Learning to hunt- need advice

[Matthew0059]

So, I've decided to learn about firearms and learn how to hunt. I have had no life experience with either.

Anyone have some suggestions on where to start? I'm looking to get a handgun for personal protection, a hunting rifle, and a bow and arrow. I'm open to advice from anyone with knowledge in any of these areas. Also, if anyone knows if a good online resource to study up on those things, I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks in advance!

[NeuroTypical]

Probably your best bet is to buddy up to someone who knows such things and learn from him. But if there's nobody around:

For personal protection, I'd recommend a basic handgun class and a basic handgun personal protection class, before you chose something to buy. Different personalities, styles, hand sizes, etc come in to play when you're choosing a handgun - finding out what you want before you choose something is advisable. The NRA will probably have something available in your area.

What state do you live in? It's very necessary to find out what your state and local laws say about defending yourself and others. Does your state follow castle doctrine, or will you go to jail for 20 years if you shoot an armed home invader? Do you intend to carry? Lots of things to figure out before you actually buy something.

Also, it's important to have a very clear understanding of what 'personal protection' means. It means the ability and willingness to take a human life if necessary, and learning to recognize when it's necessary. This is no small thing. We are Christlike peaceful people. We renounce war and proclaim peace. We turn the other cheek, pray for those who spitefully use and hurt us, forgive everyone, and love our neighbors. Do you have a clear understanding on how you can do all those things, and still put two in the chest and one in the head of someone coming at you or a loved one with a knife? Until you do, you might be better served by a karate class or a tazer.

For hunting rifles, I'd definitely find a way to go hunting a few times with someone knowledgeable. (I've only been one time myself, lots to learn there.)

LM

(no clue about bows and arrows - sounds fun though!)

[Soulsearcher]

Depending where you are located there is usually a number of gun clubs and archery associations. Look them up on line or in the phone book. They usually welcome new members as it keeps the clubs growing and they love to teach and exchange info in most of my experiences. I was at a black powder/archery shoot last weekend and a lot of the older guys we talking about how less people are joining and taking an interest.

[Suzie]

Matthew, since you mentioned you had no experience on how to hunt I would plead with you to think twice in what you are going to do. Hunting is considered a "sport" unfortunately, is it killing a sport? Not trying to judge you in your choice of course just merely trying to hope you will change your mind about it. :)

Killing for sport is wrong...One day, to while away the slowly passing hours, I took my gun with the intention of indulging in a little amusement in hunting turkeys... From boyhood I had been particularly, and I may say strangely, attached to a gun. Hunting in the forests of Ohio was a pastime that to me possessed the most fascinating attractions. It never occurred to my mind that it was wrong-that indulging in "what was sport to me was death to them;" that in shooting turkeys, squirrels, etc., I was taking life that I could not give; therefore I indulged in the murderous sport without the least compunction of conscience. (Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, p.188-189)

Joseph F. Smith:

I never could see why a man should be imbued with a blood-thirsty desire to kill and destroy animal life. I have known men--and they still exist among us--who enjoy what is, to them, the "sport" of hunting...I do not believe any man should kill animals or birds unless he needs them for food... I think it is wicked for men to thirst in their souls to kill almost everything which possesses animal life. It is wrong... ( Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol.4, p.48)

George Q. Cannon:

We should by every means in our power impress upon the rising generation the value of life and how dreadful a sin it is to take life. The lives of animals even should be held far more sacred than they are. Young people should be taught to be very merciful to the brute creation and not to take life wantonly or for sport. The practice of hunting and killing game merely for sport should be frowned upon and not encouraged among us. God has created the fowls and the beasts for man's convenience and comfort and for his consumption at proper times and under proper circumstances; but he does not justify men in wantonly killing those creatures which He has made and with which He has supplied the earth. (Gospel Truth, Vol. 1, p.30)

Thanks for letting me share this. :)

Suzie

[bytor2112]

If you really want to hunt....give the animal a fighting chance and attack him with just the weapons the Lord gave you...teeth, fists..etc. May the best man/animal win! :)

[Snow]

So, I've decided to learn about firearms and learn how to hunt. I have had no life experience with either.

Does this help?

Joseph Smith: "I exhorted the brethren not to kill a serpent, bird, or an animal of any kind during my journey unless it became necessary in order to preserve ourselves from hunger." (DHC 2:71.) Journals report that he repeatedly made sure that the latter-day pioneers were following this lesson.

George Q. Cannon (1st counselor in the presidency): "... Am I or my family hungry? If so, of course man is justified in killing animals or birds to satisfy his or his family's hunger. But if he has not any want of meat he "sheddeth blood," and he exposes himself to this wo which the Lord has pronounced." (Juvenile Instructor 34 [Oct 1,1899]: 592.)

Joseph F. Smith: "I do not believe any man should kill animals or birds unless he needs them for food..." (J148 [May 1913]: 308-309.)

Hyrum M. Smith: "To kill, when not necessary, is a sin akin to murder." (D&C Commentary, p. 286.)

Heber C. Kimball: 'There is nothing in the spirit of love that will kill or destroy unnecessarily...." (JD 6:128.)

Loreuzo Snow said he "thought the time was near at hand when the Latter-day Saints should be taught to refrain from meat eating and the shedding of animal blood." (Journal History, November 3, 1897.)

Joseph Smith: "Men must become harmless before the brute creation, and when men lose their vicious dispositions and cease to destroy the animal race, the lion and the lamb can dwell together, and the suckling child can play with the serpent in safety." (TPJS; p. 71)

[Matthew0059]

Loudmouth_Mormon and Soulsearcher, I thank you for your advice. I live in Colorado- I don't intend to carry in public. That may change; if so I'll have to get a concealed carry license. Luckily, the county I live in seems to have a sheriff that doesn't get in the way of the process.

LM, I have thought a great deal about whether I could take a life. In self-defense, I believe I could- if I wasn't constrained by the Spirit not to. I pray that day will never come- yet I cannot, in good conscience, prepare to get married and start a family in today's society and not acquire the means to physically protect and provide for myself and my family.

Soulsearcher, I hadn't thought about archery/firearms clubs. I'll have to look into that.

[Snow]

LM, I have thought a great deal about whether I could take a life. In self-defense, I believe I could- if I wasn't constrained by the Spirit not to. I pray that day will never come- yet I cannot, in good conscience, prepare to get married and start a family in today's society and not acquire the means to physically protect and provide for myself and my family.

Oh? You really pray that you won't have to kill someone one day...

I don't think I've ever heard that before. Care to elaborate?

[talisyn]

Treat all guns as if they were loaded. Best advice ever

[Matthew0059]

Matthew, since you mentioned you had no experience on how to hunt I would plead with you to think twice in what you are going to do. Hunting is considered a "sport" unfortunately, is it killing a sport? Not trying to judge you in your choice of course just merely trying to hope you will change your mind about it.

Suzie-

What you say about killing for "sport" being evil is, I believe, an eternal principle. The hunting I am talking about is solely for sustaining my own life. I intend to learn the basics and become proficient (and use as much of every animal I kill as possible), and then hunt no more unless I absolutely have to for food. If nothing happens in the world; if society does not degrade and the systems we've set up for growing and eating food continue; if the prophecies in the Book of Revelation do not happen in my lifetime, I will never have to hunt again after learning how to.

Unfortunately, I don't believe that will be the case.

I aspire to be like Nephi. When his family was starved, the LORD revealed to Lehi where Nephi should go to hunt and get food- that is, he revealed where to go to find an animal to kill so that his family could eat its meat and live. Hunting for food has its proper time and place. Hunting for sport is wicked and I will never do it.

Edited August 1, 2010 by Matthew0059
Fixed a typo

[Matthew0059]

Oh? You really pray that you won't have to kill someone one day...

I don't think I've ever heard that before. Care to elaborate?

I am in the process of learning about firearms to defend myself. I realize that, if I ever used the very thing I will be spending weeks to learn about and acquire, I will very likely be using it to kill someone. I do not want to kill someone.

Ergo, I "pray" (hope to the LORD; I used the word "pray" figuratively) that I never have to use a handgun to protect myself from harm. When I finally acquire my chosen weapon, I will more than likely literally pray that I never have to use it to kill someone.

Is that difficult to believe?

Edited August 1, 2010 by Matthew0059

[Snow]

I am in the process of learning about firearms to defend myself. I realize that, if I ever used the very thing I will be spending weeks to learn about and acquire, I will very likely be using it to kill someone. I do not want to kill someone.

Ergo, I "pray" (hope to the LORD; I used the word "pray" figuratively) that I never have to use a handgun to protect myself from harm.

Okay - figuratively - that makes more sense but you really do have a unique perspective. You say that if you ever use a gun, it would be very likely to kill someone. It seems healthier to use a gun recreationally, like to shoot targets, etc.

Perhaps you should consider a less lethal hobby - you know, one that doesn't involve very likely killing someone, something like philately, cosplay or cryptozoology.

[talisyn]

Cosplay is good. Then you can have a humungous gun and not have to worry about killing someone, but you can still use it to bean the bad guys. And if you really want to you can do it wearing cat ears

*^.^*~

[Matthew0059]

Okay - figuratively - that makes more sense but you really do have a unique perspective. You say that if you ever use a gun, it would be very likely to kill someone. It seems healthier to use a gun recreationally, like to shoot targets, etc.

I do intend to practice target shooting to keep my skills sharp- but the entire reason for owning a gun is to have it in case I ever have to use it. I'm not particularly drawn to the idea of shooting targets, and I HATE loud noises (like gunshots...).

Perhaps you should consider a less lethal hobby - you know, one that doesn't involve very likely killing someone, something like philately, cosplay or cryptozoology.

I do like hearing about Nessie and Bigfoot...

[Soulsearcher]

Most of my clubs are in montana and cali, but i can see if any of the members do anything in your neck of the woods and try and get contact numbers for you. Most are great guys lol thought they can be a handful after they've been drinking for a bit lol.

[Saguaro]

Perhaps you should consider a less lethal hobby - you know, one that doesn't involve very likely killing someone, something like philately, cosplay or cryptozoology.

Unusual choice of hobbies, among that crowd I'd be happy to say I'm a philatelist.

[Matthew0059]

Most of my clubs are in montana and cali, but i can see if any of the members do anything in your neck of the woods and try and get contact numbers for you. Most are great guys lol thought they can be a handful after they've been drinking for a bit lol.

I would appreciate it! I am looking for gun clubs in my town (Fort Collins) and am not finding anything... The closest thing is in a town called Greeley- 45 minutes away by car, and I'm on bike.

[Soulsearcher]

Look if you happen to have a local black powder association.

[confuzzled]

I hunt and yes I am a girl and yes I eat what I hunt. It is a way that both my husband and myself put food on our table. With that being said..... get enrolled in a Hunters Education class. I believe it is required in all states if you where born after 1964 (not sure on that year) in order to obtain a hunting license. Before you go and spend money on guns and licenses get with other people who do. Most hunters are willing to impart their wisdom on those willing to ask and willing to learn.

As far as personal protection. 1st take the hunter's ed course it goes into gun safety. Then talk with the instructor and have him/her put you in the right direction of a gun club.

You are welcome to pm me if you have specific questions.

[crazypotato]

We have concealed weapons permit classes in our state that are good for teaching you the laws about carrying a handgun and when it is okay to point a gun at someone. You really have to think that the person is ready to hurt you to even show the gun to them or you can go to jail.

If you want a handgun for protection, the classes also teach you weapons safety instructions, etc. What is the point of having an unloaded handgun for protection? My handgun is loaded and in a safe in my house.

[gabelpa]

The ability to successfully stalk, shoot, and then field dress an animal is a skill that I feel should be part of a broad emergency preparedness skillset. My parents hunted in Montana to fill our freezer, and ran a farm, keeping us pretty much self-sufficient for a few years before I was born, and for a couple years after.

While I commend Matthew0059's interest, I don't think he fully understands some of the implications of hunting. My mom did her fair share of bow hunting over the years, and related to me this anecdote, from another bow hunter.

This bow hunter was up in a tree perch, overlooking a clearing. He has been waiting there for a couple hours when a decent buck came along and started grazing. He took aim, and fired. His arrow didn't go through the deer's heart, as he had hoped, but to one side, through the animal's stomach . The deer didn't seem to notice, and didn't bolt. The deer bled to death after a few minutes. It was a slow death for the animal. If this hunter had moved to try to finish it off, the animal would have bolted, filling what blood it had left with adrenaline, and making the meat taste gamey. This hunter, with fifteen or so years worth of hunting deer, gave up bow hunting after that incident.

Clean kills are all fine and dandy, but what do you do when you merely maim the animal? You have to track it, and finish it off. This is the part of hunting that puts people off. The look of fear and panic in the eyes of the animal at this stage... it messes with your head.

As far as the handguns and taking a life, can you imagine yourself driving your thumb into the eye socket of an assailant, digging his eye out, and permanently depriving him of his eye? Can you imagine yourself mutilating him, leaving him with a permanent disability? Paralysis? It's easier to think of ending a life than to scar a life.

A rifle is more likely to kill than a bow, but you can still miss, or maim. Sure you may fancy the idea, but unless you are hunting to feed your family and have no other means to procure food, you're not really in line with the things the Prophets have said on the matter. It's ypur decision of course, but taking a life, any life is not something to be considered lightly. One of the things about stewardship and dominion is that you are accounable for every life you take, or every life that is taken because you necessitated it.

[NeuroTypical]

I pray that day will never come- yet I cannot, in good conscience, prepare to get married and start a family in today's society and not acquire the means to physically protect and provide for myself and my family.

Sounds like the beginnings of wisdom here - a good place to start.

Oh? You really pray that you won't have to kill someone one day...

I don't think I've ever heard that before. Care to elaborate?

I can elaborate on that subject. The same stuff Matthew talks about, was dawning on me a decade ago. Pained realization that the world is a dangerous place, that random home invasions and dangers from violent gang initiations exist. That a certain percentage of just about any population consists of people who can and do prey on the rest of the population. That some of them are my in-laws, and I helped put one behind bars.

Since we live in the US, most of the bad guys have guns. So there I am, with a bride and eventually two daughters.

Another pained realization - if my main efforts revolve around stopping a violent assault, there's a pretty widely accepted method for doing so. Deterrence, avoidance, evasion - all have their place, but if they fail, the most efficient and useful way involves skillful employment of deadly force - i.e. shooting the bad guy until the assault stops. (Goes hand in hand with the co-realization that shooting people makes them dead.)

I don't ever want to kill anybody. I consider what I do as learning 99 ways to run the heck away, and 1 way to take someone down when I can't run away. Yes indeed, at various points in my preparations for that 1 time, I have indeed, taken to my knees and prayed, using real words, that I will never have to use these tools or skills that I'm gaining.

I will consider my life a success if I can spend my whole life without ever firing a shot at anyone. But I prepare to do so, because I acknowledge the possibility that I might need to some day.

I would be all over philately, cosplay or cryptozoology like flies on butter, if I had a guarantee that by doing so, I'd be ensuring my family's safety. But when dood needs his next fix, and he thinks my wallet might be fat, and he sort of likes my daughter too, well, my philately skills won't do me much good.

[rameumptom]

Try a hunter's safety course.

[Matthew0059]

While I commend Matthew0059's interest, I don't think he fully understands some of the implications of hunting.

I agree- and I doubt I can until I begin. As with rifle hunting, I only want to learn how to bow hunt- not to do it except as a last resort. Also, I don't want to have to go rifle hunting except as a last resort.

As far as getting food when the world goes bad, my preference (at this time) for acquiring food is as follows:

-Home-grown or community-grown food

-Food acquired through outside sources (trade, scavenging, etc.)

-Hunting (Rifle)

-Hunting (Bow)

Update: Going to my local Division of Wildlife office today or tomorrow to enroll in a hunter's safety course.

[Mute]

So, I've decided to learn about firearms and learn how to hunt. I have had no life experience with either.

Anyone have some suggestions on where to start? I'm looking to get a handgun for personal protection, a hunting rifle, and a bow and arrow. I'm open to advice from anyone with knowledge in any of these areas. Also, if anyone knows if a good online resource to study up on those things, I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks in advance!

I'm not sure what you're planning to hunt but the main thing I have hunted is white tail deer. For that I'd suggest a 270 rifle for long distance. The 270 allows you to hit your target from any distance that you'd ever encounter a white tail deer. The farthest I have shot one from is 150 yards.

The 30-30 is also a rifle I've used. I find it personally easier and faster to reload than the 270 but it lacks the distance of the 270. Generally a 30-30 shoots accurately about 100 yards. I've shot one over that with a 30-30 but you would have to aim at the very top of the deer in order to hit it. The 30-30 has a tricky safety mechanism though and it would take practice to get used to. If you do decide to go with a 30-30 make sure you get one for the hand you normally use. I had someone who nearly blew my leg off because he tried to put the safety on for a right handed 30-30 when he was a left handed.

A big mistake people make when shooting is they get excited or they flinch from expecting the gun to go off. If you're not used to the gun or you're scared of the gun, I'd recommend squeezing the trigger while you aim so you do not know when to expect it. This will drastically improve your accuracy. Keep your eye a safe distance away from the scope when you are about to fire. The scope can cut you from the kick of the rifle if you are not careful. Remember to shoot the guns the day before going hunting each year to see that they are sighted in properly.

The best times to hunt are early morning or the evening. That is when the deer generally move around. If you're not seeing any deer, walk into the brushy areas. Deer can smell you from extremely far away. Try to make sure you're always facing the direction the wind is coming from. If the wind isn't in your face, you're most likely not going to see any deer. That is your best bet of finding them.

The main thing I would suggest is gun safety. You must take a hunters safety course unless you own the land you're hunting on. I'd suggest taking the course regardless. Never point the gun at anyone even if the safety is on and unloaded. If you hear something moving fast through the trees but you can not see what it is do not shoot. Never shoot over a hill or in the vicinity of another human being. If you have that down, hunting should be easy.

You said you've never shot a gun. You're going to want to practice shooting to improve your accuracy. It is not a pleasant feeling when you wound a deer and never find it. I started hunting when I was around 7 or 8. I stopped flinching after I shot the largest deer I've ever killed. I was around 9 or 11 and using a 30-30 which holds 7 bullets. There was a giant buck laying about 50 yards away. I shot at him and missed. He just continued to stay there which is something that does not happen 99.99% of the time. I shot again and hit him in the chest. We went down to about 5 or 10 yards away. I didn't want to finish the deer off because I felt bad for it. I wanted my father to kill it. He made me shoot it. He told me to aim for the neck. The problem was I kept looking away every time I shot. I shot the deer 5 times around the face. The deer's jaw came completely off. It was very sad. After that I never flinched again and I never shot at a deer unless I was sure I would hit it. I'm hoping you don't have to go through that. If I shoot at a target now, I make sure I never stop watching so that I see it as it hits the ground and not after. I wish you the best of luck with your future hunting.

Edited August 16, 2010 by Mute