Hey all!
As the subject says, I'm extremely new to hunting, but I have a couple entry points that I'm excited about and some possible paths to follow along the way. I've been backpacking since I was a kid, though, and camp for work and fun so the whole living outside thing is extremely familiar to me.
I'm currently based in Nevada for work, and have plans to hunt jackrabbits with work friends (no license required.) These friends are supplying the shotgun and giving me pointers. They're both Midwesterners with a ton of experience hunting a variety of creatures. The advice they gave me: to start out, get a shotgun and sit out in the woods. I'm fine with that, and I see the appeal from a versatility, cost, and time perspective for getting a shotgun.
HOWEVER: for personal ethical reasons etc., I'd strongly prefer to hunt cervids with a bow. I know it's more difficult, will require so much more training, and while my friends in Nevada do bowhunt, they don't have the same deep experience with it. I do, however, have friends back in my home state of Washington who hunt elk with bows... so, whenever work takes me back that way, I may have the chance to pursue this goal.
In any case, I'm currently working on this dilemma - and will probably split the difference anyway and do both! - and am starting a training regimen for possible hunts for grouse and/or deer in 2022. I'd love any input on this and general tips would be great.
As the subject says, I'm extremely new to hunting, but I have a couple entry points that I'm excited about and some possible paths to follow along the way. I've been backpacking since I was a kid, though, and camp for work and fun so the whole living outside thing is extremely familiar to me.
I'm currently based in Nevada for work, and have plans to hunt jackrabbits with work friends (no license required.) These friends are supplying the shotgun and giving me pointers. They're both Midwesterners with a ton of experience hunting a variety of creatures. The advice they gave me: to start out, get a shotgun and sit out in the woods. I'm fine with that, and I see the appeal from a versatility, cost, and time perspective for getting a shotgun.
HOWEVER: for personal ethical reasons etc., I'd strongly prefer to hunt cervids with a bow. I know it's more difficult, will require so much more training, and while my friends in Nevada do bowhunt, they don't have the same deep experience with it. I do, however, have friends back in my home state of Washington who hunt elk with bows... so, whenever work takes me back that way, I may have the chance to pursue this goal.
In any case, I'm currently working on this dilemma - and will probably split the difference anyway and do both! - and am starting a training regimen for possible hunts for grouse and/or deer in 2022. I'd love any input on this and general tips would be great.
