How To Start Hunting: A Complete Guide For Beginners
Figuring out how to start hunting feels overwhelming.
No family tradition. No mentor. No clue what gear you need or where you're even allowed to hunt.
Most people give up before they start. Too many questions. Too much conflicting advice. Too easy to put it off another year.
But learning to hunt isn't as complicated as it seems. The basics come down to a few key steps.
This guide walks you through beginner hunting from zero to your first time in the field.
Wondering how to get into hunting by yourself?
It's confusing. No question.
Most hunters learned from fathers, uncles, or friends who'd been doing it for decades. They had someone to show them the ropes. Answer the dumb questions. Point out mistakes before they became habits.
You don't have that. And the internet is full of conflicting advice, gatekeeping forums, and gear recommendations that assume you already know what you're doing.
Here's the thing: You can figure this out. Thousands of adult-onset hunters have done it before you. We're going to break down exactly how to get started in hunting, step by step.
No assumptions. No jargon. Just the path forward.
First, why are you getting into hunting?
This matters more than you think. Your motivation shapes everything—what you hunt, how you hunt, what gear you need, and how much time and money you'll invest.
Be honest with yourself. Are you after:
🥩 Meat
Sustainable, organic protein you harvested yourself. Connection to your food that grocery stores can't provide.
⛰️ Challenge
Testing yourself against nature. Building skills most people have lost.
🌲 Time Outdoors
Escaping screens, schedules, and noise. Hours in the woods with purpose.
👨👩👧 Tradition
Starting something you can pass down. Building memories that matter.
🦆 Conservation
Participating in wildlife management. Funding habitat through licenses and tags.
There's no wrong answer. But knowing yours helps you choose what comes next.
Hunting options for the first time hunter
Hunting isn't one thing. It's dozens of different pursuits with different seasons, gear, skills, and learning curves. Before you buy anything, understand your options. Our hunting types guide breaks down the full landscape.
By prey species:
🦌 Whitetail Deer Best for Beginners
The most popular game animal in North America for good reason. Whitetail are widespread, seasons are long, and success is achievable for beginners. You'll get a lot of meat from one deer. The learning curve is manageable. Start here if you're unsure.
🦆 Waterfowl
Ducks and geese. Fast action, social hunts, and a different skillset than big game. You'll need decoys, calls, waders, and a shotgun. Seasons are shorter but limits mean multiple birds per hunt. Great if you want camaraderie and don't mind early mornings in cold water.
🐿️ Small Game Great Starting Point
Squirrels, rabbits, upland birds. Often overlooked but perfect for beginners. Longer seasons, less pressure, simpler gear. You'll learn woodsmanship without the high stakes of a once-a-year deer tag. Many experienced hunters started here as kids.
🦃 Turkey
Spring and fall seasons in most states. Calling birds into range is addictive. You'll need patience, good camo, and the ability to sit still. Success rates are lower than deer but the experience is intense.
🫎 Elk & Western Big Game
Bigger commitment. Bigger country. Bigger physical demands. Not recommended for your first hunt, but something to work toward.
How to hunt legally
📋 Before you set foot in the field, you need to be legal. No exceptions.
Every state requires hunter education for first-time license buyers. Most now offer an online hunter safety course that covers firearms safety, wildlife identification, regulations, and ethics. Plan for 8-12 hours of coursework plus a field day or proctored exam.
This isn't optional. And honestly, it's valuable. You'll learn things experienced hunters take for granted.
Beyond basic hunter ed, you may need:
- Firearms license or permit depending on your state. Some require separate permits for handguns, rifles, or shotguns.
- Bowhunter education if you want to hunt archery seasons. Different skills, different regulations, different course.
- Species-specific certifications for turkey, waterfowl, or other game in some states.
- Trapper education if you're interested in that path.
- First aid and wilderness courses aren't required but smart. You'll be in remote areas with sharp tools and firearms.
Check your state wildlife agency website for exact requirements. They vary significantly.
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How to go hunting for the first time
You've got your license. You've done your coursework. Now what?
🤝 Solo vs. With Others Important
Your first hunt shapes your trajectory. Choose wisely.
Going solo means learning everything the hard way. Every mistake is yours to figure out. Every question goes unanswered. It's doable, but the learning curve is steep and the success rate is low.
Going with experienced hunters accelerates everything. You'll see how it's actually done, not how forums say it's done. You'll learn the unwritten stuff. The small things that make the difference.
If you have any option to hunt with others first, take it.
Join a hunting club or find a mentor
👥 Hunting Clubs
Hunting clubs exist in most areas. Some own or lease private land. Others are social groups that organize hunts on public land.
Benefits are significant: Access to land. Experienced members willing to help newcomers. Shared knowledge about local patterns, pressure, and opportunities.
Finding them takes effort. Ask at local gun shops, sporting goods stores, or your state wildlife agency. Search Facebook groups for hunting clubs in your area. Attend hunter education classes and talk to instructors.
Some clubs have fees or membership requirements. Others are informal and free. Don't let cost stop you from asking.
🎓 Finding a Mentor Game Changer
One experienced hunter willing to take you out is worth more than all the YouTube videos combined.
Where to find them? Hunting clubs mentioned above. Coworkers or neighbors who hunt. Friends of friends. Online communities like r/hunting that have mentor programs.
Be respectful of their time. Show up prepared. Ask questions but don't expect them to do the work for you. Offer to help with their hunting tasks in return.
Many experienced hunters want to pass on what they know. They just need someone genuinely interested to teach.
Practice before the hunt
🎯 Shooting Skills
Hunting isn't target shooting. But you need to be a competent shooter before you hunt.
Minimum proficiency standards:
- Rifle hunting: Put shots in a 6-inch circle at 100 yards consistently. Every time. Not sometimes.
- Bowhunting: Consistent groups at 20-30 yards minimum. Know your effective range and stay within it.
- Shotgunning for birds: Spend time at the trap or skeet range. Moving targets are different than paper.
Beyond shooting, practice the other skills: Setting up decoys. Using calls. Reading maps. Moving quietly. Climbing into a tree stand safely.
The season isn't the time to learn. Practice happens before.
💪 Get in Shape
Hunting is more physical than it looks.
Sitting in a tree stand for 8 hours takes stamina. Walking miles through rough terrain with gear takes conditioning. Dragging a deer out takes strength.
You don't need to be an athlete. But being in reasonable shape makes everything better. You'll hunt longer. Go farther. Enjoy it more.
Start with walking. Add hills if you can. Wear a pack to simulate gear weight. Do some basic strength work for legs, core, and grip.
The fitter you are, the more options you have.
Planning your first hunt
📍 Where Can You Hunt?
This stops more new hunters than anything else.
Public land exists in every state. National forests, state game lands, wildlife management areas. It's not always easy to access or hunt, but it's available.
Use your state wildlife agency website to find public hunting areas. OnX, HuntStand, or similar mapping apps show boundaries and access points. Study satellite imagery before you go.
Private land requires permission. Ask landowners directly. Be polite, respectful, and willing to hear no. Some states have programs connecting hunters with private landowners.
Start close to home. Learn one area well rather than bouncing around.
🥩 The Meat and Cooking Aspect
You're going to kill an animal. Then what?
Field dressing, processing, and cooking are part of the deal. Not optional extras. If you can't handle that reality, hunting may not be for you.
The good news: it's learnable. YouTube has countless field dressing tutorials. Local butchers can process your animal if you don't want to do it yourself. Venison is some of the best meat you'll ever eat when prepared properly.
But think it through before you pull the trigger. Have a plan for getting your animal out, where you'll process it, and how you'll store the meat.
Mindset and patience
Most hunts don't end with a harvest. That's normal.
Success rates for deer hunters average around 20-30% depending on state and method. Meaning most hunters go home empty-handed most of the time.
This isn't failure. It's hunting.
You're learning to read sign, understand animal behavior, improve your woodsmanship. Every sit teaches something. Every blank day narrows down what works.
New hunters who expect quick success get frustrated and quit. Hunters who embrace the process stick around and eventually succeed.
Be patient. Pay attention. Trust the process.
What to wear on your first hunt
👕 Gear Doesn't Have to Be Expensive Budget Tip
Gear anxiety is real. Don't let it stop you.
For your first hunt, you don't need expensive hunting gear. Seriously. You need clothes that are quiet, appropriate for conditions, and don't stink.
Borrow gear if you can. Many hunting clubs have loaner equipment. Experienced hunters often have old gear they'd lend to a beginner. Ask around before you buy.
Understanding what is a hunter's most important item of clothing helps you prioritize. Spoiler: it's not the most expensive piece.
If you're buying, think in layers. Our guide to hunting layers explains the system. You need base layers to manage moisture, mid layers for hunting for insulation, and outerwear to block wind and weather.
For warm early seasons, warm weather hunting clothes prioritize breathability and quiet movement. For late season, late season hunting clothes and cold weather hunting gear keep you in the stand when temperatures drop.
Camo vs. solids? Both work. Solid color hunting clothes are often cheaper and more versatile for beginners. Camo patterns matter less than sitting still and playing the wind.
⚠️ One thing you may actually need: Blaze orange. Many states require it during firearms seasons. A blaze orange beanie or hunting jacket could be mandatory, not optional. Check your regulations.
Key takeaways on how to get started hunting
Getting into hunting isn't complicated. It just takes following the steps in order.
📋 The Basics
- Know why you want to hunt
- Pick a species and method that matches your goals
- Get legal through hunter education and licensing
- Find experienced hunters to learn from
🎯 Before You Go
- Practice your shooting skills before season
- Plan your hunt with realistic expectations
- Dress appropriately without overthinking gear
- Get in reasonable physical shape
Your first hunt probably won't end with an animal. That's fine.
You'll learn more in one day in the field than months of reading online.
Start simple. Start soon. The perfect time doesn't exist. The best time is now.
How did your first time hunting go?
We want to hear about it.
The struggles. The surprises. The things you wish you'd known. Your story helps other beginners see that everyone starts somewhere.
Reach out and let us know if this guide helped. Share your first hunt experience with our community.
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