First time Hunter looking to Hunt

[DLyons]

Hello everyone,

 

I'm a 25 year old grad student. My father's always hunted, but never invited me along. I have my safety certificates, and am very interested in doing my first few hunting trips this season.

 

This is my first post in this forum, so hopefully it's the right place. I've been target practicing with my PSE Stinger 3G bow for a while now, and I can't find anyone in my area whose interested in hunting, surprisingly.

 

If someone would be willing to take me a long to go hunt, I'd be really appreciative of such an experience. I'm up for anything, and eager to learn.

 

 

[oblivitar]

What area are you from ?

[DLyons]

Broome County. I have parents that live in Nassau County. So I'm pretty versatile.

[Elmo]

Welcome to the forum.  I think you found the right place.

 

Your dad doesn't hunt anymore?

[shawnhu]

Broome to Nassau is quite a trip.

X-Calibur Lighting Systems

http://facebook.com/XCaliburLightingSystems

[PREDATE]

Going to BU?

 I'm in the area, but I'm busy mentoring another new hunter. 

You hear about the homicide in Bing on Friday? Kinda freaky that I was working only 80 yards from that place just a few hours before it happened.

[DLyons]

Welcome to the forum.  I think you found the right place.

 

Your dad doesn't hunt anymore?

He's what I would consider an inactive hunter. I've attempted to stimulate his interest in hunting with me to no avail. He only ever helped me to get my safety certificates. After that, he hasn't been proactive since, and this was over 7 years ago. Since then, I've purchased my own bow and arrow and now have some time to make it happen.

 

Broome to Nassau is quite a trip.

X-Calibur Lighting Systems

http://facebook.com/XCaliburLightingSystems

I suspect that wherever I go to hunt is going to be quite a trip.

 

Going to BU?

 I'm in the area, but I'm busy mentoring another new hunter. 

You hear about the homicide in Bing on Friday? Kinda freaky that I was working only 80 yards from that place just a few hours before it happened.

Yes! There was a homicide here? Didn't hear anything about it. Then again, I don't watch local news. What exactly does mentoring another new hunter entail? I've been thinking about going on a hike into a forest with some equipment and getting lucky after finding a post in some remote area.

[Nomad]

I wish you the best of luck.i have taken new hunters before, but you're quite a ways away.

I also hunt mostly week days.

Can you check around campus for outdoor clubs? may hold some hunters.

I'd think that would be your best bet.

[shawnhu]

If you're ever down by Westchester, stop by Blue Mountain Sports Center and we could do some shooting together.

X-Calibur Lighting Systems

http://facebook.com/XCaliburLightingSystems

[PREDATE]

There is plenty decent hunting right around here. Your plan to hike into a forest is a good Idea. If you go on the NYSDEC website you can go the statelands interactive viewer. From there you'll just have to pick one. Print out a map of it then drive around it and try to find a section that is away from trails and parking areas. People hike, walk dogs, Etc on the trails so if you find a quiet section then explore it and familiarize yourself with the terrain. This is where you start scouting. Looking for heavily used game trails, spots where deer bed down, rubs on trees, scrapes on the ground,Etc. Another important factor is wind direction, the deer will smell you if they get downwind of you. Try your best to keep the wind in your face. This time of the season the deer are still focused on bulking up for the upcoming breeding season(rut), so areas with oak trees will be an indicator of acorns. There are many other food sources that you should learn about and note too, oh yeah did I mention that keeping a notebook will help! lol 

 I've gotten a friend of mine interested in firearm hunting. I'm mentoring him on tactics, equipment, deer behavior, and most importantly, safety. I have not been out yet with my bow yet this season and will probably wait at least another week before I do. 

 Good luck to you and ask questions, we will gladly give our input.