Written by HLRBO| 10/26/2020
Are you interested in hunting, but you weren't one of the lucky ones who have been hunting for decades with grandpa and dad? Are you looking for a sport you can enjoy and pass down to your kids? Maybe you love being outdoors and are interested in giving hunting a try. No matter the reason, if you are interested in getting your hunting feet wet, you have come to the right place. Maybe you are already a licensed hunter but have a question that you have been too embarrassed to ask. You are in the right place!
According to statistics from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 40 percent of the U.S. population, 16 years and older, participated in wildlife-related activities in 2016, including hunting, fishing, and wildlife-watching.
People have been hunting, whether for necessity or sport, literally since the beginning of time. There's even a national day for hunting!
Where to start
Before you head out to the range, remember that hunting is a huge commitment. You must commit your time, and you must buy special gear, and let's face it, you must be ready to put a lot of sweat, blood, and even some tears into hunting.
It starts in the classroom
You're going to have to hit the books if you want to start hunting. Hunting is a highly-regulated activity. You need a license to hunt wild game, including deer, turkeys, and squirrels. But, before you can get your hunting license, you'll need to take and pass a hunting education course.
The rules and regulations vary slightly by state, so for the specs on what your state requires when it comes to a hunting license, click here.
Even if your state does not require a course before you get your license, we still highly recommend it. After all, you will be dealing with a deadly weapon when hunting, and since there are so many laws surrounding hunting, it's good to brush up on them, so you don't accidentally find yourself on the wrong side of the hunting laws. Hey, maybe you'll even meet a hunting buddy in your class!
"What if I want to try hunting before I commit to a class?"
It depends on what state you live in. But, if it's allowed in your state, you have to find someone willing to take a first-timer out (easier said than done). If you'd like to try hunting before starting the process to get your license, you can buy an apprentice hunting license. This license will let you legally hunt and harvest an animal, as long as you are under the supervision of a licensed adult hunter. Apprentice licenses are only available in certain states. If your state does offer apprentice hunting licenses, we recommend getting one as a way to gauge your interest in hunting before committing.
If you are in a state with no apprenticeship programs available, you can always tag along with another licensed hunter. You won't actually be able to pull the trigger, but you will learn a lot. You will get a strong sense of how a hunt goes, what takes place, and other first-hand knowledge of being a hunter.
"Can I hunt in a state that I don't live in?"
When you have completed a hunter education course, you can use the course to buy a hunting license in all 50 states and even some other countries. This is another benefit to taking a hunter's ed course, even if your state doesn't require it. There wouldn't be anything worse than getting ready for an out-of-state hunting trip and not being able to attend last-minute because you have to take an entire course before being able to get your license.