New hunter

DetroitDarin · October 2012

This will be my second season living where I live - eager to try deer hunting in the back yard. I have a 10' tall blind, lots of high grass/pasture/with some evergreen trees. Last year I saw dozens of deer throughout the 10 acres.

Here's the thing -

I'm unsure about being able to kill the deer. Not that I'd miss, i'm a great shot. I'm worried I'd chicken-out. Walking up to a just-killed dear, still warm and steaming with a hole in his chest from a 12ga slug...ugh. Heartbreaking.

I want to learn the skill because eventually the zombies will attack and I will have to know how to provide for my family. I cannot make the business case for hunting because I'll be out 300 bux for a rifled barrel for my Remington 1100, plus butchering of the deer. I'll NEVER trophy mount because I think that's sorta gloating.

See, hunting IS a sport - but the other team doesn't know they are playing. For me, hunting is a precious and respectful means of providing for my family. Sure I can go to a butcher and get grass-fed beef - probably a whole cow for what it'd cost for my hunting set up. But...that's killing too - and chances are, right, chances are the deer I'd harvest had a better life than a cow. I dunno...

Anywho - any hunters with tips for the first kill? I'm good with weapons - 8 years in the Army firing 9mm to .50 Cal, to Mk19 to Stinger Surface-Air missiles, to 25mm Bushmaster chain gun. For me, I want to find good ways to respectfully harvest and learn a skill I can pass on to my son and daughter.

Here are a few photos of my blind - and the area around it - (taken while camping with my son a few months ago)

Can see the legs of the blind - and some of the topography - and my pup! - http://d-mphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/eva_camp.jpg

the land - http://d-mphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/campfire_day.jpg

I have two acres behind this type - flat farming land I lease to a local soy bean farmer. Lots of visibility and varying terrain/cover.

bionicrooster · October 2012

I have been hunting a long time. I killed my first deer with a bow when I was 12. I would suggest, remember that while you are harvesting the animal, you have to respect it to. I feel some sadness with each deer I kill, but I also take gladness in being able to harvest a wild animal that is going to provide great nutrition for my family. Nothing better than participating in the food chain and eating the best food there is, wild game.

sirthickness · October 2012

Good luck and stay safe. Can't add much to what was said by bionicrooster. Show respect for the animal and it's habitat. Myself, I am heading out for my yearly trip from Oct 17-22.

atsteele · October 2012

I've been hunting since I was 11yo. My suggestion: Go with someone who has hunted before. I think that if you go with someone with hunting experience, someone who knows the area, someone who is safe & knowledgable, you'll more than likely have a positive experience.

And when your kids get old enough to hunt, it's the beautiful thing.

alsunrise · October 2012

Here's the thing -

I'm unsure about being able to kill the deer. Not that I'd miss, i'm a great shot. I'm worried I'd chicken-out. Walking up to a just-killed dear, still warm and steaming with a hole in his chest from a 12ga slug...ugh. Heartbreaking.

My first year too!! I went a couple time with my husband last year, but this will be my first year to actually try to kill one myself. I completely understand the 'chicken-out' part. lol I have a 30-06 that I love but the hubby kept trying to get me to get a new Browning that was $1800, NO WAY!!, I couldn't see spending that much on a gun and then possibly not being able to pull the trigger. BTW-I don't think you're supposed to approach the deer immediately after shooting it....

thebowhunter · October 2012

I’ve been helping keep deer populations under control and feeding my family that venison for almost 40 years. I’ve removed more than 100 deer from the local population over that time. Those are deer that wont get hit by a car and injure a driver. Those are deer that wont destroy the local farmers crops. We eat a lot of venison (eating some today) Most all of my hunting is done with a bow and arrow. You might want to start out with a bow.

alsunrise · October 2012

I’ve been helping keep deer populations under control and feeding my family that venison for almost 40 years. I’ve removed more than 100 deer from the local population over that time. Those are deer that wont get hit by a car and injure a driver. Those are deer that wont destroy the local farmers crops. We eat a lot of venison (eating some today) Most all of my hunting is done with a bow and arrow. You might want to start out with a bow.

Do you fix a food plot? If so, what do you suggest using?

peachhunting · October 2012

Firstly, glad to see a new hunter out there. I live in Northern Ontario and hunting is a way of life up here. Not to sound like a whimp, but the first deer I shot I cried when I walked up to her. But that emotion was quickly overpowered by excitement.

I still feel bad/sad for each animal I harvest, and I honestly hope that feeling never goes away - means I'm human.

You'll be able to pull that trigger and you'll love the emotions that follow.

On a side note, you might want to consider butchering it yourself - tons of great videos on youtube and it is very satisfying knowing you brought something from field to table.

trackercasey76 · October 2012

All I can add is that the other teams DOES know they are playing. They were made with large ears, great eye site from eyes placed on the sides of their head, and an incredible sense of smell because they are prey animals, AKA FOOD. We have forward facing eyes, points on our teeth, and claws because we are predators. It has been this way for centuries.

thebowhunter · October 2012

Do you fix a food plot? If so, what do you suggest using?

No, I dont bait.

GorillaNJ · October 2012

I was 14 when I took my first deer. I had worked so hard with my dad and my hunting buddies between scouting and countless hours shooting my bow. It was nothing but pure excitement for me. Still when a deer comes into bow range the rush of energy that fills up inside of me is almost impossible to describe.

Then when the butchering is done, nothing better then some fresh venison tenderloin seared on a hot charcoal fire...

digitalbill · October 2012

This will be my second season living where I live - eager to try deer hunting in the back yard. I have a 10' tall blind, lots of high grass/pasture/with some evergreen trees. Last year I saw dozens of deer throughout the 10 acres.

Here's the thing -

I'm unsure about being able to kill the deer. Not that I'd miss, i'm a great shot. I'm worried I'd chicken-out. Walking up to a just-killed dear, still warm and steaming with a hole in his chest from a 12ga slug...ugh. Heartbreaking.

I want to learn the skill because eventually the zombies will attack and I will have to know how to provide for my family. I cannot make the business case for hunting because I'll be out 300 bux for a rifled barrel for my Remington 1100, plus butchering of the deer. I'll NEVER trophy mount because I think that's sorta gloating.

See, hunting IS a sport - but the other team doesn't know they are playing. For me, hunting is a precious and respectful means of providing for my family. Sure I can go to a butcher and get grass-fed beef - probably a whole cow for what it'd cost for my hunting set up. But...that's killing too - and chances are, right, chances are the deer I'd harvest had a better life than a cow. I dunno...

Anywho - any hunters with tips for the first kill? I'm good with weapons - 8 years in the Army firing 9mm to .50 Cal, to Mk19 to Stinger Surface-Air missiles, to 25mm Bushmaster chain gun. For me, I want to find good ways to respectfully harvest and learn a skill I can pass on to my son and daughter.

Here are a few photos of my blind - and the area around it - (taken while camping with my son a few months ago)

Can see the legs of the blind - and some of the topography - and my pup! - http://d-mphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/eva_camp.jpg

the land - http://d-mphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/campfire_day.jpg

I have two acres behind this type - flat farming land I lease to a local soy bean farmer. Lots of visibility and varying terrain/cover.

With the exception of me being better looking, you and I are the same person.
While I do not relish shooting anything that is not shooting back at me, I also understand the need to learn how to properly dress and preserve an animal.
I have had my hunters certification for two years and I have yet to go out and try to bag an animal.

magdalen13 · October 2012

You're already approaching this so ethically, I think you'll have no trouble with after the kill. It's when you're not bothering to think about it, or when you take joy in causing suffering, that you have to worry. (Disclosure: I don't deer hunt; my husband and daughter do and I have been out in the blind with them and others.) As other posters have said, keep your respect for the animal uppermost. Shoot clean and make a killing shot... whether you approach it right away or not is up to you but some people feel that only distresses the dying animal further. Others feel you need to get out there right away with a second bullet to be sure it's not suffering.

Growing up with many hunters, I know it never really gets easy. Easier with practice, maybe, but not easy, and it shouldn't be. But someone did mention venison on the grill... mmm

Though seriously, the best way, I was always taught, to honor the life you just took, is to put it to good use. Field dress it conscientiously, taking everything you can. (I have one relative who feeds the waste and organs to dogs, another to pigs, if that's an option where you live. Just be aware of any CWD concerns in your area.) Use everything you can, whether it's the tenderloin, the stew meat, the deerskin or the antlers. Freeze it for the winter, or give it to the hungry; just don't let it spoil and go to waste

As for non-meat parts of the deer, I don't know if you may have local craftsmen who would like a nice deer hide or antlers to create things from. In my area, we have Native American craftspeople who are glad to use those things. Borrow someone's smoker, if you can, and smoke the bones with some of the fat basted on them, and they're great for dog bones all year.

I know this is a long reply but it's honestly the approach we take in our family, as do many others... and it's very satisfying to know that one animal's death can mean so much to so many. I think if you're ethically-minded and survival-minded, you'll enjoy being that close to your food and using it well.

ShmoozyQ · October 2012

... I would suggest, remember that while you are harvesting the animal, you have to respect it to. I feel some sadness with each deer I kill, but I also take gladness in being able to harvest a wild animal that is going to provide great nutrition for my family. Nothing better than participating in the food chain and eating the best food there is, wild game.

I totally agree. I think it's absolutely human nature to feel some sadness anytime we take the life of an animal. I'd be concerned about myself if I didn't feel that way.

I agree with TrackerCasey also - I've spent my fair share of time sneaking on animals that absolutely knew I was there and played the game with me. I bowhunt without a blind; they know I'm there *most* of the time. If I'm lucky, they only suspect and I can get a good shot.

PanteraGirl · October 2012

Bump for later when I have a chance to respond :flowerforyou:

DetroitDarin · October 2012

With the exception of me being better looking, you and I are the same person.
While I do not relish shooting anything that is not shooting back at me, I also understand the need to learn how to properly dress and preserve an animal.
I have had my hunters certification for two years and I have yet to go out and try to bag an animal.

I lol'd out loud

Thanks very much to all for your support and advice. I know the hunting area perfectly well, because it's my back yard. I think I'll set up a trail cam and see what I can capture that way - then I will sit up in the blind and wait. We have to use shotguns for deer around here, so I'll ensure to get proficient with slugs between now and then - just like in my Air Defense days "one shot, one kill!"

My pup will adore the antlers I suspect. I'll use every bit of the animal I can.

Skinny_minny_mo · October 2012

i'm sure that i'll get some flack for this. but what do you get out of hunting? do you need the meat for food?

is it just a sport i.e gratification from killing something and making an animal suffer in the process?

if its about shooting practice go to a shooting range!

Newf77 · October 2012

I am sure the animal rights activist are soon to arise from their hemp hammocks so here is a link to like minded MFPers' http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/1017-deer-hunters

I was lucky that my first hunt was with a friend who was half Native American. He taught me alot about how to respect the animal. That hunting is part of the cycle of life.
I was taught to track the animal after you sucessfully take your shot {if not a clean kill shot} however allow the animal to pass.

People fail to realize that hunting is an essential part of the animal population control. If ethical hunters were not out there alot more animals would suffer during the winter months from starvation and over population.

Ruger2506 · October 2012

Do you fix a food plot? If so, what do you suggest using?

No, I dont bait.

For the record food plots are not baiting.

To the OP. It is just a matter of "just do it". The only advice I can offer is to make sure it is a clean kill. You do not want to be walking up to a wounded deer who is making wounded noises. It will ruin you for sure.

You have the respect thing down, work with that.

Ruger2506 · October 2012

i'm sure that i'll get some flack for this. but what do you get out of hunting? do you need the meat for food?

is it just a sport i.e gratification from killing something and making an animal suffer in the process?

if its about shooting practice go to a shooting range!

It is a challenge. Beating the game on it's own terms. It is my heritage. Walking in my ancestors foot steps. It is to put meat in my freezer. No different that killing a cow or chicken. Except I respect that animal more and it lived free. And lastly....IT IS MY RIGHT!

thebowhunter · October 2012

i'm sure that i'll get some flack for this. but what do you get out of hunting? do you need the meat for food?

I cant speak for others but I am a meat eater. I like lean vension and since I cant buy it locally, I have to hunt it to get it. If I am going to be a meat eater, I would rather get my own meat that is organic and free of all the things farmed meat has in it. It serves a valuable purpose in terms of reducing the herd so there are less car deer crashes and it is part of my heritage to hunt. If I am going to eat meat anyway, the venison I hunt is a far better option than the meat I could purchase.

is it just a sport i.e gratification from killing something and making an animal suffer in the process?

ITs not at all about sport gratification and I completly discount your claim about suffering. The animals I dispatch dont suffer and die very quickly. Animals raised on factory farms suffer and live an undignified life.

if its about shooting practice go to a shooting range!

Its not at all about shooting practice. THe practice is done on targets to make sure the animal we shoot are killed as quickly, cleanly and humanly as possible because we are a proficient hunter.

New hunter

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