Going to take my Hunter Ed class in two weeks

[ns3v3n]

So what is the next step to get into hunting??? I read that hunting licenses go from July to June? So I should wait til then to purchase my license to get a full year out of it? Also where would be a good place to go hunt small games and possibly pigs??? It would be nice if anyone around the bay can show me the ropes, I'm not afraid to get dirty and can work my share. I would probably want to start with small game and work my way up. Rifle I would use is a Marlin 1894c, I also have a converted Saiga but dont think that's apporpriate. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you all.

[PoorRichRichard]

Start here as to what and when you can various types of small game.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/11-12-upland-sum.html

If you are interested in hunting coyotes, you can shoot them year round in CA provided you have a valid hunting license. Only other thing to hunt right now is jackrabbits until July when the new season starts, and then you can start going after cottontails (actally much easyier to hunt than Jacks IMO). The general licence is about 50$, it cost extra for upland gamebirds, as well as ducks. I'd say just wait until July to get your license, but if you want to start hunting jacks and 'yotes right now, go ahead and spend $50 for the last 6 weeks of this years hunting season.

As for using shotguns while hunting, the gun can only be capable of holding 3 shells at a time (this includes one in the chamber). I'm guessing you Sagia is not gonna be a good good fit for small game hunting unless you can find a magazine that only holds only 2 rounds (which to my limited knowledge does not exist, but hey, it could). Your best bet is find I a nice entry level pump hunting shotgun such as a Mossburg 500 or a Reminton 870. Most of these guns have a tube that can hold 4-5 shotshells, but can be easily plugged to hold only 2 in the tube. This means you can have 1 in the chamber ready to fire, and 2 in the pump tube ready for follow-up shots.

Also when looking to buy a hunting shotgun, you want a longer barrel gun- think 28" barrel", not 18". If you want both on the same gun, check out Big 5 for the Mossburg 500 combo set which comes with a 18" and 28" barrel. In my neck of the woods this gun cost well under $400 when on sale at Big 5.

Hope this helps.

[ouch1]

If you want to use your Saiga go buy a couple mags like this one so your legal: http://www.mississippiautoarms.com/s...ire-p-437.html

-ouch1

[JayTee_IsMe]

Congrats man. Im still looking for a mart 2 for the online hunters ed i did. I really want to go on a hog hunt this year when I get a few spare days off work. (next month )

[stalker]

My buddy just went and got his license. He did the online class one night then did the Bass pro shop class/test a couple of days later. The nice thing about Bass Pro is that the class/test costs $20 then after completion of the test they give you a $20 gift card to the store

I bought the Mossberg 500 package when I was 19 or so... it has lasted through a ton of skeet and desert trips. No a bad deal for the price.. but still a beginners/entry package

[mcmikeblues7]

I would get you hunting license now and start practicing on Jacks. I go up every other weekend or so to Cedar Roughs by Lake Berryessa and you can come along if you are safe and willing to go with a 15 year old and his Dad. This practice would be good for next years season. I would check the regulations for using a centerfire Rifle while hunting small game though, I'm not sure it's legal. Though I think you will eventually want a shotgun that can not only hunt small game and birds but big game as well. Plus the best area around you to hunt pigs that I have found does not allow rifles or pistols.
Be prepared to learn a lot at your hunting ed class and ask all your questions to the instructors, also bring a pad and paper!

[bigboarstopper]

I shoot a 12 ga Remington 870. It was my first new gun ever purchased. I have numerous other shotguns: pumps, autos, break, benelli, browning, ithica, ext. I have and probably always will still shoot the 870 over all the others. It's not necessarily better than some of the others but it's my favorite.

[ns3v3n]

Thanks guys, I already read through the booklet from DFG that they sent me. And as for a shotgun, I dont have one, just bought a car so dont think I will be buying one in the near future. So I would have to work with what I have. I do like to hunt with my lever action rifle though.

Congrats man. Im still looking for a mart 2 for the online hunters ed i did. I really want to go on a hog hunt this year when I get a few spare days off work. (next month )

Where do you go ???