BLeeber
New member
Hello all,
I am writing you from Naples, FL to see if you can offer some help or advice in anyway. Today, I am 46 years old but have had a passion for deer hunting since the mid 1980's. I grew up in SW. Florida not knowing anyone who hunted...so I didn't hunt, but wanted to learn. I bought my first rifle at age 18 and taught myself how to shoot. In the 28 years that have past, I have only hunted 8 times. All of these hunts were day hunts with a guide for hogs or exotics in Florida. All of these hunts were fun and had me bringing home some good game meat but really didn't teach me a lot about hunting, especially preparing me to hunt on my own. As you may agree...I have found that Florida is a pretty tough State to find quality hunting, much less land to hunt on. I had thought about public land but wonder if I am too inexperienced and would not want to ruin someone else's hunt due to my lack of knowledge. I also have thought about longer, week long, deer hunts with an outfitter in N. Florida, Georgia or Alabama. But, I'm not really sure how to tell which outfitters are reliable and ethical. Also, would that prepare me further to hunt on my own? I don't know. I live in Naples and do have access to public land not too far from me (which would help with the ability to be consistent). But, I am just wondering how to break into the sport and be consistent with it to gain experience.
*I have 3 boys ages 10 and under now and I really want to get serious about hunting. My goal is to become educated and experienced enough in the outdoors, myself, so that I may raise my kids in a hunting/outdoor household and to give them the outdoor opportunities that I didn't have growing up. I really envy families that grow up spending time together in the outdoors. I strive to be a family like that one day and pass that heritage on to my kids.
If you (or someone you know) have any suggestions, comments or advice on getting started, I would be grateful.
Thank you!
I am writing you from Naples, FL to see if you can offer some help or advice in anyway. Today, I am 46 years old but have had a passion for deer hunting since the mid 1980's. I grew up in SW. Florida not knowing anyone who hunted...so I didn't hunt, but wanted to learn. I bought my first rifle at age 18 and taught myself how to shoot. In the 28 years that have past, I have only hunted 8 times. All of these hunts were day hunts with a guide for hogs or exotics in Florida. All of these hunts were fun and had me bringing home some good game meat but really didn't teach me a lot about hunting, especially preparing me to hunt on my own. As you may agree...I have found that Florida is a pretty tough State to find quality hunting, much less land to hunt on. I had thought about public land but wonder if I am too inexperienced and would not want to ruin someone else's hunt due to my lack of knowledge. I also have thought about longer, week long, deer hunts with an outfitter in N. Florida, Georgia or Alabama. But, I'm not really sure how to tell which outfitters are reliable and ethical. Also, would that prepare me further to hunt on my own? I don't know. I live in Naples and do have access to public land not too far from me (which would help with the ability to be consistent). But, I am just wondering how to break into the sport and be consistent with it to gain experience.
*I have 3 boys ages 10 and under now and I really want to get serious about hunting. My goal is to become educated and experienced enough in the outdoors, myself, so that I may raise my kids in a hunting/outdoor household and to give them the outdoor opportunities that I didn't have growing up. I really envy families that grow up spending time together in the outdoors. I strive to be a family like that one day and pass that heritage on to my kids.
If you (or someone you know) have any suggestions, comments or advice on getting started, I would be grateful.
Thank you!
Also, check BassPro/cabelas/etc for clinics and see if you can find some florida specific forums to try and hook up with some locals. I was in you r situation (mostly) 11 years ago and have found some wonderful folks to help me along the way. Like folks have said earlier, make sure and get into the woods. Even an unsuccessful hunt can be very informative.
