New to hunting

**bambam55** · 07-12-2012, 05:04 PM

always check your states laws,some times they have some pretty strage laws.For example you can shoot or kill a deer in New Hamp.(where I'm from) with a .22 cal. center fire,but you can't kill a deer with a .22 cal rimfire,in other words if you hit a deer with a legal cal. weapon and it's down and you want to put it out of it's misery you can't use a .22cal. rimfire. l think that's #1 on my list of stupid. I taught hunter's safety th N.H. for about 15 years but can't figure out why you shouldn't be able to finish off a deer with a .22 rimfire

**ZAGran** · 07-13-2012, 01:42 AM

Everyone here has given good advice. Let me add one other thing. Get to know your firearm.
you purchase your .270 Savage Axis, learn all the safety regs, take your hunters ed course and find an experienced hunter to take you out Somewhere in there, learn your firearm. Take it to the range. Shoot it a lot! Sitting, Standing, Prone, & Braced At least 5 to 10 shots from each position Then sight it in. Then shoot it some more. At least 3 or 4 more trips if you haven't shot before. If you have expertice in a firearm you will need only 1 or 2 more trips.

Hunting in enjoyable and rewarding. It should be respected. No messing around, no acting stupid, no drinking until the firearm is unloaded and safely stored.

Have fun, enjoy and be safe.

**Legion489** · 07-16-2012, 03:16 PM

Well lots of good advice here. Savage makes goods rifles, although I have not tried the Axis, but it should be fine.

What I would recommend is you go to the library and read every gun/hunting/game cooking-butchering book they have, and check out any back issues of all the gun/outdoor magazines (Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, Sports Afield, Hunting, etc) they have too.

Read the hunting regs a couple of times, sometimes they make little to no sense at first (or on the tenth read for that matter).

Contact the local DNR and see what THEY recommend as far as gear, most are very helpful.

You will ALWAYS need a good knife, and that isn't cheap, but it will last a lifetime.

You will ALWAYS need good footwear, and that isn't cheap either, but low quality junk will cripple you, if you are lucky, that is all that happens to you.

Compass and map.

Hope this helps.

**Rikki Tikki** · 08-04-2012, 02:21 PM

Your rifle should be up to the task, .270 is a solid choice. However, if it came with a scope, I would remove that and replace with a Leupold, Nikon, Burris, 3x9x40 or 3x9x50 scope. In conjuction with your rifle and ammo a qualty scope is a must, unless you have adequate iron sights.

The rest of the stuff:

1. Quality binoculars for searching the area. You should not use the scope for this. Remember saftey lessons, only point the weapon at things you are prepared to shoot.
2. Good boots and adequate clothing for the environment. You don't have to have cammo, or spend alot here. Scent and movement will give you away.
3. Good knife, fixed or folder. 3-4 inch drop point blade is all you need.
4. Backpack or fannypack to carry gear, food, water.
5. Small flashlight or headlight. Get into the woods early, stay late.
6. Fully charged cell phone, map compass, or GPS.
7. That's mainly it, the following are nice to haves, TP, Marking tape, drag rope,snacks, bug repellant, small first aid kit, and PSK. Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back.

Have fun.