First Timer

kidoggy

Veteran member
Apr 23, 2016
9,581
10,279
56
idaho
first ......welcome to the site.


my best advice......go some place that mule deer live.;):D
 
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Colorado Cowboy

Super Moderator
Jun 8, 2011
8,074
4,301
82
Dolores, Colorado
Everyone here has their own favorite states and favorite species they hunt. Browse the different states and get an sense of where and what you want to hunt.

My advice to a first timer would be Wyoming and antelope. Wyoming is pretty generous with tags, there is lots of public land and tags are not too expensive. Lots of antelope that are pretty easy to hunt and great table fare when you take care of the meat.

Just my take .
 
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JimP

Administrator
Mar 28, 2016
7,070
8,347
70
Gypsum, Co
What weapon?

Right now Wyoming and perhaps Montana and Idaho would be your cheapest route. Colorado, Utah, Arizona require you to purchase a license before you put in for the draws, in Utah you can still get two years out of that one license if you work it right.

Archery tags are easier to draw than any of the rifle/muzzle loader tags and there are units where you will wait for 20+ years to draw a tag.
 

Daubs

Active Member
Aug 5, 2016
424
74
Nebraska
Welcome to the site! Read up, watch YouTube videos, but be aware...them videos make hunting look a whole lot easier than it really is! I hunted public land here in NE for four years before I tagged a Muley.

Find a state and an area you feel comfortable with, tags you can purchase with minimal points, or over the counter. Get the right gear -- lots of lists on this site. Search and enjoy. Get the best gear you can afford...buy once, cry once.

Get boots on the ground. Log your hunts, make lots of notes of the area, things that worked, things you observed, hunters you talked to, etc.

Have fun, and post your questions and stories here. Great place to learn and share!
 

Bonecollector

Veteran member
Mar 9, 2014
5,852
3,656
Ohio
Daubs offers some great advice as do the others above. Additionally, there are some Eastman books available which can be a valuable resource as well.
 
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Daubs

Active Member
Aug 5, 2016
424
74
Nebraska
Don't forget about North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska for Mule Deer.

Note: I met two guys from Utah when hunting the Sandhills last fall...asked them why they drove all the way east...they were searching for whitetail deer...Nebraska was the closest drive for them : )

And my cousins, who ranch in the Sandhills, would rather tag a whitetail than a Mule deer.

To each their own...
 

Ikeepitcold

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 22, 2011
9,885
1,461
Reno Nv
Plan on a few trips. You will have a lot to learn. Pick a state that has OTC tags or tags you can get with 1 point this way you can pick a state you can hunt each year while your learning. Some states take years to draw and you want to have some time hunting in the west under your belt before you invest that kind of time and money.
Research! Like said above do as much as you can. You’ve already started by being here on the forum. Watch YouTube videos in the state you choose to hunt, ask lots of questions and take a look at Taghub.
Do some searches here on the forum. Join groups on social media sites that involve hunting in that state.
Welcome to the forum and good luck!