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Dumb questions from a first time hunter....

dante322

*Supporting Member*
5,506
157
Crawford county
No reason not to go tomorrow, you have the license, get out and enjoy yourself. The hunters ed courses are only given at certain times of the year anyway. Check the odnr website for a schedule of classes in your area. The only point anybody is trying to make is that the course is not only fun, but it's also very interesting and informative. It's a great place for a beginning hunter to get started. It will touch on everything from fire arms to archery, to tips and tricks on hunting different types of game. They will also go over some of the laws and regulations you might have questions about. I've taken it twice myself, and enjoyed it each time.

I don't understand the rules about concealed carry either. I just know that there have been a time or two in the dark in the woods where I've heard. Coyotes near by and wished I had more than just a bow.
 

hickslawns

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
39,721
248
Ohio
Phil looks Mark got you on the depression age. His dad was born in 1923 and Mark born about 1971 so dad was about 48.
I missed the depression by a few years but it was brought home to me by my parents who did. I must say I learned good from it.

I don't doubt it. I am sure Mark learned more than most of us because of this. I am 40 and my grandparents grew up during the Depression. Many valuable lessons they had to share. That was a great generation of people. Hard working, scrappy, and patriotic. Hard to find this much anymore.

Sorry to side track your thread Mark. Hit the woods tomorrow. Just be safe and take the time to take the hunters ed when you have a chance. If it is windy, it seems like I see little but when I see squirrels moving they are on the ground. Just creep through the woods slowly. Don't be afraid to lean against a tree or take a seat just to listen. If you see a squirrel, walk towards a squirrel, the squirrel moves, then you walk more, it moves again. . . Can be a lot of chasing one squirrel. Ease through the woods. Don't get in a hurry.
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
Am I allowed to hunt without taking the course?...I do have my license and did not lie when I got it, I did have a hunting license in Alaska, and did ask about it when I got mine here last week. I was planning on going tomorrow...should I not go now?
Mark

You are fine. Go and have a good time. When getting a license they ask 1. Have you taken a hunter safety course in Ohio. 2. Have you taken a hunters safety course in another state. 3. Do you attests that you've held a hunting license in another state. If you answer yes to any of the three you are allowed to get a license. So since you had one in Alaska you can have one here. Like the other guys said it would greatly benefit you to take the ohio course however. There is tons of good information in there about laws etc, it's not just about gun safety.

If you're hunting public land just make sure you're in an allowed hunting zone. The ODNR site has maps for every public hunting area that you can go look at to make sure.

Here is all you need tomorrow.

1. License
2. Gun.
3 shells
4 knife for cleaning them.
5. Something to carry squirrels in. Plastic bag etc.

It's not a bad idea to wear an orange hat or something other than deer colors. Not required but smart.

When your hunting the bushy tailed tree rats take your time. Walk 20-30 yards and stop for 5-10 minutes. Listen for them in the trees, rooting around in leaves, chewing on nuts etc or barking at you. Take your time and just pay attention to the woods. Often when your walking the squirrels will hear you coming and hide. If you stop and take a seat on a log or stand there the woods will calm back down and often the squirrels will resume their daily routine. Also look for cuttings around trees. If you see a bunch of nut shells that look like they went through a blender spend a little extra time there as the squirrels are obviously around. A couple weeks ago in Athens county we were squirrel hunting and I noticed a lack of acorns. The squirrels were mostly around beech trees and hickory. You'll be able to spot a hickory by it's scaly bark.

Good luck buddy and just have fun. Take you time and enjoy the woods.

Oh. And don't forget to take some pictures and post them for us.
 

TomcatPC

Junior Member
38
0
Toledo
I think I will take a walk in the woods with a 16 Ga. Shotgun and a box of number 6 shot... If I actually shoot anything...groovy LOL! If not, well I got out of the house.
When it comes to firearms safety...that I'm serious about, been installed in me for the longest time... I guess it is the legality things I have questions about, and most of them have been covered already... I might have said it already, but I have dyslexia...I am totally literate (half way to my degree!!! LOL), but the way the regualtions book is written...yeah...I get the gist of it, but sometimes get confused trying to compreheand it all. I will talk to an area gunsmith that I know and trust and he can give me pointers on the Concealed Carry and Hunter Safety course. I'm sure I can look it up online, but think it good to talk to someone who probably already knows it, and can give me more insight.
Mark
 

TomcatPC

Junior Member
38
0
Toledo
I have printed a map to the site. There is a park office near the parking so even though it reads that hunting is allowed on the brouchure I printed, I will ask anyway.
As for having a Dad of the WWII Generation...I got so lucky!, would not trade it for any other parents...being born in the last two weeks of 1970 and having a Dad born in 1923...it was normal for me.
With my family...all of my Great Grand Parents were born in Victorian Era England, except for my Mother's Father's side and they were born in immediate pre-Unification West Prussia (region of what would become Germany in 1871). That is what I grew up with and is normal to me.
Mark
 
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giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Good luck tomorrow Mark. Hunting is just an excuse to get away from life, seeing animals is a bonus, anything beyond that is over the top.

This ain't Alaska either buddy... Nothing's going to be hunting you down, so don't wear your bells on your boots because you can't carry a pistol. Lol
 

hickslawns

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
39,721
248
Ohio
Have a great hunt Mark. Thanks for sharing some background. Sounds like a great father.

You should know this: this forum is a big extended hunting family. We help each other out. We also tease each other a lot. If there is ever a question if someone is serious or teasing you, feel free to send me a private message. I will help you decide if it is good info or just teasing.

My wife and I are raising a boy with many reading/learning limitations. I have seen his struggles. I am sure your dyslexia makes it tough. I know by posting this about yourself it probably makes you feel a little vulnerable. Courage. You have courage. The nephew my wife and I are raising has troubles in school AND in normal conversation. He is slow in school, social situations, and behind in maturity. He struggles in school or in normal conversations.
 

TomcatPC

Junior Member
38
0
Toledo
Update on this one.
I ended up going out today, in the rain LOL.
Fired one 16 Ga Shotgun Shell and collected one very dead Squirrel that fell out of the tree. Overall I had a great time, hoping next time it is a little more on the dry side though.
Mark