If you’ve ever considered going in the great outdoors for a hunting session but have no one to teach you the basics, then we’re here to help. And don’t worry, because before starting to worry about the gear and whatnot, there are other things that we’ll cover to get you into the right mindset and condition.
Basics
Before we begin, let’s go through the basic mentality and amenities that you’ll have to consider when becoming a hunter.
Decide What Type of Hunter You Want to Be
Not all hunting is equal. Some people like to hunt small birds, while others go for large game like elk, moose, and whatnot. Not only that but people also have different preferences when it comes to weapons. Some might go for more modern rifle variations while others prefer a good old crossbow.
Do Your Research and Talk to Others
Before continuing with the guide, we feel the need to reiterate that the best way to learn about hunting is to actually experience it and talk to people. Sharing your experience with others is a vital aspect of learning. Even seasoned hunters often gather with others and exchange information.
Make Sure you have the Essential Equipment
Having the right equipment can be the difference between having a good time and hurting yourself. For rifles, a scope or laser finder will make a massive difference. For bow hunters, having a quality bow and bow case for long-term care is a must.
Practice. A Lot.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “practice makes perfect” numerous times already. However, this can’t be closer to the truth. Practice is indeed the best method of learning a new skill. Go to the shooting range or take crossbow lessons if you haven’t already. And then start practicing as much as you can.
Figure Out What Gear You’ll Need
There are loads of things that you might want to take with you on a hunting trip. For example, if you want to hunt from a distance, we recommend you check out the best laser rangerfinders of 2020 so you’ll have an easier time calculating the speed and travel of your bullet.
Types of Hunting
Now we’ve covered the basic stuff, let’s look at some info regarding the types of hunting and what you need to do for each category.
Rifle Hunting
For beginners, even for those who want to practice bow hunting, we recommend starting off with rifle hunting. The reason for this is that it’s easier to get the grip and aim of a rifle down. Bows take significantly more time to practice and master, which might discourage newcomers.
However, do note that you’ll need professional lessons for using a rifle as well. There are certain safety precautions you’ll have to take – and simply reading about them won’t suffice. So, in short, go to a shooting range to get down to the nitty gritty of things.
Bow Hunting
Bow hunting is how nature wanted us to tackle our prey. Except for the fact that accuracy is far more important using this method. Not to mention that your equipment list will have to be a lot longer.
Depending on your strength you’ll also have to consider the draw weight, type of bow, and types of arrows you’re going to use. We recommend reading further into technicalities about the bow and arrow to get the full understanding of what it means to choose different types of these.
Types of Game
There are two main types of game that you can hunt: big and small. The third type is comprised of birds, and you need a whole different mentality when hunting those.
Hunting birds also requires you to own a hunting dog since you’ll have to shoot them from a distance when they’re still in the air. The dog will be able to more easily lead you to where the now-dead bird has fallen.
As for big game, we recommend using a rifle or even a sniper rifle to get them from a distance before they have the opportunity of hurting you. For small game, we recommend using a bow since a rifle might completely obliterate a significant portion of their edible parts.
Good Luck!
With all this said and done, we wish you the best of luck in your new hunting venture! Take into account all the advice above and your life should be much easier. If you are a beginner and want to learn turkey hunting, The Turkey Hunt can help you figure out all you need to know when it comes to being a rookie at turkey hunting.
