Adult-Onset Hunter

[AmateurSeason]

Hey everyone, thanks for letting me into the forum. My wife and I moved to SD back in 2020 and have settled in north county. This year is my first one hunting and more than anything I'm looking to get more time outdoors and learn as much as I can.

I'm a diver and have a couple of lobster seasons under my weight belt. Thanks to the great folks at NWTF, I was lucky enough to get great advice and a reservation at Lake Sutherland where I bagged my first Jake. I got my D16 deer tag, bear tag, and would really appreciate recommendations for a beginner friendly rifle and caliber. See y'all out there!

 

[ilovesprig]

Welcome to SCH........

You ought to try and make it to some of NWTF's monthly meetings...You'll learn a lot about the "16".............

 

[AmateurSeason]

Welcome to SCH........

You ought to try and make it to some of NWTF's monthly meetings...You'll learn a lot about the "16".............

Great tip! Can't believe I assumed after Spring everyone at the meeting is just sitting around, counting the days till next one

 

[WaterDawg]

Sounds like you’re fully involved in the sport already but if you like chasing smaller critters too check out the Imperial Valley. The annual sept 1 dove opener is coming up, plus quail, rabbit, ducks, varmints in abundance.

 

[AmateurSeason]

Sounds like you’re fully involved in the sport already but if you like chasing smaller critters too check out the Imperial Valley. The annual sept 1 dove opener is coming up, plus quail, rabbit, ducks, varmints in abundance.

Absolutely open to checking out IV. Anything like the Turkey Tune up for Sep 1st so I can meet more dove hunters in the area to help learn the ropes?

 

[ilovesprig]

Absolutely open to checking out IV. Anything like the Turkey Tune up for Sep 1st so I can meet more dove hunters in the area to help learn the ropes?

I used to do a seminar at Turner's Sporting Goods...Not sure they're having it this summer, but watch for it on here.............

The NWTF meeting in August will have a lot of info as well........

 

[fanofbirds]

Hey man - fellow first time deer hunter living in north county here. I got an A22 tag and am starting to scout on the weekends. I’ve got a couple seasons of local upland hunting under my belt and looking forward to trying something new. Feel free to shoot me a message if you’re looking for someone to hike around with.

Also do a bit of diving and surf fishing!

 

[AmateurSeason]

Hey man - fellow first time deer hunter living in north county here. I got an A22 tag and am starting to scout on the weekends. I’ve got a couple seasons of local upland hunting under my belt and looking forward to trying something new. Feel free to shoot me a message if you’re looking for someone to hike around with.

Also do a bit of diving and surf fishing!

Message sent, looking forward to some good summer scouting!

 

[sportyg]

I may head up that way in the near future. Haven't hunted A22 in a few years but going back this year. I personally like hunting the second season. much cooler and not so many campers, hikers running around.

 

[TJD123]

You'll be hard pressed to beat a tikka rifle. Lot of bang for your buck in the price range. Fine Firearms in la mesa is a great resource for buying guns and ammo, you'll need to run lead free ammo for hunting in California.

as for caliber, i'd recommend shootabiltiy over power. I think you'd be very happy with a 6.5 either a 6.5 creedmore or 6.5 prc (prc shoots the same bullets as creedmore just a bit more power and kick) lots of factory ammo available too! i have a 6.5 creedmore and a 300wm both tikkas. I rarely find my self grabbing the bigger gun!

lastly don't feel the need to invest in fancy hunting clothing (though it is nice) the rest of my resources would be going to the 3 Bs. Boots, Binos, backpack. With a good shooting rifle and the 3 Bs you'll be ready to chase some deer and bear!

 

[sportyg]

Hey man - fellow first time deer hunter living in north county here. I got an A22 tag and am starting to scout on the weekends. I’ve got a couple seasons of local upland hunting under my belt and looking forward to trying something new. Feel free to shoot me a message if you’re looking for someone to hike around with.

Also do a bit of diving and surf fishing!

A 22 is archery only so put some work in with ever bow you have.

 

[fanofbirds]

A 22 is archery only so put some work in with ever bow you have.

I had an awesome experience buying my first bow a couple weeks back at Bow n Arrow shop. Bruce was very respectful of the budget I gave and helped teach me the fundamentals while I sampled different bows.

I’ve been going to the balboa range once or twice a week - if anyone’s looking for someone to shoot arrows with send me a message!

 

[AmateurSeason]

You'll be hard pressed to beat a tikka rifle. Lot of bang for your buck in the price range. Fine Firearms in la mesa is a great resource for buying guns and ammo, you'll need to run lead free ammo for hunting in California.

as for caliber, i'd recommend shootabiltiy over power. I think you'd be very happy with a 6.5 either a 6.5 creedmore or 6.5 prc (prc shoots the same bullets as creedmore just a bit more power and kick) lots of factory ammo available too! i have a 6.5 creedmore and a 300wm both tikkas. I rarely find my self grabbing the bigger gun!

lastly don't feel the need to invest in fancy hunting clothing (though it is nice) the rest of my resources would be going to the 3 Bs. Boots, Binos, backpack. With a good shooting rifle and the 3 Bs you'll be ready to chase some deer and bear!

Thanks for the tips. For binos do you have any recommendations for power? I have a small pair of 10x25s which I wouldn't mind upgrading.

Have you had any issues getting parts or accessories for your Tikka's like scope mounts, etc compared to an older model like the Rem700? How about finding ammo for the 6.5 compared with something like a 30-06 or .270?

 

[TJD123]

10x is great. I'd buy the best quality bino you can afford. You'll spend a lot of time looking through them

nope tikka has a ton of scope mounts. you wont have issues with parts. the 6.5s are really popular, you wont be hard pressed to find ammo.

 

[ilovesprig]

Thanks for the tips. For binos do you have any recommendations for power? I have a small pair of 10x25s which I wouldn't mind upgrading.

Have you had any issues getting parts or accessories for your Tikka's like scope mounts, etc compared to an older model like the Rem700? How about finding ammo for the 6.5 compared with something like a 30-06 or .270?

Vortex makes really nice glass with many price points...For hand held hunting, I like 10x42's...Buy the best you can afford.....

ps...Their customer is top notch as well