A few questions about Hunting

[WiseOwl]

Folks,

This is going to be my first year hunting. I have grown up around it but never went because A> Didn't want to get up and B> Could not afford all of the gear and bang bangs.....( I did kill a dinosaur with a butter knife one time but we will save that for another day). In the last 2 years I have became very interested and this being the first year I dont have to work weekends.

My question is this.....I am in GA and I want to hunt Deer, Turkey and Duck. Which licenses should I purchase? Also, do I need to take a hunters safety course? Any GA folks that are familiar with this would be much appreciated. I know some states are similar with their DNR rules.


Also, I do not own any of that fancy camo gear and/or deer stands, piss, duck calls, decoys, etc.
Now I have came up on deer and birds before hiking through the woods and a couple of times got within shooting distance. I was not wearing camo at those times.

I know it gets cold. I have a "wood colored" jacket and insulated pants that match. They are a dark khaki, almost like the color of dead leaves. When I winter time backpack, thats what I wear and it keeps me warm. Do I have to have all that real tree stuff? Or can I just find a good hiding spot (after scouting an area of course) and hang out from the wee hours til noon and maybe, just maybe get something? I have some BDU's but I dont want to look like Rambos cousin ManBo out there prancing around with my big knife. Also, I know I will have to get an orange vest correct? I will be hunting areas in Central GA.

As for guns, I have a Mossberg 500 with the 18.5 inch barrel. Is this sufficient enough to hunt deer and birds? I have slugs, 00 buck and 2 different kinds of bird shot, 7 and 7.5 I believe. I know some use rifles and some use those 26 inch barrel shotguns, but this is what I am working with and I know the basic concept is just Aim and Fire. Some guy I know said since I dont have a rifle I have 2 options, aim for the heart which I know is behind the front shoulder or just shoot it in the face since I dont care for mounting it unless I kill El Gigante. And as for the birds, I just put in bird shot and aim for the head correct?

If, and thats a big if, I happen to get lucky and knock something down, I will be with skilled people if I get my licenses and go. So they can teach me how to clean and the such.


Matt, I know this is your strong suit and I would love to hear your opinion as well as the rest of you. It would be great for someone hear from GA that has these licenses and knows what I need to go after. I have been on the DNR page and there is too many for me to chose from. And I cant afford that $55 all access pass because I wont be hunting that much.


Thanks in advance folks

Wise Owl

[Klayton]

Hey Wise Owl!!

Welcome to the party, hunting party that is, LOL...

Shotguns are capable of all 3 game you mentioned, slugs for deer (SHORT RANGE) dont be trying any 300yd shotgun slug shots :)
and of course switch over to bird shot for turkey and ducks (Matt has more experience as what size shot-as I just throw my Red-Tailed Hawk at the turkey and release the Peregrine Falcon if I want duck, hehe).

As for permits, just go down to your local ChinaMart err WallMart, the clerk that works that area will be able to tell you what permits you need for your state (mind you some states limit you to shotgun for deer in certain areas).

Next is Hunter Safety Course, I am thinking, yes I am forgetful, but you are in Matt and My age bracket right? You may be exempt from mandatory Hunter Safety Course, but if not, ChinaMart often has a NRA certified instructor who has reserved their employee break room for several weekend training sessions at a really fair and low price.

As for aiming, head shot for turkey and ducks (atleast thats the goal-minimizes the picking out of pellets from the meat), and front shoulder/heart/lung shot for deer (granted Grandpa and Dad always brag about their .22LR shot to the eye socket on a regular basis from a tree stand: BTW nowadays that is illegal in most states).

Hope that helps a little Wise Owl.

~Klayton

[Klayton]

Wait now that I think about it Wise Owl, I think the current boxes for shotgun ammunition actually show you a picture of preferred game for the shot in the box. Like Slugs it will have a pic of black bear, as well as deer. Look at the ammo boxes, may answer your question on what shot to use. :)

[WiseOwl]

Cool, I will check that out.

Thanks sir

I just found out anyone born after 1961 has to take the Safety Course in my state. And I wasn't an imaginary figment in my fathers 2 year old body in 61....lol. But I can take the test online, actually now in GA, you have to do everything online. I just took the "practice test" and aced it. Actually took 4 different variations and only missed 2 questions. I dont trust these folks at walmart further than I can throw them. When i asked for some .40 ammo once they looked at me crazy......

And you are a Falconeer as well? Now thats cool!...:)

[Klayton]

Got another post here somewhere with a pic of me and my RedTail, but I am not as good as others being able to search this forum :(

https://www.survivalandpreparednessf...ghlight=falcon

Enjoy!

[Boyd]

I own and shoot a Mossburg 500. This gun is one of my favorite shotguns. It is the AK of shotguns in my humble opinion. It is versatile, durable and always ready :) I have a rifled slug barrel with iron sights (heavy brush up here in Mich so no long shots in shotgun only zones..) and a 28" upland bird/trap barrel.

I've owned this gun for close on 20 years now and let me tell you... I've killed deer, rabbit, ducks, geese, turkeys, chipmunks and that one lil tweety bird who p'd me off and scared off the deer who was angling in for the perfect shot.. What load to use is almost as open as what gun/caliber to have for home defense. Heavy brush up close I use buckshot 00.... up to 50 yards I generally have slug/buckshot/slug/slug/slug loaded. I miss or cripple a running shot the buckshot knocks them down. Only had do it this way once as I generally don't take running shots.

Out here in Mich we have to use steel shot for Ducks and Geese. Stupid anti-lead policy the greenies have forced upon us. I hate having to replace my choke tubes on my trap barrel after duck/geese hunting but hey, it's only every few years right?!

For upland game birds (in michigan it's pheasant, grouse, quail etc) I use #7 or 7.5 lead shot with my trap barrel.

And....... that mossburg I shot daily... and CANUSA games '94-'97

[bushrat]

"And as for the birds, I just put in bird shot and aim for the head correct?"

Welcome to the hunting family! If you're wanting to do some bird hunting it's a little more involved than just point and shoot. I would like to suggest, if at all possible, to find someone that has a clay target thrower and put a few rounds down range on some "flying" targets. I think you will find that stance, follow through on your swing, and choke size are going to be important considerations. If you just put the front sight on the head of the bird and fire, I suspect you'll find the bird long gone before the shot pellets ever arrive at the target. Also, I would suggest shot sizes of #7 or #6 for grouse, pheasant, and quail, and at least #4 or #2 for ducks and geese. For upland birds, you might want to use a improved cylinder choke and for ducks and geese maybe consider a full choke.

Most states require at least a general hunting license, maybe a deer permit, and for waterfowl you will need a state and federal waterfowl stamp. Check with your local fish and game office. Hunting deer with a shotgun is fine, but I would suggest either a scope mounted, or open sights. Whatever you decide to hunt, be sure to practice with the gun and read everything you can on hunting wildlife. Hope this helps. Good hunting!

[Matt In Oklahoma]

( I did kill a dinosaur with a butter knife one time but we will save that for another day). huh, i thought you had to have a 308 to kill a dinasour from what i hear round hear

My question is this.....I am in GA and I want to hunt Deer, Turkey and Duck. Which licenses should I purchase? GA folks help him out
Also, do I need to take a hunters safety course? Most likely barely being able to see over the counter, still carrying a lunchbox and all:)
Also, I do not own any of that fancy camo gear and/or deer stands, piss, duck calls, decoys, etc. You dont need it, it enhances your hunt but there have been many a critter that fell without it

I know it gets cold. I have a "wood colored" jacket and insulated pants that match. They are a dark khaki, almost like the color of dead leaves.
Do I have to have all that real tree stuff? Nope, killed me a few deer in blue jeans and colored shirt, camo helps get closer, some anyway, some seems to make you stand out
Or can I just find a good hiding spot (after scouting an area of course) and hang out from the wee hours til noon and maybe, just maybe get something? scout find trails, bedding areas, food and water. ambush these areas except for the bedding area, leave that as a safe zone for them so you dont push them outta your hunting area until the last day them aroun 10am try and sneak in there and jump them if you still dont have one
I have some BDU's but I dont want to look like Rambos cousin ManBo out there prancing around with my big knife. Also, I know I will have to get an orange vest correct? I will be hunting areas in Central GA. check your laws on the vest, it's good to have because it gets real crowded with them real deer hunters, ya know them kind that come out once a yr get a whole 400 yds from the truck and shoot at sounds

As for guns, I have a Mossberg 500 with the 18.5 inch barrel. Is this sufficient enough to hunt deer and birds? killed my first deer with a moss500, the birds might be tough with that open choked barrel, might get away with quail but ducks n dove can be tough as your range will be limited with that open pattern
I have slugs, 00 buck and 2 different kinds of bird shot, 7 and 7.5 I believe.
Some guy I know said since I dont have a rifle I have 2 options, aim for the heart which I know is behind the front shoulder or just shoot it in the face since I dont care for mounting it unless I kill El Gigante. forget the head shots there Carlos your andrenaline will make you shake like a dog poopin a peach seed, learn the anatomy of the deer and if it's facing you there is a place where white meets brown usually depending on the species and thats the sweet spot to the lungs and heart, just behind the shoulder or on the shoulder for broadside, the shoulder shot will cause meat loss but the bone fragments make real good scondary projectiles for a quick kill, facing away it's called the texas heart shot, right up the behind,real messy and should be avoided
And as for the birds, I just put in bird shot and aim for the head correct? thats gonna take practice

If, and thats a big if, I happen to get lucky and knock something down, I will be with skilled people if I get my licenses and go. So they can teach me how to clean and the such.

Good luck Brother, no matter the kill enjoy the hunt

[trapper]

I would encourage you to take the hunter safety course in person and not on line ,you will learn a ton of stuff and can get all of your ?'s taken care of by someone from the class and of course firearms safety is also covered alot. happy hunting .

[Grantmeliberty]

Actually, subdued colors, like your brown work very well. The most important thing is that you not wash your hunting clothes in regular laundry detergent. There are brighteners in there as well as perfumes, and the brighteners are activated by UV light so that they will reradiate or glow when exposed to the UV which predominates around dusk or dawn. You are better off to use an ounce of dishwashing detergent which doesn't have the brighteners if you can't get the Sports wash product which is described at this link. http://www.atsko.com/products/uv-pro...-v-killer.html
The uv and brightener issue is much more important than the camo issue.

[CLT46910]

As far as bird hunting, Think of your shotgun as a water hose. You need to learn to lead the bird so that he will fly though your shot at the time he gets there.

Trying to aim for the head will always cause you to shoot behind the bird. It takes time to learn this and like mentioned before, shoot some trap for a while. That will help teach you to lead a bird somewhat. The rest of it is just experience.

When I use to hunt dove in West Texas, we would start out with about three boxes of shells at the beginning of the season for a days limit of 12 dove. By the end of the season we only had to take a single box of shells to take the same limit with plenty of shells left over. Most times...LOL

Pass shooting dove is some of the most fun you can have in bird hunting in my opinion. We had a lease between a huge sunflower field and a roosting/watering area. Great pass shooting most the day but really fast in the early mornings and late evenings.

Just enjoy the hunt and don't worry as much about your shooting. That will come with experience, just have a good time.

[WiseOwl]

Awesome replies yall. I appreciate it a ton.


I will take the advice of not washing my clothes in the washer, that is a great idea.

And I have shot clays before, pretty good at it...we even fill up milk jugs halfway with water and toss those as well.

I did find a place to go near me (20 miles) to apply, I dont know if they offer the Safety Course class but I will ask. Everything I saw on that test I already knew. I have been walking through the woods and "tracking" critters since I was a young child....just never cared to make dinner out of em......until now, I see that as weakness in my repertoire of skills and want to at least get my toes wet.

Matt, did I ever mention I had a G.I. Joe lunchpail.....:) I'm 29 but feel like I am 30....lol

[TyrannyUnleashed]

G.I. Joe lunchpail.....:) I'm 29 but feel like I am 30....lol

At your age... a G.I Joe lunch box! (if it was a full size G.I Joe) that would've been worth a pretty penny. I'm 47 and had one of the originals. But alas, my mom decided it needed to be thrown away...lol
If only....

[WiseOwl]

At your age... a G.I Joe lunch box! (if it was a full size G.I Joe) that would've been worth a pretty penny. I'm 47 and had one of the originals. But alas, my mom decided it needed to be thrown away...lol
If only....

Its funny you say that....I am actually watching the 80's GI Joe cartoon on the HUB channel...every night at 12:30, follows the 80's Transfomers cartoon....my wife thinks I am crazy...this is a huge piece of my childhood right here!

[Mjollnir]

I would encourage you to take the hunter safety course in person and not on line ,you will learn a ton of stuff and can get all of your ?'s taken care of by someone from the class and of course firearms safety is also covered alot. happy hunting .

I have to second this advice.