First Time Hunter

[PKendall317]

Hey all, I'm thinking of taking up hunting as a sport/hobby and I was wondering what I needed to know to legally hunt game in Indiana. I already know I need to take a hunter's ed course, but what else is there to do? I'm thinking about starting with small game, like squirrels and rabbits and stuff. Any suggestions?

 

[indyjoe]

Start here and read through the Hunting and Trapping Guide. DNR: Hunting Guide & Regulations

 

[PKendall317]

Start here and read through the Hunting and Trapping Guide. DNR: Hunting Guide & Regulations

Thanks! I'll give this a read. Now, what would you recommend using on small game, as far as caliber goes? The only rifle I own is a little .22LR and I want to get some other rifles as well as a shotgun or too.

 

[indyjoe]

For squirrel and rabbit, shotgun is going to be easiest. When there are leaves on the trees, it is often hard to get shots at squirrels with a .22. However, I prefer to hunt late with the leaves down and shoot .22. At times, hunting shotgun can be just too easy.

I have hunted rabbit with a red dotted .22, which was a hoot. But they are fast. Shotgun works well.

I may not take much game. I see it as time in the woods, which I don't get enough of. It is an excuse to go out.

 

[PKendall317]

For squirrel and rabbit, shotgun is going to be easiest. When there are leaves on the trees, it is often hard to get shots at squirrels with a .22. However, I prefer to hunt late with the leaves down and shoot .22. At times, hunting shotgun can be just too easy.

I have hunted rabbit with a red dotted .22, which was a hoot. But they are fast. Shotgun works well.

I may not take much game. I see it as time in the woods, which I don't get enough of. It is an excuse to go out.

I actually managed to land a shot on one of the many rabbits that's decided my Mother's garden is the new all-you-can eat buffet earlier this evening, and boy are you right. That suckerwas fast! I landed a hit on it but it took off before I could finish the job. Poor sucker probably bled out and died.

 

[rwhitmore8]

Go buy yourself a 22-250, and about 300 rounds of 55grain ammo, then call me. Were starting a coyote genocide!

 

[PKendall317]

Go buy yourself a 22-250, and about 300 rounds of 55grain ammo, then call me. Were starting a coyote genocide!

Give me a qoute on the price and we'll talk! Lol. I'm actually debating whether or not my next purchase should be a Mini-14 or a Mossberg 500

 

[VikingWarlord]

I'm in the same position. I'm going to be picking up a .22 soon and start working with it, also planning to start with small game. I've got a few buddies who do it, so hopefully I can go out and play with them this fall.

Good luck.

 

[huntall50]

For small game a .22 and 20 gauge shot gun in any form is sufficient. Make a friend and go with them to learn how to hunt, and be safe doing it.

 

[peberly400]

You can use a .17 on squirrel and rabbit, but be forwarned; anything other than a head shot will blow all the meat right off of it.

A .22 and shotgun will work great, and I would try to stick to a number 7 or 6. Coyotes on the other hand, go ahead and feel free to use anything. .17hmr to 00buck. I use my .308 and it drops them like a sack of potatoes

 

[clfergus]

Hey all, I'm thinking of taking up hunting as a sport/hobby and I was wondering what I needed to know to legally hunt game in Indiana. I already know I need to take a hunter's ed course, but what else is there to do? I'm thinking about starting with small game, like squirrels and rabbits and stuff. Any suggestions?

I would start with a .22lr and a 20 gauge shotgun.

The .22lr is a fun plinker and I find it more fun to use to squirrel hunt with. No pellets to deal with.

The 20 gauge would give you a squirrel gun if you want and not blow the meat up as bad as a 12 gauge. You would also have your rabbit gun, crow gun, and even a starter deer gun which if you do start hunting are most likely to do one day. Pick up a short barrel and now you have a home defense gun.

My personal opinion thogh is go with a remington 870 over a mossberg. I have had both and I have had more problems with my mossbergs than my 870s. Just personal preference and my experience.

 

[PKendall317]

I would start with a .22lr and a 20 gauge shotgun.

The .22lr is a fun plinker and I find it more fun to use to squirrel hunt with. No pellets to deal with.

The 20 gauge would give you a squirrel gun if you want and not blow the meat up as bad as a 12 gauge. You would also have your rabbit gun, crow gun, and even a starter deer gun which if you do start hunting are most likely to do one day. Pick up a short barrel and now you have a home defense gun.

My personal opinion thogh is go with a remington 870 over a mossberg. I have had both and I have had more problems with my mossbergs than my 870s. Just personal preference and my experience.

Thanks for the advice, but I have to say that I'm a Mossberg guy when it comes to shotguns.

 

[Matt52]

Squirrel hunting is a great place to start. Its probably where most people get their start hunting. You gotta be quiet and Identify sign in order to get them. I would start with a shotgun and I know most people think a squirrel will get blown to pieces by a shotgun but I shot #6 High brass game loads and never have trouble. The early part of squirrel season they are high up in trees cutting on nuts but as the season progresses into the packing stage where they are on the ground more storing nuts for the winter.

 

[Zoub]

I already know I need to take a hunter's ed course, but what else is there to do?

You will need to make some ethical decisions that all hunters face. One example is if the opportunity presents itself, would you shoot Bigfoot?

Learn anatomy of your game and shot placement for ethical kills. Anatomy is pretty much the same for all mammals, it is the angles that are different. Learn to have the control to pass up on bad shots. Ethics drives you more than the laws. Even the laws are more about ethics then the rule of law since you in essence self enforce them. Either you follow them or you don't.

 

[PKendall317]

You will need to make some ethical decisions that all hunters face. One example is if the opportunity presents itself, would you shoot Bigfoot?

Learn anatomy of your game and shot placement for ethical kills. Anatomy is pretty much the same for all mammals, it is the angles that are different. Learn to have the control to pass up on bad shots. Ethics drives you more than the laws. Even the laws are more about ethics then the rule of law since you in essence self enforce them. Either you follow them or you don't.

If I'm out hunting and I see Bigfoot that suckers going down!

 

[yeahbaby]

Check out a Hunter Safety course in your area. Well worth the time.