Hunting 101: For Your Very First Hunt

Hunting is one of the most satisfying experiences you can gain in your life because it gives you a perspective on life and death. Many people will tell you, “it makes a man feel like a man” or “It’s something men need to do,” but I am here to tell you that hunting should be done by both men and women. As we ring in the new year, we have girls like Braeleigh Miller, who became the youngest girl to ever kill an Elk in the state of Michigan to look to as examples of inclusion. As her family explained, the experience is one that will live with them forever. In 2020, we should strive for more tolerance, inclusion, and knowledge to make us better brothers, Fathers, Husbands, and friends. We have included guides on gear and hunting rifles to make it easier to learn the basics of hunting.

Why Should We All Hunt?

Hunting has been a part of the human experience since we evolved as early as 180,000 years ago on the East coast of Africa, in what is now Ethiopia. First, the conservation of animals and their habitats are paid for largely by the profits each state gets from hunting fees. So, if you enjoy your National and State Parks around the country, hunting has an impact on those places. Secondly, hunting is an incredibly emotional experience because once you get your first animal, you will gain a great appreciation for nature and our place in the world. Once you process your animal and cook and taste it for the first time with your family, it can be a life-changing experience (it was for me!).

What Do I Need To Know About Hunting?

This is an impossible question to answer for each individual because every state has different regulations, seasons, and topography. Luckily, each state has websites dedicated to giving you the most up-to-date and accurate information on hunting seasons, locations, and regulations. Click on the state that you would like to hunt in, and it will take you to each state’s website.

What Do I Hunt With?

Choosing your tool to hunt with is a very important decision and can be very stressful if you don’t know what is used for the animal you’re hunting. As we build more content, you’ll see hunting blogs on large game, waterfowls, furbearers (fox, coyote), bow hunting, and shotguns.  For now, we are building our hunting profile on the best rifles used to hunt large game.

What Are The Best Rifles Used to Hunt Large Game?

Large game in North America includes the Ungulates, such as Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, Elk, Moose, Bison, Pronghorn, and Sika Deer. It could also include the Apex predators, such as Mountain Lions, Wolves, and Bear, depending on your state regulations. Depending on what caliber rifle you want to use or already have, the table below describes our top choices for hunting rifles.

What Rifle Scopes Should I Use?

Other than professional hunters, like Steve Rinella or professional guides who hike the mountains for a living, we gain a ton of experience with our scopes. In the table below, we give our impressions on the most affordable, best overall, best for high mountains in the Rockies or Cascades, and best for dense woodlands of the Appalachian and Smoky Mountains. Make sure you understand what kind of topography you’re hunting in, so it will make it easier to decide which scope works best for you’re individual situation.

Want to Learn How to Install and use a scope? Read our blog on Vudu Scopes

Hunting Gear

One day hunting in the Rockies, Sierra Nevada, and the Cascades can begin with sunny skies and change to rain or snow within minutes and change right back. You need to have the best gear all the elements could throw at you within a day or weekend hunt in elevation. I am going to give you my favorite waterproof, windproof, and breathable jackets, my favorite socks, my favorite base layer, and my favorite boots. All four of these articles of clothing have the chance of making or breaking under the unpredictable conditions of the mountains.