New Hunter

[Grizzly95]

My buddy just passed hunters ed today  Now he is deciding whether to deer hunt this year. He is pretty green on the deer hunting. He has gone with guys before just to tag along. He is more of a scatter gun guy, lots of clay. He will be using one of my rifles. I am on the fence as to what to recommend to him. I was first think that he should just bird and coyote hunt this fall, but then again the only way to learn is to get out there. I bow hunt, without success the last few years (lack of effort on my part). I am getting serious about it now though. I would prefer to get him into an any deer unit, but there are only 2 and I know nothing about them 379 and 381. Any one have any ideas on these areas? He is more than happy smacking a doe. I am trying to get us on some private land near Fruitland also, but haven't been there in years. The areas I bow hunt are not that great for a rifle hunter because of a few houses in the area.

What do you guys recommend. He has about 4 days of vacation to burn, I am unemployed at this time. So we will probably camp. I will be looking for bear while out too. Not a lot of cash for travel expense between us either. Thanks

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

He is more of a scatter gun guy

The areas I bow hunt are not that great for a rifle hunter because of a few houses in the area.

Seems like an answer there......

[Grizzly95]

He had to sell his shotgun when times got tough, I don't have a barrel for slugs either.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Buckshot works

[jayrod9528]

I live near both of those areas 379 and 381. It is any deer for white tail only.......not alot of white tail in those areas. If you were going to try it I would go for 381. Kinda short notice there is a lot of private ground that you will need to get permission for. I think there is some public ground out there called Juniper Dunes look it up and check the regs. Hope this helps.

[Grizzly95]

I was thinking the same thratioing as far as the white tail muley ratio. I hate to tell him to spend the money on a tag and then not get him into anything. They only scouting I have done is for bear, all I can think is bear for some reason this year.

I have a friend that is a lead man on a farm just above 379 and thay might have property in that GMU. I know he said the owner was tough to get permoission from, I was hoping the "doe" plan might work in my buddies favor.

If he had internet I would have him signed up for this site already.

[USAFpj]

He had to sell his shotgun when times got tough, I don't have a barrel for slugs either

Grizzly, correct me if I'm wrong, but you can use rifled slugs out of a smoothbore, non rifled shotgun barrel.  IC choke, I believe is preferred...