I have always been willing to help new hunters get their start. My question in just how many and how much help? I have three new hunters wanting me to help them this year. One is a friend of my oldest son. Another is my wife's cousin husband from New Mexico. The other is my youngest sons girlfriend. I have several really good hunting spots all of which are on public land. It has taken me a life time of trial and error to find these areas that produce year after year. I have one spot that I have used in the past that has been productive. The stand has resulted in 4 first time deer kills for new hunters. This stand also produced opening day kills 12 years in a row. I have been very lucky as none of the hunters in the past have tried to move into areas I have taken them. This year I will have to go out and find new areas to hunt all three hunters. I have the spots now, but using them for me and my youngest son. I guess my question is how would you deal with 3 new hunters asking for help?
New hunters
- Thread starter Yell Co AR Hunter
- Start date
JimP
Administrator
I'd give them the vinegar instead of the sugar to start with, so to speak.
I have sat down at a table with some maps and gone over where deer and elk might travel and have let the new hunter make up their mind on where to go. I also let them know that the vast majority of hunters fail every year and that taking a animal is only a very small part of the equation. The only exception to my above rule is when the new or newer hunter draws a tag that takes a couple of years to draw or even luck. I did this a couple of years ago when a 12 year old girl called and asked me where to go to find a cow elk. I had met her at a shooting range a couple of years before and she said that she wanted a elk skin to cover her bed. Her problem was that her dad was not a hunter, he was a gun shooter but had never shot at a animal. We took her out and as luck would have it it had snowed the night before and we had fresh elk tracks right out of the truck. A hour later she had a cow elk laying on the ground and as she wanted she even did most of the processing of the meat, with a lot of instructions.
Other than that time I have never taken a new hunter right to a spot that I was pretty sure that they could shoot a animal. I let them learn as they go with a lot of discussions about the decisions that they make as far as where they want to hunt.
I have sat down at a table with some maps and gone over where deer and elk might travel and have let the new hunter make up their mind on where to go. I also let them know that the vast majority of hunters fail every year and that taking a animal is only a very small part of the equation. The only exception to my above rule is when the new or newer hunter draws a tag that takes a couple of years to draw or even luck. I did this a couple of years ago when a 12 year old girl called and asked me where to go to find a cow elk. I had met her at a shooting range a couple of years before and she said that she wanted a elk skin to cover her bed. Her problem was that her dad was not a hunter, he was a gun shooter but had never shot at a animal. We took her out and as luck would have it it had snowed the night before and we had fresh elk tracks right out of the truck. A hour later she had a cow elk laying on the ground and as she wanted she even did most of the processing of the meat, with a lot of instructions.
Other than that time I have never taken a new hunter right to a spot that I was pretty sure that they could shoot a animal. I let them learn as they go with a lot of discussions about the decisions that they make as far as where they want to hunt.
Bonecollector
Veteran member
I agree with Jim. Teaching and explaining does not equal 'honey holes'. Teach a person to fish.... (or hunt in this case)
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Depends on what a new hunter means. If they are truly new and have never hunted before, I won't do anything till until they pass or have a hunter safety card. I am pretty nervous with a person who has never hunted before. Hunters who have hunted small game or waterfowl, I am a lot more comfortable with them . Experienced big game hunters who are new to the area and pretty inexperienced ones, I am more comfortable with.
I really like JimP's approach. I have mentored several young people who wanted to hunt, but their parents and relatives didn't. It is really a wonderful experience to see them be successful. I remember all the time and years I spent with my son and a nephew teaching them the basics.
I really like JimP's approach. I have mentored several young people who wanted to hunt, but their parents and relatives didn't. It is really a wonderful experience to see them be successful. I remember all the time and years I spent with my son and a nephew teaching them the basics.
I was a volunteer hunter education instructor for 27 years until I gave it up a couple years ago. Hunter education is required for anyone born after 12/31/1968 here in Arkansas. I have certified thousands and mentored many young hunters over the years. I really like them to experience small game hunting first. Many of the young hunters in this area start off shooting a deer under a feeder or over a corn pile. I teach them how to locate deer sign and food source and hunt those areas. If you are hungry you eat the corn and hunt for meat.
Bonecollector
Veteran member
As you guys probably recall, I've taken a different newbie west the past several seasons. I try to teach them the basics, but many find out it's much tougher than they thought. Biggest obstacle is the 1,500 mi travel and off the grid living in usually rough conditions. Can't go home at night to recharge.
tim
Veteran member
Hilltop
Veteran member
I love to take new people. I haven't for a few years since I'm teaching my youngest the ropes right now. Prior to that, my approach has been to work with one person at a time. One gun, one hunter, 100% focus. Safety is always priority one and I feel it is much easier to be completely safe when I'm only working with one person. Doing this would also solve your problem of finding multiple locations. Just my 2 cents
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Just putting someone in position to kill isn't teaching, it is setting folks for unrealistic expectations. Showing them what to look for is a better way to teach - teaching them how to fish instead of handing them one...
That being said - I put my wife, stepson, and father in the best stands I have. Friends, i scout with and then determine what areas we want to tackle.
That being said - I put my wife, stepson, and father in the best stands I have. Friends, i scout with and then determine what areas we want to tackle.