What Should I Start Hunting to Eat First?

[tom_w]

Hey all,

I have been an angler all my life but not a hunter. I had a deer hunter friend agree to take me hunting last fall if I got all set up, but I got busy at work and never did it. I got the bug to hunt though and now I am thinking that in preparation for next year when I go deer hunting, I should get a small gun and learn to kill, butcher and devour SOMETHING.

Any suggestions? Squirrel?

Any input appreciated.

[pushbutton]

i know pigeons are popular in france.

[NoWiser]

Following bunny tracks around the woods after a fresh snow is a blast!

[leech~~]

Hey all,

I have been an angler all my life but not a hunter. I had a deer hunter friend agree to take me hunting last fall if I got all set up, but I got busy at work and never did it. I got the bug to hunt though and now I am thinking that in preparation for next year when I go deer hunting, I should get a small gun and learn to kill, butcher and devour SOMETHING.

Any suggestions? Squirrel?

Any input appreciated.

Tom, to go afield and take the life of an animal can be a life changing experienace for some when they first start out. Make sure that you have thought over this descision and that you have mentally prepared yourself for the taking of blood! Some that start, find that what they have done when they make their first kill can be very troubling once the impact has hit them. Please read up on all you can find about hunting and the way to properly gut and handle the meat before going into the field. I hope that you can't handle this new adventure in your life and find the enjoyment that so many of us have found. It's not all about the Blood Sport! But it can be fun wackying them! Have fun!

[BLACKJACK]

Squirrels and rabbits are an excellent way to start hunting!!! Lots of them and tasty eating too. I recommend a .22 rifle, a shotgun leaves too many pellets in the meat, plus sighting in the .22 gives you another 'outdoor experience'. Make sure you have an idea how you're going to clean them and care for them, and do it while they're still warm, cold squirrels can be tough to clean!!

Have fun and enjoy the great outdoors.

P.S. - Small game season in MN is open util Feb. 28.

[tom_w]

Make sure that you have thought over this descision and that you have mentally prepared yourself for the taking of blood!

Yeah, there a chance I'll feel strange but I need to try it and see.

Thanks guys for all the info. Perhaps I will shoot some rabbits!

It's not just about blood. I want to experience the challenge and provide for my family.

Now how do I get a gun? And clean a rabbit. Time to do some research...

[mrklean]

read up on as much as you can, lots of people have said this before as well hunting usually isnt a good choice if you want to provide for you family, its a pretty spendy sport.

[tom_w]

It wouldn't be to provide for them in an economical way. I want to experience it. I enjoy hunting trout. If I also feed the family, then great. I am also not an equipment nut so I tend to do things in an affordable manner anyway.

[T&KK]

I have one very helpful tip when cleaning a rabbit or squirrel.... watch out for the bladder! It is hideous and I will never waste meat so it makes for a very annoying finish to the clean. I'd rather rub doe urine on my upper lip..... nope, i take that back, that would suck too! Good luck and remember, and I believe i'm accurate on the year (if not someone chime in) if born after 1979 you are required to have your firearm's safty edu cert. If you haven't taken it and you are older than that, don't feel aquard, many adults take the course. It's a great learning experience for the young and old.

Secondly, always be aware of what is behind your target, especially when shooting a rifle. The bullets are designed to travel distance and if you miss your target, that bullet will go till it hits something solid, hopefully a tree or the gound.

Good luck, think safety, and think preservation.

[T&KK]

I'll second the expensive comment - I used to work at cabella's and I don't believe my bank account every saw a pay check! You can always justify a good discount when it comes to hunting and fishing toys

[tom_w]

I am 34 but will certainly be taking firearms safety.

[brittman]

1) Sign up, attend, and pass the hunter safety class.

2) Buy a gun (shotgun, 22 rim fire rifle) depending upon what you want to pursue. Practice with said gun at a range or an area where target shooting is legal.

3) Buy a license and read the regulations. If you are indeed an angler you know the complexities of MN DNR rules and regs.

4) Go hunting where legally allowed to hunt. Public land is accessable by all. Most private land requires you ask permission, but usually holds more animals. Be safe around others that are in the area or select an area where no one else is hunting.

5) Carry a compass and small survival kit if hunting bigger woods. Be careful how you leave trails, roads and parking lots. Excitement of seeing or shooting game can lead you down the path of becoming lost.

6) Hunt with in the legal season dates and times for the animimal you want to pursue.

7) Carry a knife and if possible some information on how to clean the game you are after. Best to remove entrails and cool game down (easy right now). Final cleaning can be done at home. Follow DNR regs on proper transportation of dead game.

Extra: Find a friend who hunts and tag along with them. Many fine points to finding game and understanding the regualtions.

[tom_w]

That's the plan so far. The regs stuff is easy. I need the gun, classes and practice now! Thanks brittman.

[Bear55]

See if you can get your deer hunting friend to join you on a small game hunt. It will be more fun hunting with a friends and I'm sure they would be able to show you a few tips.

[tom_w]

Yeah, I am going to find someone. No way I'll wander into the woods somewhere and just start shooting rifle. I am a city boy.

Any rabbit hunters on here want an apprentice? I can barter hand-made fishing lures...

[tom_w]

I went out to the garage tonight and saw a rabbit. I felt compelled to kill it and eat it.

[BoxMN]

Haha Tom! That a boy

For rifle, might I suggest a Ruger 10/22, or a Remington semi auto that might be a little cheaper - but not much. The Ruger is a good solid .22 that's been around for a long time, easy to use, easy to clean, and has many accessories and about every person who has ever hunted has shot one

Or cheaper yet route is a used Springfield semi auto .22, I bet you could find for about $50-$100 used and they are good solid rifles, just a bit older. I have both Ruger 10/22's and Springfields, and some Remington pumps and semi autos, and I can recommend any of them, but Ruger 10/22 would be my preference for all around.

One thing I would mention, is that cleaning a bird is easier than a mammal, and possibly a better option for a "first". But possibly harder to find than squirrels or rabbits.

Good luck into your new adventure, I think you will love it and the comraderie you will find with fellow hunters. Enjoy the experience!

[fishhawk1750]

Remember it is tradition to drink the blood of your first kill. Is rabbit blood good?

[Dave S]

You could always go back several centuries in time and try using a blow gun and darts Or you could do like Jared Allen from the Vikes and use a spear.

[T&KK]

Never mind weapons, how about jedi mind tricks! ha, seriously, though, you'll never go wrong looking for squirrel. The best time for now through the end of the season is right after a snow fall when the sun is out and its a mild day. The creatures come out of their dens just itching to run around. There are minimal tracks so its easy to see who or what is running around.

If you walk around for a bit and don't find a squirrel, try hunkering down at the base of an oak tree for a half hour. I guarantee a squirrel will come out to play. I did this once and was chewing on a pistacio and threw the shell a way from me. All of a sudden a squirrel sprinted to the shell to see what it was! Bad move on his part! You can get some very fun times in the woods and see a lot of very cool things.

[Fins-n-feathers]

Hey all,

I have been an angler all my life but not a hunter. I had a deer hunter friend agree to take me hunting last fall if I got all set up, but I got busy at work and never did it. I got the bug to hunt though and now I am thinking that in preparation for next year when I go deer hunting, I should get a small gun and learn to kill, butcher and devour SOMETHING.

Any suggestions? Squirrel?

Any input appreciated.

I have always had fun hunting snowshoes in the winter. As for a gun, I would suggest a 20 gauge Remington 870. Whatever you do, have fun!

[CaptainBly]

I would say rabbits or squirrels, there are plenty of them. I have a couple rabbits in the back yard. They sure like to prune the bushes. I've been debating to put on the snow camo and sit and wait with the bow. Don't think the neighbors would like a gun gong off.

[Phred52]

tom_w, With your desire to 'kill', I'm more than a little concerned that you've maybe spent too much time on the "group 'W' bench". It almost sounds like you have an obsession to see dead, burnt, bodies..for no other means than your own gratification. Actually, most of the 'true' hunters started as hand-made bow hunters, graduated to trappers and then to BB gun mouse and rat shooters. That should tell you if you want to persue the sport. Good luck with your decision, LET US KNOW! Phred52

[Surface Tension]

Nail down the firearm safety class. Get yourself a bolt action .22 rifle and do some target shooting. Using what you learned in class to be safe and get in the habit of shooting safely. Come time to hunt being safe and staying safe should have become habit.

Learn how to clean a rabbit and head for the woods. The .22 is a perfect rabbit getter.

[SkunkedAgain]

ST - I noticed that you changed the title of this thread. However, the original post is still concerning. TomW - You may be 34, about the same age as me, but you sound like a 17 year old hell-bent on destruction.

Wanting to learn how to hunt is one thing, and many of the fine folks on this forum have given you some good advice. However, you titled this "I Want To Kill!" and have made a bunch of crazy statements about seeing a rabbit in the yard and wanting to kill it.

You might learn how to hunt but you've got a long way to go in the appreciation of nature category. I'm no hippy tree-hugger, but certainly feel that you need to respect the thing you hunt whether its fish, rabbits, or big game. Yapping about wanting to kill is trailer trash talk.