When you’re new to Hunting, it can seem quite confusing as there is a lot to learn. As a new hunter there are several steps you can take to make the experience a pleasant one. Follow these ten steps to start hunting as a beginner.

Know the Hunting Seasons

It’s important as a beginner to know when you can hunt. A certain game can’t be hunted all year round. There are hunting seasons for some game and they can only be hunted during that time. Seasons can vary depending upon where your life so you should understand when you can hunt as you may be charged if you hunt out of season. Once you know the season you can gear up and plan your hunting trips each year as you wait for the season to start.

Gun Safety

Before you go hunting, take a Firearms safety course. You may not require a course to buy a firearm in some locations but taking a course just makes sense. There are plenty of seasoned hunters that are willing to teach you about firearms and hunting in general. Some of them may even take you out for a hunt so you can get used to the process. The more you know about your firearms and the handling of them the better off you’re going to be. When it comes to hunting are firearms in general, safety is always first. Never go hunting if you don’t know what you’re doing. Get the training you need to hunt in a safe manner as you’ll have a better hunt and stay safe at the same time.

License

You will need a license to hunt as you may be banned from hunting if you don’t have a license or face jail time. Check your state’s requirements and pick up your license to go hunting. Never hunt unless you have a license and the required paperwork. Keep this with you when you hunt so you can show it if you’re stopped by law enforcement. Most licenses are easy to purchase online. Read all the documentation so you understand the license and ask a question if there is something you want to be clarified.

Go with an Experienced Hunter

For your first hunting trips, try to go with an experienced hunter. You don’t want to go out in the wild if you have never been before. There are other dangers in the wild you need to know about before you go. An experienced hunter understands the dangers and can help prepare you for that first trip. You will gain a ton of experience by going with a seasoned hunter that first time out. Once you feel comfortable you can then go out on your own or with a buddy. On the first trip, you may just want to tag along and not even bring your firearm as you can learn more by listening and observing.

Know Laws and Regulations

Every state is different so know the laws and regulations. If you’re traveling to another country, know the laws there. It’s important to understand what you can and cannot do when you go hunting as the rules can be vastly different location to location. You need to know the regulations in every location you plan to hunt before you go. Many states have a fish and wildlife page which documents the regulations and rules you must follow when you hunt in that state. Ask questions if you don’t understand something. You should review the regulations before you go on the hunt.

Shooting Practice

You will need plenty of practice before you go hunting to get to a range and use targets. The more you know how your firearm performs the better off you’re going to be. Practice with the firearm you plan to use on the hunt to get used to its handling and how it performs. You will need to practice at various ranges and be as proficient as possible at them before your hunt.

Try Various Firearms

You will need to try various firearms before you go hunting. There are many different firearms out there so you want one that meets all of your requirements. You should be comfortable with your firearm before you hunt. Make sure you can take it apart and put it back together and know all of the functions of each part. Find a gun that works for you and get to know that weapon before you go hunting as you’ll be more successful with a gun that you personally are as proficient as possible on.

Know the Area

Before you hunt, go and explore the area. You should know the local animals there that can be hunted, where waterways are, the landscape and anything that could be hazardous to you as you hunt. It can be disorienting in the woods so explore it a bit before you go hunting. Make sure you always go with food, water, medical supplies and other tools to keep yourself safe as you explore. Get a good map of the area which you can find online and try to speak to local hunters about the best spots or areas that could be a concern for you as you hunt.

Right Gear

Make sure the gear you use is right for your needs. Your clothing should be comfortable and dress for the weather. If in the mountains, the weather can change rapidly so be prepared for it. Pack as light as you can but ensure you have essentials like ammunition, food, water, medications, maps, and so on. As you gain more experience you can buy more gear and get specialized gear. For the first few hunts, just take what you’ll need.

Small Game at First

You should start by hunting small game as you won’t be prepared yet for larger game. Larger animals like deer and bear require more effort. You should start with birds, squirrels, and other small game until you gain experience with hunting.

Summary

Learn all you can about hunting and don’t rush the process. You will discover new things as you learn how to hunt properly. Follow this guide as a beginner to enjoy a successful hunt.

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