I started hunting at about the same age, but in 1975 and had never fired a gun until age 18, my first gun was also a mossberg mdl 500 combo deer bird barrel. nobody in my family hunted so I had to teach myself, it took a long time and I made every mistake you can think of, and even invented a few new ones.the first step is to get your hunter safety, then hunting licence. I started hunting small game first grouse, rabbit and squirel. get out there and explore the state lands, but ALWAYS have a map,compass,whistle and a way to make a fire ( even in the rain )getting lost happens to everyone sooner or later, don't sweat it , if you have those few items you'll be fine. don't panic and run around in the dark, stay put build a fire and use the whistle someone will find you. finding an older hunter to take you under their wing would be good, offer to drag game for them. books and videos couldn't hurt. go to hunter check stations and ask people to let you watch, or show you how to field dress game, after seeing a feww someone may let you do it for them. build your skills, this never ends , I learn something every time I go in the woods. coming to this site was a real good start. good luck to you.
When I had my school that was the thing I enjoyed was to match a new hunter with one with experience.I also had several farms that we could hunt on for different game from bunnies to birds to deer so all could get knowledge about hunting other types of game.This forum allows this to happen which is great!
I hunt when I can what I can except muzzle loader and bow because I have neither at the moment. Hog you can hunt year round and they are good to hunt after general gun is over and the pressure is off. For the one time hunters license deal you have to be with another hunter 21 or older that has a valid license to be able to go hunter and you can take game.
alright sounds good yall thanks, ill start and book a date to get my safety course done so I can get out and finally meet some of yall.
I have my hunters safety course March 13th, so ill be out there in the woods soon.
