HUNTING starting from scratch

B

Blake hickman

New member
Hi this is BUD HICKMAN Im BLAKE HICKMAN aka (bandslayer) dad an we are trying to start up Blakes hunting dreams.
Im not a hunter an know very little but willing to learn an blake is doing his best to teach me the ropes.
we are looking to purchess a few guns and could use some info on makes an models that will help him further.
shotgun-crossbow-mussleloader is on his list. Also we are up for any hunts or any time he can shoot his gun.
we are excited to hear from all of LEE HARKER friends

Thank you
BUD-BLAKE
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Nice to hear from you.
I shoot mostly older guns so I'm not a lot of help on what models to look out for but I can give you a couple of my opinions on what to look for.

I'm not a fan of the 3 1/2" 12 ga guns that are pushed pretty heavily now days, especially for the young or those new to shooting. Too much of everything (cost, shells, recoil...) and it isn't needed. Something like the Berreta 3901 or whatever they are calling their 2 3/4"-3" semi auto now days looks good. The only 3 1/2" gun I have sort of liked is the Benelli Nova pump. It seems to be a tough workhorse of a gun.

With the muzzleloader it depends on what type you have your mind on. I remember Lee liked some of the old classic styled guns like the Lyman Great Plains Rifle or the TC Hawkins. Either of those are good choices but can be heavy and probably aren't the best for beginners. There is a lot to be said for the inline muzzleloaders if it is just for extending the season or so you don't have to shoot a slug gun. I know you don't want the el cheapo ones of those but can't point you to a brand beyond that.

Can't help with the crossbow. If the time is available to practice find a nice used recurve or long bow too.

Good luck and keep in touch with the board,
Tim
 
Hi Bud and Blake

Saw your email come through the other day, sorry, haven't had time to catch up on responding to a backlog of communication. Glad you found your way here.

Best
Chuck
 
Best of luck to you, Bud. I'm sure the two of you will have fun "learning the ropes". As for shotguns, I used to own a semi-automatic, but found that living in the desert with lots of sand blowing about, that they jammed up too much. I much prefer my Nova pump made by Benelli. Tim said it right when mentioning----Workhorse. The thing I also like about it is the ability to use different length shells. For ducks I only shoot 2 3/4 inch shells and most of them are 7 shot Dove loads. Once in a great while I will see some geese and then I can use 3 inch shells. I love calling ducks into my spread of decoys and waiting for them to stretch out those feet just before landing. Makes for some exciting times. I think another part of duck hunting that is just as much fun, is to watch my labs go to work retrieving those birds. Try hard not to be a sky buster.
Al
 
Great to hear from y'all!

In regards to shotguns, I have a Berretta 390 I bought from Walmart (Dicks may have them know too). Its an inexpensive semi that has never let me down. Take a look at those.

In regards to crossbows, no clue!

Muzzleloaders: I like old fashioned side locks myself. But I havent owned or shot one in 15+ years.

Good luck and feel free to ask us lots of questions!
 
A great gun you can't go wrong with is Remington 870 pump. Great shooting gun, been around forever, plenty of them on the used market and a gun that will maintain it's value should you decide to upgrade at some time to a semi auto shooter.

Decoys - check Craigslist. There are decoys on there all the time people are trying to get rid of.

Boats - don't know where you live or what kind of hunting you plan on doing so no help there.

Clothes/waders - get the best you can buy - you won't regret it as good clothing will save many days of frustration in the field. If you hunt cold weather, good gloves are a requirement. My preference is rag wool/thinsulate gloves but I'm in the minority here.

Calls - you don't need a $150-200 duck call. Look for a good Primos/Olt or others around $25. Good starting point to learn how to blow a call. Lots of instructional CD's on how to blow a call. I like the one by Keith Allen of Pure Duck duck calls personally.

Got to have cool shades. You just aren't a duck hunter without the cool shades.

The list is endless. Good luck on the addiction as it will soon become one.

Mark W
 
When it comes to equipment from gear to guns. Start out with the best the best you can afford. If you are trying to outfit yoursel plus a child or grandchild then it makes deciding even tougher. I have a son and trying to buy everything needed for him and I can be tough, especially on a limited budget. I have been fortunate to have friends pass on different items to at least get us in the game. Always remember everyone has an opinion an we all know what they are like. The best way I have found to educate myself on different topics is to ask as many uestions from as many different people that you can. So u are doin right by posting here. There are some many great products out there that it can be hard to give you a starting point.
Decoys- ghg is a good place to start, reasonably priced and many styles to choose from. But I course everyone has their favorites.
Guns - this can be tougher yet. Mossberg, Remington, Benelli, Ithaca, etc... All are great guns.
Clothes- any brand that has gore tex or is waterproof.
Calls- there are so many out there. Finding a brand that works with how you blow is tricky. Have someone listen to you outdoors and critique.
Waders- don't skimp here . Nothing ruins a day like wet frozen feet.
Good luck to you.
 
I second everything Chris just mentioned, and have a few things to add. Please make safety your #1 priority, obviously you will have to take a hunter safety course to get your license, pay attention... it'd designed to save yours & others lives. Mistakes with guns can injure or kill, but there are other things to be aware of including thin ice, hypothermia, etc.

Also, always strive to be an ethical hunter, not only for yourself, but for all of us as well. Our sport and the firearms we use to some are controversial, dont give them any ammo to use against us. Follow all game laws, respect landowners and posted property and join the NRA to help protect our rights and Ducks Unlimited to help promote waterfowl conservation.

This is a great forum where a great deal can be learned, best of luck to you.
 
When looking for a shotgun, shop around and try different makes to find a gun that fits well and you can see strait ahead with both eyes open down the rib with your cheek tight to the stock. If you are not a two eyed shooter, now is the time to train with a BB gun until you can hit a target when shooting with both eyes open. Also, check which eye is your dominate eye by holding one arm out infront of you with one finger up. Close one eye and then the other. The eye that does not seem to show your finger move or stays in the same place is the dominate eye. If your right eye is dominate and you are right handed, or left eye and left handed, then train yourself to shoot with both eyes open.

.
 
Hey Bud and Blake,
I have owned lots of different guns, boats and gear thru the years. Had a big sale and sold much of it. Didn't need half of what I owned. I personally am a Remington shotgun fan. It is what I grew up on and what I shoot well. I have been thru the 3.5" 12 and 10 ga fads. I shoot a 3" Remington 12 ga 870 with plastic stock and forearm with rem-chokes. You can buy a new one on sale for 249.00. Easy to get extra barrels for deer hunting. I shoot plenty of 2.75" duck loads in #2,3,4 shot. My favorite loads are 3" 1.25 ounce #2 for ducks and BB's for geese. You can buy a case of Federals from Rogers delivered for 100.00. I am not a Mossberg shooter but I am a fan of their guns. A model 500 3" 12 ga with choke tubes is another work horse gun. Just see what fits you best. About the same price as a cheap Remington.

For calls a good old Haydels DR-85 is a good sounding easy to blow inexpensive call. I personally like the duck commander orignal wood call for about 30.00. For a goose call I still blow a Big River Long Honker that puts over 100 geese a year in the decoys at 10-25 yards. Flute calls are not the rage anymore but a flute sounds good and is easy to learn to blow. Why would I get rid of a call that has killed 1000's of geese. They sell for about 30.00. I have seen guys blowing them well an hour after they picked it up.

I really do not believe you need a big pile of decoys. I own lots and hunt a few. On the water I usually run 4-6 Goose floaters from early season till the end of regular season. I will throw 2-3 mallard decoys off to the side but the ducks usually land in the goose decoys. I like Big Foot goose decoys and G&H makes a good duck decoy. Not the cheapest decoys but not made in China either. You can buy a dozen Flambeau mallards for 29.00 or in that range. I very seldom put out a dozen decoys. I prefer a good location with a small decoy spread. If you are hunting wood ducks a half dozen will do. If you can't call build or buy a jerk rig if you are hunting calm sheltered water and need motion and ripples on the water. I even run goose decoys on a jerk rig with great success. A couple dark colored 5 gallon buckets to carry you calls, shells, lunch, etc. and to sit on are handy. Good luck.
 
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