![]() ![]() Good fitting boots with high quality, wool or synthetic socks are also essential to prevent cold feet and blisters. In cold weather, the hunter should dress in layers and stay away from cotton fabrics to avoid hypothermia. While it is not always essential to wear camouflaged hunting clothes, it is advisable to wear durable clothing designed for outdoor use that is preferably of a dark color such as dark green, brown, or black. Wearing appropriate clothing for the hunt is also important to prevent the hunter from becoming too wet or cold, because that is another thing that can quickly ruin a hunt or even be a safety issue. Shotgun Gauges Explained: 10 vs 12 vs 16 vs 20 vs 28 vs 410 Both are great gifts for hunters just getting started.įor a more detailed discussion on the different shotgun gauges and various firearms that are great for hunters, read the articles below: ![]() Both of these recommendations offer a balance between adequate power to ethically kill game with mild recoil that is acceptable for a new, or small framed hunter. A 20 gauge shotgun is also an excellent option for small game, but also does very well on upland birds like pheasant, quail, and grouse. 22 Long Rifle is great for small game such as rabbits and squirrels. Not sure what sort of game is available to hunt near where you live? Check out this cool infographic that shows what species of small game, waterfowl, upland game, and big game may be hunted in each state. Additionally, there is usually something interesting going on, whether that is searching for a well camouflaged rabbit in a thick brush pile, or watching a bird dog attempt to pick up the scent of a pheasant or grouse in the grass. Neither hunt involves much sitting around waiting for game to appear. Both hunts typically combine many shooting opportunities with an upbeat but relaxed pace. In my opinion, pursuing small or upland game is ideal for a first hunt. I personally have no problem sitting in a deer stand for hours at a time, but care must be taken to ensure that you don’t push new hunters too hard and burn them out. Unless there are a lot of deer in the area, a deer hunt can quickly turn into a very cold and boring day, especially for an inexperienced hunter. With a few exceptions, deer hunting often involves sitting very still and being quiet for hours at a time waiting for a deer to show itself. The Right Hunt for New Huntersĭeer are one of the most popular animals to hunt in the United States, but that does not necessarily mean they are the best quarry to chase on a first hunt. Even if that person does not ever go hunting again, if they have a favorable view of hunting and hunters, they can still act as a valuable ambassador for the sport. Having a fun first hunt is important because the person is much more likely to have a positive view of the hunting along with a continued interest in hunting than someone with a terrible first experience. Success, especially on a person’s first few hunts, should be defined as having fun, not necessarily by having bagged game on the hunt, though that certainly doesn’t hurt. When initially introducing a person to hunting, regardless of if that person is an adult or a child, it is very important to have their first hunt be an enjoyable, safe, and ethical experience that they can look back upon fondly. When faced with these challenges, it’s easy to understand why many people give up learning to become a hunter after a few rough experiences. The very nature of the sport means that there can be long periods where hunting can be cold, boring, and frustrating. The barriers to entry into the sport can be high and it is increasingly difficult to become a successful hunter unless you have someone to guide you along the way. Unfortunately, becoming a new hunter is not always an easy task. More hunters means more money spent on licenses and hunting equipment, which means more money directed towards conservation efforts. Expanding our ranks by introducing family members and friends to hunting not only provides us an opportunity to enjoy something that we love with those who are important to us, but also helps to secure the future of the sport. My wife just shot her first pheasant on the first hunt she had ever been on.Training new hunters is an important task and one that all hunters should take seriously. The pheasant disappeared in a puff of feathers and dropped into the grass. My wife tracked the pheasant and fired a single shot as the bird flew in front of her. ![]() Just as I was starting to think that the pheasant might not actually be there, he exploded out of the cover with an angry squawk and a vigorous flapping of his wings. ![]()
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