New to deer hunting

[Elliott]

Well as the title says it all I am going on my first deer hunt this coming weekend. I'm going to Winthrop with a buddy and his dad. I'm not looking for hunting spots or any family hunting secrets, what I was wondering was, I will be hunting with a shotgun (don't own a rifle... yet) is it better to use buckshot or to use a slug? I have already bought some slugs but wouldn't mind using either of them. Also what would be the best tactic for a deer hunter using a shotgun, slug or buckshot?

[buckmaster303]

It's up to you what you want to use but in my opinion slug   

[madmack76]

you need to go buy a couple boxs of each and pattern the shot gun see where every thing hits and pick the one thats most accurate and figure out what type of range you got you go out and just start shooting at animals you are just going to wound them so take some time and check those things out and play around with diff loads till you find one that your gun likes.

[huntnphool]

 The guys you are hunting with don't have a rifle for you to borrow?

[Guy]

Elliot - there are some excellent, inexpensive rifles avail these days. Get yourself a .308 or something similar. Marlin makes a low budget, decent bolt rifle, even Weatherby sells the Vanguard for only $400 or so - you'll be MUCH better off with a rifle. Top it with a simple, decent scope.

There's even some pretty darned nice used rifles avail, as people have dumped their toys in this economy. Heck, just a few months ago I traded off a couple of decent older rifles of mine, a .30-06 and a .30-30. Both were well proven in the field. Somebody has got to have a rifle they can loan or sell cheap.

If I had to use a shotgun, I'd use slugs.

Guy

[huntnnw]

Id be looking for a rifle to borrow or a muzzy. Even a crossbow

[hirshey]

Best of luck... the Methow valley is going to be busy; I wish you had something with a scope because most areas would only provide long distance shots with how many people you're likely to run into. The one season I used a shotgun, I was using slugs. But that was blacktail hunting with a far greater liklihood of a close distance shot than you're likely to recieve opening modern season in such a popular area.

[pjb3]

I have a .270 u can use if you wanna use, PM sent

[Elliott]

Thanks for all your help and opinions, and the thing is, like everybody else in the world cash is a little tight to buy a new/used rifle, but I will definitely start putting some money away for one. PBJ3 thanks for the offer, but my hunting buddies said they would let me borrow theirs once they had shot their deer with it. I just hope they shoot one quick

[huntnphool]

Thanks for all your help and opinions, and the thing is, like everybody else in the world cash is a little tight to buy a new/used rifle, but I will definitely start putting some money away for one. PBJ3 thanks for the offer, but my hunting buddies said they would let me borrow theirs once they had shot their deer with it. I just hope they shoot one quick

 Thats actually a better plan for you anyway. Tag along with someone that has experience and can teach you a thing or two, rather than sending you out there on your own.

[Stilly bay]

just don't put yourself in rifle situations when hunting with a shotgun IE hunt the thick stuff for close shots, stay away from the great wide open unless you feeling putting on a stalk... which can be a heck of a lot of fun even if you don't get to pull the trigger.
good luck to you!

[h20hunter]

Considering you are new and have not spent time behind a rifle to learn its ways I would suggest hunting with one of the buddies. Do what he says. Walk where he walks. Ask questions LATER back in camp, not on a stalk. You will see more game and have a better chance of success that way. Also, he/she will know their rifle and its abilities. Be honest about yours....no 300 yard head shots. If a buddy gets you on a deer and says hold dead on the shoulder just keep cool, do what your told, and your chance of success will be greater than going solo with an unproven slug gun.

Good luck, be safe, and for the love of God take some pictures to remember your first hunt.

[Clinton]

I would go buy a rifle.

[losdaddy7]

Get a rifle..... don't wait for your buddies to tag out..  You don't want to blow a shot at a big buck because you have a shotgun with a range of 50 yards.....

[wreckerman5357]

If you can, scrape up the money for a rifle. My buddy bought a Mossberg ATR in .30-06 for his first rifle. It is a solid rifle for the money, they are $257 at Walmart right now, add a BSA scope and a guy has a usable rifle/scope combo for under $350. Also don't forget used, a used package can be bought for $250 to $350 for an entry level rifle and scope.

If this is not possible, which given that money is tight for a lot of us, go with the plan of using your friend's rifle. Don't waste your time with a shotgun.

[brokehunter]

Well I can truly understand where you are coming from. Even though most everyone on here is saying to buy a rifle, just use what you got. I know money is tight for myself right now, and was barely able to scrape up enough for a 30.06 that's about as old as I am! Even $200-$300 bucks is a lot of dough for me, and probably for you as well. My brother is actually using a shotgun this year because he is broke as well. My dad has an old Remington 12 gauge pump he would often use over his rifle in brushy areas, simply because within 80 yards he was VERY deadly with it. With that being said, get to know the gun and fire a few rounds through it and make sure you know where that shot or slug is gonna go.

Save a little money back and get a rifle next season. Even though the economy is bad, it seams like a lot of those jokers think their guns are made of gold. Find something you like, and buy a gun that's proven itself. Some of the best shooting guns I know of have scraped up stocks and worn blueing. Just keep in mind when you purchase, whether new or old, they were made for a simple purpose. whether $200 or $1000, either will get the job done.

Good luck with the shotgun. Just practice with it! Practice makes perfect! (My Pop could put a slug through the dead center of a paper plate at 80 yards.) And with practice comes experience and listen to your buddies who you will be hunting with. And if you do borrow a gun make sure you fire it a few times first before hitting the woods!

[akashasdaddy]

 

you need to go buy a couple boxs of each and pattern the shot gun see where every thing hits and pick the one thats most accurate and figure out what type of range you got you go out and just start shooting at animals you are just going to wound them so take some time and check those things out and play around with diff loads till you find one that your gun likes.

Also I know money is tight I am a living example of this and i am also new to hunting and it is because money is tight. I been laid off for two years now, unemployment is running out  and I am a single dad who needs to put food on the table. That is why I am taking up the sport that and I am gettin older now and want to connect to the world. Any way I have a savage 30-06 they run a bout $350 with tax. I put a BSA 3-9X40 scope on it and I am gettin respectable results. Nothing great but if I get a shot I will put one down. I'd try for something like that and good luck to you.

[methowman]

I have hunted that area for years & can tell you that a shotgun really doesn't have the range you will need since of your shooting opportunities are usually 100-200 yards or more. You might run into a buck within 50-100 yards so be ready for anything. If possible borrow a rifle with a scope or step up & buy one. Marlin xl7 is an excellent value that you can pickup cheap..... Good luck & enjoy your trip either way.The meatloaf is great at 3 Finger Jacks in Winthrop.

[Guy]

Ya know, reflecting back, I used to hunt that area with a traditional muzzle loader. Hunted it two years, took two mule deer. One was a buck at about 40 yards and one a doe at about 25 yards.

A shotgun should get it done just fine if you work at getting the close shot.