[BirdRookie]

New to the forum and I'm loving it already! Learning tons!

A good friend has recently introduced me to bird hunting (ducks and some upland game for now) and I am loving it so far! Shot my first ducks this season and can't wait to keep getting out there.

I didn't grow up hunting so it's all very new to me. I'm wondering where to start so I don't have to rely on my friend to go out and hunt. I am basically on all borrowed gear right now, brothers shotgun and forest camo coat, friends waders, etc. I bought gloves, a call, and a face mask but want to start getting my own gear. I'm a 23 year old married college student (pre-med) so funds are limited and I definitely won't be able to get everything at once, and the stuff I do get will be on a budget. It's definitely going to become a favorite hobby over time but I'm a total noob right now. Is there any order I should purchase things in? Shotgun, waders, decoys? Is it worth it to save up and get the more expensive stuff or am I ok to start on a budget? Any recommendations on guns or gear? Am I just getting in over my head and should wait until I'm done with school?

Like I said I didn't grow up hunting and I'm starting from ground zero so any advice is greatly appreciated. Stoked to continue learning on the forum. Thanks

 

[Hunter_17]

Remington 870 is a great begineer gun for a good price. Around 300 new. But stay away from the 870 Magnum Express it jams alot.

 

[SidVicious]

I would focus on getting the things that you can't borrow first. Duck hunting can get real expensive, real quick. You don't need the best looking or most expensive decoys to get birds. I'd look at KSL for used decoys. You can usually find cheap ones there. You also don't need a ton of them. Usually a dozen or so will be all you need for most situations. You'd be surprised how well you can do with minimal equipment. As for a gun, I shoot a benelli Nova. The 870 is a great gun as well, and pretty cheap. I'd be more than happy to help you out any way I can. Let me know

 

[BirdRookie]

Thanks for the tips guys! I'll check those guns out. I'll definitely keep you posted Sid, thanks. Like I said I'm open to any and all advice.

 

[SidVicious]

Where are you located? I'm always down for taking people out. As long as you don't mind going on foot haha

 

[BirdRookie]

That would be awesome! I'm in Provo and have just hunted around Utah Lake. Only done it on foot so that's the only way I know haha

 

[avidhntr3]

I've got a few decoys I could just give to you. They don't have weights with them at all though. I live in Roy and work in Draper, so let me know anytime you head up North and maybe I could bring the decoys to work.

 

[SidVicious]

I'm in Orem, so we could get together for sure

 

[BirdRookie]

Avidhntr3 that would be greatly appreciated! My number is 801-350-1036, feel free to text or call me to get in contact (you too Sid). My name is Zach. I could head up Thursday after 12:30 Avidhntr. Sid let me know when it works for you! Early mornings typically work best for me as I have school but I usually have one or two afternoons free during the week too.

 

[avidhntr3]

Sent you a text. I can bring my decoys to work tomorrow.

 

[Jedidiah]

First the disclaimer that I'm new also.

I heard a lot of bad about the new 870s, the quality control has suffered a lot. One thing I found to be true is that the Wal-Mart versions of the 870 are inferior to the ones you'll find elsewhere, burrs all over in the action, lots of flaws in the wood and bluing. The 870 I looked at at Wal-Mart would probably have cut my hand or sliced a shell open on the entry port for the shells. I would have taken a file to the sharp spot if I'd bought that gun, but who knows what was going on inside the gun where I couldn't see. After spending a few months comparing cheap entry level shotguns I ended up getting a Mossberg 500 All-Purpose. The Mossberg 500 I saw at Wal-Mart was 20 bucks less than the one I ended up getting at Scheels but it didn't have the porting on top of the barrel to reduce climb and all of the stocks were a lot nicer looking at Scheels.

This may all be a lot of splitting hairs considering that we're talking about entry level guns but I guess all I'm saying is to look carefully at the QC on these shotguns.