Holly, Michgan New To Hunting

[Guest chuckyd157]

Well, the title about sums it up. Just purchased my first shotgun about two months ago, and I love it. I've been to the shooting range a few times and had a blast in both target and skeet. This past weekend I decided to put my new found knowledge (mostly found in books and on the web) to the test and went stalking for rabbits. Although just the relaxation and serenity were well worth it, I had no luck in my stalking. I only saw two rabbits; one w inside a safty zone and the other was saved by the safty on my gun. Any pointers for a new hunter? Or even better, if anyone is local and wouldn't mind showing the new guy around, I am very eagar to learn. I am hoping that I will be ready come november for deer season.

[Guest bullterrier]

:welcomeani: mate hope you enjoy the site mate ...john

[mad al 146]

Howdy and welcome ......................Al

[Guest Macnas]

Chuck

 

Take your time, and never mind racing to be proficient by November. Get into the field a bit more and have some fun, most of us here who would have grown up with hunting started with nothing more deadly than a stick.

[BULLRUNNER 7]

Well, the title about sums it up. Just purchased my first shotgun about two months ago, and I love it. I've been to the shooting range a few times and had a blast in both target and skeet. This past weekend I decided to put my new found knowledge (mostly found in books and on the web) to the test and went stalking for rabbits. Although just the relaxation and serenity were well worth it, I had no luck in my stalking. I only saw two rabbits; one w inside a safty zone and the other was saved by the safty on my gun. Any pointers for a new hunter? Or even better, if anyone is local and wouldn't mind showing the new guy around, I am very eagar to learn. I am hoping that I will be ready come november for deer season.

Welcome to the group Chuck, try and approach the rabbits from downwind and be as quiet as possible,no loose change etc in your pockets.Also no stong aftershaves/deoderants on as this will give you away,but don't be going out hunting stinking of BO either as this will have the same effect :sick: Your clothing is important too you dont want to be wearing anything noisey like certain waterproof materials that make alot of noise as you move about. Hope these few pointers helps mate in your quest for bunnies

[martin 332]

Hi mate,in the US you have the options on loads more kit than we are in th UK,so,get yourself some good cammo gear that is an odour retainer,and is also soft material(rustle free)and work on your fieldcraft.By the way you are not thinking of shooting deer woth a shotgun are you?? ...............welcome by the way....................Martin.

[bshadle 5]

Kate's right about here in the US Chucky. Get in with someone running beagles for rabbits and you'll get more game than you thought possible. Stalking them is fun, but I've found it best saved for cold mornings late in the season, preferably with a little snow on the ground. Don't know Michigan game laws for certain, but here in Pa. "lamping" them will definitely be very expensive.

 

Martin - A lot of places here, especially close to larger cities, require using a shotgun instead of a high power rifle. Loaded with rifled slugs or especially the newer sabotted slugs, a shotgun can be deadly on deer well past 100 yds. When I was younger and money was tighter, many a man owned one 12 ga shotgun and used it to hunt everything by using different loads. A lot of youngsters took their first deer with what we then called "punkin balls" out of a single shot shotgun.