Biggest hurdle/barrier to entry into hunting?

[Adam0321/0306]

I feel a large barrier is thinking it is going to be just like a heavily edited hunting show. Thinking that all you have to do is spend a couple thousand dollars on gear and you will see dozens of deer and elk every sit. Not realizing that most of the time you will not see a thing.

 

[WCB]

So you're inviting people to start hunting for the first time? Despite everything being so overcrowded that we don't need any new hunters? Hypocrite.

Ahhh..your one of those guys that don't understand or avoid context clues. Explain two things...#1 where in my post did I say never take anyone new. And #2 how you function daily.

 

[hoooogan]

I grew up much more sheltered than I like to admit. No firearms, no hunting, minimal nature activities, etc. But since I started making my own money, I have spent countless days offroading, camping, biking, and in recent years shooting and fishing.

I have plenty of friends that hunt but that aspect was still such a foreign concept to me. As a habitual overthinker, each piece is a huge hurdle. Quite literally everything from clothing, to rifle setup, to getting my hunting license, the countless hours of researching hunting units, applying for tags, practicing shooting, load development, e-scouting, actual scouting, watching hunting videos/reading on strategies, how to field dress a deer, training for hiking and probably another 1000 things I haven't mentioned. I basically put myself through a year of "schooling" before I went and shot my first deer last year. For me, everything has been a hurdle but I am a problem solver (DIY mechanic, DIY fabricator, software engineer) so I am very familiar with "this might suck but let's just get it done". That translates into hunting, especially when I was sitting in front of my first deer with zero experience, alone.

All that was not quick or easy but the hardest part by far was the mental game during the hunt. I'm so used to solving things and moving forward, that sitting and waiting for something to show up or for me to spot it was extremely difficult. There were definitely times when I was considering "reclaiming my future vacation time", if you will... I'll be out in the same mountains this year.

 

[Sully_44]

I think the biggest barrier to entry these days is people’s need for instant gratification and general dislike of failure and discomfort.

There’s still tons of opportunities if you want to work and suffer for it. Most people don’t want to be new at something and suffer. They want to be what their flavor of instagram/youtube bad@$$ portrays from jump street.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This 100%! Even “shitty” tags can be punched, some areas just take more effort. I think a lot of people expect to go out and see a 180 buck on every ridge. If they’re seeing animals, they expect to point and shoot and the animal lands in the back of the truck. Hunting is type 2 fun. It’s hard as hell, and that’s what makes it great!

 

[repins05]

Finding the time to commit to something and what you prioritize in your life as you try to navigate through it.

 

[Rich M]

Where did anyone say to tell them they should "absolutely not start hunting..."? Also, in general what has the sudden surge of western hunting done? Are game numbers better? Is hunter experience better? Are game departments flush with cash and doing a better job?

Apparently you missed the part in my post where I stated that the people that enjoy the table fare and furs, etc...have "zero interest" in actually partaking in hunting or trapping themselves. These people have explicitly said it and some I have 100% offered to take them with.

Water off a duck’s back. He likewise took something personal that got under his skin. Must like crowds of folks, I dunno.

I very well may have said it would be better to take up golf than start hunting in today’s day and age.

Quota hunts reduce the number of hunts. $ and vacations reduce it more. Needing special gear and guns makes it more $. So you drop $10k in gear to hunt public with “100 other guys” for 10 days every 5 years. Nuts.

 

[crazygrizz]

As an adult onset hunter living in CO here's my take. Number 1 barrier to entry is just understanding the rules and regulations, like what an A vs B vs C tag is. Learning all the terms like over the counter, draw, preference points, 2nd choice, secondary draw, leftover etc. Then figuring out units you can actually draw a tag in. The weapon regulations I found to be the easiest to learn and understand but that was about it.

The rest you can learn a piece at a time watching YouTube and reading threads here. Like thermals, bedding, glassing and all the other jargon.

Lastly is just getting out and doing it, I'll admit I'm still nervous hunting by myself but get more confident I'm doing everything legally each time and confident that I will be safe while doing it. Hiking a mile back at sunset by yourself is a little nerve racking the first time, especially when your someplace you've never been to before.

 

[pirogue]

After reading the first page of posts, it seems like there is a wide moat between hunting and its “barrier” . Today’s difficulty in drawing a prized elk tag should not be called a barrier to hunting. I killed my first squirrel at six. And for those out West, (where there is not squirrels), go predator hunting, rabbit hunting, or other small game. Hunting isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re turned off because you can’t draw certain big game tags.

 

[Blacktail_]

After reading the first page of posts, it seems like there is a wide moat between hunting and its “barrier” . Today’s difficulty in drawing a prized elk tag should not be called a barrier to hunting. I killed my first squirrel at six. And for those out West, (where there is not squirrels), go predator hunting, rabbit hunting, or other small game. Hunting isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re turned off because you can’t draw certain big game tags.

Very well said

 

[TimberRunner]

People's own mental barriers. You can small game or WT hunt very easily with minimal research and some short drives.

 

[Howdoyoulikemenow]

Some of the replies here are troubling to me. Just say’n.

My dad mentored me with my mom’s insistence. None the less it took at a very young age. Ive mentored my son and his best friend and have lifelong camp mates. Have a grandson coming up through the ranks.

In my fifty plus years of hunting I’ve witnessed so much taken away from hunters as a group. Based off that if I had to start today I think I’d take up golfing instead.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Some of the replies here are troubling to me. Just say’n.

How so?

My dad mentored me with my mom’s insistence.

Thats really sad

 

[Howdoyoulikemenow]

How so?

Possibly just some of responses seem to be in that “grow a set” type attitude. Just my interpretation. Nothing personal.

Thats really sad

My dad was from the depression era. Grew up on a ranch. WW2 veteran who was badly wounded. Work came first. Period. Over everything. One of those dads who worked all day then came home, ate dinner and worked around the home until bedtime. He blew it with my two older brothers and it wasn’t pleasant. So… when I came of age and expressed interest in hunting and spending time with him my mom made damn sure that he made the time. I hold nothing against him. It was him who started me down a lifelong path that has given me untold pleasure.

 

[Rich M]

After reading the first page of posts, it seems like there is a wide moat between hunting and its “barrier” . Today’s difficulty in drawing a prized elk tag should not be called a barrier to hunting. I killed my first squirrel at six. And for those out West, (where there is not squirrels), go predator hunting, rabbit hunting, or other small game. Hunting isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re turned off because you can’t draw certain big game tags.

There is no barrier to small game hunting aside from finding a place to go where there is a huntable population of whatever it is that you want to shoot. Likewise, there is no barrier for WT deer in many states, just buy OTC license and go hunt.

But we are on a western hunting and trophy hunting forum. Dude doesn't want to shoot rabbits and grouse/pheasant. He wants to go hunt the mtns, chase "desirable" species, live the dream. He wants 2 .223 Tikka elk rifles with cans, one for practice and one to hunt with, $400-$500 synthetic clothes, boots that climb for you, glass that can see miles, and a hunt like the Youtubers present - no-one for miles around, elk screaming in their face, pure adrenaline kind of experience. Small game is for kids and birds are for dog lovers.

Plenty of folks on here complain about crowding and states are capping license numbers, changing to quota hunts, and using preference points - watch MO go to pref points soon. You see how the guys discuss the diff states changing rules and such every year. We lose opportunities EVERY YEAR. And folks are chanting the we need more hunters mantra - some influencer started this and the gullible continue to grab it and parrot it.

Anyway, I'm collecting WT, hog, and turkey points in my home state of FL, they don't do duck or alligator points. Oh, and antelope in WY (just bought 3rd). It takes 3-5 points for me to draw a deer tag within an hour or so of home, 5+ for a turkey tag, 3-7 years (9 to 21 applications) to get a weekend duck permit, 3-5 yrs for a hog tag (they are legal during small game otherwise but no rifle at that time), and been applying but not drawing gator tags for 6+ years. There are some ways to hunt every year, but those will remain unspoken for obvious reasons. I also refuse to get up at 3 am to go fight crowds on the open public for what few ducks we get down here after the state started spraying aquatic vegetation and removed most of the duck food.

And you want me to introduce more folks into hunting or tell someone how to do it. It would be a disservice to ALL hunters to introduce more folks into the already crowded pool. Especially down here.

Or they can do golf or pickleball and go every weekend that the weather is nice, and include their friends and family in the activity. It really is sad that we are at this point.

This will be my 48th or 49th hunting season. Didn't draw what should have been an EZ permit in FL and will travel to some land we own in another state to enjoy a week of deer hunting. Every guy we know that hunts wants to come and "shoot a doe" off our lil place without helping taking care of it, food plots, planting trees, etc. LoL! They'll show up on Friday night with a case of beer or a bottle and shoot a doe on Saturday, be gone Sunday morning... Yeah, we need more hunters.

 

[mt terry d]

what is the biggest barrier to entry for new hunters?

Confusing, contradictory and arbitrary hunting regulations.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Possibly just some of responses seem to be in that “grow a set” type attitude. Just my interpretation. Nothing personal.

I honestly feel folks have been coddled way too much. Maybe call it tough love if you will, but grow a set and figure it out. Really needs to be said more often IMO

My dad was from the depression era. Grew up on a ranch. WW2 veteran who was badly wounded. Work came first. Period. Over everything. One of those dads who worked all day then came home, ate dinner and worked around the home until bedtime. He blew it with my two older brothers and it wasn’t pleasant. So… when I came of age and expressed interest in hunting and spending time with him my mom made damn sure that he made the time. I hold nothing against him. It was him who started me down a lifelong path that has given me untold pleasure.

I get it

 

[Blacktail_]

After reading the first page of posts, it seems like there is a wide moat between hunting and its “barrier” . Today’s difficulty in drawing a prized elk tag should not be called a barrier to hunting. I killed my first squirrel at six. And for those out West, (where there is not squirrels), go predator hunting, rabbit hunting, or other small game. Hunting isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re turned off because you can’t draw certain big game tags.

Very well said, lots of people

There is no barrier to small game hunting aside from finding a place to go where there is a huntable population of whatever it is that you want to shoot. Likewise, there is no barrier for WT deer in many states, just buy OTC license and go hunt.

But we are on a western hunting and trophy hunting forum. Dude doesn't want to shoot rabbits and grouse/pheasant. He wants to go hunt the mtns, chase "desirable" species, live the dream. He wants 2 .223 Tikka elk rifles with cans, one for practice and one to hunt with, $400-$500 synthetic clothes, boots that climb for you, glass that can see miles, and a hunt like the Youtubers present - no-one for miles around, elk screaming in their face, pure adrenaline kind of experience. Small game is for kids and birds are for dog lovers.

Plenty of folks on here complain about crowding and states are capping license numbers, changing to quota hunts, and using preference points - watch MO go to pref points soon. You see how the guys discuss the diff states changing rules and such every year. We lose opportunities EVERY YEAR. And folks are chanting the we need more hunters mantra - some influencer started this and the gullible continue to grab it and parrot it.

Anyway, I'm collecting WT, hog, and turkey points in my home state of FL, they don't do duck or alligator points. Oh, and antelope in WY (just bought 3rd). It takes 3-5 points for me to draw a deer tag within an hour or so of home, 5+ for a turkey tag, 3-7 years (9 to 21 applications) to get a weekend duck permit, 3-5 yrs for a hog tag (they are legal during small game otherwise but no rifle at that time), and been applying but not drawing gator tags for 6+ years. There are some ways to hunt every year, but those will remain unspoken for obvious reasons. I also refuse to get up at 3 am to go fight crowds on the open public for what few ducks we get down here after the state started spraying aquatic vegetation and removed most of the duck food.

And you want me to introduce more folks into hunting or tell someone how to do it. It would be a disservice to ALL hunters to introduce more folks into the already crowded pool. Especially down here.

Or they can do golf or pickleball and go every weekend that the weather is nice, and include their friends and family in the activity. It really is sad that we are at this point.

This will be my 48th or 49th hunting season. Didn't draw what should have been an EZ permit in FL and will travel to some land we own in another state to enjoy a week of deer hunting. Every guy we know that hunts wants to come and "shoot a doe" off our lil place without helping taking care of it, food plots, planting trees, etc. LoL! They'll show up on Friday night with a case of beer or a bottle and shoot a doe on Saturday, be gone Sunday morning... Yeah, we need more hunters.

We DO need more hunters, data shows we peaked in 2021 post covid and have decreased. Over the years, about the same amount of people hunt but with the growing population, the percentage of the population hunting is decreasing- that is not sustainable. The problem is not too many hunters, it is too many people thinking they have a right to hunt as non-residents year after year in as many states as they want then getting pissed they do not draw a 10% odds tag every year. Sadly yes we cannot have unlimited hunting for anyone and still have animals, we need management by game agencies. We need to share the resource, I would rather have less hunting opportunities in my lifetime if that means my kids and grandkids are able to partake in their lifetimes.

 

[Blacktail_]

And to anyone who says we don’t need more hunters, you better not be showing your kids how to hunt because that’s creating new hunters which we “DONT NEED” !!!

 

[Steve300xcw]

gettin kinda defensive ...

 

[Johnny Tyndall]

I started hunting as an adult and with no one in my orbit who really knew much about it. The hardest thing for me was finding animals. You don't get good feedback since doing the right thing and it just isn't working looks the same as doing something really dumb--no animals. Going out for even a day with someone who knew what was up was invaluable. I was already pretty comfortable in the woods, and game to try to dress an animal with printed directions, but I could see both of those also being big hurdles for people.

I will say that I've been involved in a bunch of different outdoor pursuits and I've never encountered the attitude towards new people that some hunters have, including some in this thread. It would never occur to me to tell someone who wanted to start kayaking, or backcountry skiing, or climbing to "just get after it," or that they were lazy or wanted a handout if they asked to be shown the ropes. The idea of mentorship and education is very much part of those cultures. Maybe one difference is that people generally don't watch some ski videos and think they are going to start dropping Alaskan spine lines. I can imagine guys with no skills at all watching youtube and thinking that hunting means walking into the woods and smoking a 6 point, instead of waking up at 4, sitting in the cold, and not seeing anything.