Re: Your advice on getting into hunting
Originally Posted by
huntwriter
I have never hunted or family background in the hunting tradition. I am a total hunting “greenhorn”. If I where to meet you and ask for advice on how to get into hunting, besides CORE and the Firearm Safety Course, what would your personal advice for me be? Would you offer to be my mentor? - To read hunting books and magazines? -To join a club or organization? – To visit hunting sport stores, outdoor sport shows, seminars and such like? Search the Internet for answers and join hunting forums such as HuntingBC?
Let me know how to go about to become a hunter like you!
Thanks for taking part in this survey/dicussion.
Othmar
Huntwriter:
Firstly, I'd like to say that I think you have an excellent idea for an article that's sure to the draw the attention of many eager and up-and-coming hunters. With all the negative press these days, the sport of hunting may not stand much of a chance of surviving in the future without these young sportsmen/women entering the field.
Over the years it has given me great joy to see the hunting and shooting spark in many youngsters' eyes kindled into a flame. When that flame is carefully nurtured it generally burns for a lifetime.
Knowing if a young boy or girl has the "right stuff" to become a fair-chase hunter and decent rifle and shotgun shot has always come reasonably easy for me. It seems that these kids often travel to the beat of a different drummer. As a good hockey or baseball scout can sometimes have a gut-feeling about kid after watching him/her on the ice or the field for the first time, some hunters and shooters seem to have a knack for seeing a child's potential in the shooting and hunting sports.
If you were a total greenhorn, but sincere (and lets not forget we were all greenhorns at one time), I'd invite you and your parents up to our gun club's family day event. There you (and your parents) could try your hand at shooting .22s and slowly work your way up to big-bore hunting rifles. I would also offer to answer any questions you or your family may have on all aspects of safety, regulations, the shooting, hunting and fishing sports, as well as everything the club has to offer members.
I think that besides hammering the point of the importance of safety at all times, the best advice I could give an up-and-coming hunter would be to obtain books (perhaps from the library if you can't afford to buy them) written on each and every animal or bird they intend to pursue. The books will help you learn as much as you possibly can on the habits of your quarry. I would also suggest renting or purchasing DVDs or VHS tapes like the "Truth" series on hunting. I firmly believe that even seasoned hunters will learn a few tricks watching those great hunts.
Secondly, I don't think you could go too far wrong in suggesting that young hunters not be afraid to join sites like "HuntingBC." Remember to also politely mention at sports stores, trade shows or gun clubs that you are just getting started and need some honest advice. Most everyone I know would be more than happy to offer up some of what they have learned over the years.
Last, but certainly not least, as a former range warden with our club I would offer my advice on a few of the tried, tested and true hunting rifles suitable for almost all of British Columbia's game species. I'd also like to say that I would never start a new hunter/shooter out on one of the big magnums. Throughout the years there will be plenty of time try all the big guns. And when all is said and done, half the fun is to sit back, reflect on great hunting memories with friends, and admire your collection of fine rifles.
Good Huntin'
Bushman
"To fair-chase hunt, shoot straight, respect, speak the truth, and enjoy the wilds of B.C. in a way few ever experience." —Bushman