New to everything

[DanjHuds]

So as the topic suggests, I'm new to everything, new to the forums, new to hunting, new to what gear is affordable and what gear is professional.

I read the "Noobies start here" post, and it seemed to be all about rifle hunting. So before I go any further, I'm actually having a hard time determining if this is a hunting forum for rifle hunters, or both rifle and bow. So that is my first question, rifles forum only, or both?

 

[Gspman]

WELCOME...... both lots of guys hunt with bows here. Im a long time rifle/shot gun hunter but i just got my first bow so ill be out next year with an AO tag and out in the pring for pig/boar.

just as far as the "noobs start here" it revolves around where most nobs start... rifles/shottys. and safety is a huge deal when its your first deer or dove hunt ever and your swinging on a low bird or looking down the scope and first light and you think you see a 10 point buck but its really your buddy. or some guy stopping through your area :-\.

 

[Bonejour]

Welcome Dan. Take your time and settle in. Reading these threads may seem a little like drinking from a firehose so as you get an idea of the type of hunting (or fishing) you want to do, feel free to ask or just explore the related threads in the sub forums.

 

[TRICER]

First things first do you have your hunters safety done yet you cant hunt with out a license.

Go pick up a cheap pump 12ga Mossberg 500 or Remington 870. Deer tags are sold out. There will be a ton of waterfowl and upland game opening up shortly. Bird is the best way to get you hooked on hunting less work for the reward. Rabbit is open as well and you really dont have to be an expert to shoot a few of them.

 

[MJB]

Both........we also hunt fish......some hunt under water and some on top and others do both........rifle or bow not that much difference......one you get just a little closer.......

If you want to bow hunt......bears pigs & yotes are in some need tags.......Bobcat is almost open

 

[D16hunter]

Bird is the best way to get you hooked on hunting less work for the reward. Rabbit is open as well and you really dont have to be an expert to shoot a few of them.

Bird hunting is a great way to get hooked. However it can be hard to justify paying a lot in gas when your first starting hunting. Unless you have someone with you who knows what there doing. I'd say once you get your license find a mentor and go from there


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SurfNHuntSD]

If you're not familiar with our backcountry I'd first recommend getting some maps (NF and BLM) and do some hiking/scouting during the offseason, assuming you're a public land hunter. Lots of info here on this site.

 

[Gspman]

First things first do you have your hunters safety done yet you cant hunt with out a license.

Go pick up a cheap pump 12ga Mossberg 500 or Remington 870. Deer tags are sold out. There will be a ton of waterfowl and upland game opening up shortly. Bird is the best way to get you hooked on hunting less work for the reward. Rabbit is open as well and you really dont have to be an expert to shoot a few of them.

wait wait.... deer tags are sold out? im very sure they are not just depends on your area. as of today at 8 am they was over 150,000 available deer tags in california. most archery but also over 17,000 rifle tags are still available. so no deer tags are far from sold out. its just the ones left are not as desirable.

 

[Bonejour]

...However it can be hard to justify paying a lot in gas when your first starting hunting. Unless you have someone with you who knows what there doing. I'd say once you get your license find a mentor and go from there

I dunno D16. I think putting in lots of miles (on car and on boots) is the ONLY way to get started hunting in SCAL. Get the maps, look them over, check Google Earth, post questions about the terrain you see, and go explore. Take a buddy if you want, and by all means, post here if you want to hook up with another member to scout some country. That's just my opinion, of course.

 

[D16hunter]

True I'm saying it could be hard to justify for birds without proper guidance just my .02


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TRICER]

I like rabbit and bird hunting because that is a great way to discover new parts of town. Especially if you download the ONX hunt app and get the California map $30. Not to tough to find dove or rabbits locally. Also out in the hills hiking around you can bust some quail coveys. I was saying D16 was sold out assuming he was in SD like a lot of us. yes there are a lot of tags left and you have a bow you are good to go. I still think hiking around with a shotgun is the best way to get your feet wet. It's cheap and really doesn't require a ton of skill.