How does an adult learn to hunt?

[HighHandicap]

I apologize for the rambling, incoherent post that you're about to read. It's late and I can't sleep and this has been bouncing around my head for a while.

How many of you folks learned how to hunt from your parents, siblings, or other family member? I bet it is most of the people here.

I'm 33 and I've never learned how to hunt, stalk, bait, track, or even clean a kill. Even though I'm originally from South Dakota, we moved around a lot and usually to mid sized cities where there weren't a lot of hunting opportunities. My parents made a decent living but there wasn't money to get a lease, or even buy hunting gear. The closest we'd get to hunting was driving back to South Dakota to shoot prairie dogs on my Aunt's modest dairy farm. Those were some great times!

Fast forward a couple of decades and here I am, a grown man with a family of his own and I have no idea how to hunt. I'm no stranger to guns, hunting safety, camping, etc. but I just haven't gotten any real hunting experience. At my last job, one on my coworkers was kind enough to invite me on a hug hunt (rifles) and that was a good experience. That was over two years ago and we've both changed jobs.

Like most guys, I don't have a lot of friends, and the few that I do have aren't hunters. Admittedly, I'm a computer nerd, not overly social, and my sense of humor is probably an acquired taste. I'm also extremely attached to my wife and 2 year old daughter which means I feel guilty going to play golf for four hours; so it is hard for me to go on a weekend hunt. I just have so much fun with both of them that I have a hard time doing things that take me away from them. My wife now has a bow and enjoys shooting, but she won't be hunting. Maybe my daughter will as she grows up, and I'd love to be able to teach her.

So, how does someone like me learn to hunt?

I'm sure I'll read this in the morning and wonder what the heck I was babbling about, I can't imagine how y'all must feel after reading it.





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[SmTx]

Sounds like you're already halfway there with a good partner, your wife. There are tons of people on this site that started out just like you. Absorb all you can on the site and just get out there and learn. You learn from every mistake. Go make some mistakes and have fun doing so.

[Chunky]

My opinon is that friends are the best way to learn. Like you did before with your coworker. You can learn some from books and finding this place (which is awesome with great people) is a place to start.

Hunters as a group are really good to each other and often willing to share knowledge.

To an extent, you need to just get out and get some field time. Take your daughter when she is a little older. Some of my best memories are hunting with my girls.

[marshrat]

First of all, it is never too late to learn. Ask a lot of questions. Nobody is going to care if you're thirteen or thirty three. If you want to learn, you learn. I grew up hunting deer, but that was usually just one week long trip each year from the time I was around six. I was able to kill deer, alot. West Texas will do that for you. I hunted from stands and over feeders until I was 17, and then deer hunting just got boring, mainly due to girls. When I met my wife at 24, I had pretty much given up on hunting. Still had the background thanks to Dad and Granddad, but again, sitting in a stand. My wife, who grew up shooting, encouraged me to get back out there. I picked up duck and goose hunting, and looked (and still look) like an idiot trying to figure out what the heck I'm doing with these birds. I asked a lot of questions and threw myself into it. I took ahold of me. Now, my eleven year old daughter will come out with me, my four year old has two seasons under his belt (see avatar), and my youngest daughter (3) made her first season. I hated, like you, being away from them all day or even all morning to hunt, so I strapped them into the sled and drug them out there. I don't mean once in a while. I wanted them to have the same passion for it as I do. I try to do a little less killing, and try to pass on the heritage a lot more. It is sacred, and we are a dying breed, especially if you want to pass it on to your children. There is no time that is too early to get the kids involved. Everybody says to take a kid hunting, but just once is never enough. I get them out there, and I am empowered to want to be better and learn more so that I can pass that down. I prefer quantity time with my kids someplace local rather than 50 weeks of disconnect and a two week Disneyland trip, if you know what I mean. That's just me. Learn anyway you can, but mostly ask questions. I'm an inquisitive person, so I read and study and try to get knowledge anywhere I can. I had hunting experience and gun knowledge, but no one taught me to shoot a bow, and no one taught me to duck hunt or how stupid Canadas can be with the right setup. I learned by getting out there, and I would advise you to do the same with your daughter and hopefully your wife. Establish the bond with the outdoors now, and I promise you will have a great ride. Sorry if I was rambling. Youth hunting is my passion.

[SneakyPhil]

My best friend grew up in a family that did a little fishing and no hunting. I started inviteing him when we were 16. We're 39 now and he now takes his son dove hunting every year. I guess finding someone that you get along with and tagging along would help. Mike was prety good. I would show him and he caught on. I would just give him little tips here and there. We took up bowhunting when we were in collage. Mike and I get together for one dove hunt and sometimes one bowhunt a year. Our kids come dove hunting with us. Get yourself a bow and join a archery club. Attend some 3D tournaments. You might make a friend that will let you kill some hogs on his place or show you some publick land. A lot of archery clubs have yearly group hunts.

As far a feeling guilty about doing things without the family, I know the feeling. I've got a 7year old and a 22 month old. I have put kayak fishing on hold and only bow hunt 1 week a year cause I want to spend my free time with them. My daughter (7) loves to hunt and fish so she dove hunts with me and we do some bank fishing.

[rehmeyer1977]

Asking this question on this forum is a good start. I didn't start hunting till I was 18 teen. Had some friends take me bird hunting. I did not take my fist deer till 24 again a friend took me. My suggestion would be to take some guided trips. The ranches are nice and the guides have lots of knowledge to share. You can take your wife and child and let them hang out at the lodge while you hunt. Also the guides on some places will drive you and your family around and look at the animals. This option is based on your financial situation.
Or like like others suggested read ask questions. Maybe get on a lease letting the other member know where you are coming from. I am sure they will help you out. Just get out there and enjoy being out there.

[marshrat]

Just get out there and enjoy being out there.

That's the key right there, brother.

[TyWebb]

Lots of good advice here already. Definitely ask questions on this forum, and you'll get more education than you can imagine!

[SOTXBOWHUNTER]

I was very fortunate My grandpa had me with him in the woods hunting since I was a toddler. I've always been exposed to hunting and fishing every year. Now its in my blood and I can't see my self growing up without the hunting scene.

never too late to start hunting. Some of the most precious/emotional memories you will make is going to be hunting/camping with your family. Best of luck to you and your family.

[Eric Pence]

NOBODY in my family Hunted or Fished so (Back then there wasnt a Forum to get Real-Time Info on TEXAS HUNTING its Very Different than most states)So what I did was I Read everything I could get my hands on about Hunting.To bad 95% of did not apply to Texas..I was 16 when I took my first deer and form then on it was "Off to the Races"..If you ever need info or a Question just PM me and I will help u if I can if not I will find someone who will..(I have made most Mistakes TWICE)..Kelly (Wife) didnt start Hunting till she was 22 and now she has killed over 50 deer and a ton of other stuff.Just make it FUN for the Family and they will follow you anywhere..Feel free to PM me or ask anything

Eric Pence

[Texpppr]

As a start.. subscribe to several hunting magazines... Lots of good ideas for novice as well as experienced hunters. A hunting buddy would be nice too, but hard to find sometimes.

[Tmag]

Hunted birds and rabbits as a kid but didn't learn deer hunting until I married into a deer hunting family at 21. Learned a lot from my FIL and friends over the years but never really stopped learning.

[1stcavbowhunter]

My Dad taught me the basics of hunting but we only got to hunt together once every other year or less. I have become an adept hunter, just not much of a killer...lol. My first deer was at 25 and i've only got a pig since then. My biggest challenge right now is learning how to field dress as i've never done it on my own. That is my goal for this year. I am hoping to pass my love onto my kids one day. Just keep asking questions and soon you will get the answers you are looking for.

[Mike Javi Cooper]

Short answer, find someone experienced to go hunting with... start with weekend trips to KJO and other ranches, you don't have to do the big packages do an Axis doe & pig package...

[TX_bowhunter37]

I am in the same boat I am learning on the fly i been wathcing outdoors channel magiznes and i try to remember when i first went hunting in Nebraska it was the only time

Things i learned were get in your stand early
stay downwind
after the kill stay in stand for 30- 45 mins