Recruitment vs. Retention - Hunting vs. Shooting

[TStorm]

MB mentioned retention over recruitment on hunting and shooting sports on this week's podcast.  I realize his focus went instantly to action pistol shooting, but he also stated that recruitment was focussed on "young people."

I became "renewed" to shooting and began participating in IDPA about two years ago at 40.   Last year, I added 'hunting' to my fishing license "just in case" I had the opportunity to shlep along with gun club members, coworkers, etc.  (One less thing to do if I found a way to get my foot in the door.)

Anyone have suggestions on how someone who does not have normal ties to hunting (family, die-hard friends) can get experience?

[Hazcat]

MB mentioned retention over recruitment on hunting and shooting sports on this week's podcast.  I realize his focus went instantly to action pistol shooting, but he also stated that recruitment was focussed on "young people."

I became "renewed" to shooting and began participating in IDPA about two years ago at 40.   Last year, I added 'hunting' to my fishing license "just in case" I had the opportunity to shlep along with gun club members, coworkers, etc.  (One less thing to do if I found a way to get my foot in the door.)

Anyone have suggestions on how someone who does not have normal ties to hunting (family, die-hard friends) can get experience?

Tstorm,

Good luck on finding a hunter that will actually help.  I have been looking for two years including the huting club at my gun club.  They might give you (vague) pointers on 'how to' but as far as taking you out, forget it.

They don't want you hunting in 'their area' (even if it is public land).  Here in FL you need to be a Philadelphia lawyer to figure out when and where to hunt what.

Maybe SC regs are easier to figure out.

If your wondering about skinning, gutting and butchering here is a place you can get a GREAT DVD on that for about $15.00

https://secure.kentucky.gov/Mall/Store/7803440a42df458c815d9db55890b738/Home/9ed1752ec2f5417282de7dd895c43227/

"Deer processing field to freezer" is super easy to watch and learn.

[Majer]

Something to think about would be taking a Hunter Safety course. I was an Instructor for about 15 years and we covered more than the safety issues. We had speakers come in and talk about Turkey hunting, Had Deer Search ( A group of Dog handlers who would help you track and find your wounded deer for free) We also had instruction on beginning reloading of Shotshells. There are some "Hunter Mentoring" programs around as well, I think the NRA had some, Maybe check with them. Hope this helps

[m25operator]

Tstorm, believe me it is hard to find a GOOD place to hunt, but if you want to hunt small game, rabbits, squirrels and such, go talk to local farmers, if your a member of the NRA, you can show them you have 10,000 bucks worth of insurance, and ask if they would like you to share the game with them. Maybe they need some predator control, coyotes, or hogs. At least hogs can be good eating. When it comes to large game like Deer, the market is vicious, and you need to do a lot of homework, friends, family, internet sites that specialize in that type of thing, public land hunting may be available, but it is definitely harder hunting,, than a piece of land, you can become to know, and build on if the landowner will let you.  My last deer lease increased 100% and my hunting partner bought a new house and was out.. I love to hunt, but 2,000 bucks apiece is beyond my comfort level, even though our lease allowed me to harvest a net 151, and 145 B&C buck in a fair chase environment..

If you've got the itch, find a way to scratch it, hunting in a good situation takes work, so just put it in your mind, this is what I want to do, and pursue it, and don't let yourself get caught up in trophies, just meat hunting and the experience. In our state there are a lot of day leases, hunt for 2-4 days for x amount per day, but most of these are dry holes.

Best of luck.

[tombogan03884]

Learn about what you want to hunt, What are that critters habits, what does it feed on,when does it move, what does it look like, (We have Masshole hunters come up here who can't tell a deer from a cow.) Then spend the other eleven months of the year looking for where the critter is, where it's trails are look for shit and tracks.
Hunting is not some thing you do for 3 or 4 weeks during the season, hunting requires you to get out in the woods and be able to look at a piece of land and KNOW how the animal will see it.
Judging by the questions you are asking I do not think you will even SEE a game animal for 2 or 3 years, then it won't be in season, (that's life  ) The reason many hunters will not share tips with beginners is that they've spent a life time in the woods getting bit, stung, scratched , poison ivied etc. to gain their knowledge, They feel no obligation to teach some one who has put no effort into it.
You want experience ? Get your ass out in the woods, walk quietly, sit for hours, with out moving, Listen, and HEAR, look, and see.
There is no clue to your age hear so I will add this for the younger folks, If you are going to leave your cell phone on, or take an Ipod,Don't waste real hunters time by asking for advice.

[Sponsor]

[Hazcat]

Hey Tom,

Ever ask anybody for advice, tips, etc on how to shoot or how to....

Yeah, I thought so.

Most hunters are close minded jerks.  They cry about how there are less and less hunters then pull the attitude you just espoused.

[tombogan03884]

Hey Tom,

Ever ask anybody for advice, tips, etc on how to shoot or how to....

Yeah, I thought so.

Most hunters are close minded jerks.  They cry about how there are less and less hunters then pull the attitude you just espoused.

Don't take me wrong, I don't hunt because I don't want to have to tote the damn animal out of the boonies through the same sh!t I had to chase it through in the first place.
The attitude I "espoused" isn't exactly mine, but that of folks I know who DO hunt.
I will stand by the statement that the only way to get experience is to get out there without the external inputs, (Ipod, cell phone, etc.) listen, observe, and EXPERIENCE.
Actually I thought it was some pretty good advice     

[Hazcat]

Tom,

Didn't mean to jump down your throat but here is the 'attitude' I was talking about.

The reason many hunters will not share tips with beginners is that they've spent a life time in the woods getting bit, stung, scratched , poison ivied etc. to gain their knowledge, They feel no obligation to teach some one who has put no effort into it.

Teaching is about passing on your experience to others.  If we all felt this way each generation would have to find fire and invent the wheel.

Well many of us didn't spend that life time or are simply from somewhere else with different laws and different terrain and seasons.  I am from PA now in FL, they are completely different.  In PA ya get a license and head for the woods.  There is a lot of it and many places to hunt.  Not a real hard thing to do or learn.  In FL it is confusing as all get out.  Yes I have taken the hunter safety courses and yes I have talked to wardens.  Even they are confused!

[PegLeg45]

Haz & Tom, you both have valid points.....

I think it all depends on the hunter being asked (and how) and the person asking for help and where you are in the country.

I taught my boys to be good hunters...I also first taught them to be good sportsmen.

For example, my younger son is the perfect example of the 'worker' that Tom mentioned earlier.
He is the quintessential 'outdoorsman', and at only 18, has probably more time in the woods than I did at 20. He stays in the woods year-round and starts prep work for deer season months in advance. He cuts shooting lanes in thick brush and monitors trails with game cameras and scouts for miles. His work pays off as he takes several nice deer each year. But, when season rolls around, he's always the first to invite a friend or take someone else to one of his stands if that person doesn't have a place of their own to hunt (even at the risk of having one of 'his' trophies 'shot out from under' him).

I know a lot of hunters like Haz mentioned too, but not all hunters are jackasses (might be the area you live in).
You just have to ask around enough to find the right one.
Don't give up.

Haz, come on up...we'll hook you up......

[ericire12]

TStorm-

Here is a list of public hunting areas in SC:

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/index.html

Its a place to start, and a way to get hunting if you cant find a friend or a family member that is a hunter that will take you out into the woods.


Here is the SC DNR page with all of the rules and regulations for SC:

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/hunting.html


Good luck. Its really tough to get started if you dont have a friend or a family member who already hunts, but there are ways to get into the sport and make some hunting buddies..... If you are really serious about it, it might be a wise investment to spend a couple of grand and join a hunting club for a year just to do some networking and meet some hunting buddies. But like I said (and as mentioned above), its tough to break that glass ceiling if you are a non hunter. The hardest part always does seem to be finding a good place to hunt, without breaking the bank with a lease.

Good luck