Post by: Bohr on November 06, 2012, 03:34:23 PM
No one in my family has ever hunted so I'm on my own with no idea what to do. :dunno:
I'd appreciate any tips anyone can give me on how to start out.
Post by: B-Nut on November 06, 2012, 03:35:44 PM
Post by: Bohr on November 06, 2012, 03:40:00 PM
Number one tip, with any question you might have start with the search bar up top. You will find a wealth of information on jst about anything you might need to know.
Thanks, I'll check it out!
Post by: Woodchuck on November 06, 2012, 03:42:13 PM
Where are you lacted?
Post by: Bohr on November 06, 2012, 03:45:23 PM
:tup: Love your avatar man. Welcome to the forum.
Where are you lacted?
I'm in the Snoqualmie Valley area.
Post by: Austrian Hunter on November 06, 2012, 03:55:28 PM
Post by: Bohr on November 06, 2012, 03:59:39 PM
Post by: Woodchuck on November 06, 2012, 04:09:09 PM
Post by: Bohr on November 06, 2012, 04:10:38 PM
Post by: huntnphool on November 06, 2012, 04:10:45 PM
No. Should that be my first step?YES!!! Get into a class asap, that will be a big first step. :tup:
Post by: Bohr on November 06, 2012, 04:18:03 PM
Ok I will. Thanks again.No. Should that be my first step?YES!!! Get into a class asap, that will be a big first step. :tup:
Post by: mr user on November 06, 2012, 04:27:12 PM
Post by: Glockster on November 06, 2012, 04:56:38 PM
If you want to hunt elk you could look up your local Rocky Mtn Elk foundation chapter
If you want to hunt pheasants, find the local Pheasants Forever chapter
If you want to hunt deer, try to find a local Mule Deer Foundation Chapter
If you live in Spokane, look up the Inland Wildlife Council
All of these sportsman clubs have people who would be happy to take a new hunter under their wings and you could learn what it's all about that way.
I always think it's better to meet people in person instead of random strangers on the internet. Depending on where you live I could give you more info on who you can talk to in any of these 'clubs'. Feel free to PM me if you dn't want that info public.
Post by: Kc_Kracker on November 08, 2012, 06:25:20 PM
Post by: Birdguy on November 09, 2012, 08:49:31 PM
Second get that hunters safety class out of the way, by out of the way I mean learn as much as you can and do your absolute best to understand all aspect of the class. That is life long training and knowledge that you will certainly expand upon with each trip the the range or the field but a great start. I personally would recommend the live class as you will see and hear other parts of the class I do not believe the online class will offer. Besides that if you take the class in your local area there is a real good chance you will meet an opportunity to go hunting with someone. I know when my kids took the class there were guys form the gun club we were at that offered to take kids just like you out as they believed they owed it to the heritage they loved. Finding someone local you could maybe tag along with is priceless. Most in your class will have Dads or Grandpas that are itching to get kids out sometimes it is easier to get their own kid out if they get to go with another kid. I know if you lived closer to us I would invite you out with us, after I knew you could handle a gun and yourself responsibly.
You have a trail to follow see how far you can go. When you get stuck or have a question you have a resource right here with literally thousands of folks who will help where they can. Follow this forum in the areas that interest you and the sky is the limit, Good luck :tup:.
Post by: Arnbo on November 20, 2012, 09:47:39 AM
Reading and talking to people is a great way to learn things.
You obviously have the drive to learn so that right there tells me
You are probably out going and you are going to be a great hunter.
Keep up the good work and Good luck............
Post by: cuzsis on November 28, 2012, 10:52:07 PM
:tup: Love your avatar man. Welcome to the forum.
Where are you lacted?
I'm in the Snoqualmie Valley area.
Hey man!
I'm a local in the Snoqualmie Valley area as well. There's lots of great people up here. What sort of hunting are you interested in? Big game? (Deer, Elk, Bear ect...) Small game (raccoon, rabbit ect..) or Upland Birds/Waterfowl?
The first thing to do is take your hunter safety course. I believe both local rifle ranges offer it (Snoqualmie Valley Rifle Club and Issaquah Sportsman's Club).
If you can, find an older/experienced safe hunter who will be willing to mentor you. It will be a lot easier than learning everything from the ground up the hard way (like my husband and I have had to do. :rolleyes: ) I know a few hunters and could potentially get you in contact with them, but best to have your parent/guardian okay first.
If you can't find someone, here's kind of the "do it yourself" version (mostly what I did).
After hunters ed, figure out which hunting method you prefer. If you don't have a specific preference in weapon type take a look at what you want to hunt and see when the best opportunities are. For instance, around here Modern Firearm gets the blacktail rut. While archery gets the elk rut. Hunting the rut is nice because the animals are so preoccupied they tend to not be as cautious as they are other times of the year.
Then you will need to get your hunting weapon (going to need mom and dad or another family member for this part since I believe you have to be over 18 to purchase them.) If you can, try before you buy. If you've got a buddy who has a firearm you're interested in, see if he will take you to the range and let you try it out. If you're into archery, both The Nock Point and Cabelas (Lacey) have indoor ranges where you can try bows. Granted, that's a bit of a drive, so if you have a friend with a compound, some plinking in the yard is probably a good first bet.
When you decide what you want to buy start saving your money because hunting gear is kind of expensive. You can get a lot second hand off of places like craigslist and potentially even eastside freecycle (where, you guessed it, things are offered for free.)
Next, read up on your quarry so you know what to look for when you're out there. Do this before you start talking to other hunters, so when you do talk to them you know good questions to ask and are capable of picking up the intriguing bits they drop from time to time. Google/Amazon is your friend for finding books (so are our local libraries believe it or not!) Don't be afraid to read about whitetails. We don't have 'em here, but a lot of basic deer info is similar between species.
After that, study the heck out of the WDFW regs, google maps, topo maps, green trails maps and start working out where you want to go. Best thing if you can manage it is find a private land owner who will grant you permission to hunt on their land (where they see a lot of deer and elk).
There is a local group here called the "Upper Snoqualmie Valley Elk Management Group". They are studying the local elk herd, building elk habitat, and helping residents with elk damage reporting and other things. While not a hunting group specifically, a lot of their volunteer work is done by master hunters getting their WDFW volunteer hours in, so that would be a good group to check out, perhaps even find a mentor?
Good luck!!! And welcome to the board! :)