Help getting started :)

[TLM4590]

I was wanting to know if anyone may could help me, im 19

have never been deer hunting but have went with friends and family a couple of times small game hunting. Im getting my hunter safety certificate early sept. and I was wanting a little help with whats next. I kinda want to go solo and not ask for help from friends or family so I figured Id post here. Aside from equipment (if you want to include you can) what all needs to take place to bag a deer and what do I do with it afterwards. Where will I hunt and how do I hunt there (wmas?)

what are the legalities such as tags and certain regulations in Georgia (northern) and after ive shot it and all what do i do with it next, do I have to have the meat processed or can I dispose of it etc... any info on how the process works will help, I think I can manage to figure out the actual hunting and killing with time. Please dont let this be strictly deer related, any info on other game would be helpful too.

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

I can't help you with local regulations, but as far as disposition of the meat after you've made a kill, you basically have 4 choices.

1) Process the deer yourself

2) Take it to a meat processor (this is the easiest)

3) Give it away to some organization that feeds the needy

4) Give it away to an individual that wants it

And welcome to the forums!

[Casey]

Welcome to the Forums.

First of all, get your hunter safety done first, then I would look at this website and get to know your state laws and regulations. http://www.gadnr.org/

We have a lot of Georgia guys and gals that come to this forum. I know they will give you lots of information on public lands to hunt deer, turkey, dove, ect........

Lots of good info here, so stick around.

[BrotherBadger]

What you need to do is go to your local hunting license dealer(i usually get mine at the walmart sporting good dept), and ask for a instate deer hunting license. You will need to show ID(proof of residency). You can either buy a single season license, or a lifetime(much more expensive). I would recommend the single season right now, if it turns out you don't like the hunting experience, you're only out about $35(or however much the in state in georgia is, i don't recall).

If you want to buy your license online, go to this address:

https://www4.wildlifelicense.com/ga/index_hf.php

You are also going to have to have a Deer harvest Record, which you can also pick up at a license agent(walmart, ect). These you have to get every year, and you MUST fill it out before moving the deer you shot.

The Firearm season in Northern Georgia(October 17 - January 1) is shorter than in the south(October 17 - January 15). THe Archery season is September 12 - October 9. The Bag limit is 12 per season, No more than 10 may be antlerless and no more than 2 may be antlered. One of the 2 antlered deer must have at least 4 points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers.

Now, as for processing the deer, you can do one of two things; you can take it to a processor(either skinned or non, but if you skin and gut it, it will cost less), or you can do it yourself. I personally no longer go to a processor(we had problems with the guy giving everybody the exact same amount of meat, no matter how big the deer was), so we do it ourselves.

As far as bagging a deer, there is alot of work going into it.

Do you know the land you are going to hunt?

Are there stands/blinds already up to hunt from?

Edited August 31, 2009 by BrotherBadger

[fly]

If you lived closer to me I'd say lets meet for coffee and talk hunting! Something I never get tired of.

Where to start ?????

Sounds like you're going about it the right way.

Make sure you take every safety precaution and don't take any shortcuts. I'd suggest that you wait to use a tree stand until you gain a little experience. A ground blind would be a better option. Always be sure of what your shooting and what is past your target in case the bullit passes through.

A video demonstrating how to field dress a deer...

[jesse8953]

Be ready for Buck feaver! lol

[Jeramie]

Hunters love to see post like this. Getting our younger generations involved is a wonderful thing. Congratulations on the decision and welcome to the forums.

There are tons of factors to deer hunting. Most you will learn over time. Some are immediate lessons while others take years and years.

First start here. I looked up your states Wildlife Department. You should find all regulations here. If you need help navigating the website let us know. We can help make sense of it all.

http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/

Also, its a good idea to find a hunter in the area to get you started. Its not 100% necessary but it isnt a bad idea.

One other thing to consider is to PM a member on these forums and give them your phone number. Realtree is full of great people. A short phone conversation will be worth far more than trying to type a lot of stuff out on computer. Many members in here will be more than glad to help guide you in the right direction.

Some quick points to deer hunting.

1) Safety. It may sound cliche but the truth is you can never be safe enough. Tree stand falls, gun shots, falls in general, etc. There are a lot of ways to get hurt. Always be safe.

2) With deer, scent control is really important and as if not more important than cammo (sorry realtree). Ive killed deer in jeans and a t-shirt before. Make sure you stay downwind because they have a really, really good nose. Also, dont expose hunting clothes to very strong smells like breakfast before going hunting. Wash your body with a carbon soap (you can buy it at Walmart). There are several ways to be as scent free as possible. Study them. Its pretty important.

3) Method of hunting. If youre planning on using a Bow, Muzzle Loader, Or Rifle be sure you are versed with that weapon and able to kill and not mame. Its important to both you and the animal.

Again, there are tons of factors but hunting is worth it.

[TLM4590]

I will say that video of the field dressing is pretty intense, but very informative. The worst part is cutting the trachea. Id really like to know about how long a deer (in Georgia weather)

would stay fresh after you have shot or field dressed it. Also, about how much does it cost to have one processed or can you donate it to the processor if you have no need for the meat (like that would happen) or should I just invest my interest in learning how to process it myself. Thanks for all the help.

[csualumni21000]

I am in costal SC. I shoot the deer and take it to the processor, no field dressing. I would try and find someone to help you out. If I lived near you I would. It is not rocket science, know the regulations and just do it. I would ask around at church or a local gun shop. The key is getting out there. Be safe and shoot straight.

[MichiganHunter]

1. Location.....if you can find a farm/private land that would be the best. But if you are going ot hunt public put your time in and find a good spot FAR away from where other people hunt....try maps.live.com to find a good location.

2. Equipment..the normal, gun, clothing, extra clothing, a stand or blind if you so choose to have it. "I often hunt right on the ground unless it's wet"

3. The deer after, I would say since your just starting out that finding a processor with a fair price would be the easiest way to get your deer cut up. (I pay 60 a deer=1.05lb on average)

4. Scent controle is kind of important. It depends on what you are hunting with and where, if deer are close than it is super important. If they are out a bit and you are going to be shooting them out there a ways than it's less important and wind direction is more important.

5. KNOW THE LOCAL LAWS, and if you are hunting public land DONT DONT DONT let anyone push you around (dont pick a fight or cause one) but you have just as much right to hunt public land at 19 as the other guy at 39

The best thing to do is to start asking specific questions about specific topics. that would be the best thing.

Edited September 2, 2009 by MichiganHunter

[TLM4590]

About these wmas, how do you actually go about hunting on them, is it kinda like a state park but instead of camping and boating youre finding a place in the woods to hunt? or can you just find a spot to drive off the road and then waltz into the woods and start hunting. Im really clueless with how the wma system works.

[coles]

i just watched a little bit of the video of field dressing. i only watched to the part of the guy cutting the chest cavity open. One thing i noticed that he did wrong IMO was that he did it the worst way he could. One thing i have been taught since i was 3 or 4 years old with a knife....never cut towards yourself! I always stand to the rear of the deer and cut up towards the head. Not the way he did it. That is a good way to slip and stab that huge blade into your thigh. If you hit your artery you will most likely be found laying dead next to the deer. So never cut towards yourself. Get a small bone saw if you have to stand at the head like he did.

[Hoosierbuck]

Welcome to the forums. I am self-taught, too, so I can empathize with you about doing it yourself. The first couple years were pretty lean, but I got better and you will too. The best teachers are the deer themselves, get a good spot and let them teach you how to hunt them. See where they go, figure out why.

So much to say, but I will leave it at that for now. Look for a mentor at your hunter ed. class. Ask for pointers and don't be too shy. Good luck to you!

HB

PS-I think that video is all bass ackwards. That's not how I field dress deer.

[TLM4590]

I will say my main problem will be the asking for help, I dont wanna come off desperate or like Im begging, my brother-in-law hunts about everything but we dont have one of THOSE bro-in-law relationships, and I know a guy who has offered before but I havent talked to him and about 3 months so that would be weird :death: