I don’t mean to exclude whitetails and other big game species, but…well, let’s just look around ‘em for a minute, okay?

If you field veterans were to offer one bit of hunting advice - tip, tactic, strategy, idea, etc. - to someone who’s going to be hunting waterfowl, small game, upland birds, or trapping for the first time this Fall, what would that be?

The first one that comes to mind is -

Patience. You’re working on wild time, not on human time. If you keep looking at your watch, you might as well go home. Take your time and have patience. Sit a little longer. Sit a little more still. Stay in the blind an extra half hour, if you can. Watch a little more closely. Patience will be rewarded in the field

- or -

Learn to listen, not only for the game animal you’re hunting but to everything around you. Blue jays will often give away the presence of an interloping fox squirrel. Crows, too, will often tip you off to the presence of game. Geese often “honk” more rapidly as they’re getting ready to leave a roost or feeding field.

What else is out there, folks? - M.D.

My advise would be to enjoy the things around you an let things happen the way it was ment to happen. I enjoy the outdoors to fill my game bag is a plus. I still hunt for squrrierls, deer, grouse, the things I see change with each step.

I hunt with a gentleman here, a fellow writer, who truly enjoys just being outdoors. True, he loves eating wild game, but each of his “field reports” includes sightings of all sorts of things - songbirds, egrets, pelicans, etc.

I don’t know as though non-hunters realize just to what extent we hunters simply enjoy nature. I love being out there; anymore, I don’t shoot the gun nearly as much as I did 20 years ago (I’m 43 now). I’ve been blessed to have hunted a lot of places and have put a lot of game on the ground over the past 35 years - and to me, now, it’s all about technique, strategy, and just getting away from the computer, people, desk, etc.

Good post, Mauser - M.D.

I learned to hunt from my Grandfather an trap as well. He was a Blackfoot Indian an he told me at an early age that we belong to the mountains, to enjoy our time an pass it on in better shape than we found it in. He passed away at 107years old. He was cool.

You see things when you are hunting that are speical.  Like a owl that lands in a tree six feet from you, a squirrel that comes up and sniffs your gun barrel or a hawk dive down and catch a mouse.

One of the best thigns you can see is a young person experiencing the outdoors.  Take some time to share hunting with a kid or even an adult.

The first step has already been taken and thats your love of the outdoors.  Don’t be upset if you come back empty handed because every moment you spent in the woods is a learning expierience. Leave your stress in the car and simply get a feel for your environment.

Research what you hunt and the rest will fall into place.

Just spending time outdoors will not only grater your chances of seeing wildlife, but also bringing home your bounty. As everyone has said it is not about what you bring home it is what you see and learn while you are out there. It is also about the comeradery of the people you hunt with.

I know this is not how this post started but last elk season I finally talked my friends grandpa into going with me. He was going through kemo and was worried he wouldn’t have the strength to hunt (he’s 85) but said he missed it so much he’d be willing to stay in camp if he had to. I made some phone calls and got an application so he could hunt from the truck. (I’m against road hunting if your able bodied). His Dr. filled out the app. and fish and game approved it. He was so excited to be going, he along with the rest of us didn’t sleep for the week before we left. He made it out every day and even went and set on stand while we pushed canyons a few times. He didn’t get to shoot anything but had a great time. The whole bunch of us that went got to hear his stories and experiences around the camp fire. Everyone that went had a great with him in camp and all want him to come back next year. He was so touched by this that when I told him we all wanted him back next year, he shed a tear. If I never hang another animal in camp it will be well worth it. This is what the outdoors is all about!

elkgetr,

Great post…made me want to get some more folks out in the field who might appreciate one more crack at a buck or just the opportunity to sit around a campfire and tell some stories about how it used to be.

Thanks,

Mike

I’m an avid waterfowler, and my bit of advice if someone were to try and take up waterfowling next fall is to SCOUT, SCOUT, SCOUT.  Keep a log of what you’ve seen where and the weather.  I have little notes in a log book that say “Remember to hunt -here- next year on such-and-such a day!”  Whenever I hunt public refuges for waterfowl, I always drive around with my binocs and scout where the birds are working and resting as well as where birds seemed to be getting consistently taken by hunters.  Many of my best refuge hunts have been from mid-day on after I had scouted and readjusted my location.  Also on slow days, just walk the marsh and scout.  It’s the best way to find little “honey holes” and out of the way places.  Too many hunters these days want everything to happen right-now-this-second and aren’t willing to put the time and effort in.  Put forth the effort, and just enjoy being in the outdoors while your doing it!  It just makes the reward that much sweeter!