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advice for a new hunter

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
5,944
Howdy All... I hunted a bit as a kid (casually) My pop had a bounty on squirrels and bunnies in the garden..But it's been a Long time since I've done anything like that...
I've been thinking about getting more seriously into hunting for a few years no, and have been gradually making preparations... I've gone out a few times, by myself but i end up just walking leisurely through the woods with a gun as opposed to purposefully hunting.... but this year I plan to give it a concerted effort...
I do my range time.. and scout for signs every time I'm out playing in the woods.. I took my hunter safety course when I was young, and took it again last year just to refresh..
so for the experienced guys..any advice for a newbie who is at the moment mostly interested in small game.
 
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Subscribing to this thread...

I too have been wanting to get in to hunting for quite some time now.
 
For small game get a 22 bolt action rifle with a scope. Some people will tell you they can hit the eye of a squirrel at 50 paces with their trusty handgun, but it isn't easy. I have several quality 22 pistols with scopes and it is still hard to hit small game with them. Since you are in NYC, a pistol is probably out of the question anyway. There have been many threads about caliber with lots of heated positions. I prefer 22 mag for that extra stopping power. If you will be hunting in areas that might have people around, the 22 LR is quieter and is still suitable. I have a .17 HMR which has gotten popular but it is very LOUD. Savage makes some stainless steel bolt actions for about $225 or Rugers for twice that. Remember a good scope will cost almost as much as the rifle. Of course all good gun owners should join the NRA.
 
Thanks...HT.. I have a .22 and a 20gauge. and I dont plan on ever shooting much past 50 yards...not that I have pre concieved notions of success, just that I prefer to shoot open sights... and I also am aware of my limitations...
 
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Which small game? Each has preferred habitat. Or are you planning on going after put & take pheasants?
What firearm - rifle, handgun or shotgun?

Have you scouted your perferred area(s?)
If necessary, have you obtained permission to hunt?
Have you read your your local game laws?
Have you joined a gun club to see if anyone has suggestions?
Have you invited anyone to go with you?
Know anyone with a dog?

Just some thoughts.
 
I personally would take the 20g as your a beginner it's an easier hit. I'd use no.6 field loads. This fits my kind of walking around, looking in trees, hunting.
This is for squirrels and rabbits.
 
Hello RescueRiley,

I am an avid squirrel hunter, been so for the past 25 years or so. I'm not much of a wing shot, nor am I any good at peppering those fast hopping little cottontails. My hunting prowess is limited therefore strictly to whitetails and those little bushy-tailed squirrels.

If your are planning on hunting with a shotgun, you should enjoy success by slowly walking game trails during dawn and dusk hours. The mast (acorn) production provides an irresistible food source for squirrels. Moving cautiously with your scatter gun, through a nice acorn producing stand of oaks will produce many opportunities. If you hunt around the edges of agricultural fields, like corn crops, you'll see a mess of them. They love to pilfer left over kernels from the dropped husks whitetails sometimes leave behind. When first arriving at your hunting destination, grab a pocket full of acorns and or small stones. They can be used to trick a treed squirrel into providing a better shot. If you suspect a squirrel has scurried to the other side of the tree's trunk, simply toss a couple of acorns/rocks on the ground foliage toward that side. Be ready though, often the squirrel will rotate around the trunk of the side nearest you and provide a fleeting shot.

Another method is equally if not more effective, the old single shot .22 cal rim-fire. In PA semi-auto's are illegal for squirrels, but levers, pumps, and bolts are legal and with a good familiarity with the reloading action more than adequate. I preferred to hunt with a bolt action .22 cal for years, but in the past 5 or so years, I've been using a .36 cal flitlock.....boy that is fun!

Hunting the same locations as with your shotgun, arrive half an hour or so before you expect the little buggers to be active. Find a nice big tree within 20-30 yards of a nest or two and wait for the critters to start moving. Often a downed tree will provide several shots, as squirrels like to use them as travel corridors between their nests and acorn droppings. If a squirrel spots you, he'll sometimes begin to "bark" at you. Don't hesitate to take advantage of this situation. As the bushy-tail works around the trunk of the tree scolding you, slowly move your rifle into shooting position...take aim, and when he stops (often several times during his rant) let him have it. I've limited out several times over the years just sitting back and letting the squirrels hop towards me.

Have Fun,:)

Bob,

Hershey, PA

DSCN0085.jpg
 
If you have your gear, the hardest task is finding a place to hunt that still has game left. Most of the land here in Texas is privately owned. Squirrel hunting is what you do outside the deer season. Public land (national forests in east Texas) are mostly pines instead of bottom land hardwoods that are better for squirrels.
 
Halo..Guess my Opwas sort of vague...
I'm not sure what you mean by put and take pheasants.. but feasant hunting has crossed my mind..
I curently have a remington spartan sxs 20 gauge.. but am upgrading to a Mossberg 500 this week

I also have a marlin .22 bolt action
Ive read the game laws and re read them regularly
I have joined a gun club
I routinely talk to folks there..
despite this I do not know many hunters..otherwise I would try to get some mentoring.
I have several areas that I have scouted thoroughly and others whcih I intend to..
Looking to hunt
squirrels
rabbits
pheasant/grouse/quail
maybe spring turkey, but probably not this year.
would love to go waterfowling, but I don't think I've researched enough on it yet for this year
I know that sounds like an ambitious list... but that's my desired list... In reality.. I'm looking at primarily squirrels and rabbits.
 
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Hi,

The very best thing you can do is go out with someone who is experienced in hunting the game you want, in the area you want to hunt. They will know the where, when, and how to be successful. If you pay attention, you will learn much very quickly.

If you can't wrangle a mentor, ask for tips at sporting goods stores or other places you see a hunter. Like fishermen, we often like to talk and share our knowledge. In the end though it's about studying your quarry. Learn about where they live and how they live all year around and in what weather conditions. And as silly as it sounds, take notes. Keep a diary of your hunts and go back and study those too. It's a process.

Good Luck! from someone who is waiting for the Grouse and then Pheasant seasons to open. (And still learning after 30+ years in the field!)

dalee
 
"Put & take pheasants"
Much like stocked trout, they are bred in captivity and released for the hunters.
There is a place on Long Island that did/does that. Out near Rocky Point on the north shore.
I'm pretty sure it is a state facility, you go in the morning, sign up, get assigned a beat or parking space and then you check out when you leave.
I haven't done it but the wife's nephew was a regular there for a couple years.
That was about 5 years ago, maybe more.
 
Excellent!

The make/model of firearm is irrelevant to me as long as it is appropriate for the game. Whatever you're comfortable with.

General advice for small game. Slow down and listen. Walk a few steps then pause. Watch the brush ahead for movement.

If you're without a dog for grouse or rabbits, they're probably going to flush when you're nearly on top of them. Same for pheasants. Grouse fly a short distance then land. Watch where they go and their general direction and you can get a second flush. For pheasant in fields, watch for movement in clumps of dense goldenrod or other standing weeds.

Rabbits and hares around here seem to like the laurel thickets.

Consider getting a squirrel call. And brush pants. Grey squirrels like oak and hickory; reds like hemlocks.

Put & take = pheasants usually stocked by the state (as opposed to wild ones) in specific areas so hunters can shoot them.

RescueRiley said:
Halo..Guess my Opwas sort of vague...
I'm not sure what you mean by put and take pheasants.. but feasant hunting has crossed my mind..
I curently have a remington spartan sxs 20 gauge.. but am upgrading to a Mossberg 500 this week

I also have a marlin .22 bolt action
Ive read the game laws and re read them regularly
I have joined a gun club
I routinely talk to folks there..
despite this I do not know many hunters..otherwise I would try to get some mentoring.
I have several areas that I have scouted thoroughly and others whcih I intend to..
Looking to hunt
squirrels
rabbits
pheasant/grouse/quail
maybe spring turkey, but probably not this year.
would love to go waterfowling, but I don't think I've researched enough on it yet for this year
I know that sounds like an ambitious list... but that's my desired list... In reality.. I'm looking at primarily squirrels and rabbits.
Click to expand...
 
ebbtide,

Thanks.. I know there is legal hunting allowed in Rockypoint as well as several other locations on Long Island.. I didn;t know about the Pheasant reserve though.. Maybe I'll look into that..I am currently waiting for my seasonal access permit from the dec which will open up a llot of suffolk county for me.. However Rocky point and Otis Pike Require daily acces permits which can be obtained at the gate.
 
Riley,

Are you planning to hunt state land? If yes, then I would try to get out and scout the land you paln to hunt a little in the off season while woodswalking.

There are a several choices for waterfowl local on the island. PM me and I can give you more info.

Spring turkey is something you should def. try, why not fall turkey? it's actually fun in the fall.

I think the fact that you spend time in the woods puts you ahead in the learning curve.

Paul
 
Valcas I'm planning on hunting state land,, and wma's I've done some scouting but could always do more...I'll be renewing my supersportsman lic. this year so I'll have the option to hunt turkey,but I'll see how my fall experience is with small game before I really make up my mind about the spring.. But I am interested..
Also I will PM you about some waterfowling locations... Thanks.

PS I put in for my acess permits for suffolk.. Thanks.
 
Spring turkey is AWESOME! There is nothing like the sound of a gobbler getting closer to get the heart pumping...
 
for all the small game(rabbits,squirrels,etc), the 22 is more than capable and would be my round of choice.generally for all bird hunting you would use a shotgun.20 guage will work great for any of those birds you listed,i used it for years on all of them.as far as turkeys,i dont know the laws in ny but in ca its illegal to use a 22lr but legal to use a 22 cal pellet gun.if it is legal there i would take the 22lr over both a shotgun and pellet gun as to kill a turkey you need to make head shots and with a scope or a steady aim with iron sights the 22 will excel.alot of people also bow hunt turkeys as todays bows are extremely accurate and with a little practice can make a nice body shot on a turkey.dont get to wrapped up in buying the most expensive hi tech equipment right now,just have fun with what you have and practice alot. i can out shoot many of my buddies who have $1500 shotguns with my old stevens double barrel 20 guage because they still think its all about the gun.where a good quality gun will excel over lower grade firearms,if you cant shoot none of that matters. hope that helps!let us know how things go!
 
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