New to Hunting and Looking for a Mentor

Hi everyone,

I am a 25 year old looking to get into hunting. I have been wanting to go hunting for many years now but unfortunately no one in my family did or does hunt. I currently live in Niagara Falls, ON and can travel anywhere in the province providing the right opportunity. I am very comfortable outdoors and in good shape. I am interested in learning how to hunt deer and turkey for the most part but honestly I’m game for whatever people are willing to teach and share that knowledge. I’m most interested in spot and stock, learning how to call and using a tree stand, but again, I’m down for whatever style as I’m just trying to learn.

If there is any other information that is needed I can provide it.

Thanks!

This question comes up from time to time, my suggestion is to locate some hunting property and invite someone out to hunt with you that can show you what they do. Utube is a good source of information for hunting lessons, but the best information is local knowledge from local hunters. Use the internet to locate public hunting land and get your boots on the ground to scope it out first before making any invites.

Thanks for the advice! I agree 100% that local knowledge from local hunters would be the best source of information. What would be the best way to reach out to hunters after scouting out spots?

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Originally Posted by TheNaturalist

Thanks for the advice! I agree 100% that local knowledge from local hunters would be the best source of information. What would be the best way to reach out to hunters after scouting out spots?

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This forum is a good source to reach out to other hunters, now is a good time to find 'your' hunting location, closer to opening day would be a good time to obtain responses to your request for guidance. I used to mentor hunt (take underage kids out with one firearm to share under the mentor rules) and I have heard others on this forum who seem to do it.

Another option is to take pictures of the specific area you have selected and post the pictures asking for advice, you will get a lot of responses but remember that free opinions (including mine) are worth as much as they cost. A pic of the tree, and also a pic of the google earth map showing the surrounding vegitation would help.

One bit of advice in scouting a specific tree to hunt out of: if it is easy to get there keep moving and look for another spot, the less human intrusion in any hunting spot will increase your chances exponetially. Generally speaking if you can get there without hip waders you will be sharing the spot with other hunters.

If you can pick up a book by John Eberhart called 'Bowhunting pressured Whitetails' that will give you the most advice from any source I could suggest.

Good luck and keep us posted,

Wow thank you for all that, should get me started in the right direction. I will definitely pick up that reading!

Try looking for hunting clubs/associations ? Maybe your local gun shop may have leads ? There are many on here that take on newbies to mentor so it probably wouldn't hurt to have a resume ready to hand out and be prepared to do some "meet and greets" beforehand so both sides can size each other up.

Thanks for the advice! I am reaching out to local pro shops and definitely won’t be going on any hunts without a first meet and greet.

if you have a spot to hunt i would not mind at all coming out to hunt with you and share what i know. send a pm if interested.

Thanks! I’ll reach out at some point soon, hopefully get something going this fall?

Always stay tuned to this site come fall and winter sometimes people are looking for someone to join them on a hunt for anything from grouse, rabbits, Yotes etc.

I would suggest getting your Pleasure Boat Operators card in case you get to go duck hunting ? There is the Long Point Waterfowlers Association that helps maintain public hunting at Long Point and they recently opened their own website. They are always open to new members/volunteers and there are Walk-in Blinds to rent for those without a boat. Also check out Stomps Long Point Page/ Channel 68/ Waterfowl forum it's the local chat room.

Not really on here. The whole board is a chat group.

Occasionally someone will post that they are going hunting and looking for someone to go same for deer and Moose. Sometimes there are posts after the the season looking newbies to join their group for next year.

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Originally Posted by Nanny12

Are there any chat groups that I can join in following the updates?

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Tough area to live in as a hunter. Knocking on doors and getting permission in Niagara seems dang near impossible. You get yourself a spot in that area and you'll have no problem making friends. :D
You're closest option for some public access hunting would be the NPCA properties. You have to buy a permit, but it's cheap
https://npca.ca/parks-recreation/hunting-application

If you have a bow, and interest in archery, you can shoot at the Thorold club and maybe start networking with some locals there.
https://www.niagarafishing.net/topic...rchery-shoots/

Do you have your hunting license/tags/etc? What's your current plan for the fall?

As of right now I don’t plan on hunting with a bow just because of the lack of experience with it and hunting in general. I do plan to get into it sooner rather than though. Just need to actually buy a bow a get going with the practice. That Thorold Club looks to be a great resource for learning though! And I will definitely check it out once I get going with a bow.

I currently have my hunting license and small game license, no tags as of yet. The plan as of right now is to go turkey hunting in the fall. Hopefully up near Peterborough as I have a buddy who also wants to get into hunting and he lives up there. No real idea on where up there yet, it would be our first hunt and still trying to plan it out.

Do you have a firearm licence ?

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Originally Posted by TheNaturalist

As of right now I don’t plan on hunting with a bow just because of the lack of experience with it and hunting in general. I do plan to get into it sooner rather than though. Just need to actually buy a bow a get going with the practice. That Thorold Club looks to be a great resource for learning though! And I will definitely check it out once I get going with a bow.

I currently have my hunting license and small game license, no tags as of yet. The plan as of right now is to go turkey hunting in the fall. Hopefully up near Peterborough as I have a buddy who also wants to get into hunting and he lives up there. No real idea on where up there yet, it would be our first hunt and still trying to plan it out.

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Yes, I have my PAL

I sagest you find a used one $800 https://www.sabatti.it/en/product/forest

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Originally Posted by TheNaturalist

Yes, I have my PAL

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Thanks for the suggestion but I’m all covered in that department right now. Although a combo 12g and 30-06 would be pretty cool!

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Originally Posted by longpointer

I would suggest getting your Pleasure Boat Operators card in case you get to go duck hunting ? There is the Long Point Waterfowlers Association that helps maintain public hunting at Long Point and they recently opened their own website. They are always open to new members/volunteers and there are Walk-in Blinds to rent for those without a boat. Also check out Stomps Long Point Page/ Channel 68/ Waterfowl forum it's the local chat room.

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Thanks for the advice! I will definitely look into that!

Also in Norfolk County there is a Pheasant Release Program that the Long Point Area Fish & Game Club operates and the NCC properties (Nature Conservancy Canada) that allow public access to select areas for hunting and of course the LPRCA (Long Point Regional Conservation Areas) again with select areas that hunting is allowed.

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Originally Posted by longpointer

Also in Norfolk County there is a Pheasant Release Program that the Long Point Area Fish & Game Club operates and the NCC properties (Nature Conservancy Canada) that allow public access to select areas for hunting and of course the LPRCA (Long Point Regional Conservation Areas) again with select areas that hunting is allowed.

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Great advice there. Just wish their maps where better as the info seems vague, one day I'll have to go in and see if they got physical maps more accurate than those available on the computer.

The NCC produce some pretty good aerial photo maps of their properties for their info package but I agree the LPRCA maps are somewhat vague. I might suggest checking on the Norfolk County website as the have a ARC/GIS map that shows aerial photos of 2020 and 1964 and by sliding the bar/curser back and forth you can see it now or back to 1964 for the same area. Really cool !

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

Great advice there. Just wish their maps where better as the info seems vague, one day I'll have to go in and see if they got physical maps more accurate than those available on the computer.

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I use Googe earth pro and then add way points based on the hunting map, its not 100% accurate but it gives much better detail and you can zoom in to the actual tree you are using and zoom out to see the agriculture that the deer are travelling to, and see ATV routes to avoid.

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Originally Posted by thenaturalist

hi everyone,

i am a 25 year old looking to get into hunting. I have been wanting to go hunting for many years now but unfortunately no one in my family did or does hunt. I currently live in niagara falls, on and can travel anywhere in the province providing the right opportunity. I am very comfortable outdoors and in good shape. I am interested in learning how to hunt deer and turkey for the most part but honestly i’m game for whatever people are willing to teach and share that knowledge. I’m most interested in spot and stock, learning how to call and using a tree stand, but again, i’m down for whatever style as i’m just trying to learn.

If there is any other information that is needed i can provide it.

Thanks!

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i'd love to help you but i'm north of whitby in uxbridge

i'm 82 yrs and have hunted all my life prettywell, i've done rabbit ( hunt and trap ) partridge, deer and moose

i'm still doing moose and have a group. Used to organize deer and moose groups

you tell me how i can help you and i'll do my best

i consider myself a serious hunter where the hunt and enjoying life have become one

good luck

bob

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Originally Posted by OLD TIMER

i'd love to help you but i'm north of whitby in uxbridge

i'm 82 yrs and have hunted all my life prettywell, i've done rabbit ( hunt and trap ) partridge, deer and moose

i'm still doing moose and have a group. Used to organize deer and moose groups

you tell me how i can help you and i'll do my best

i consider myself a serious hunter where the hunt and enjoying life have become one

good luck

bob

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Good for you Bob still hunting and helping out, your still a young buck, got a neighbour beside me and he only slowed down from hunting last year he is 93 years old, another probably not hunting any more but was trapping well into his 90,s and hunting, he is 103 now.

I am getting old to ... I am 59 this year ....

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Originally Posted by Gilroy

Good for you Bob still hunting and helping out, your still a young buck, got a neighbour beside me and he only slowed down from hunting last year he is 93 years old, another probably not hunting any more but was trapping well into his 90,s and hunting, he is 103 now.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by OLD TIMER

i'd love to help you but i'm north of whitby in uxbridge

i'm 82 yrs and have hunted all my life prettywell, i've done rabbit ( hunt and trap ) partridge, deer and moose

i'm still doing moose and have a group. Used to organize deer and moose groups

you tell me how i can help you and i'll do my best

i consider myself a serious hunter where the hunt and enjoying life have become one

good luck

bob

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I would love the opportunity to hunt with you. Even if it means just getting out there and seeing how it all goes down. As I said I literally have no experience or to be honest fully understand all of hunting culture as I didn’t grow up in it. I will definitely reach out! Thanks so much Bob!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gilroy

Good for you Bob still hunting and helping out, your still a young buck, got a neighbour beside me and he only slowed down from hunting last year he is 93 years old, another probably not hunting any more but was trapping well into his 90,s and hunting, he is 103 now.

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yup i got a couple uncles that we hunt with, getting into their late 80s and doesnt look like theyre slowing down much haha