Gobble, Gobble!
July 31, 2013 1:56 PM Subscribe
I want to hunt for my own turkey in California this fall. I've never handled a gun before. How do I make this happen?
I've become interested in hunting some of my own meat. Specifically turkey to start with. Later on I think I want to try wild boar hunting, although I know that is an entirely different thing. I'm located in the SF Bay Area. I don't know much about hunting or guns. I DO know that I need to do some online coursework and attend a class to get a license and that renting a gun isn't really a thing so I'd need to buy one. (How do I choose a gun having never handled one? Any special considerations for women?) And I suppose I'd need to practice shooting somewhere. And then what?
I've become interested in hunting some of my own meat. Specifically turkey to start with. Later on I think I want to try wild boar hunting, although I know that is an entirely different thing. I'm located in the SF Bay Area. I don't know much about hunting or guns. I DO know that I need to do some online coursework and attend a class to get a license and that renting a gun isn't really a thing so I'd need to buy one. (How do I choose a gun having never handled one? Any special considerations for women?) And I suppose I'd need to practice shooting somewhere. And then what?
Seriously, before you get into the actual hunting part, call up Coyote Valley Sporting Clays and ask to schedule a round of shooting with a guide. They will show you how to use all the stuff, and importantly, how to operate your shotgun. They will be helpful and professional and familiar with beginners. Bring friends if you like, it is fun for everyone. If you enjoy your time shooting clays, you can ask them about taking the hunter safety class that's required to get a hunting license, I'm pretty sure they offer it there.
I'm in no way affiliated with Coyote Valley, I just like their range and their people.
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 2:09 PM on July 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm in no way affiliated with Coyote Valley, I just like their range and their people.
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 2:09 PM on July 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Previously, related. That question was also California and a newbie hunter.
posted by purpleclover at 2:21 PM on July 31, 2013
posted by purpleclover at 2:21 PM on July 31, 2013
"... (How do I choose a gun having never handled one? Any special considerations for women?) ..."
You choose a gun primarily for its range and power, considering the game you want to take with it. For turkey, this is usually the 12 gauge shotgun, equipped with a full choke barrel, and #4 to #6 shot, 3 inch shells (otherwise known as "turkey loads"). Something like a Mossberg 500 series pump shotgun would be a versatile, reliable turkey gun, and would let you buy extra barrels in different chokes, like improved cylinder, for use with slug ammunition for deer, etc. You can also get Mossberg shotguns in synthetic, wood, and camoflage pattern "furniture" (stock and grip) to suit your tastes and hunting preferences. And they make good home defense guns, too, as Vice-President Biden is fond of noting.
posted by paulsc at 2:22 PM on July 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
You choose a gun primarily for its range and power, considering the game you want to take with it. For turkey, this is usually the 12 gauge shotgun, equipped with a full choke barrel, and #4 to #6 shot, 3 inch shells (otherwise known as "turkey loads"). Something like a Mossberg 500 series pump shotgun would be a versatile, reliable turkey gun, and would let you buy extra barrels in different chokes, like improved cylinder, for use with slug ammunition for deer, etc. You can also get Mossberg shotguns in synthetic, wood, and camoflage pattern "furniture" (stock and grip) to suit your tastes and hunting preferences. And they make good home defense guns, too, as Vice-President Biden is fond of noting.
posted by paulsc at 2:22 PM on July 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Also: while renting guns to go hunting isn't really a thing, renting guns at a gun range is a totally normal thing, which is one more reason to try that first. You can show up with no equipment whatsoever and they'll rent you everything you need for fairly cheap.
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 2:58 PM on July 31, 2013
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 2:58 PM on July 31, 2013
If you plan on buying and shooting a shotgun in your turkey hunt, you do need to check in advance, with any range you're headed to, as to whether they allow shotguns, and have a lane for patterning shotguns. A lot of indoor ranges don't allow shotguns, because of the muzzle blast (which can be deafening when confined indoors, and disruptive to pistol shooters), and the likelihood of ricochet of small shot pellets in dispersal patterns. Even outdoor ranges often have only limited facilities for shooting shotguns, if their primary membership interests are pistol and rifle shooters, in target competitions. And sporting clay ranges or clubs, where shotgun shooters practice and pattern their guns, rarely allow rifles or pistols to be shot on their property, because of adjacent property considerations, where bullet carry is a concern.
I belong to one of Florida's largest outdoor shooting clubs, and we only have limited facilities for patterning shotguns on our ranges, and only a single position at the edge of our property, where shotgunners can shoot clays. But I also belong to another nearby shooting clay club, where I shoot most of my clays in practice, before bird seasons.
posted by paulsc at 3:15 PM on July 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
I belong to one of Florida's largest outdoor shooting clubs, and we only have limited facilities for patterning shotguns on our ranges, and only a single position at the edge of our property, where shotgunners can shoot clays. But I also belong to another nearby shooting clay club, where I shoot most of my clays in practice, before bird seasons.
posted by paulsc at 3:15 PM on July 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
A bit tangential: I don't know about shotguns, but I know that some gun ranges will not rent a handgun to a lone shooter who shows up without their own gun - as that matches the profile of a suicide or worse.
posted by Hatashran at 4:04 PM on July 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Hatashran at 4:04 PM on July 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
FYI, many states have bowhunting seasons as well.
Any special considerations for women?
For clothing, you want avoid anything that will add uneven texture/bulk to the shoulder area where the butt of the gun rests, as your skin tends to get imprinted with the pattern, even for outer garments like sweaters. Bra straps should be smooth and flat, without the raised edge binding some sports bras have (not that you need a sports bra).
OTOH, the same considerations hold for men who wear bras.
posted by yohko at 4:06 PM on July 31, 2013
Any special considerations for women?
For clothing, you want avoid anything that will add uneven texture/bulk to the shoulder area where the butt of the gun rests, as your skin tends to get imprinted with the pattern, even for outer garments like sweaters. Bra straps should be smooth and flat, without the raised edge binding some sports bras have (not that you need a sports bra).
OTOH, the same considerations hold for men who wear bras.
posted by yohko at 4:06 PM on July 31, 2013
Separate from all the correct comments above about skeet shooting, what gun to use, etc. Make sure you are aware of what you will get if you succeed. A wild turkey is not in any way like the things you are used to getting from the grocery store.
An anecdote: "How do you cook a wild turkey?"
"Drop it in a pot of boiling water with a rock. When the rock is soft, the turkey is done."
Just be aware of what you'll have if you succeed and what you can and cannot do with it - food wise.
posted by BrooksCooper at 5:19 PM on July 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
An anecdote: "How do you cook a wild turkey?"
"Drop it in a pot of boiling water with a rock. When the rock is soft, the turkey is done."
Just be aware of what you'll have if you succeed and what you can and cannot do with it - food wise.
posted by BrooksCooper at 5:19 PM on July 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Shotgun pellets will often bounce off the quills. They get airborne quickly. You want a neck shot with a rifle while the Turkey is on the ground. Practice makes perfect. You have to be quiet and sneaky. The Toms doing sentry duty are your best chance.
Crossbows are pretty efficient. If you miss, they just gobble and squawk and you get another chance when they start jumping around.
And look at pheasant recipes for sauces. The meat will be dry.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 8:31 PM on July 31, 2013
Crossbows are pretty efficient. If you miss, they just gobble and squawk and you get another chance when they start jumping around.
And look at pheasant recipes for sauces. The meat will be dry.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 8:31 PM on July 31, 2013
Turkey hunting is extremely challenging, guys I know go out with head to toe camouflage and extremely hard-kicking 12 gauge shotguns with 3 1/2" magnum shells and "extra-full" choke barrels. Then there's the whole calling business. Besides BowCA mentioned above, you should find a local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. You can do a fair amount of research by reading magazines (Successful Hunter, Turkey Country, Turkeys & Turkey Hunting magazine ) and books. And looking at hunting videos on Youtube.
posted by 445supermag at 9:53 PM on July 31, 2013
posted by 445supermag at 9:53 PM on July 31, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by fshgrl at 2:03 PM on July 31, 2013