Here is a very brief intro to hunting. This is part of the Bow Hunting Basics guide and will help you learn some of the basics you need to be aware of for your own hunting endeavors.
Hunting has been around for a very long time. The very first reasons for hunting were for food. Not much has changed over the course of history. Hunting has also developed into animal management and trophy hunting. The experience of hunting your own food is challenging and rewarding and very difficult to put into words.
Hunting is regulated
In modern times hunting is a regulated activity. Proper management of animals makes sure that there are enough animals to survive and thrive. Governments regulate animals to provide for the environment and protect people from over population. There are rules and laws governing every single type of animal and these laws also cover when and where hunting is allowed. The rules change for every animal, state, and county. This can make it a little confusing when you first get started learning about hunting.
Where can you hunt?
If you are in USA, there are so many great places to go and hunt different kinds of animals. You can hunt on some public lands and also on private land. You normally are not allowed to hunt in or very near to a city. The rules can also change based on what you are hunting and what you’re shooting with. Most people, if you don’t live in the middle of a huge city, can find a place to hunt within 1-3 hours drive away.
When you are looking for a place to hunt, you will probably be looking for either a hunting lease or land to own. As long as your land is big enough and in the right location, you can hunt on your own land. A hunting lease is getting the rights to access some land and hunt on it. You can also use an outfitter or guide to take you hunting and help you out. These are just some options you should know about.
What can you hunt?
There is a long list of animals that you can and can not hunt. The most popular animals for hunting are white tail deer. There are several other ones such as elk, bear, moose, and mountain goat that are also great for hunting. There are animals that are considered pests or nuisances and can be hunted all year around such as feral hogs and rabbits. Then there is a list of animals that can not be hunted at all. This is nowhere near all inclusive, but should give you an idea to get started.
Ethical hunting
Believe it or not, ethics plays a large role in hunting. It’s important to know your skill level and limits and to not act outside of them. If you can not cleanly make the shot, then don’t take it. If you take the shot, you must make every effort possible to recover the animal. You must be a good steward of the land and animals or else they will disappear.
Hunting Safety
Hunting can be fun, but if you get shot by another hunter, that’s a totally different story. Make sure that you know how to properly and safely use your equipment. You also need to be aware of what or who may be in the area you are hunting. Don’t forget that if you don’t know what you’re looking at, then you do not shoot it. It could be another hunter in camouflage. Taking some basic and common sense safety precautions will let you have more fun for a long time.
I love hunting and I want to be able to enjoy it for years to come. I also want you to be able to do the same. I hope this brief intro to hunting helps you to see what kind of things you need to know for getting started in hunting.