New Hunter, What should I start with?

[BowsNGuns91]

Hi folks, this is my first post here. I've had woods fever lately. I'm in new to hunting and being from Passaic County, i did not grow up in a hunting culture. I have an all around sportsman hunting license and FID.

 

I need help in figuring out what I should start out with and when should i start. I have a bow as well. I'll be willing to use an air rifle for for squirrels for starters. Anything that would help my instincts.Just need some advise. PLEASE HELP!!

 

Thank for listening to a novice.

[buckfever1974]

Nothing substitutes for practice with the bow and time spent in the woods. If you are looking for a shotgun for both small game and deer buy a combo that provides two barrels if you want to just own the one gun. Go bust some clays at a trap range between now and the next hunting season. Honestly, I grew up squirrel hunting and that got me out into the woods exploring and learning the lay of the land as much as anything. If you are in driving distance, the Outdoor Exp in Suffern NY is in a couple weeks and is always enjoyable for my family and I. One small piece of advice regarding hunting public land, go earlier, hunt longer and go where others won't go from time to time. You will see more.

[stratocaster]

How old are you and how long have you had your license?

[Rusty]

You got some nice public land in your neck of the woods.  If your itch is to just get your feet wet and get in the woods I'd start by picking up a shotgun and walking the woods for squirrels and other small game.  Then add to this as time goes by.  Walking and shooting often is more fun for a new hunter than sitting in a tree for hours and not seeing anything.  IMHO.

 

If you don't have a gun, the Remington 870 is a great versatile gun for hunters of all levels.   

 

Here's a list of public land near you.

 

http://njfishandwildlife.com/huntland.htm

 

And here is a list of WMAs with maps.

 

http://njfishandwildlife.com/wmaland.htm

[Live to Hunt]

Well you have to start with good equipment if you have a crossbow I suggest these. Welcome to the site and to a great heritage. A lot of knowledgeable guys on here will give you a lot of good advice

Edited February 20, 2018 by Live to Hunt

[Tarhunt]

Well you have to start with good equipment if you have a crossbow I suggest these.

Would they work for Mountain lions?

[Live to Hunt]

Would they work for Mountain lions?

Well hell yea they will now give this boy some good hunting advice Tarhunt.

[hammer4reel]

You have a whole summer to get ready.

Lots of 3 D archery shoots around  to get some use out of your bow and prepare to use it to hunt..

Seems most guys only think about deer, but there are a lot of other things to hunt for and enjoy the outdoors, 

comes down to what YOU  would like to hunt most.

as there are many guys who would rather small game and waterfowl hunt than chase deer.

 

Lots of different options to get out and have fun.

 

Turkey season is also right around the corner, and they def are a blast to hunt

[Thunderchicken]

I would say get out there and experience it! Hunting, fishing and trapping!! Nows a great time to get out and scout and maybe pick up an  antler or two. Hear the turkeys gobbling!

Find what makes you happy!! And don't be afraid to ask questions!! Lastly and most important if your gonna shoot Rages use the red collars!!

[Stan Putz]

Just based on what you have said so far, my advice would be:

 

1). Invest in a decent 12 gauge shotgun, you can hunt & kill just about anything in NJ with it, with some minor adjustments. Nothing wrong with bow hunting either, and you have 7 months to practice before deer season.

 

2). Try to find an experienced buddy or mentor to show you the ropes and cut the learning curve (this site is a good start, maybe join a gun club or attend an NWTF banquet and make some connections). If you run into trouble there, try to find another new person to hunt with, read some books, watch some videos...2 heads are better then one.

[Bubblehead]

Start like most kids did back in the day and learn to small game hunt. Squirrels and rabbits will provide ample shooting opportunities and requires no fancy equipment just a reliable shotgun (buy yourself an 870). While you are walking around looking for game you can scout for deer and deer sign. A season of walking thr woods for squirrel will teach you alot about deer and where to find them then the next year yoy can use that knowledge to get out after some deer

[birddogger]

Welcome aboard.

 

I echo the sentiments of others.  Get outdoors as often as you can this spring and summer.  Go off into the woods, but when you do carry a compass  a phone and some water(especially in hot weather) for safety's sake.  In warmer weather, use DEET religiously.  Ticks and skeeters can lay you low with what they carry.

 

When you are afield and off the beaten track, go slowly and stop often.  Tune your eyes and ears and, yes even your nose into what is around you.  Look around you and look hard. Listen for the sounds of the forest. Learn what is making those sounds. Then look again, both up close and far away.  Learn what tracks are made by what animals.  Carry a book with examples if you need to. 

 

Look for the beauty and the amazing variety of life.  Watch and learn how it all flows together.  The ants, the spiders and the denizens of the forest floor have a story to tell, just as the deer, bear and turkey, coyote  and raccoon do.  So also  do the trees and ferns and grasses.  it is all part of a larger whole.  You will be a part of it fairly soon if you look and learn.

 

If you strive to become an outdoorsman first...the rest will follow and you will be both satisfied and successful.  You will know how to hunt and where to hunt, because you have observed and learned.

 

As previously stated, there are any number of ways to enjoy the outdoors as a hunting sportsman.  Deer with bow and gun, turkey, squirrel, upland game, waterfowl, the list goes on and on.  Find what you enjoy and what you can do within your budget and time constraints. 

 

There are so many beautiful places in NJ that it is hard to imagine...Once you get  away from the crowds and the houses.  State parks, State forests, county parks, WMA's ...the list goes on.  Look, discover, learn and enjoy.

 

RayG

Edited February 20, 2018 by birddogger

[Lunatic]

I say pick one thing and stick with it for the year. Without someone experienced beside you have too many things to figure out on your own. It is easier now because there is internet but it still can become overwhelming. I only realize how much there is to absorb after taking on a new hunter for a 3 year adventure.

 

[mazzgolf]

I didn't grow up hunting either - started several years ago late in life. Most of the advice given here is spot on (well, except the one about getting expandable broadheads - nobody uses those anymore  ). 

 

I agree with getting a shotgun first - in fact, like others here suggested, my first *was* an 870 supermag. With this gun, I can (and have) been out in the field hunting turkey, deer, waterfowl, pheasant, squirrel, coyote, fox, and crow and I've shot trap and shooting clays with it, too. So a 12ga is very versatile and you can hunt lots with it. I later on bought a slug barrel and scope for it - so you can do that, too, if you want to hunt deer with slugs.

 

I was just out this morning with my airgun and brought home a squirrel. So you might want to consider getting one of those if you want to get into rifle hunting. You can only hunt squirrel and rabbit with them, but they get you into rifle hunting on the cheap. Still, 12ga shotgun should be your first gun to get if you want to hunt because its so versatile and you can hunt almost any game animal with it.

 

I'll take a different tact than Lunatic does - I would say don't be afraid to try all different kinds of hunting. (though now that I say that, my first year of hunting I really only did turkey hunting in the fall and spring - I really only branched out in year #2). When I tried turkey hunting, I was hooked. So that's when I tried squirrel, goose, pheasant, ... A lot of fun when you switch it up and extends the time you are out in the woods - I'm usually hunting from September through March hunting all different game animals so it never gets boring. So, don't pigeon hole yourself to just deer hunting or just waterfowl. Try it all at least once, and see what you have fun doing.

 

That said, Lunatic makes a good point - do your research before going out hunting for something. Learn the game laws, learn what you should do and not to do. I was on my own for the most part the first few years, so I did a lot of reading on the Internet - forums like this one, or other hunting sites. A lot of info out there.

[Lunatic]

 Most of the advice given here is spot on (well, except the one about getting expandable broadheads - nobody uses those anymore  ). 

 

 

 

How dare you!!