Advice For Young Hunters

[oscar]

I have been hunting pheasants for almost 60 years. I think I have learned a thing or two and would like to share. In my opinion, boots and clothes are the most important items. I wear Gore-Tex pants from LL Bean and waterproof boots from Cabelas. I can't begin to tell you how many times hunts were ruined or miserable, because my feet were wet or I was cold and wet.

Even if you have to borrow the money, get good clothing and boots that will keep you warm and dry. It does not have to be big name, it just has to work. Quality items will last you many years and make for great hunts.

It is nice to have a high dollar shotgun, but I would prefer to be warm and dry with an old Mossberg than cold and wet with a new Browning or Benelli. Work on the basics first and then move up in guns as you can.

 

[Shadow]

I'd say hunt- then decided if you need to buy expensive hunting gear-
Eastern Kansas- Locust trees and fallen branches of such will make even the best Goretex gear useless

here- the thorn bushes and goats heads will quickly make your Goretex/Dryplus pants leak real bad

young hunters- go out and endure- carry firestarter so you can build a fire and get warm and dry if you feel you can't survive the cold and wet- many hunts aren't in 70 degrees, dry, and sunny days- don't go out for more than an hour if you feel the time is harsh and you just can't take it

 

[FieldKing]

many moons ago some oldtimers I hunted with would take their overalls and buy a length of leather at the dime store, have some old mother hen in the neighborhood cut and sew it on the front of the legs for chaps, I know they make briar pants now but those old leather chaps took a beatin better than anything made today! Just a tip!!!

 

[SetterNut]

The most important thing that you need to do, is have some safey glasses and some hearing protection. Once those are gone, you don't get them back.

Staying dry is real important. Along with keeping hands and feet warm.

 

[Prairie Drifter]

Aw guys, come on! Young hunters, buy the best bird dog pup you can afford, train it as best you can, and follow it for the next 12 years. That dog will teach you how to hunt birds if you'll let it. The clothes and equipment will come. With a dog you'll find over 5X the number of birds you would without one and, you'll find a lot more cripples that would otherwise get away.

 

[Shadow]

Aw guys, come on! Young hunters, buy the best bird dog pup you can afford, train it as best you can, and follow it for the next 12 years. That dog will teach you how to hunt birds if you'll let it. The clothes and equipment will come. With a dog you'll find over 5X the number of birds you would without one and, you'll find a lot more cripples that would otherwise get away.

chuckling- how right you are
and even wet, cold, and a bit lost- you are happy to be out with your buddy

 

[oldandnew]

My hearing has been gone for years! Somebody should have said something about ear protection about 1972. Eye sight gets worse every year since about the 45th birthday. I buy really good boots, really good brush pants, shirts, gloves, shotguns, and of course dogs. The hearing loss thing in certain high frequencies is sort of an advantage with teen age girls in the house.

 

[koja48]

#1: Learn & adhere completely & consistently to the rules of firearms safety. A dog, clothes, boots, fine shotguns (these come in many forms & $$$$ aren't the leading characteristic) will come in due time. Love the experience, be a conservationist, and follow the rules. I started many years ago with hand-me-down clothes & boots, oft-times a borrowed gun, my Dad's dog (which wasn't exceptional by today's standards, but Duke found birds) or no dog, and a desire to isten, learn, and apply the lessons. It just got better over my 63-years.