New Hunter

[apizza]

As it says, I never grew up hunting only fishing. Shooting archery for past 2 years and I'm gearing up for my first couple hunts for turkey. What's your best hunting advice you ever received?

 

[dtrkyman]

Slow down!

Not that I am very good at it.

Also hunt with your eyes not your feet, another one I have issues with!!!

 

[ProStaffSteve]

I’d rather try for deer if I were to get into it. Good for you! Keep us updated if you drop something. I just picked up a fly rod and that’s keeping my attention span currently.

 

[nettereo16]

It's not Youtube! Sometimes you don't see anything much less get anything, and that's okay! Just keep at it and every time you go out you learn something

 

[Jimmy]

Most of your $ spent should be on gas. Go go go. Go hike the area, smell it, see it, learn the wind, all that good stuff. Advice is most useful when you match it up with what you're seeing out there.

 

[Boarmaster]

To just go. Try not to get too gear centric. Figure out what you want or need as you go. Think completely thru your hunt from the time you wake up the morning of thru putting your game in the freezer. Thinking thru each step will help you have smoother learning curve, avoid disasters and just general headaches.

 

[Gobihawk]

In Wisconsin turkey season starts in April. Start locating birds in January and keep tabs on them until hunting time. Can't shoot them, if you don't see them.

 

[Jack321]

1. Take Hunter Safety

2. Find a mentor who can help you out with hands on experience and show you the ropes and go with you. There's A LOT to consider for hunting that are more than just weapon and clothing. There's game laws, tags, licenses, units, hunting areas, seasons, shot restrictions (non-toxic for waterfowl, or non-lead bullets for places like California.)

3. Just go. There's never a better time than NOW.

4. Practice, practice, practice.

5. Have fun!

 

[buckrut42]

Get out and hunt whenever you have time. Weather conditions and other factors are over rated. If you have time, go. The animals are out there.

 

[BrockWinegar]

Yes you can learn a lot from forums and YouTube but I can promise you will learn so much more from experience and time outside. There’s never been a time I regretted waking up before light and being outside. You’ll learn something every. single. time. Even if it’s just finding out where the animals aren’t, always something to learn

 

[OXN939]

Hunt with the mindset that success is learning something new every time you go into the woods. If you spend time learning the environment and get out consistently, the part about punching tags will fall into place on its own.

 

[dave2288]

I liked starting with squirrel. A lot more opportunities so the mistakes dont hurt as bad as youre learning

 

[def90]

Turkey is a rough one to start with using a bow. In general don't get swept up in gear. Learn to use what you have. Spend your time and energy scouting. Don't expect to just walk in to the woods on opening day and get your turkey. I started out by deciding I was going to elk hunt with a bow, thought i would hike in, see a herd across the valley and put in an epic stalk.. 7 years later i still haven't got one yet. If I had a rifle I probably would have tagged out at least three times in those years.