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If you haven’t started hunting yet, you might be unsure of where to begin. You’ve heard hunters speak about their expertise and have probably wondered if their stories are true.
Find out for yourself, and before the intricacies of hunting gear and other accessories overwhelm you, go through this guide on how to get into hunting.
Hunting is a little tricky if you don’t know where to begin. Prepare yourself for a lifelong learning experience and get to share your stories with the pros.
Hunting Requirements
Many aspiring hunters find themselves wondering about the difficulties that they may face when getting into hunting.
However, as long as you have a great interest in this sport, it is not always that difficult.
Getting into hunting is difficult, but worth it. Beginners must know several things about hunting before going on a trip.
Hunting License
Licensing is a major challenge. Many states have regulations that safeguard hunting.
Therefore, you have to go through specific screening processes before obtaining a hunting license or permit. Aside from that, hunting is a physical activity.
Therefore, you must be physically fit and have enough stamina to endure long walks over rugged terrain.
Being physically fit and preparing yourself may sound challenging, but it shouldn’t be too much of a problem when you’re young and healthy.
Also, many hunters take the straightforward route, using their vehicles to cover massive distances to reach their prey.
The point is that you will need a certain level of physical endurance to engage in this sport. Most hunters use a hunting rifle.
Physical Training
The average weight of most hunting rifles is 6 to 7 pounds, depending on their capacity.
Have you ever walked several miles on uneven terrain carrying such a weight? Well, this is something to consider when getting into hunting.
Prepare yourself to exert yourself, get your hands dirty, and sometimes even risk your life! Keep in mind that wild animals are everywhere and you are a threat.
Unless you live in bear country, you must keep your eyes and ears open because you are the prey.
Wherever you choose to hunt, you will still be taking risks, and you must always be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
Hunting Skills
Another consideration is the skills you require to get into hunting. Hunting is undoubtedly a challenging activity.
If you fear touching blood, this activity may not be suitable for you. You need to understand things like field dressing and how to skin a deer, which is shocking.
But there’s nothing to worry about; just get the right tools and go hunting with someone who has enough experience to show you the realities of the hunt, and you’re prepared to go.
Astonishingly, with all these potential challenges, hunting is fun. You get to acquire specific skills such as patience, stealth, and speed. You will know how to get close to your target without raising the alarm.
Stealth, patience, and excellent gun skills are the most important elements if you want to know how to get into hunting. Stay and learn how to start hunting, a lifetime hobby.
Hunting Expenses
Hunting can be quite costly, but the quality of your hunting depends on the equipment you carry. As a result, your equipment is the primary expense for this sport.
Success or failure in the field relies heavily on the quality and extent of your weapon, clothing, and other hunting equipment out in the field. You also need to have a valid hunting license.
Getting into hunting will cost you these things.
1. Weapons
Are you looking to go hunting with a rifle or a bow?
This is the primary question to ask yourself. Also, ask yourself what type of hunting you want to do and what kind of game you want to stalk. For example, are you hunting squirrels, rabbits, deer, or elk?
There are hunting sprees that demand a rifle, while you can also use a bow to track small game like rabbits or squirrels.
Both rifles and bows are good weapons and can perform exceptionally well, depending on their quality and your expertise in handling them.
A good hunting bow ranges between $500 and $1300, while a good hunting rifle starts at around $600. Remember, you have to spend a few extra bucks to get the license for the rifle and ammunition.
2. Equipment
When you want to learn how to go hunting, you need to understand that a hunter is as competent as the equipment they carry.
Your hunting gear is your daily companion in the field, and you must have reliable equipment. The quality of the equipment you purchase can mean success or failure, and at times, it may even save your life!
Remember that other predators may target you in the wild. Moreover, when you take down your prey, you must do skinning and field dressing.
You will need the following equipment:
- You can use a shotgun, ammunition, or a bow and arrows.
- Shotgun hunting case
- A hunting knife
- Skinning, dressing, and deboning knives
- Backpack
- Hunting binoculars
- Hunting boots
- Camouflage hunting clothing
- Raingear
3. License
For most games in the United States, you will need an official license or permit.
There are different permits that a hunter can apply for depending on which state you live in and the type of game you want to hunt.
You can go through the costs of hunting licenses in different states and types for the various hunting game to add to the list of things you need when you want to start hunting.
You also need to pay for licenses on an annual basis if you wish to continue hunting.
4. Other Costs
As a beginner, you can consider doing some outdoor training courses to help start your new hobby.
These courses are typically available at a fair rate and are available through stores where you buy your equipment.
Another expense is the fee for hunting on private land, which can be expensive.
Hunting on private land costs an average of $1,000, depending on the owner and the state in which you want to do your hunting.
How Time-Consuming Is It?
Hunting requires timing and patience, so it takes time but is worth it. Hunters should hunt at night or early in the morning, when the light is low.
At these times, you are more likely to stalk a deer because they don’t expect you, and the light helps camouflage your presence.
Many hunting grounds are far from residential areas, unless you are fortunate enough to live in the countryside. Therefore, it takes time to travel to the hunting location.
You must also prepare your gear and coordinate with other hunters and guides once you arrive. You will then spend time in the field tracking prey or waiting patiently for something to head your way.
After you hit your target, you’ll probably spend time skinning the animal and field dressing. If you can’t afford to hire someone, you must take the time to do this job yourself.
Hunting Skills Development
Hunting, like any other activity, requires practice. How to get into hunting means constantly practicing your skills.
Many people have the false notion that the number of kills is what makes a talented hunter. However, what matters is how you handle yourself in the field. How you conduct yourself depends on experience, skill, and regular practice.
To better handle yourself in the field, you should hunt on a regular basis. The following are some of the skills necessary for hunters:
- Learning how to use a compass. In the woods, a compass is essential for position and direction. Unfortunately, a GPS can seldom replace a compass, as you may not always have a reliable connection in isolated areas.
- Making long shots is another skill that does not only require physical but also mental preparation. You should build enough experience to calculate the wind strength and direction, and adjust your aim to accommodate these variables if you want to make a clear, clean shot.
- Through an apprenticeship, you learn to hunt. To polish your skill, you will benefit from taking instruction from an expert hunter. With proper instruction, you can learn how to hunt and become proficient.
- Don’t forget that after taking down that deer, you must skin and dress the animal. Skinning and dressing are skills that require a lot of practice and depend primarily on your ability to learn and your interest in learning. Ensure you add skinning and dressing equipment to your hunting kit.
All these skills take years to polish. For an average person interested in hunting, it may take six months of regular practice to get the basics right, but you won’t become an expert hunter unless you make this a regular pursuit.
Benefits of Hunting
Hunting dates back centuries as a sport and cultural practice throughout the world. In the contemporary world, hunting serves as a recreational activity, a food source, and a way of interacting with nature.
However, modern hunting is constantly at the receiving end of animal rights groups that consider this practice barbaric.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, hunters defend this sport by justifying the benefits to the environment through animal population control.
Overpopulation of wild animals results in food shortages for these animals, leading to their starvation. A food shortage overwhelms the overall ecosystem, but hunting prevents wild animals from starving as humankind encroaches on their territory.
Hunting meat is also a wonderful source of organic nutrition. Wild animals have very little fat and few or no foreign hormones or chemicals in their meat compared to livestock.
Wild game meat is healthy, poses less of a threat to your cholesterol levels, and is more nutritious than farm animals. Hunting also requires physical exercise, such as long-distance walking in the woods or over mountainous terrain.
The physical impact of hunting in remote regions can be taxing, but it is also extremely healthy. You see more of the world, get to breathe fresh air, and sleep under the stars.
Hunting is also a wonderful way to bond with family members and friends as you pit yourself against nature. Hunting also contributes to the region’s economic prosperity. Licensing is yet another way to collect revenues that boost state coffers.
Is Hunting Worth It?
Any hunter will respond in the affirmative and lament the fact that they don’t get enough opportunities to pursue their passion.
For hunters, hunting is worth the effort and expense. It is a relaxing pursuit that provides valuable benefits. Hunters get to follow their passion, get in some excellent physical exercise, and renew their energy with this relaxing sport.
If you enjoy nature, exploring the outdoors, and gaining a greater sense of the world you live in, hunting is definitely worth your while.
Even though this sport may be on the more expensive side, small-game hunting is less costly. Start small and go big later after building your experience and hunting kit, or stick to small game hunting, which can be just as rewarding.
When you take up this sport, you actively interact with nature and bond with your hunting companions. If you want a new recreational activity, consider hunting.
It will teach you many wild survival skills and concrete jungle survival skills.
