I have my hunter safety course done and I am ready to hunt. Just wondering if anyone would be willing to take me along and help a newbie out. Any inormation would be great from what gear, what licenses are needed, to good hunting tips for a new hunter. Who knows maybe this can become a sticky for those interested into getting into hunting, but are not sure how exactly to start in NJ.

 

I guess I should have some more specific questions actually.

 

What is the logical thing to hunt at the begning of the year?

When you started hunting how did you get started?

What gear do you recommend?

What hunting resources do you use for informtion?

what would you like to hunt?

Everything actually. I'd like to give it all a try and see what I enjoy the most. Right now I do not have a muzzle loader, so I am working with a 12ga shotgun for now.

*copy and pasted post into original post*

Kevin - Get a bow and we can be buds. I'm up by CR. Deer hunt from begining of Sept to end of Jan with some breaks in between. Very primitive and lots of available area with the bow. Stealth is your friend. After the firat year you'll want to jump out of the tree on their back with a knife in your teeth.

 

If you see me before I see you I'm wasting my time.

Which shotgun do you have?

 

Reason I ask is this:

 

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/861787/mossberg-barrel-mossberg-500-12-gauge-24-50-caliber-rifle-bore-muzzleloader-conversion-with-rifle-sights-steel-blue

Kevin - Get a bow and we can be buds. I'm up by CR. Deer hunt from begining of Sept to end of Jan with some breaks in between. Very primitive and lots of available area with the bow. Stealth is your friend. After the firat year you'll want to jump out of the tree on their back with a knife in your teeth.

 

If you see me before I see you I'm wasting my time.

 

I do want to get a bow eventually for sure! Just ahve to sneak it past the wife I am planning on my first deer at the end of this year. By then I should have all my gear, know where to take it after I harvest it, have a place to store the meat....

Which shotgun do you have?

 

Reason I ask is this:

 

http://www.midwayusa...ghts-steel-blue

 

I have an 870. I will just get a dedicated muzzle loader if I ever decide I want to hunt with one. I am planning of going out of state with my a-bolt .270 for a deer if I don't end up getting a bow in time to practice for next season.

I do want to get a bow eventually for sure! Just ahve to sneak it past the wife I am planning on my first deer at the end of this year. By then I should have all my gear, know where to take it after I harvest it, have a place to store the meat....

 

This time of year there are alot of good deals on used bows. Probably can get started for a few hundred bucks complete.

 

Give me a PM if you seriously want to persue this. I'm not really interested in upland game hunting.

if you're looking for used equipment, newjerseyhunter.com has a free classifieds section...

Kevin,

 

I am not a hunter, but I recently took the course. You probably know this, but if you're going to go bow hunting, you also have to qualify for that, separate from shotgun. Same for muzzle loading.

Kevin,

 

I am not a hunter, but I recently took the course. You probably know this, but if you're going to go bow hunting, you also have to qualify for that, separate from shotgun. Same for muzzle loading.

 

Yeah, it will suck to have to go do it again just to get bow on my card, but at elast i took care of rifle and shotgun on the same day. If I would have had a bow to borrow I would have gone for it as well.

You don't have to do the "whole" thing again, just the "bow" thing.

You don't have to do the "whole" thing again, just the "bow" thing.

 

Honestly it's just the having to drive all the ways there to shoot a couple arrows that makes me feel like it's a whole ordeal. I guess I can just be a big baby sometimes Or I can suck it up and bring my thrower and shoot some clays as well...

fair warning: hunting is an expensive hobby, your wife will someday find your secret stash of impulse buys.

fair warning: hunting is an expensive hobby, your wife will someday find your secret stash of impulse buys.

 

I cluster them is the trick. If you hide them all separate then you get yelled at multiple times. Why would I want to be yelled at twice when I can be yelled at once for 2 purchases. I's all about thinking ahead

 

Besides I mainly kid, my wife is very supportive. Its just when it stars to cut into her shooting fund that she really does get mad.

I would suggest small game hunting at first to get to know your woods on where you plan on hunting. You can learn a lot being out there walking around, noticing signs if you would like to hunt that area for deer. The off season (small game) is the best time to do this. If you see signs of deer you can bait them and set a trail cam and know what is in your area. I have been hunting in this state for almost 30 years now (South Jersey) and always learn something new every time I go out. Be sure to read up on game laws and limits as they may change from year to year. http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/hunting.htm Good luck and good hunting !!!!

Check out the date! They still have bone!

I would suggest small game hunting at first to get to know your woods on where you plan on hunting. You can learn a lot being out there walking around, noticing signs if you would like to hunt that area for deer. The off season (small game) is the best time to do this. If you see signs of deer you can bait them and set a trail cam and know what is in your area. I have been hunting in this state for almost 30 years now (South Jersey) and always learn something new every time I go out. Be sure to read up on game laws and limits as they may change from year to year. http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/hunting.htm Good luck and good hunting !!!!

Excellent point.

 

You can still get out for small game (some edible ones too!) until Feb. 20th. Quail in the southern tier is still open on two WMA's. Getting out in the woods now you can also do pre-season scouting for the upcoming Spring turkey season. Coyote & fox permits are available and can be hunted until March. Other varmints like crow is open as well. Available game seasons:

http://www.nj.gov/de...ummary11-12.pdf

some edible ones too!

 

This is key to me as I will be hunting for the meat not trophies.

 

I'd love to go out and hunt some small game. What is everything I need to head out?

 

I have

-shotgun with plug

- good boots

-camo (well if old army camo is good enough to use)

-hat

 

things I need

-blaze orange (vest)

-a place to go

-licenses and permits

 

what am I not thinking bout?

coastalzone duck is open for about 10 more days licence $27.50 + nj waterfowl stamp $5.00 + hip # $2.00 + fed duck stamp $15.00 + a choke that works for steel shot for that 870 if you want to try it, the blinds are in place in ocean county

I would love to, but I jut did some research and my 870 being one from the 70's would need a new barrel to shoot steel shot. I am all for getting a new barrel, just don't know where I would find one in time. I'll look for one and let you know.

Hope you find the right location in time. You can always scout out areas for next season. My boys finally figured out that after 10 years of hunting with dad I most likely will not shot anything. It has to be big enough or if someone else needs the meat. Mostly I love the hunt or stocking part of it all. When you pull the trigger that is when the work begins. Have fun first of all.

I would love to, but I jut did some research and my 870 being one from the 70's would need a new barrel to shoot steel shot. I am all for getting a new barrel, just don't know where I would find one in time. I'll look for one and let you know.

 

PM me and I'll lend you a barrel,

If you haven't done so already, I would recommend picking up the digest, or downlading it off the divisons website. Check out the charts for what's in season. Another thing to think about for upland bird hunting is a preserve, albiet not exactly cheap.

 

What is the logical thing to hunt at the begning of the year? Everything thats in season!

 

What gear do you recommend? It really depends on what type of hunting you're wanting to do. It doesn't take the latest and greatest camo to get yourself a deer. My biggest suggestion in this area would be to get quality boots, dont skimp on them. Once your feet get wet or cold you're going to have a miserable day.

 

What hunting resources do you use for informtion? The Digest and newjerseyhunter.com

 

Feel free to shoot me a pm or post if you have more questions, I'd be glad to help.

coastalzone duck is open for about 10 more days licence $27.50 + nj waterfowl stamp $5.00 + hip # $2.00 + fed duck stamp $15.00 + a choke that works for steel shot for that 870 if you want to try it, the blinds are in place in ocean county

 

Frank is going to loan me a barrel that I can shoot steel out of Where are these blinds? Are they public or private?

PM me and I'll lend you a barrel,

 

You sir are a gentleman and a scholar!

blinds are on public property you can walk right in and grab a blind, even though you didn't build it they are first come first serve, they are bay front, and easy to get to with a place to park. you still need boots its a little wet, there are also chairs in the blinds. pretty cool place except for the broken glass lining the shore.

without a dog to retrieve how do I get the birds? Is it not deep water in that area?

 

Anyone want to go duck hunting next weekend?

we drag in a kayak to set up decoys and retrieve the ducks