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.