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 | After years away, now interested in returning to the hunt. |  |
bigdaddy
I'm a 3 point buck on this forum.
My next goal is to become a 4 Pointer.
| Joined: 29 Aug 2009 |
| Posts: 3 |
| Location: Montgomery County, PA |
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Game Tokens: 75 |
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 Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:19 am |
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As a young man, I hunted frequently; deer, turkey, varmint, etc. on a regular basis. Then I moved away from the country, got into school, traveled, started a career and family, etc. For no particular reason, hunting went to the wayside. I am now very much wanting to get back into hunting, especially deer hunting and, in addition to rifle hunting, I want to bow hunt, which I've never done. My son will be getting old enough to go in a couple of years, and I'd like to be able to introduce him to the hunt.
Problem is, I haven't hunted in almost 20 years, so none of my friends are hunters and I have no knowledge of the area. Although I could probably manage, I am a little hesitant to just jump in there, get a tag, pick a WMA, and strike out on my own. I'm thinking that I might make use of a private guided hunt for the first season or two so I can beef up on technique, refresh my "game" sense, and familiarize myself with some local areas. I've already registered for a Hunter Safety Course.
So, I have two questions;
1. Does this sound like a good approach or can you suggest an alternative method?
2. Do you know a good guide service or camp in the eastern half of the state that can retrain an old hunter and is family oriented?
Thank for the input!
J
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| RE: New Land | |
andy1982
I'm a 7 point buck on this forum.
My next goal is to become a 8 Pointer.
| Joined: 31 Jul 2009 |
| Posts: 18 |
| Location: New Milford, PA |
| Age: 31 |
Zodiac:  |
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Game Tokens: 279 |
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| Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:27 pm |
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This is my first year out hunting since I was a little boy, personally I would rather strike out on my own, all I plan on doing is bow hunting, I've spent many many hours with my bow in hand practicing so I would be confident, personally I don't believe in using guided hunts if your going to hunt locally. I would recommend getting out in the woods during the summer and do your own scouting, take your son along, nothing better then father/son time alone in the woods make a game out of it for him. Tell him you'll take him for ice cream if he can find more deer sign then you, then let him win ![[Wink]](images/smiles/icon_wink.gif "Wink") Guided hunts take away from that personal accomplishment of doing the work yourself, kinda like fixing an old car up, or helping your son build his first dog house. Well hope that helps some |
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| Re: RE: New Land | |
bigdaddy
I'm a 3 point buck on this forum.
My next goal is to become a 4 Pointer.
| Joined: 29 Aug 2009 |
| Posts: 3 |
| Location: Montgomery County, PA |
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Game Tokens: 75 |
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| Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 5:54 pm |
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| andy1982 wrote: |
| This is my first year out hunting since I was a little boy, personally I would rather strike out on my own, all I plan on doing is bow hunting, I've spent many many hours with my bow in hand practicing so I would be confident, personally I don't believe in using guided hunts if your going to hunt locally. I would recommend getting out in the woods during the summer and do your own scouting, take your son along, nothing better then father/son time alone in the woods make a game out of it for him. Tell him you'll take him for ice cream if he can find more deer sign then you, then let him win Guided hunts take away from that personal accomplishment of doing the work yourself, kinda like fixing an old car up, or helping your son build his first dog house. Well hope that helps some |
Thanks for the response, Andy! I don't disagree with anything you said, but I would prefer to do a guided trip my first time back out. As I noted, my son is a while aways from going out, so I've got some time to burn. I'm okay spending it with a guide the first season and more than happy to do some self-directed scouting and hunting in the second and third year. By then, I'll have my sights and my sense back, be skilled and expereinced with my new bow, and will have staked out my own "private" location close to home. Same outcome, just a different approach and a different timeline... |
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| Re: RE: New Land | |
RSB
I'm a VIP Member of PAbucks.com!!
Highest Ranked Member!!
| Joined: 04 May 2008 |
| Posts: 525 |
| Location: Elk County |
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Game Tokens: 14375 |
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| Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 8:37 pm |
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| bigdaddy wrote: |
| andy1982 wrote: |
| This is my first year out hunting since I was a little boy, personally I would rather strike out on my own, all I plan on doing is bow hunting, I've spent many many hours with my bow in hand practicing so I would be confident, personally I don't believe in using guided hunts if your going to hunt locally. I would recommend getting out in the woods during the summer and do your own scouting, take your son along, nothing better then father/son time alone in the woods make a game out of it for him. Tell him you'll take him for ice cream if he can find more deer sign then you, then let him win Guided hunts take away from that personal accomplishment of doing the work yourself, kinda like fixing an old car up, or helping your son build his first dog house. Well hope that helps some |
Thanks for the response, Andy! I don't disagree with anything you said, but I would prefer to do a guided trip my first time back out. As I noted, my son is a while aways from going out, so I've got some time to burn. I'm okay spending it with a guide the first season and more than happy to do some self-directed scouting and hunting in the second and third year. By then, I'll have my sights and my sense back, be skilled and expereinced with my new bow, and will have staked out my own "private" location close to home. Same outcome, just a different approach and a different timeline... |
I don’t know if there are any sportsmen or archery clubs in your area or not but that would be the first thing I would look for if I wanted to get involved with people both familiar with the area and perhaps willing to share their knowledge of the sport with a new hunter. Other good sources of information and possible hunt buddies would possible come from local sporting goods stores and shooting ranges.
My best advice would be to start hanging around the places hunters are most likely to frequent, asking questions and I bet you will make some new friends willing to get you involved in some local hunting opportunities.
Dick Bodenhorn |
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| Welcome big d. | |
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pricejo
I'm a VIP Member of PAbucks.com!!
Highest Ranked Member!!
| Joined: 06 Feb 2007 |
| Posts: 307 |
| Location: York PA |
| Age: 65 |
Zodiac:  |
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Game Tokens: 6955 |
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| Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:40 am |
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bigdaddy,
How to hunt deer, and the signs to look for in a deer woods hasn’t changed much, so if you were once an avid hunter, it will come back quick. What has changed greatly is the equipment we use to pursue these creatures, and the seasons and bag limits.
I wouldn’t solicit WMU recommendations, because you’ll get too many, and only get overwhelmed. Unless you have a friend who has access to a particular good area, I would start in the WMU where you reside. That will put you relatively close to your hunting location, which will give you the most opportunity. I would also call the local PA Game Commission WCO in your area. He could give you the rundown on any local farmers that may need help in controlling deer and any of the State Game lands or State Forests that would offer someone like yourself, a good starting point. He could also possibility point you to any local clubs that have access to hunting lands.
You can find the WCO’S for most districts on the PGC web page.
I’ve talked to the WCO in my district many times and he has always been helpful, and given me the lowdown on what’s going on within the district.
Good Luck!
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| Thanks for the responses | |
| Small Game. | |
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| Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:34 am |
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