Thread: Interested in Hunting

Making this one a sticky.

sticky and hilarious

grandma aint gunna be able to get that sticky stain out ay?

Originally Posted by browntown

Deer on public land are becoming harder to take every year. Be prepared to take your rifle for a walk. I do it every year, but it can be a big let down. Elk and bear too. If you want to hunt something that has an easy payoff, start with birds. Small birds up to duck can be found all over the valley. E.E. Wilson has organized hunts that are very popular and any old cheap shotgun will work. Don't need the 3000 dollar over under, bring grandpas beat up remington 870 and start walking. http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources...nt_seasons.pdf

Great advice.
If you've done some Skeet/Trap shooting in the past, upland birds and ducks are the "easy payoff".
I started hunting with my dad and brother before I was old enough to legally have a gun. I was the "extra pair of eyes". I thought it was fun just tramping out in the (cold, wet) woods with those guys.
Later, when I was old enough to have a gun, I found deer hunting a bit boring (until I shot one, that is) and always preferred upland bird. Watching a good dog work a field is really something of a wonder to behold.
Some advice from an old hunter (or rather, "old" hunter) is to PICK YOUR SHOTS.
I never understood Skeet. Those are the lowest percentage shots I've ever seen! I've spent a lifetime letting birds in that position pass me by, so I could walk them down and get a second jump on them (or forget about it and contune working the field).
When the pheasant rises up, get the gun up and track it. The pheasant will take a two or three wingbeat pause to straighten out. That's when you take your shot, because he's not moving, he's only rotating.
Of course, that's a "classic" rise. A lot of time, they just rise and straighten out at the top of the rise without stopping (like cresting a hill). Then you've just got to take your shot whenever you're ready, but hit 'em on the rise, because once he's level, he's gone (they're very fast, you know =)).
When you flush a covey of birds, such as Chukar or Quail, pick ONE bird and shoot at that one. NEVER try to "blindly" shoot into the covey, thinking the law of averages is on your side, because its not.
Pick a bird and shoot it or you'll miss every time.
When woods hunting deer, pay attention to how much noise you're making.
If you can't help but make a racket, find a spot where you have a good view and sit down and wait a while (like an hour or so). This will give the animals time to settle down and (possibly) come back your way.
Also, be aware of the terrain. Did you have to use a rope and crampons during your hunt? Well, how ya' gonna get the deer back to the truck if you had to do some mountain climbing to get there?! (deer ain't light, ya know. Even black tails!)
However, the best advice is make friends here. If unionguy can find some forumites that are near him, you guys can always do a meet and greet and maybe plan out a hunt, because the best way to learn is to just get out there and do it. Having someone go along with you who knows what they're doing works all that much better.


DeanMk