DevsAdvocate 112 Posted September 10, 2011 Now what do I do? What do I need before I can even begin to think about hunting? Heck... I'm not even sure what I want to hunt. Deer is yummy. Turkey is (supposedly) a challenge. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old School 611 Posted September 10, 2011 Now what do I do? What do I need before I can even begin to think about hunting? Heck... I'm not even sure what I want to hunt. Deer is yummy. Turkey is (supposedly) a challenge. And archery? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted September 10, 2011 And archery? Didn't have a bow. I still gotta get one. If I do it within the year, I can skip the general test and walk-through portion of the class and just do the 5 shots and written test for bow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old School 611 Posted September 10, 2011 Didn't have a bow. I still gotta get one. If I do it within the year, I can skip the general test and walk-through portion of the class and just do the 5 shots and written test for bow. We'll work on that... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heaterbob 53 Posted September 10, 2011 start scouting your buck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Melgamatic 66 Posted September 10, 2011 Now what do I do? What do I need before I can even begin to think about hunting? Heck... I'm not even sure what I want to hunt. Deer is yummy. Turkey is (supposedly) a challenge. I was there today too. Got archery and shotgun done. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted September 10, 2011 I was there today too. Got archery and shotgun done. Nice! No muzzle loader or rimfire rifle? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted September 10, 2011 We'll work on that... Yes, definitely. Saving up some money for that now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted September 10, 2011 start scouting your buck Nice. How do i do that? Are there any good books or resources on deer hunting? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlackOps Badger 52 Posted September 10, 2011 Turkey hunting is awesome. It's all I do. You need to learn how to use the calls. That's the biggest thing. And you need to know what calls to use when. Turkeys can be quite difficult to hunt if you don't know what you're doin, but man is it fun, camo head to toe, sittin in a bush. Good times. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyboy 13 Posted September 10, 2011 Small game! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heaterbob 53 Posted September 11, 2011 Nice. How do i do that? Are there any good books or resources on deer hunting? get out in the woods learn to read the signs, trails, scrapes, rubs, find a spot where you can observe and be quiet, most big deer arent taken by chance. i spoted a beautiful 8 pointer last week, too bad he seems to be living on the medium of the parkway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
halbautomatisch 60 Posted September 11, 2011 Now what do I do? What do I need before I can even begin to think about hunting? Heck... I'm not even sure what I want to hunt. Deer is yummy. Turkey is (supposedly) a challenge. Join a hunting club! We have a couple openings in my club in Blairstown, and we encourage beginners. http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php?/topic/26909-hunting-club-looking-for-new-members/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parker 213 Posted September 11, 2011 Now what do I do? What do I need before I can even begin to think about hunting? Heck... I'm not even sure what I want to hunt. Deer is yummy. Turkey is (supposedly) a challenge. Congrats! Start with the easy stuff first such as small game like rabbits and squirrel. They're also tasty table fare. View every hunting trip afield as a scouting trip for other game. The more time you spend in the woods, the more you'll learn. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
intercooler 41 Posted September 11, 2011 Now what do I do? What do I need before I can even begin to think about hunting? Heck... I'm not even sure what I want to hunt. Deer is yummy. Turkey is (supposedly) a challenge. now file your paperwork for CMP, NJ hunters ed satisfies the shooting portion. Get setup and get that M1 while you can! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bry@n 195 Posted September 11, 2011 Congrats. I want to get my hunters ed course and I wanna get my wife to do it also. Was it hard? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djg0770 481 Posted September 11, 2011 Bryan, Bow is difficult. The other two disciplines are so easy. Ten yr old kids regularly pass these courses. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted September 11, 2011 Congrats. I want to get my hunters ed course and I wanna get my wife to do it also. Was it hard? Shotgun/Rifle was easy, Bow looks like you need to practice with it. Muzzle-loader was fun. Never shot one before until I took the class. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted September 12, 2011 now file your paperwork for CMP, NJ hunters ed satisfies the shooting portion. Get setup and get that M1 while you can! What paperwork for the CMP? Their website isn't really that great when it comes to detailing what forms you need to fill out... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Melgamatic 66 Posted September 12, 2011 What paperwork for the CMP? Their website isn't really that great when it comes to detailing what forms you need to fill out... I thought their website was great, and constantly improving. I found the form immediately: CMP order form. I believe this multi-part form is all you need. -Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Melgamatic 66 Posted September 12, 2011 Shotgun/Rifle was easy, Bow looks like you need to practice with it. Yes, I saw probably 25-50% of the people in front of me fail, although they were mostly young people. A bunch of guys failed because they didn't practice cocking the crossbow they were bothering and didn't have the strength. You have to get 3 of 5 arrows into the vital section of a 3-D foam deer target at 18-20yds. The vital section is a circle maybe 8" in diameter. I bought my first bow earlier this summer, and have been practicing quite a bit, maybe 6-12 arrows 4-6 times a week. I managed to get my first three arrows into a group about 1" in the middle of the vital area, so I only had to shoot three, but I saw a lot of people struggle. Practice is clearly important. For shotgun, you just had to know how to safely operate the gun, load it, know where to see the gauge on the barrel and on the headstamp of the round, not let them fool you by taking a 20ga round for your 12ga gun, etc. You shoot maybe 5-6 times, but don't actually have to hit anything. I hit all three clays from the shoulder easily, but missed twice going from the ready position at "pull" taking the safety off and shooting.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyboy 13 Posted September 13, 2011 Once my dog is finished you're welcome to come along for some pheasant/quail, but that may not be for a while Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted September 13, 2011 Once my dog is finished you're welcome to come along for some pheasant/quail, but that may not be for a while I may take you up on that! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarcR 0 Posted October 12, 2011 as far as i am aware for nj deer all you need is to purchase the license and the permit for your section Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted October 18, 2011 Bow procured... practicing my archery skills in preparation for that hunters exam... 15 yards: 20 yards: 30 yards: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyboy 13 Posted October 18, 2011 Not to shabby. I would definitely get some practice on a 3d deer target, as that's what you'll be shooting at during the test. It is a little more difficult, plus you learn the vitals and shot placement all at the same time. I would try to hone my skills in at 20 yards personally. Don't forget to check that your tips are tight and keep your strings waxed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted October 18, 2011 Not to shabby. I would definitely get some practice on a 3d deer target, as that's what you'll be shooting at during the test. It is a little more difficult, plus you learn the vitals and shot placement all at the same time. I would try to hone my skills in at 20 yards personally. Don't forget to check that your tips are tight and keep your strings waxed. Strings waxed? Why? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyboy 13 Posted October 18, 2011 Strings waxed? Why? Keeps the bowstrings in good condition and protects them. Kind of like cleaning a gun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJdiverTony 27 Posted October 19, 2011 Strings waxed? Why? Waxing your string prolongs the life of your string and protects it from fraying. Actually you should wax the whole string (even the parts of the string that have serving on them and also the nocking point) and your cables and cable slide as well. It keeps everything running smoothly and you'll get a lot more life out of the string, especially if you shoot a lot arrows. I wax my strings about every other time I used the bow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevsAdvocate 112 Posted October 20, 2011 Should I use a particular kind of wax? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites