Getting into hunting/starting out

[anti]

I'm 24-years-old and next year I'd like to begin deer hunting here in SoCal. I wanted to start this year but obviously I'm a bit late.

What I'd like to know is when do I need to apply for a license, tags, etc. before the hunting season actually begins? I've heard earlier the better, but when is the earliest I could apply for a license and tags?

What exactly is the process like? Is it a quick process to obtain your license and tags, or is it a pain in the butt?

Where in Cleveland National Forest can you actually hunt for deer?

I've been reading around but I haven't really found a clear answer.

We really need a sticky thread in this subforum explaining the exact process to help out us hunting n00bs.

[Bowhunter_619]

You mean like the 6th thread down from the top of the page?

I'm 24-years-old and next year I'd like to begin deer hunting here in SoCal. I wanted to start this year but obviously I'm a bit late.

What I'd like to know is when do I need to apply for a license, tags, etc. before the hunting season actually begins? I've heard earlier the better, but when is the earliest I could apply for a license and tags?

What exactly is the process like? Is it a quick process to obtain your license and tags, or is it a pain in the butt?

Where in Cleveland National Forest can you actually hunt for deer?

I've been reading around but I haven't really found a clear answer.

We really need a sticky thread in this subforum explaining the exact process to help out us hunting n00bs.

[lewdogg21]

I'm 24-years-old and next year I'd like to begin deer hunting here in SoCal. I wanted to start this year but obviously I'm a bit late.

What I'd like to know is when do I need to apply for a license, tags, etc. before the hunting season actually begins? I've heard earlier the better, but when is the earliest I could apply for a license and tags?

What exactly is the process like? Is it a quick process to obtain your license and tags, or is it a pain in the butt?

Where in Cleveland National Forest can you actually hunt for deer?

I've been reading around but I haven't really found a clear answer.

We really need a sticky thread in this subforum explaining the exact process to help out us hunting n00bs.

There is a sticky at the top of this forum. Plus if you search we've had countless new hunters asking basically the same thing in the last 6 months.

I'll throw you a bone here.
You can begin applying for license and tags around the month of May. The drawing is like the first of July or so. It's easy since you can do it all online now. You just need to know what zone you want to apply for. I don't know anything about cleveland b/c I'm in NorCal.

[zio707]

Did you taken the Hunter Safety Course?

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/classes.aspx

[bellringer]

Hello, I am in the same boat as you are. I am 25 and I have recently wanted to get into hunting and had no idea where to start. First and foremost, get into hunter education and safety. Look up on the DFG website for where there is a class in your county. Call and talk to the instructor and inform them of your situation. I have my hunters ed class tomorrow and I am hoping to meet some people who are willing to share their experience and insight with me. The big thing I gather so far is, be ready to put in work! Hiking and reading tracks learning the different skat and the overall behaviour of the animal you are hunting. Without this knowledge you are not going to be to successful of a hunter (so I am learning at least). Lots of learning and gathering proper equipment. Also, if you are like me and have no family that hunts or any experienced hunters willing to teach you then look into guided hunts. It may cost some more money up front but in the end you will gain more knowledge in the field with the guide. I myself will be taking my first guided pig hunt hopefully in the next month or two.

Good luck!

[buffalo soldier ad]

If you're just gonna hunt deer I'd wait til next April/May. But there's plenty of help here on the forum. You should also visit the DFG website.

[zio707]

Hello, I am in the same boat as you are. I am 25 and I have recently wanted to get into hunting and had no idea where to start. First and foremost, get into hunter education and safety. Look up on the DFG website for where there is a class in your county. Call and talk to the instructor and inform them of your situation. I have my hunters ed class tomorrow and I am hoping to meet some people who are willing to share their experience and insight with me. The big thing I gather so far is, be ready to put in work! Hiking and reading tracks learning the different skat and the overall behaviour of the animal you are hunting. Without this knowledge you are not going to be to successful of a hunter (so I am learning at least). Lots of learning and gathering proper equipment. Also, if you are like me and have no family that hunts or any experienced hunters willing to teach you then look into guided hunts. It may cost some more money up front but in the end you will gain more knowledge in the field with the guide. I myself will be taking my first guided pig hunt hopefully in the next month or two.

Good luck!

Yes, definitely attend the hunter safety classes in person and not online, you'll learn so much more. This isn't like online traffic school where you're trying to hide a traffic ticket from your car insurance company to keep your rates down.

[anti]

Alright, I'm attending the Hunters Safety Course held at Raahauge's in Corona tomorrow morning at 6:30am. You sign up at any Turners Outdoorsman, pay the $35 and it includes breakfast, drinks and range coupons.

[Garyson1311]

Alright, I'm attending the Hunters Safety Course held at Raahauge's in Corona tomorrow morning at 6:30am. You sign up at any Turners Outdoorsman, pay the $35 and it includes breakfast, drinks and range coupons.

Dude if you do it at Basspro, you can pay $25 bucks to do it and then you get a $25 gift card for doing it!

[anti]

Dude if you do it at Basspro, you can pay $25 bucks to do it and then you get a $25 gift card for doing it!

Dafuq! Oh well.. I bet the waiting list is longer at Bass Pro Shops. I was able to sign up earlier this evening for a class tomorrow. I originally called Grant Boys in Newport Beach but I would've had to wait until November 16th for their next class. I know it's no rush but I just like to get things done ASAP.

[Tanner68]

The big game drawing is the first Tuesday of June. Your application must be in by then.

Quail season opens tomorrow. Sign up for hunter ed, and you have from the day you get licensed until the last Sunday of January 2014, to hunt upland and small game. You may want some practice and dive into that before you tackle deer. If you can't find, stalk or bump, and kill bunnies and quail, then old mossy horns is safe for the time being.

I think the guys in Cleveland NF that have success, know how damn hard it is. So even if they draw you a map and give you precise coordinates, you are gonna have a tough time.

Better get crackin'.

Read the stickies and go to the DFG/DFW website.

BTW, I didn't start hunting until I was 19. I didn't have any sort of mentor, but I had a few buddies in the same boat. I don't think I hunted big game for at least 10 years. And to this day, chukar is my favorite quarry.

[Jimmy Nickles]

Hi, can you guys direct me to a California-based forum about guns? Thanks, anything will help.




lmao

[anti]

Alright, I just got my Hunters Safety Certificate earlier today, so now it's time to get a license. I will take your advice and start with smaller game. What type of game would you recommend for someone just starting out?

[mulyhuntr]

I was in the same boat as you a few years back. Not many great deer hunting areas in socal, but it can be done with hard work. I'd suggest saving up points for an x zone tag.

Starting out, you could head up to the high desert for some varmint hunting.

[anti]

I was in the same boat as you a few years back. Not many great deer hunting areas in socal, but it can be done with hard work. I'd suggest saving up points for an x zone tag.

Starting out, you could head up to the high desert for some varmint hunting.

Yep! I just got my license and upland game validation at Big 5 earlier this evening. I plan on going to Cleveland National Forest tomorrow to scout out some coyote. I don't plan on even seeing any, but we shall see! Then I'll pick up a new shotgun with a modified choke for some quail hunting later this year.