Hey Jack, I would love to hear a podcast on trapping. Trapping can be used for obtaining a food source or predator management. Currently I’m trapping coyotes and fox in my hunting property in order to bring back game birds to the land. Before I can stock the land I have to smash the predator population. I think it’s a great skill for any prepper to have and it’s becoming a lost art IMO.

The deer are just starting to come back around my place (had a neighbor who would shoot anything that came on her property, in season or out) and have seen at least 1 buck and about 4 does regularly. But turkey’s are what seem to be everywhere, as a matter of fact just yesterday evening I had 20+ wild turkeys in my driveway. Of course it could be my 3 domestic Toms that are calling them in.

I am a woman in the same boat as the original questioner. I want to learn to hunt, but I don’t know anyone who does hunt. I inquired at my local gun range, and it turns out that there is a hunting club in my area that does a turkey hunt and a deer hunt each year for people who want to learn how to hunt. They pair you up with an experienced mentor and even supply the gun. There is a day at a range before the hunt for a safety overview and to get familiar with the gun. It’s pretty inexpensive – only $50, or $25 if you’re a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Sometimes it pays to ask around – I had no idea things like this exist :). Looking forward to my first deer hunt this fall!

I’ve been a hunter education instructor for more than 20 years and my recommendation for any new hunter is to check with your state division of wildlife or its equivalent. Nearly all states now require a hunter education class for new hunters. These classes cover everything from hunting implements and safety aspects of hunting, to seasons, game available in your state, and your hunting regulations. These classes can also be a good place to meet other hunters, from the instructors to parents and grandparents of the younger students.
One of the things we touch on in our classes is basically what Jack was discussing; dealing with the additional education required for a specific species and understanding the game animals habits and habitat. We always tell our students, that although the class we teach allows them to get their first license; their real education is just beginning.
As for the types of hunting implements, you’ll need also to find out what can be used to hunt which critter in your state. Here in Ohio we cannot use rifle for deer (except muzzleloaders); however, we may use shotgun (with slug), handguns (with certain minimum characteristics), Bows and Crossbows. Sunday hunting is permitted, which gives the archery hunter more than 4 months of deer season.
To sum up Jacks excellent podcast, it’s called hunting, and not shopping, for a very good reason.

Its really not that hard. Just do it. I started hunting venison exclusively for the first time in my life this fall with no family ever hunting or assitance from anyone. I chose bow hunting which is considered more difficult then gun hunting. I hadn’t shot a bow in 30 years with the last time as a bow scout a just a few times when I was 10 yrs old.
What i did do was research. I read 6 books on the topic related to using a bow and hunting with a bow. I practiced using a tree stand in my yard before the season and shooting my bow almost daily a few months before the season.
So after my first season and no guidance except from youtube and books how did it go? I have four deer in the freezer and passed on a few smaller ones few thru the season. Oh did I say I have two kids and typically hunted in the mornings before work from 6-8am.
Lesson, forget asking for input and just do your homework, practice and get too it. My first months were slow as I was learning with nothing to show. Next came the deer grunts when I got busted a bunch of times. Then success.
Just do it!