Finding mentorship for learning to hunt as an adult

458 Views 10 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Nomadfunguy, 15 d ago

somethingelse

Discussion Starter · 18 d ago

Over the last few months I've been spending a lot of time doing target/clay shooting. I love spending time outside, I'm reasonably fit, and I'm interested in dedicating the time to learn to hunt within the next 6-12 months. I've previously held a hunting license in another state, but never got into it since I didn't know where to from a practical standpoint.

I assume most folks learn from their family, but mine was never into hunting. (We only did saltwater fishing and crabbing)

I'm 34, pretty fit, willing to haul gear, and mostly wanting the experience of a hands-on "watch-and-learn" that it seems a lot of folks got in their youth. My goal for this year is to be comfortable hunting, cleaning, and cooking upland game and waterfowl.

I'm looking to hear what others have done in similar situations. Do folks know of good community organizations for meeting potential friends/mentors as an adult?

Any other recommendations on where to start?

Save

Reactions: 1

1 - 11 of 11 Posts

twinkielk15

· #2 · 17 d ago

I was in a similar situation and it's not easy. Most folks are willing to share general tips and tricks, but I find when it comes to getting out together, most people already have their little groups or have decided they prefer to hunt alone. Forums are not a great place for it because you can't really build any trust without a face and some personal interaction. If you have a dog, I would steer you toward groups like NAVHDA or NSTRA where you can really interact with people and make some friends. If you don't, you could join the Utah Chukar and Wildlife Foundation, Pheasants Forever, etc. Anything that has an annual banquet or something similar where you can interact in person.

As for my personal experience, I asked a lot of questions and got a lot of help on this forum and a few others. I joined a few organizations and met a few guys. I also realized that I am a loner. I like to hunt with one good friend and I look forward to hunting with my kids, but I value the time alone in the mountains. That meant a lot of time just walking around in likely habitat and years of trial and error before I really found much of anything. It's been fifteen years and I'm still very much in the learning process. Slow going by yourself. I am no help with waterfowl, but I'd be happy to share what little I know of upland any time.

Welcome to the forum and good luck!

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 3

Nomadfunguy

· #3 · 17 d ago

Good Morning, SE. For what it's worth, we are in a similar situation. Took my UT Hunter's Ed two years ago at 32 and have been primarily self-teaching in the academy of trial-and-error since. I come from a lineage of Italian immigrants in NJ, so hunting wasn't exactly part of our culture. That said I have a buddy with dogs I hunt Chukars with. I'm certain he would welcome the company in that realm and if you just want to get out scouting, I try to do something at least weekly. Welcome, and good luck!

Save

Reactions: 2

jewbacca

· #4 · 17 d ago

Hey, I'm a fellow adult-onset hunter. Sounds like a somewhat similar background to you. My dad is a fisherman, so I grew up in the outdoors with a pole in my hand. While I feel totally confident walking up to any trout stream, hunting has been a different experience. The learning curve is steep, and without the family influence, it's really hard to know where to start.

My recommendation is to figure out the species you're most interested in hunting and dive right in. Don't worry about taking baby steps with other species. If upland game/waterfowl is your primary interest, then that's great. Which species of game do you want to hunt? Start learning about that species, their behavior and habitat, and techniques that other hunters use.

Youtube and podcasts can be a pretty good resource, but there's a ton of content. Find someone who focuses on your desired hunting and absorb what you can.

Find books on your target species. Library or Amazon or whatever.

And nothing beats getting out and doing it.

The Utah Hunt Planner is a great resource as well. The "Land Ownership" layer has helped me time and again for planning hunts.

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 2

somethingelse

Discussion Starter · #5 · 17 d ago

Nomadfunguy said:
Good Morning, SE. For what it's worth, we are in a similar situation. Took my UT Hunter's Ed two years ago at 32 and have been primarily self-teaching in the academy of trial-and-error since. I come from a lineage of Italian immigrants in NJ, so hunting wasn't exactly part of our culture. That said I have a buddy with dogs I hunt Chukars with. I'm certain he would welcome the company in that realm and if you just want to get out scouting, I try to do something at least weekly. Welcome, and good luck!

Where are you guys based outta and what regions are ya scoping out? (If you're close enough, it would be awesome to join for some outings)

I'm based in SLC and I've done a bunch of exploring around Faust and Skull Valley to search for jackrabbit habitat.

Save

Nomadfunguy

· #6 · 17 d ago

somethingelse said:
Where are you guys based outta and what regions are ya scoping out? (If you're close enough, it would be awesome to join for some outings)

I'm based in SLC and I've done a bunch of exploring around Faust and Skull Valley to search for jackrabbit habitat.

I'm in Holladay, so quite close. For chukars, we have a couple of spots near Eagle Mountain and Herriman that we like to hit. I've spent a good deal of time in the woods throughout the state and enjoy both the windshield time and unfamiliar territory. Recently though, my focus has been almost exclusively on the Wasatch as that's where I'm applying for tags. Feel free to shoot me a message if you want to link up sometime this summer or fall.

Save

Reactions: 1

Clarq

· #7 · 17 d ago

At the end of the day, it comes down to building connections. Find a place where you can get to know people on a personal level, express some interest in going hunting with them and see where it goes. Conservation organizations and places like the UWN are good bets, but it can happen anywhere. I've honestly met more hunting buddies at church than anywhere else.

Feel free to message any time. I'm happy to answer questions about regulations and application processes and get familiar with available resources and perhaps plan a trip as the season approaches.

Good luck.

Save

Reactions: 1

Bax*

· #8 · 17 d ago

twinkielk15 said:
but I find when it comes to getting out together, most people already have their little groups or have decided they prefer to hunt alone.

This is me.

I’ve had some gnarly experiences with people who claim to practice “firearm safety” that have made me stick with those within my circle or others I know well enough to not feel that my safety is at risk.

Sucks cuz I’d love to help more people learn to hunt but it’s gotten too risky for me to bear anymore.

Save

Reactions: 1

bthewilde

· #9 · 15 d ago

I'll bite because I am a transplant here, send me a message if you'd like. I want to do an Elk in the Fall, didn't draw any tags, but I do a LOT of waterfowl and upland.
Cheers.

Save

Reactions: 1

Lone_Hunter

· #10 · 15 d ago

Heh, now here's a topic I might know a lot about. Moved to Utah in 2011. Picked up big game hunting in 2012 or so. I've had to learn both at the same time. At this point, chalk me up to prefer to hunt alone. It used to bother me, but now I've come to prefer it. I'm my own boss, make my own schedule, and hump up the mountain at my own pace. Honestly, I'm not sure if one really needs a mentor so long as you've already got a good sense of what's ethical. Sure one can pass tips and knowledge, and that is the easier path if you can find someone to do that, but everything you can pretty much learn on your own with experience - it's the best teacher. I'm no elk hunting guru, but I've punched a couple tags, almost punched a few other tags, a few close encounters, etc, so I must have developed something resembeling a clue.

Dedicate yourself as much as possible. Scout as much as you can through the year. Get yourself a good pair of boots , binos, and a backpack. Don't forget the wind checker. Go out as much as you can.... but here's the thing, if at some point you can't remember what it was like to "just hike", your probably doing it right. If your not hunting, your scouting, and vice versa. Personally, I never leave the house without a purpose, and I always have a purpose. I can't remember what it was like to "just camp", let alone "just hike". I'd probably be bored. Never stop learning. I'll go out just to learn the mountains better. Seasonal changes and what not. I think it gives one a broader knowledge.

Glass often. Learn how wind works in the mountains. Learn the mountains themselves. Learn deer or elk behavior. Find videos on youtube that will explain things to you. Go over maps every morning with your morning coffee. Learn from your decisions both good and bad. Keep grinding, never quit, don't be afraid to switch things up or try something different.

Last thing I'll say is this is kind of a life style. Get the wife on your side of things. After awhile, if you spend more then 2 weeks at the house without getting out, you might get angsty. I know I do. I'm chomping at the bit to get back into the mountains right now, but memorial day weekend...... no way. Below is a snapshot of my onX, I don't know if this is considered a lot, I'm sure a lot guys have more waypoints cluttering up their map, but i think this gives an idea on the dedication involved. I don't always drop a waypoint on something either. Just get out, as often as you can.

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 2

Nomadfunguy

· #11 · 15 d ago

Lone_Hunter said:
Heh, now here's a topic I might know a lot about. Moved to Utah in 2011. Picked up big game hunting in 2012 or so. I've had to learn both at the same time. At this point, chalk me up to prefer to hunt alone. It used to bother me, but now I've come to prefer it. I'm my own boss, make my own schedule, and hump up the mountain at my own pace. Honestly, I'm not sure if one really needs a mentor so long as you've already got a good sense of what's ethical. Sure one can pass tips and knowledge, and that is the easier path if you can find someone to do that, but everything you can pretty much learn on your own with experience - it's the best teacher. I'm no elk hunting guru, but I've punched a couple tags, almost punched a few other tags, a few close encounters, etc, so I must have developed something resembeling a clue.

Dedicate yourself as much as possible. Scout as much as you can through the year. Get yourself a good pair of boots , binos, and a backpack. Don't forget the wind checker. Go out as much as you can.... but here's the thing, if at some point you can't remember what it was like to "just hike", your probably doing it right. If your not hunting, your scouting, and vice versa. Personally, I never leave the house without a purpose, and I always have a purpose. I can't remember what it was like to "just camp", let alone "just hike". I'd probably be bored. Never stop learning. I'll go out just to learn the mountains better. Seasonal changes and what not. I think it gives one a broader knowledge.

Glass often. Learn how wind works in the mountains. Learn the mountains themselves. Learn deer or elk behavior. Find videos on youtube that will explain things to you. Learn from your decisions both good and bad. Keep grinding, never quit, don't be afraid to switch things up or try something different.

Last thing I'll say is this is kind of a life style. Get the wife on your side of things. After awhile, if you spend more then 2 weeks at the house without getting out, you might get angsty. I know I do. I'm chomping at the bit to get back into the mountains right now, but memorial day weekend...... no way. Below is a snapshot of my onX, I don't know if this is considered a lot, I'm sure a lot guys have more waypoints cluttering up their map, but i think this gives an idea on the dedication involved. I don't always drop a waypoint on something either. Just get out, as often as you can.
View attachment 156468

Thanks for the wisdom and experience. It was a good reminder…In the two years since I completed Hunter’s Ed, I’ve come to realize that if I don’t go it alone, I’m likely never going into the woods at all.

Save

Reactions: 1

1 - 11 of 11 Posts

Top Contributors this Month