Many people develop an interest to become hunters by admiring the passion of hunting of their parents and grandparents, and this certainly makes it easier for them to become professional hunters as well down the road. However, if you don’t belong to a family of hunters, it certainly doesn’t mean you won’t be able to become the best hunter out there. To be honest, it all depends on your interest, efforts, and capabilities. Additionally, we check out this guide that will help you with your learning curve, so you could start hunting as soon as possible to capture unforgettable memories.
1. Figure out What Kind of Hunting You’re into
If someone tells you they are interested in sports, your very next question will probably be “which one?”. Likewise, there are a wide variety of hunting types that you can start off with. You need to decide whether you want to hunt small games such as doves, rabbits, and turkey or big games like moose, elk, bears, and deer.
You can search the internet or ask people in the hunting field to help with your decision-making process. However, we would recommend you to start off with a small game as they are easier to hunt and bag, and you can slowly progress to a big game.
2. Enroll Yourself in Hunter’s Education Course
In order for you to hunt legally, you need to obtain a hunting license, and this is only possible when you are qualified enough to hunt. That’s why you need to enroll yourself in hunter’s education classes where you will be taught how to handle firearms safely, how to hunt ethically, different hunting techniques, survival tips, and more.
After taking classes, you will be required to pass an exam, and then you can obtain a hunting license. It will allow you to hunt ethically without harming yourself or your fellow hunters, and without worrying about anything else as a beginner.
3. Do Additional Research
Although you will be able to learn a lot during the hunter’s education classes, it’s still ideal to do your extra research as well. You shouldn’t rely on one source of knowledge and information, instead, you should put all your effort into learning as much as possible.
For this purpose, you can start listening to podcasts, read hunting magazines, or follow pro hunters’ blogs. You can also join a local hunting club as this will be a great way to make new hunting friends and get to know the experiences of the experts as well.
4. Analyze the Animals’ Behavior
You can’t simply rely on the hunting season to arrive, so you are able to learn more about hunting and animals’ behavior. Animals aren’t only limited to certain hunting spots. For instance, you can visit the national park or wildlife refugees to notice the behavior of deer, as this will allow you to perform better during the actual hunting session.
Moreover, you can also ask your fellow hunters to accompany you to their hunting spots. They can give you all the additional expert tips and advice which you won’t be able to know by simply sitting in front of the computer. You can also assess what techniques they are using to spot animals and hunt them.
5. Invest in the Right Equipment
Getting the right kind of equipment for hunting also depends on whether you are going to hunt with a crossbow or rifle. Usually, people find it easier to hunt with rifles or other firearms as compared to crossbows as they require more precision, accuracy, and practice.
No matter which weapon you use for hunting, you should do thorough research regarding the different kinds. Once you’re sure what to get, you can prepare a list of equipment that will help you with your hunting sessions.
You should start off by purchasing the right kind of clothing. For example, you don’t want to wear multiple layers just to sweat in the woods, as it may deter the deer. Likewise, you should invest in durable and supportive footwear to ensure your feet remain comfortable the entire day.
You should also consider keeping a first aid kit with you. You never know what you may have to deal with in the hunting fields, and having a first aid kit will prevent you from a massive injury.
The rest of the equipment that may be beneficial to you are:
- Knife
- Binoculars
- GPS
- Camera
- Flashlight
- Game bags
- Rangefinder
- Firestarter
- Rubber gloves
- Headlamp
6. Practice and Polish Your Skills
Getting all kinds of equipment won’t automatically make you the best hunter out there. You need to practice and hone your skills in order to not return home empty-handed.
You should consider joining a local shooting range, and you can tell the supervisor there that you are a beginner, and they will be more than happy to lend a hand. You can also get familiar with different types of firearms and assess how recoil works for each kind, as you don’t want to miss your game during hunting.
It’s also advisable to use your weapons in different shooting positions to ensure you are well-accompanied with every situation that you may have to encounter. Remember, the more you practice, the more you will be confident hunting and this means you will have more chances of success.
7. Be Patient and Take It Slow
In the end, you should keep in mind to be patient and kind to yourself. You shouldn’t compare your success with hunters who have years of experience. Don’t let anything dishearten or demotivate you.
If you think you’re burning out, you need to take a break from hunting and take things slow. Whether you have been trying to hone your hunting skills for months, you should still remember that you are new, and you will learn from experiences with time.
Even if you ask the best hunters out there, they still don’t always have a 100% success rate. Remember, you’re only human, and it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them.
