New Hunter Seeking Advice and Mentorship

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the world of hunting and recently joined this forum to learn from experienced hunters like you. I'm eager to gain some hands-on experience and would appreciate any advice, tips, or resources you can share to help me get started.

I'm particularly interested in learning about the basics—everything from choosing the right gear to understanding tracking and safety practices. If anyone is willing to mentor or has recommendations for beginner-friendly hunts or courses, I'd love to hear about them.

Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!

Thanks in advance!

May I start with a question? What type of game, and what part of the US, or world, would you like to hunt?

Another great place to start is hunters safety course and that should be starting any time soon close to you.....keep in mind that it will generally be young kids but don't let that keep you from asking questions and learning....I took it as a kid and have gone with each of my children and I feel its a must for any beginner of any age then that is also your passport to get out of state license in any state that requires it

Oh, I forgot to welcome you and if you are a reader there is a lot of worthwhile reading n lots of wisdom on a lot of subjects here on the forum

steel2 said:

Another great place to start is hunters safety course and that should be starting any time soon close to you.....keep in mind that it will generally be young kids but don't let that keep you from asking questions and learning....I took it as a kid and have gone with each of my children and I feel its a must for any beginner of any age then that is also your passport to get out of state license in any state that requires it

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thanks

ShtrRdy said:

May I start with a question? What type of game, and what part of the US, or world, would you like to hunt?

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Texas, The state's extensive private lands and game ranches provide unique hunting opportunities.

steel2 said:

Oh, I forgot to welcome you and if you are a reader there is a lot of worthwhile reading n lots of wisdom on a lot of subjects here on the forum

Click to expand...

OKAY, THANKS

Welcome to the wide world of hunting. I never been to Texas let alone hunt there. So maybe I'm not correct on the subject of hunting on ranches in Texas. In Utah if you want to hunt on private property it will cost a pretty penny unless you can draw a cwmu permit. The days of going to Kmart or the grocery store the day before the deer hunt and buying over the counter tags and filling the cooler are long gone. Not to discourage you in becoming a hunter it's just become a very money driven and competitive sport anymore. Compared to just trying to put some meat in the freezer for the year and to hangout with the family. Not saying that it still can't be that way, just don't fall into the trap of spending money on all the new camo clothes and latest and greatest gear and then feel completely disappointed that your 4 point buck isn't as big as the social media's 12 point and then turning into the guy willing to do unethical things for big antler's. Like the writer that shot a deer out from under another female hunter and hit it in the leg at 700 yards. Don't let the hunt just become about getting the biggest trophies you will end up missing the most important and enjoyable parts about hunting. Some of my best memories of hunting are not even about shooting a animal.
They are generally about dealing with a stuck truck in the mud and other misshapes.
I would suggest reading some of Patrick McManus short stories.

Danies said:

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the world of hunting and recently joined this forum to learn from experienced hunters like you. I'm eager to gain some hands-on experience and would appreciate any advice, tips, or resources you can share to help me get started.

I'm particularly interested in learning about the basics—everything from choosing the right gear to understanding tracking and safety practices. If anyone is willing to mentor or has recommendations for beginner-friendly hunts or courses, I'd love to hear about them.

Looking forward to connecting and learning from this community!

Thanks in advance!

Click to expand...

+1 on hunter's safety. You'll need that if you hunt western states.

What firearms experience do you have? If none or not much, I'm sure you can find many different firearms courses in TX. Assuming you want to hunt with a firearm of course. Safety first…period.

Archery requires a whole different skill set.

Welcome from Virginia. Where in NY are you-city, suburbs, rural? Do you currently own a rifle?

Welcome to the forum. All good advice.

Do you have any friends/coworkers that hunt or shoot. Perhaps join a gun club or meet others at the local range or gun shop.

My nephew spent so much time in His, some people started asking him to film them. Opened alot of opportunities for him.

Welcome from Tennessee. I'm interested in what sparked your desire to pursue hunting. Many here are more than willing to provide advice and guidance, but it's hard to determine a best approach other than a hunters safety course without understanding more about your situation and interests.

Not sure where you are from in Texas, but I lived in Ft Worth for 5 years. Unfortunately, while Texas is a great place to hunt, it is not an easy place to 'take up hunting'. See, the single biggest challenge with hunting these days is the availability of places to hunt that don't have heavy costs involved, and to be honest, Texas might be the worst in that regard. And this is due, mostly, to the fact that Texas has so little public land available for hunting. Don't let that discourage you, just plan on working hard to find a place to hunt, or plan on either traveling out of state, or paying good money to hunt.

When I first moved to Texas, I was told that there was such of a problem with Feral Pigs, that almost any farmer would give you permission to hunt them for free.....simply wasn't true, at least not for me. Too much liability these days, I guess.

I believe the path to getting started looks like this:
1. Tell the group exactly where you're from and a little more about yourself, what you have for gear (bow, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader). You might.just get lucky with a member willing to mentor you.
2. Take the hunters safety course. These are going on now for this falls hunting season.
3. If you don't have a rifle, shotgun or bow, get one. My suggestion would be a nice 22 LR, with a good scope. Ask questions on here about what to biy and how to.set it up....we will help.
4. Make your first hunting squirrel hunting. It has the longest open season, there is lots of opportunity on animals, it teaches you much of the same principals of good marksmanship, woodsmanship, etc.
5. Volunteer at the local ranges/clubs and give the seasoned veterans a chance to know you, Opportunities tend to flow out of these exchanges.
6. Be a sponge, but be sure you get to know who you are sponging info from. There are is so much info out there, some of which is BS, and marketing hype will lead you to spending lots of money that you don't need to spend.

Reach out for more help getting started.

Just a suggestion, but once you have your rifle sighted in, find a range that allows you to shoot from field positions. Get a 22 rimfire that functions like your big game rifle and spend lots of time behind the trigger…again in field positions.

Research each animal you want to hunt. Learn their anatomy and where to shoot them from any direction. A standing broad side shot almost never happens.

Get in good shape if you plan a hunt in the mountains. Practice carrying a daypack. Carry a pipe weighted to match your rifle.

If you are hunting most high fenced game ranches (Texas for example) most of your shots will be from a blind. Learn to shoot off of stacked 2x4s to simulate resting on a blind window. Always pad between the rifle and rest.

You have a life of adventure ahead! Enjoy every minute!
Best of luck!