New hunter in PA

[JohnRDnPA]

First off, I apologize if this is in the wrong area, I haven't found anywhere for introductions yet.

I am a first time hunter, I just took my hunter education course a couple of weeks ago, and I'm in the process of trying to get the gear needed for my first hunt. I'm new to PA and don't really know anyone here except for the people I work with. Any and all advice, tips, info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

John

[gfdeputy2]

Welcome to the world of Hunting & Welcome to DHC
from New Hampshire
I don't hunt PA but hunt NH & NY
there are a few here that do hunt PA
are you gun or bow hunting

[BruceBruce1959]

Greetings from Vermont and Welcome to the Club!

Starting involves a lot really but don't let it become overwhelming, take it all one step at a time and you'll find the rewards are well worth the time and efforts you invest.

Don't buy more than the basics to begin with, in the field of hunting it's easy to empty a savings account,, but first thing we need to know is, what are you planning to hunt?

[Hunting Man]

hello and welcome from Ohio. I have hunted PA for 39 seasons. I can probably answer a few questions for you.

[on_the_fly]

Welcome to the club from ky !!!

[Scorpion8]

Hello and welcome. I grew up hunting deer in SouthCentral PA before I moved to paradise. Lots of folks here to help.

[JohnRDnPA]

Thank you for all of the warm welcomes... I plan to hunt deer to start, then maybe some turkey next year. My original plan was just to rifle hunt.. But my wife wanted a bow and wants to bow hunt. I picked up a Alpine Micro compound bow for her this week and will probably start the search for a good bow for myself now so I can join her. I haven't decided for sure though. I do have a couple of buddies from work that rifle and bow hunt. I may let one of them take her out for bow and see if I can tag along for rifle. For myself I picked up a Savage Axis 30.06 with scope and a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 for a sidearm.

As far as hunting gear, I've been watching clearance sales at walmart, dunhams and cabelas and picking up everything I can while it's cheaper to save every penny I can. I've got just about her full outfit, and pants, tshirt & long sleeve shirt for me. Still need jackets for both of us. Found all of the no scent stuff at walmart last night for $15 (deodorant, sprays, detergent, etc) I thought that was a decent deal. I got a blind for a fair deal off a Facebook sales page. I think (hope) other than finishing off our outfits, we should be good to go for this year?

Thanks again y'all

[Hunting Man]

A well though out plan is a great start. I started out rifle hunting PA and have moved to bow hunting the rut and late season flintlock hunting. All in all bowhunting probably ranks at the top of the list for pure hunting experience. Flintlock hunting is the easiest way to learn to be humbled by a wet pan charge. You are fortunate to have a great partner to learn the ways of the woods, sharing those memories, way to go you are doing it the right way. I have found that PA bucks are fairly easy to bow hunt compared to Michigan, Ohio bucks. Michigan deer seem to scan the tree tops looking for danger, PA bucks just act normal in their woods way and can be set up on by locating scrape and rub lines indicating a buck's travel routes. I have found that even during the rut, bucks tend to follow their established travel routes looking for hot does and thus can be taken in this regard. Ohio bucks are just so unpredictable that hunting them is maybe the at the top of the chess game of bow hunting. Don't forget to tell all your friends about the DHC!

[JohnRDnPA]

Originally Posted by Hunting Man

A well though out plan is a great start. I started out rifle hunting PA and have moved to bow hunting the rut and late season flintlock hunting. All in all bowhunting probably ranks at the top of the list for pure hunting experience. Flintlock hunting is the easiest way to learn to be humbled by a wet pan charge. You are fortunate to have a great partner to learn the ways of the woods, sharing those memories, way to go you are doing it the right way. I have found that PA bucks are fairly easy to bow hunt compared to Michigan, Ohio bucks. Michigan deer seem to scan the tree tops looking for danger, PA bucks just act normal in their woods way and can be set up on by locating scrape and rub lines indicating a buck's travel routes. I have found that even during the rut, bucks tend to follow their established travel routes looking for hot does and thus can be taken in this regard. Ohio bucks are just so unpredictable that hunting them is maybe the at the top of the chess game of bow hunting. Don't forget to tell all your friends about the DHC!

I like to have things planned out.. And figure this is something that should be WELL planned. Eventually, I would love to hunt bow rifle and flintlock. But really just wanted to start with rifle, work my way into bow next year and then within a few years work my way into flintlock.
My biggest concern right now is as I think I mentioned in the first post, I am new to PA.. Just moved here in 2010 from Mississippi.. I've never hunted before, so definitely open to all tips, advice and suggestions.. But I don't know the area all that great.. I've also picked up fishing again for the first time since I was a kid, learning some about the land that way, trying to find new fishing holes and such. Really looking forward to opening day. I plan to do a lot of exploring over the summer. I've got a couple of buddies from work that are avid hunters and fishermen, they've given me a lot of tips and ideas on both subjects, but neither seems to care for a tag along lol

And I have already shared this page on FB.

[gfdeputy2]

very well thought out
You are on the right track
don't forget to check out the Hunting Tip tab at the top. Great articles there that can answer a lot of your questions
the biggest tip I can offer right now is practice, practice, Practice especially with the bow
also do some scouting on the property you plan on hunting
I start with Turkey season for this look for the trails, bedding & feeding areas
I do this all year long while hunting, shed hunting & just hiking or snowshoeing