some background about you.

What are you thoughts on coming over to the eastide of the state to hunt?

Glad my post was appropriate.

While I am keen on hunting where I have spent nearly 2 weeks scouting on the west side of the cascades, I am desperate for more hunting exposure anywhere I can get it. I'd be very willing to head east to contribute to another person's hunt if possible.

I will keep you posted on my plans for general and late buck over here. Depending on schedules we might be able to work something out

Roger that. I will absolutely follow up. Thank you for your consideration.

Go hunt with vandeman17. That will drastically shorten your learning curve. If you dont take him up on the offer I will!!

[Born2late]

I would also be reading on how to gut a big game animal and be able to do the “gutless method also”. Meat and hide care is big to me and I think one of the biggest overlooked things for new hunters. Once it’s dead what are your plans? Are you prepared to take care of the animal as needed without losing meat to spoiling?
These are the questions you need to think through. If you can get together with someone that traps it is the best way to learn to skin and you can even practice taking meat off the animal if it’s not going to be used.i can possibly answer questions for you if you need. Pm me and we can talk. I target blacktails specifically as my main hunt every year.

[Kmino]

I would also be reading on how to gut a big game animal and be able to do the “gutless method also”. Meat and hide care is big to me and I think one of the biggest overlooked things for new hunters. Once it’s dead what are your plans? Are you prepared to take care of the animal as needed without losing meat to spoiling?
These are the questions you need to think through. If you can get together with someone that traps it is the best way to learn to skin and you can even practice taking meat off the animal if it’s not going to be used.i can possibly answer questions for you if you need. Pm me and we can talk. I target blacktails specifically as my main hunt every year.

I appreciate your thoughts Born2late. Thank you for them.

I will absolutely be contacting you about blacktails.

[brokentrail]

Seems like you have some folks you can PM with questions already but feel free to PM me as well if I can help.  I hunt blacktail, turkey, bears/cougars (kinda, I have my tag in case I run across one) and coyotes every year and have been pretty consistent with my success. I raised 3 boys and they have all had success as well.   I didn't grow up in the NW but have hunted all of my life for something.  Feel free to reach out.  We need more hunters and I'd be happy to help you if I can.