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Post by dburkhead on Sept 9, 2008 14:18:28 GMT -5
As I mentioned before, I'm just getting started at hunting. (Went on my first squirrel hunt this past Saturday--planning on going again this upcoming Saturday).
At the moment, the only things legal are squirrels and frogs. I'm pretty much not interested in frogs, so "what to hunt" is pretty much decided for me right now. However, soon, a number of other seasons will be opening: Ruffed Grouse and Deer Early Archery on Oct 1 (this is the only archery season I list here because I'm not ready to get into archery hunting at this time, but I list this one because I have tentative invites to "tag along"); Fox, Coyote, and Fall Turkey Firearm on Oct 15; and Pheasant, Quail, and Rabbit on Nov 7, and then, of course, "the big one" deer firearm on Nov 15.
A couple of questions:
Is it better, as a beginner to stick to one or two game animals or better to sample a variety? I'm doing squirrel now and I'm planning on trying deer when the season rolls around. Would I be well advised to consider others or just stick to those, or also try some others for variety?
Note that I don't have hunting dogs and none of my "social circle" hunts so except for what I get on groups like this one, I don't have much in the way of mentoring, advice, or hunting companions. So far, my weapons of choice are a Ruger 10/22 with a scope and a Mossberg 500 12 ga with both a vent rib barrel (screw in chokes for Mod, Imp. Cyl. and Full choke) and a cantilever rifled barrel (scope just arrived, not yet installed or boresighted).
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Post by danf on Sept 9, 2008 16:52:45 GMT -5
You forgot a couple more that are in season- doves, teal and geese.  If you can find a field, doves can be a good hunt. You don't necessarily need a dog for it, but one could be helpful... You also don't need a dog for rabbits or other birds, but again, they can be helpful. Rabbits are everywhere, the quail and pheasants are not. You'll drive yourself crazy trying to find somewhere that has the birds (unless it's a put-and-take type of hunt), so I wouldn't really consider those as options right now. Grouse are the same way. There's WAY too few of them to be much of a consideration. Which leaves pretty much rabbits for your other small game. I've shot plenty of rabbits without dogs, in fact I don't believe I've ever hunted rabbits with a dog. I'd like to, but it's not needed. Just be willing to walk a bunch and jump on brush piles and a lot of downed logs. Fall turkey is a whole different ballgame than spring. I've not tried to hunt them in the fall yet, mostly because there isn't much of a population around in the fall where I normally hunt. Turkeys can drive you NUTS in the spring, moreso in the fall. I'd wait until spring to start that insanity. ;D Stick with squirrels for a while. Becoming a proficient squirrel hunter will aid you greatly in other hunting- being able to pick up on the small movements of a squirrel will help you see the movements of other game animals. While you are squirrel hunting, keep an eye open for deer sign and learn to recognize it. Squirrel hunting can be considered deer scouting. HTH. |
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Post by Sleazy E on Sept 10, 2008 7:57:13 GMT -5
I agree with Danf..... avoid the birds unless you wanna go dove hunting. Dove hunting is a lot of fun if you like to shoot.... but don't expect to fill your belly on your first time out. Average hunter will kill 8-10 birds for a box of ammo (according to the person that took me dove hunting for the first time years ago) Squirrel hunting is the best beginner and all around small game hunting you can do.... there is a reason why they say if you are a great squirrel hunter then you can hunt anything. Those little tree rats are tricky... they have better hearing and vision than humans... and you are in their territory to hunt them. No matter how well you know the woods I guarantee the squirrels know it better... every knothole in every tree. They are so hard to hunt (especially with a rifle) that is why I enjoy hunting them so much.
So you can hunt what ya like... rabbits are fun even with out a dog... just kick some brush and be ready... Squirrels are fun and challenging.... Doves are fun if you like to shoot.... Fall turkey is more a target of opportunity and if you have never hunted turkey before I would wait till spring when it is a little easier (still not easy by any stretch of the word) and the turkeys are vocal... that will get your blood pumping.
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Post by Decatur on Sept 10, 2008 17:42:44 GMT -5
Groundhogs are always in season.
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Post by dburkhead on Sept 10, 2008 21:08:22 GMT -5
Groundhogs are always in season. I remember when I was much younger (this would be about 35 yaers ago) my family lived in a rural area in southeastern Ohio. My then stepfather did a lot of bowhunting for deer but considered groundhogs as "targets of opportunity." I think he hit one exactly once. He thought he'd missed when the thing dived back down its hole, but when he found the arrow it was marked with blood along its entire length. Looks like his arrow went completely through the groundhog. Back then, in that area, groundhogs were extremely common. You practically couldn't hike a hundred yards in any kind of open field without running into a groundhog hole. Mind you, this is 35 year old memories from when I was about 13, so make of it what you will. The impression I have had here in this part of Indiana, the few times I've been "off the beaten path" have been that they aren't anywhere near as common. But, that could be that I just haven't been in the right areas. |
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Post by Decatur on Sept 11, 2008 8:57:33 GMT -5
They are good eating too. Especially the young ones.
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Post by handgun357 on Sept 14, 2008 14:59:26 GMT -5
You just need to hunt anything in season...
I am sure that anyone on this site will agree with that...
The more you hunt, the more addicted you will become...
It is a vicious cycle, but I love it...
We all do...
Rock on fellow hunters...
Keep the faith...
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Post by bradley300 on Jan 10, 2009 23:21:39 GMT -5
i know this is an old post, but i'm in the same situation! Just starting out, i'll hunt anything with anybody that wants a partner. i'm in sellersburg
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If you can find a field, doves can be a good hunt. You don't necessarily need a dog for it, but one could be helpful...
