Nobody ever called hunting easy. Nature doesn’t offer a Hunting for Beginners course; every quarry you pursue will do its level best to make sure you fail. With that said, hunting doesn’t have to be nearly impossible—or boring, either.
Certain animals are much easier to bag than others. Some have glaring weaknesses that you can exploit, while others exist in great numbers and give you plenty of second chances. Here are five that we recommend if you’ve never hunted before:
Turkeys
Beginners should consider hunting turkeys. By Vince pahkala via Wikimedia Commons
Turkeys possess extremely sharp eyesight and great hearing, making it nearly impossible to sneak up on them. What they lack is a developed sense of smell. As long as you know how to stay completely still, you can generally succeed at turkey hunting.
Most hunters use some combination of turkey calls, ground blinds, decoys, and full-body camo to lure the birds in close without giving themselves away. Most shots are easy and taken within a few dozen yards.
If you know you have more patience than marksmanship, turkey hunting is a great way to get started and boost your confidence.
Doves
By CheepShot via Wikimedia Commons
On the opposite side of the same coin we have doves. Doves often travel in sizable flocks and will fly over grain fields one after another for hours on end. If you miss one, another generally shows up within minutes. The hunt also involves very little hiking—just lease a field from a local farmer, drive over, and you’re already on the hunting grounds.
It does take real skill to hit one of these birds. Small, fast, and agile, they make clay shooting seem like child’s play.
Most states in the US allow mourning dove hunting, often with hefty bag limits of up to 15 birds in a day. If you know you can hit a moving target and want room to make mistakes, give it a try.
Squirrels
By Cephas via Wikimedia Commons
Some people seem to think that shooting squirrels doesn’t count as hunting. We disagree. It serves as excellent training in stalking and hitting a live target, and grey squirrels provide wonderful meat similar to that of rabbit.
When alerted to the presence of a predator, squirrels will freeze or attempt to escape into trees, moving to the far side of the tree trunk. This provides just enough of a challenge to reward stealth and make for a sporting hunt.
Finally, you can easily bag these little guys with a .22. Go after squirrels if firing the 12-gauge makes you flinch and you need to brush up on your basics.
Pronghorn Antelope
By Leupold, James C. via Wikimedia Commons
The state of Wyoming has nearly as many pronghorn antelope as it does people. Hunting in such places will give you plenty of opportunities, so one mistake won’t put your entire hunting season to waste.
Most pronghorn hunters use spot-and-stalk methods to get within range. This involves lots of scouting and sneaking up on unsuspecting animals. You rarely have to sit still for long, and beginners usually find the hunt far more entertaining than waiting in a tree stand.
If you can move quietly and enjoy doing it, then a pronghorn hunt might be just what the doctor ordered.
Whitetail Deer
By Garett Gabriel via Wikimedia Commons
We can’t tell you that the whitetail deer is an easy target. They have razor-sharp senses and can often detect a completely still hunter who has deadened his scent. You will have to work to get one of these. Still, we recommend them for two reasons.
First, you can hunt them almost anywhere in the US. You might even find one (or five) in your own backyard.
Second, a successful deer hunt is an incredibly rewarding experience. It will give you a beautiful trophy and an abundant supply of delicious meat. Perhaps best of all, it will earn you respect from more experienced hunters.
If you’re willing to work for your dinner from day one, consider the whitetail.
Any one of these animals can make a great introduction to hunting for beginners. Pick one that matches your skills and mindset and soon you’ll have a new favorite hobby.