Help with Hunting

[Alcyon]

Hey there TB'ers... Just wondering if anyone in here has any game-hunting experience (not women, I'm talking deer, boar, whatever) they'd like to share. I just finished reading The Omnivore's Dilemma and hunting has been something I've been curious about for a long time. Unfortunately I'm in a family of geeky readers/musicians/hippies who think guns are for fascists, and my forest ranger grandfather (who owned a shotgun) passed away several years ago. So what should I know? How do I get into this hobby/way of life? Note that I live in Canada, am 18, and have limited funds.

Note that this is NOT a thread to discuss the morality of hunting - although that is an interesting topic, I would ask that if you want to talk about it, please start your own thread. I've made my decision, though it remains to be seen whether I have the guts to follow through.

[two fingers]

First, learn how to shoot. Get help from a shooting range or a qualified friend. Then worry about hunting. Don't go anywhere in the wood with a gun until you know how to shoot. First things first for the safety of all. Once you know how to shoot, come back and ask again. Hope this doesn't offend.

[Grizzly700]

Before you do anything else at all take a hunting and firearms safety course. Then, I advise finding someone that is experienced to bring you a few times.

[rcarraher]

Originally Posted by Alcyon

Hey there TB'ers... Just wondering if anyone in here has any game-hunting experience (not women, I'm talking deer, boar, whatever) they'd like to share. I just finished reading The Omnivore's Dilemma and hunting has been something I've been curious about for a long time. Unfortunately I'm in a family of geeky readers/musicians/hippies who think guns are for fascists, and my forest ranger grandfather (who owned a shotgun) passed away several years ago. So what should I know? How do I get into this hobby/way of life? Note that I live in Canada, am 18, and have limited funds.

Note that this is NOT a thread to discuss the morality of hunting - although that is an interesting topic, I would ask that if you want to talk about it, please start your own thread. I've made my decision, though it remains to be seen whether I have the guts to follow through.

Buy a shot gun and do some skeet shooting. You can get a servicable shotgun for less than $200.00 Skeet shooting will teach you how to hit something and with lusk some safety. In my younger years I deer hunted, elk hunted, hunted wild boar with a magnum hand gun and bird hunted, pheasant, partridge, chuka, bob whites etc...Even used to make money going around to farms and farmers would pay me to shoot pigeons after my younger brother or a dog scared them out of the barns or grain silos. If you get good with a shotgun, you can use it for bird hunting, and during deer season, with slugs instead of bird shot or other pelleted ammo, you can take down a deer out to maybe 40 yards (ideal for deer in brush) with a shotgun slug. If you enjoy that, become a decent shot, get a decent rifle in a .308 cartride (30.06, .270. etc...)

Myself, after Vietnam, I don't shoot anything that doesn't fly. But thats me and no reason anybody else shouldn't hunt.

[Alcyon]

Originally Posted by two fingers

First, learn how to shoot. Get help from a shooting range or a qualified friend. Then worry about hunting. Don't go anywhere in the wood with a gun until you know how to shoot. First things first for the safety of all. Once you know how to shoot, come back and ask again. Hope this doesn't offend.

Not at all, that's exactly what I intend to do. I just don't know much about the process or where I would even go to get qualified. I don't really have a "mentor" or anyone I know who actually goes hunting or even owns/shoots guns, so it's tough.

Thanks for the help, guys.

[rcarraher]

Originally Posted by Alcyon

Not at all, that's exactly what I intend to do. I just don't know much about the process or where I would even go to get qualified. I don't really have a "mentor" or anyone I know who actually goes hunting or even owns/shoots guns, so it's tough.

Thanks for the help, guys.

Ask at the gun store/sporting goods store, they'll steer you the right way, also I don't know who licenses hunters up the in Canada, we have Fish and Wild Life. But they will be able to steer you to hunter safety courses which are usually real reasonable, I'm talking less than $35.00 Even then, I would suggest going out with an experienced shooter, hunter many times before venturing out alone. And when you do venture out alone, make sure someone knows precisely where you are going. Once the bear eats you, someone needs to come out and pick up your weapon, can't leave those laying about the forrest

[jucas]

You might know this, but in BC the core program allows you to buy licenses... You need a Possession or possession and Aquesition license (PAL)... It used to be called an FAC and might be a PFC right now...

If you can find someone around here, I'd really suggest looking into a course i you haven't handled many firearms before... Ask at one of the gun stores and see if they recomend any instructors.

I agree that you can get a good shotgun for not a tonne of cash, but depending on what you plan on hunting, it might not be all that practical. Definately look into as much safety and proper gun handling, but one other word of advice is start small. I you start on bigger callibers you can develop some bad habits pretty easily, so working on technique with smaller calibers and working your way up is how I'd suggest going about it...

I don't know if you can manage that, or see if we have a shooting range around here that that might be able to help.

And, finally... Im not sure how easily accessible areas to hunt are around vancouver... I'd expect to spend a bunch on gas just getting to where you're going. I aways feel pretty trapped in the city here and am not really sure where or how to get somewere that I could hunt.

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to send a PM or email... I can't claim to be an expert, but I've dealt with the canadian firearms licensing system a few times, and hunted in BC most of my life.

[kanonfodr]

Here is your first weapon.

Find out about local firearms/hunter safety courses, and then take one. If you find a course that involves actual range time, find one that provides firearms for you to use. Hawaii does so for the state-sponsored Handgun Safety Course, and it is a great experience for one who has never fired a handgun. I'm sure that in canada, something similar exists for long guns and it is probably not too expensive.

Then after that, purchase something similar to the air rifle I have linked to above. It may cost more, but the investment in a good break-barrel pellet rifle will prove more satisfactory than a cheaper pump-action air rifle.

Check with your local law enforcement about shooting a pellet rifle in your local area. If you live outside the urban areas like I was blessed to during my childhood, they will probably not have much to say. I had a clear field of fire downrange for several hundred meters (well beyond air rifle ranges) unless the cows were in the pasture behind my house.

Then it is time to practice the Four Fundamentals of Marksmanship. These apply to every shot. Practice can be something as simple as punching paper plates with markered X's on them, to fun challenges like trying to shoot the cap off of a soda bottle.

They key is grouping your shots. When you can keep your groups tight it shows that you are being consistent with the 4 Fundamentals. You may wish to start at 10 meters, then move to 15, and so on. Challenge yourself. One time I drew out a smiley face on a paper plate, and then punched it out with my rifle from 10 yards. He was one buckthooth little guy, but it brings a grin to all who see it.

But if you truly want to get into hunting, one of the best ways to start is with "pest control." I lived out in the country, my neighbors had gardens, trees, flowerbeds, etc. In the summer the grackles would come by and they are a general nuisance, making noise, tearing things up, pooping on cars. Start popping them for people. You'll learn quick about making your shots count, as well as shooting at targets concealed by brush. Small varmints, provided they aren't protected, are good for this as well. Big rats, voles, sometimes squirrels. Once again, check with local law enforcement as to what you can and can't kill.

This is a stepping stone that myself and many others have started with. While I have not hunted any game animals in a long time, I did some of my best work from my back porch in Texas with my pump-action air rifle. One Shot, One Kill.

Peace,
Greg

[MakiSupaStar]

I'm a democrat shopping for a shotgun if that's any help to you.

[CrispyDelicious]

You know, my father has both a rifle and shotgun for hunting, and I've never fired either. It's crossed my mind numerous times, but it's never come to fruition. I remember as a child always thinking "I need to learn to use a chainsaw or shoot a gun, just like dad."

The chainsaw won out.

Still gonna try one of those firearms one day, though! Anyway, who is going to supply me with deer and turkey when the old man isn't around anymore?



EDIT: The shotgun is for hunting deer and turkey on the bushline on their property, the rife is for pest control. The coyotes are getting out of hand in Niagara, so the locals are thinning them out.

[kanonfodr]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

I'm a democrat shopping for a shotgun if that's any help to you.

One word: Mossberg! Cheap, reliable, and the loudest racking mechanism on earth. Many an Iraqi has stopped running at the sound of a Mossberg shotgun being charged. Different effect on thieves, rapists, and murderers: they want to run away!

Peace,
Greg

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by kanonfodr

One word: Mossberg! Cheap, reliable, and the loudest racking mechanism on earth. Many an Iraqi has stopped running at the sound of a Mossberg shotgun being charged. Different effect on thieves, rapists, and murderers: they want to run away!

Peace,
Greg

You're the third person that has recommended this brand to me.

[RS]

My best advice for you is to find some other way to express your masculinity other than killing unarmed, sentient beings.

[Joe Gress]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

I'm a democrat shopping for a shotgun if that's any help to you.

Hunting or home defense?

[Alcyon]

Originally Posted by RS

My best advice for you is to find some other way to express your masculinity other than killing unarmed, sentient beings.

Note disclaimer please.

[NJL]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

You're the third person that has recommended this brand to me.

add me to the list.. it was the second firearm i bought myself... like a glock, it just works.

[Alcyon]

Originally Posted by NJL

add me to the list.. it was the second firearm i bought myself... like a glock, it just works.

Mossberg 500 series is what everyone has recommended to me too. I like that the Marines used the 590 and that they still are used in Iraq. Apparently it's one of the only shotguns that passed the military testing. Pretty cool.

[nickn]

Don't even THINK about going hunting until you can shoot well. If you can group all of your shots within a few inches at a distance of 100 yards, you're golden. You don't need to be extremely accurate but you need to be accurate enough to where you can confidently hit the vital organs of the animal -- you don't want the animal to suffer any more than necessary. You want a shot that will go straight through his vitals and take him out without much suffering.

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

You're the third person that has recommended this brand to me.

Make me the fourth.

[nickn]

Also, like kanonfodr said, starting off with something like an air rifle or a bolt action .22 is a very good way to work on your marksmanship skills at close distance before moving up to a bigger caliber and longer distances.

[Steveaux]

Look for shooting clubs in your area. Your local sporting goods store will know who to contact. Shooters love to talk about their sport, gear, etc., and are happy to welcome anyone with a sincere interest.

Welcome to the shooting sports.

To Maki;

Mossberg 500 or Remington 870.