I just got Todd's invite on facebook for the big buck event, and it got me thinking (well, thinking again anyway) about deer and elk hunting. It's something I'd love to start doing with my son when he's old enough, and maybe get some experience before he joins me. The biggest thing I ever hunted was rainbow trout (yeah, I know).

So, here it is. I'm looking for advice on getting started as a newbie.

Thoughts?

OK, if there are any moms on here (and at times there are) this will probably really freak them out.

My dad actually started me shooting with a .22 when I was 3. He would line it up on a table/bench/support of some kind, get me lined up behind it, and help me squeeze the trigger. When I was 5 he'd let me walk the woods with him, and I was given my own Daisy Red Rider bb gun. Oh man, I was the new sherrif in town with that thing. When I was 6, he would let me carry a .22 when I accompanied him on hunting trips. When I was 10, I was given my first real gun, a 410 singleshot, at 11 I was given a pump action 20 gauge, at 13 an old Brazilian made side by side dual trigger 12 guage. I still have all of these, but other guns I have bought over the years. I still hunt will all the shotguns given to me as a youngster.

Those times with my dad were awesome. I remember thinking how cool it was to be out with him, and that just he and I were spending time together. Hunting and fishing were what we did. I played sports, but they weren't his thing and he'd only make one game a season, no matter the sport. He actually got upset once when he had to sit through a double-header baseball game. It just wasn't his thing, and it's a very different generational mind-set than those of us with young kids nowadays have. When I turned 14 or so I quit going with him. I had a job, friends, the trips started including other friends of his and relatives and I just didn't want to be around them.

A couple of years ago, I was able to walk the woods with my dad again. The first time in about 28 years. Just me and him, alone. We weren't really hunting, although we had our guns (we did get rid of one water moccasin, though. It just had to be done). I can't begin to describe how special it was to be out there again, just me and dad. We haven't done it since. I've got a family and am busy as can be and I guess just haven't made the time to go. I'll have to do that, and soon.

The point is, even if you haven't started them shooting, when they are 4 or 5 start taking them along on hunting/fishing trips, but consider too the attention span of a child that age. If you are taking them fishing, don't take them on the boat bass fishing since you only get a handful of bites everyday, take them to the local golf course lake and let them catch bluegill/bream by the bucketload. That'll be what hooks them, pun intended. If you take them hunting, sitting in a deer blind in snow and sub-freezing weather probably won't be the most enjoyable of times for them, and you know they won't sit still or be quiet. Take them dove hunting instead. Spend a few bucks to get on a day lease where the birds fly a lot and let them see the action of the hunt. Take them squirrell hunting as there is much more probability of action than deer hunting. Let them have the binoculars to scour the trees looking for the flick of that bushy tail. Also, let them decide when they have had enough and call it a day then. You can go bass fishing/deer hunting on your own later (a real hunt)

When they are old enough, start training them with a bb/pellet gun. No loud noise, no recoil. Perfect for training and inexpensive to shoot. Once they have progressed and get older, be sure they take a hunter safety course. Most states require this now. Explain why you are hunting and why you kill stuff, and make sure anything you kill winds up in the freezer and eaten. If not, it is a waste of game and implants in their minds that it is OK to kill w/o using the animal. This is senseless and gives many hunters a bad name. In Texas we have a hunters for the hungry program. They take donated white-tail deer, grind the meat into 1 pound packages, and distribute it to needy families through food banks. Hunters pay the processing fee, but get it as a tax deduction. If you have something like this in your state, you can use it to teach your child that you are blessing others with God's supply by providing food for them.

Remember, kids have short attention spans and aren't as excited/interested as you are so don't force long days with no shots/bites. My little girl loves fishing for bluegill and has gone dove hunting with me and is ready to start learning to shoot. Can't wait to get her out and share special times and create some lifelong memories.

Have fun

Best bet for young ones is a savage 22/410 combo. Great gun for plinking or squirrel shooting, but kind of heavy, and hard to find now... Although, if your kids are really little, taking out a paintball gun, would be my method for teaching them proper gun safety, and to practice shooting and walking in the woods looking for varmit.

I shot a squirrel last season, my first... (I grew up in the city and never hunted). I had a blast going out with my father in law. He showed me how to clean it, and we had it for dinner. fried. It tastes like chicken, but not much meat.

I even tanned the hide... Its in my workshop right now.

Dado7:

From what little reading I've done about getting started, it seems like bird hunting is a decent way. All you need is a shotgun and maybe some cammo clothes (and blaze orange for moving around).

I was eyeballing either Pheasant or Turkey. I'm leery about shooting a squirrel with a shotgun, and I'm not so sure my family would like eating squirrel :)

Hey guys,

If you are just planning on getting started, I have a couple of suggestions.

First, before you buy a gun of any kind, contact your state wildlife department, tell them you are interested in learning about hunting, and see what kind of courses they have/require and get what advice you can and who they can put you in touch with.

Second, contact a local gun range, explain this to them and that you are newbies and see what they can do set you up with a beginners shooting course. Easiest and cheapest way to start is with a .22. There is no recoil, it isn't much lounder than a handclap, and the ammo is cheap. Also, ask someone at the range about a shotgun course. There is a guy in Texas that teaches how to shoot a shotgun, and he does his teaching with a bb gun. Once you learn to shoot a shotgun, go skeet/trap shooting and get used to trying to hit things that are moving. After that you can try bird hunting. Nothing is more frustrating than constantly missing. The more you miss, the more you try to overcompensate and the worse it gets. I just keeps feeding on itself. I've been in the dove field and missed a few then started thinking about my shooting, trying to think when shooting and it only got worse and worse. It's mental at that point.

If you aren't that much into eating wild game, maybe target shooting is preferable to hunting. Whatever you do, get instruction before you go and, if possible, get a guide to take you the first time or two out. Make it a fun day and enjoy God's creation of the outdoors most.

Wow, here's an oldie.

Here's an update. I've been Pheasant hunting in Oregon. It was a blast and the pheasant was pretty good. I got about 5 or 6 on a game preserve. Now I want to go more! Sadly, economy what it is, not likely anytime soon.

I had borrowed a .30-.30 for shooting practice but had to return it recently, so I might be looking to find something suitable for elk/deer this fall :)

Anybody else been out lately?

Bringing this one back up. It's August 7th here in the Lone Star State and our hunting seasons start September 1 with dove season. I've got some cooking to do as I still have birds and venison both left in the freezer from last year.

Anyway, the previous posts on this were about starting hunting. If your seasons start like ours do in the next 3 weeks or so, it is a good time to get the guns out and get some target shooting in to get reaquainted with your weapons and skills.

It'd be a good time to get the young'uns in a hunter safety course, too. Remember to wear eye and ear protection at the range and in the field. I got peppered real good last year by some guy across the field from me (about 75 yards or so) and it really stung, didn't penetrate the skin, but it left some red welts. Glad I was wearing safety sun glasses, too.

Hope everyone has a fun hunting season, and that you build memories with your kids. Be sure, though, to take in all of what God has created in nature and just imagine how awesome He is as you enjoy His creation.

Very cute!!