"Getting into the hobby" threads...

[yuriy]

I've been browsing the forum quite a bit last week or so, and something I've noticed to be lacking (when compared to forums for my other hobbies) are threads that provide basic, but concrete information on various hunting-related topics for fresh newbies.

Some examples:
- Buying your first firearm
- Essential gear/equipment; everything from footwear, to clothing, to knives and emergency equipment
- What "is" hunting? Finding a location, hiking, best tips, how to do this and that.
- Field-dressing the animal and transporting it to your vehicle
- Unspoken rules / common courtesy items that all hunters know, but may not be obvious to others

A dedicated (and stickied) thread on each of these topics (and more, I'm sure) would be very valuable to newbies like me, and would certainly make getting into hunting seem like less of an overwhelming experience. Lots of this information is already available, but it's scattered through thousands of threads and is very hard to get a solid grasp on.

For example, when I got into motorcycling some seven years ago, I didn't know a single person that rode bikes and wasn't aware of any resources; I didn't even know about bike schools - the thought never even crossed my mind. I learned mainly through trial & error and the school of hard knocks (some harder than I would have liked!). I went through many of sets of gear, buying this and buying that because I thought it would be useful, and ending up wasting massive amounts of money on things I didn't need. If I had a thread that outlined the basic essentials of gear (as well as optional "nice to haves") and what to look for when choosing it, I could have saved massive amounts of money & headache, and generally enjoyed the hobby a lot more. The same concept applies to hunting.

Any experienced locals up to the task of throwing some info together? Thoughts?

[adriaticum]

Good points. I suggested this last year too. Education forum.
Info is generally all there just not as easy to find it.

[clte]

I think the problem is that each one of these questions takes some time to explain and can vary quite a bit depending on region.

[Whonnock Boy]

A lot of your questions can only be answered with lots, and lots of research. In the end you will find numerous ways to get the job done, but only one suits your needs, abilities, or desires. For instance, a person can get away with purchasing a gun, and driving the back roads to hunt. He's happy.... Another guy wants the full meal deal, with a gun or bow, backpack, tent, range finder, gps, various knives, day pack, binos, spotting scope, bivy sack, compass, water filtration unit, camp stove, etc, etc, etc, etc. The list is endless. With that, each and every piece of gear, has so many options to choose from. The only way to figure that out is research, and questions. Have fun, and good luck.

[yuriy]

I think the problem is that each one of these questions takes some time to explain and can vary quite a bit depending on region.

For sure. But even tackling the most basic questions/answers would be useful. It would be a starting point, a "boost" to newbies' education, if you will.


A lot of your questions can only be answered with lots, and lots of research. In the end you will find numerous ways to get the job done, but only one suits your needs, abilities, or desires. For instance, a person can get away with purchasing a gun, and driving the back roads to hunt. He's happy.... Another guy wants the full meal deal, with a gun or bow, backpack, tent, range finder, gps, various knives, day pack, binos, spotting scope, bivy sack, compass, water filtration unit, camp stove, etc, etc, etc, etc. The list is endless. With that, each and every piece of gear, has so many options to choose from. The only way to figure that out is research, and questions. Have fun, and good luck.

I can definitely see that. This is where a "basic essentials" and "nice to haves" would come in. No list would work for everyone (the only thing that pleases everyone is a jar of Nutella :mrgreen:), but it would be a good starting point to work from and customize to your own needs. On other forums such threads usually start with someone knowledgeable sharing their own opinions, and other people contributing to the thread; the original post then gets revised as necessary. It takes some effort, but good info accumulates pretty quickly, and once it's there, newbies can be pointed to the stickies whenever they bring up the same questions time and time again.

[WesHarm]

I agree it is really helpful to have at least a "Bare essentials" or "Starting point" to build off of... as an example the CORE instructor i just finished with ended up having a really helpful "Field Dressing" Slide tutorial after the exams. It was super helpful and gave everyone an idea of what to do he included a list of "Things to bring in your "Gutting Kit" " a simple list of things with some basic instruction is a great place to start so the newbie (like myself :) ) have somewhere to start from. I'll try and find the list and post it up here later since i wrote it all down.

[BearStump]

All the info that you listed IS available on this website. and once you've been on for a while it will all reveal itself to you. old threads get renewed and stuff that was written 8 years ago will come to the top of the pile again.

BTW I ride too, and I wouldnt want someone to hold my hand, to tell me what helmet will fit my head best, what jacket has what armour, what the different armour ratings mean. How to get in on track days, how to knee drag properly, how to get the front tire in the air with a 90 hp 600 cc bike. I find that the legwork that is put in to answer these questions for myself is what makes the experience, and is what makes it a "hobby". After all isn't a "hobby" just something you enjoy that can fill your spare time? I like to soak in all the info I can slowly on my own. If all the info was layed out infront of me and within the first year of riding, I knew pretty much all there is to know, well that hobby wouldnt last long and I'd move on to something else that I enjoy.
Be patient and spend time on here reading. You WILL definately learn more as a member here than doing it all on your own. You'll learn which guys are the old wise ones that can answer questions for you via PM, and you'll learn who the ass hat trolls are that you can add to your ignore list.
Welcome to HBC

[KBC]

As a total noob myself I'd love a resource like this all in one place.
Another problem with getting info is that a lot of guys don't want to share secrets. I've asked everyone I know who hunts (at least 10 different guys) if there's room for me the next time they go as I'd love to learn anything they could show me but not one has invited me. So maybe it's me haha.
I've given up on finding any help in person and have just decided to do as much research as possible and learn it myself.
Any pool of info for noobs would be a great help for guys like me instead of having to read through thread after thread just to find that one little tip amongst all the static.

[r106]

The answers to those questions are so broad. I started with nothing but a gun, ammo and a knife. My hunting clothing consisted of runners, jeans and sweater. And for the basics thats all you need. I've since added several items but the basics gotter done for the first few kills.

I do like the idea of the CORE course getting more in depth about gutting and care for the meat.

[keoke]

The easiest way into a hunting party is to find a hunter with daughters and marry the least crazy one.

[Hanrahan]

The easiest way into a hunting party is to find a hunter with daughters and marry the least crazy one.

Haha. Sounds like an idea for another sticky thread. HBC Singles. LOL

[dougan]

It's not a hobbie its a way of life!!! Enjoy the heck out of it it's a good lifestyle!!

[604redneck]

The easiest way into a hunting party is to find a hunter with daughters and marry the least crazy one.
this is the truth

[hoochie]

To have an educational sticky, although it sounds like a good idea; is open to peoples opinion. What I may feel is an essential piece of kit, may not be something that another hunter never uses. There are important things such as marksmanship and knowing your own limits. Many new hunters have missed deer; either shooting high or low when it comes to shooting up hill etc. Practice with your rifle is a major part of it. And the point about marksmanship; this only applies to gun hunters, and points would be useless to bow hunters.
Hunting is a skill that is developed over time. It is not something that you can be successful at just because you went in the bush.
Lots of info to be gained just by reading members posts when they tell the short stories of their hunt. What went right? what went wrong? what could have made a different outcome?

People hunt different species of animals and these animals sometimes share the same habitat. Learning what areas animals live in will also aid in the hunt.

As others have mentioned; it would be a great benefit to a new hunter to research from sources other than this site. I don't think the intention of this site on its inception was to be a supplement to the CORE, nor an all inclusive educational resource for new hunter education. You can always make a new post and ask a question. Some answers will be short, other people may even PM you and give you lots of info. Being with someone in the woods is an excellent way to learn more. None of us sat behind our computer, read a bunch of stuff online and headed out. Its been years of others teaching us; whether we know it or not.
And ya... if you get in with the least crazy one, and her dad accepts you.. that's your golden ticket!

[WesHarm]

so any of ya'll got a 20 something sane girl i can marry? ;)

[MB_Boy]

A lot of your questions can only be answered with lots, and lots of research. In the end you will find numerous ways to get the job done, but only one suits your needs, abilities, or desires. For instance, a person can get away with purchasing a gun, and driving the back roads to hunt. He's happy.... Another guy wants the full meal deal, with a gun or bow, backpack, tent, range finder, gps, various knives, day pack, binos, spotting scope, bivy sack, compass, water filtration unit, camp stove, etc, etc, etc, etc. The list is endless. With that, each and every piece of gear, has so many options to choose from. The only way to figure that out is research, and questions. Have fun, and good luck.


To have an educational sticky, although it sounds like a good idea; is open to peoples opinion. What I may feel is an essential piece of kit, may not be something that another hunter never uses. !

Awesome points!! One only has to look back at threads that ask "looking to buy my first rifle"....."what are the best hunting boots"....."what is the best tent/sleeping bag"...."what are the best tire for my truck"..."where do I find deer" etc and you'll see a boat load of responses. Although not all are active there are just shy of 16,000 registered members on this site....that's one big ass campfire to sit around with a pile of answers/opinions. :tongue:



I've been browsing the forum quite a bit last week or so, and something I've noticed to be lacking (when compared to forums for my other hobbies) are threads that provide basic, but concrete information on various hunting-related topics for fresh newbies.

Some examples:
- Buying your first firearm
- Essential gear/equipment; everything from footwear, to clothing, to knives and emergency equipment
- What "is" hunting? Finding a location, hiking, best tips, how to do this and that.
- Field-dressing the animal and transporting it to your vehicle
- Unspoken rules / common courtesy items that all hunters know, but may not be obvious to others

A dedicated (and stickied) thread on each of these topics (and more, I'm sure) would be very valuable to newbies like me, and would certainly make getting into hunting seem like less of an overwhelming experience. Lots of this information is already available, but it's scattered through thousands of threads and is very hard to get a solid grasp on.


even tackling the most basic questions/answers would be useful. It would be a starting point, a "boost" to newbies' education, if you will.


I agree it is really helpful to have at least a "Bare essentials" or "Starting point" to build off of... .

I get what you guys are saying and as others have mentioned....if you do some research on here using the "Advanced Search" functionality in the upper left corner of the page you as newbies can find likely 95% of the info you are looking for. Please don't take this the wrong way but you guys are new to the sport/pursuit/lifestyle AND are adults or close to; this is an awesome thing you are pursuing so take some ownership of your own learning rather than hoping to have everything laid out for you systematically. Trust me....I am not trying to be an arse but taking the time to learn SO much of this stuff is what is fun. Ya....many of us had fathers, friends, or other family to show up some of the ropes when we were young but the internet didn't exist when I was young and learning; if I had the internet or the resources available online I would be reading/learning even more than my Dad taught me growing up.

Rather than JUST relying on experienced hunters and members of this forum take some ownership, do some research, ASK questions as there are members here more than willing to type up a response. However to ask members to do up a full "to do" list covering EVERYTHING to get started in hunting from gear, how-to's on everything, biology and anatomy of animals etc is a BIT much. :wink: Let me tell you, close to everything you want to know is at your fingertips whether you search on the forum, Google, or YouTube (TONS of tutorials on YouTube).

I've been around here since about the first 200 members and can't tell you how many times I have seen the same threads pop up and the same opinions over and over and over and over. "I am new to hunting, what should my first rifle be" is a VERY common one. Scroll through the newbies forum at thread titles and I am sure you'll find the discussion pop up numerous times and you can read to your heart's content; .243, .270, .308, 7mm etc.....it's all there. :wink:

Here's throwing a challenge out to you guys who are new to the forum and new to hunting. Why don't you guys compose a list of questions...do some research on them be it on here or elsewhere....post up the info you find and maybe through the membership here it could be refined to become the very sticky's you are looking for? You're killing two birds with one stone; you are taking some initiative and learning what you are asking about AND you are already helping future new or newer hunters that stumble across the forum looking for help. :-D

[bighornbob]

Like others have said the list of needs and wants can and will vary greatly depending on where you hunt, time of year and species hunted. Like others have stated one only needs basic clothing, a weapon and a knife and one can go hunting. After that it really depends on your personality and the bolded things above. For example I have 4 tents that each has a specific purpose. Also have numerous boots as I find one does not do it for me (a boot that works for hunting sheep in mid 30's temp it not the greatest in a foot of snow in November.) Sure one could get away with one boot but I choose not to.

So instead of writing a book on hunting of what I do, I will do one better. If any newbie in the Kamloops area wants to go out and learn or come over and go over gear etc etc. Send me a PM.

BHB

[r106]

so any of ya'll got a 20 something sane girl i can marry? ;)

That falls in the mythical creature category right next to the unicorn.

[clte]

That falls in the mythical creature category right next to the unicorn. The age of MGTOW.

[albravo2]

The easiest way into a hunting party is to find a hunter with daughters and marry the least crazy one.

Now, a man reads a quote like that and thinks it is the worst advice ever. Then he starts thinking...maybe, just maybe.

[280 77]

Most of this info is already on the site and can be found by simply doing a search . If there is something you can't find then start a new thread . This site is an excellent source of info. and has many accomplished members that are very generous with there acquired knowledge .
On a side note , a big thank you goes out to all of the hunters that share that knowledge , it's certainly been a big help to me.