Getting Started

So you've decided you'd like to learn to hunt. Where do you start?

First Choices. Perhaps a good way to begin is to narrow your initial focus down to some specific type of hunting. That will help determine the type of equipment you'll need, the areas and seasons you'll hunt, and the types of skills you'll need to work on.

Do you want to start out hunting deer, elk and other big game? Smaller game such as rabbits or squirrels? Waterfowl? Turkeys? Upland birds? Varmints? The type of game you choose will dictate the firearm you need, what sort of clothing, packs and other equipment you'll need to have, where to scout for opportunities, the time of year you'll hunt etc. Unless your recreation budget is a whole lot bigger than ours was, you'll need to pick one type of hunting to start... (You can always add other kinds of hunting later, as we did.)

As to where you might begin gathering information to help you make your initial choice, there are many options:

	Friends who hunt
	Library or bookstore
	Hunting or shooters' supply store
	Shooting range
	Outdoor expos that periodically come to town
	Hunting magazines
	Your state's department of fish and wildlife
	The Internet

You'll want to pick up copies of your state's hunting regulations early on (reissued annually). These will not only outline the hunting seasons and bag limits, but also inform you what sorts of specialized equipment or clothing you might need (such as hunter orange clothing). They'll also tell you what is and isn't legal in your state (using electronic game callers, hunting varmints at night etc.). Study the advertisements, too - there's a wealth of information there about resources in your area.

Guided Hunts. If you can save for it, one way to "jump start" your exposure to hunting a specific type of game is to pay for a guided hunt. The scouting is done for you, and you'll have an opportunity to ask a seasoned hunter all those questions that are buzzing around in your heads!

Common Factors. While the type of hunting you choose will have its own requirements as to firearms, equipment and clothing, much else about your hunting experience will be the same no matter which species you choose - the need for safety, identifying hunting areas, basic scouting, and building good relations with landowners. These areas are covered in the next sections.