Senator Wayne Fontana is looking at legislation to expand mentored hunting to adults, instead of just children. As an adult who has never hunted, but would like to try, this is a program I’d take advantage of. The big problem for me is finding time to do hunters education. Hunting requires an awful lot of investment up front to get into it. Shooting not so much. I’m reluctant to put so much time into something I may not do more than once or twice, depending on how much I get out of it.
9 thoughts on “Saving Hunting in Pennsylvania”
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Any time you want to head out, the offer still stands (and for anyone else too!)
That’s cool! I know the only way I got into hunting this last year is because I didn’t need to take that class… I’m planning on doing it this summer anyway, but only because I’ve had the experience and decided it was something I wanted to do.
I think this a good idea. Heather and I got into hunting first by shooting, but hunter’s ed is a pretty high barrier to entry. Luckily you don’t need it in many places up here (believe it ok not). We’ll probably take it this summer so that we can do some bird hunting in restricted areas closer to home in the fall.
I would submit that if you haven’t the time to take the hunter safety course you really don’t have the time to hunt. Hunting uses a lot of time, whole days. As to what gear your going to need, other than firearms not much. A bolt action rifle and a shotgun for birding. It just depends on what you want to hunt.
I would disagree with your assertion, Rwilson. He has the time to hunt on Saturdays, and could even take an occasional day off if he wanted. However, being able to block off several evenings is more troublesome. Sebastian doesn’t have a regular work schedule. If an issue comes up at work, he often has to stay pretty late to work on it after most other people have left. All of the hunter ed courses I’ve researched in this area are on week nights when he cannot actually commit to attending.
I’m hoping WI finishes fixing this issue; they’re going to be offering an online test that allows you to forgo the class if you get 100% on it. Unfortunately, I’m not sure I’ll be able to do that, as I think some of the “correct answers” are actually not from what I’ve heard…
I’ve been also unable to dedicate time to the classes (especially considering the immasculating nature of having to take a class with a bunch of kids), though I would love to take the weekend trips up with my coworkers, especially because someone’s going to need to teach me to field-dress a critter…
We’ve got an online option as well – you study the online book, take a test, and as long as you get 80% or better, all you have to do is the shooting test.
I am in the same boat.
I’d like to go hunting but have no experience. People say oh you can just get a permit – you don’t need the class. But I want to take a Hunter Safety Class!
But beyond that. I need a mentor.
I mean what am I supposed to do? Go out there, shoot bambi, than while looking down at a bleeding dying deer exclaim “Okay, now WTF do I do with this thing?”
It’s kind of intimidating. I am hoping to do my first hunting this year. Namely take out a Woodchuck in my yard with either my 10/22 or my .17HMR.
I think I’d like to go for some fowl as my first hunting trip (pheasant, goose, duck, etc).
NUGUN – start small! My husband started with grouse, and I started with porcupines.
There are a lot of books out there on field dressing. Another great thing that helps is to find a local taxidermist and chat them up. They’re full of good advice, especially on the larger, more intimidating animals. Our taxi has an “open-door” policy – call him up, say “hey, whatcha got?” and he’ll say “Come on down and watch me do this bear” or whatever.