New to hunting...

[Lunchbox]

Have you completed hunter safety? It may be in your best interest of you and the family to take the course.

Agreed. Plus, if you were born after 12/31/1979, it's required.

Get into a course as soon as you can. Better yet, take the online course, then find an instructor qualified to teach the all-day field day.

Even if born before, it wouldn't be the worst idea to still take the course.

My .02 for guns get an 870 12 gauge with both barrels (slug and bird shot). I understand youre moving up north but didnt cath when, that setup will get you going on the relative cheap for a good and proven platform. When I hunt pheasants and duck I usually head out with #4 shot be it lead or steel that depends on where and what I'm hunting.

[FJ540]

If you can swing by Brainerd in the next week or two, I'll take you in the woods for some ground school on deer and how to find them. PM me if you're interested.
After the 12th or so this offer expires. I let my woods rest the month prior to archery opener.

[Irish.40]

The plan is to move in the spring. So I have some time to learn. I have been scouring the pages of the MNDNR site. I am planning on taking the safety course once I purchase the guns. Good call in the online courses. Gives me some prework to do. Thanks to all for the suggestions and offers. Vacation time is tight but i will see what I can do.

[grousemaster]

The plan is to move in the spring. So I have some time to learn. I have been scouring the pages of the MNDNR site. I am planning on taking the safety course once I purchase the guns. Good call in the online courses. Gives me some prework to do. Thanks to all for the suggestions and offers. Vacation time is tight but i will see what I can do.

Did you get a new job? I'd love to move up by the gunflint....but not much work up there....

A pump action 20 gauge and a lever action 30-30 will be all you need....

[KC8SON]

Irish 40 - THANKS for starting this thread. I'm in pretty much the same boat as far as getting started hunting. I have a Mossberg 500 that I plan on using for birds and a bolt action Thompson Icon in .308. The Icon shoots really well for me and I'm sure I could hit something if I find it I also have a PSE compound bow, but I'm not as confident with it as I am with the rifle.

I have taken hunter safety for both bow and firearm (I was born in '61 - so it wasn't a requirement). I am thinking of small game, grouse and deer. I'm not sure where to go from here. Any help, tips,ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Is it bad etiquette to ask to go along on a hunt?

[srtolly]

This thread is great. I'm in the same boat with learning to hunt, wanted to all my life but never had anyone to help me out. Now I'm 48 and determined to teach myself. In researching shotguns I decided to go with a Mossberg 835 12ga since it will take 2.75 to 3.5 inch shells giving me options without buying multiple shotguns (that's what I told the wife anyway). Good advice on the classes, anyone know a good place to find them around the Mankato or Owatonna area?

Thanks, Scott.

[ex-LT]

This thread is great. I'm in the same boat with learning to hunt, wanted to all my life but never had anyone to help me out. Now I'm 48 and determined to teach myself. In researching shotguns I decided to go with a Mossberg 835 12ga since it will take 2.75 to 3.5 inch shells giving me options without buying multiple shotguns (that's what I told the wife anyway). Good advice on the classes, anyone know a good place to find them around the Mankato or Owatonna area?

Thanks, Scott.

Check the MN DNR website for currently scheduled classes

This link allows you to filter by class type and county

[Mdclinks]

The plan is to move in the spring. So I have some time to learn. I have been scouring the pages of the MNDNR site. I am planning on taking the safety course once I purchase the guns. Good call in the online courses. Gives me some prework to do. Thanks to all for the suggestions and offers. Vacation time is tight but i will see what I can do.

My suggestion was for you and the family to go through the class together. Maybe I am off, but I was envisioning yourself and a child or two.

If I was to be moving up north I would definitely be looking for a 12 gauge with a 3.5" chamber for waterfowl hunting. As far as rifles are concerned I would look at the 30.06, 30-30, or .308.

[FJ540]

Updated my offer to the 12th.

Anyone is welcome.

[Dante]

The classes can be notoriously hard to get into sometimes and the closer to season the harder it will be to find one I believe.

Many years ago when the kid went, half the class was older guys who never needed one in MN but needed one to hunt in Colorado. I got a nice refresher course in the process.

I don't get out much anymore - lost a few hunting buddies in recent years and my dog isn't much up for it anymore either (although you do know when there are birds around - she heads right back to they truck. One is healthy again so maybe this year. Looks like there is a lot of great advice and a couple of very nice offers here.

[Irish.40]

What does everyone have to say about the Remington 870 magnum 26" shotgun? I like the wood stock. From the reviews it sounds like a decent gun for the money. Any pros or cons? Also, can a single sight be upgraded on that gun? Thanks again for all the input!!!!

[Lunchbox]

What does everyone have to say about the Remington 870 magnum 26" shotgun? I like the wood stock. From the reviews it sounds like a decent gun for the money. Any pros or cons? Also, can a single sight be upgraded on that gun? Thanks again for all the input!!!!

I'd be amazed if anyone has a bad word to say about the 870. As far as adding a site? For bird hunting you won't need it, if you're fixing to use it deer hunting get a slug barrel for it... They're cheap enough and ready to go with both sets of sites.

If you're lookin to replace the front bead fo sites can be had and look to be pretty easy to switch out for the standard bead.

[Mdclinks]

What does everyone have to say about the Remington 870 magnum 26" shotgun? I like the wood stock. From the reviews it sounds like a decent gun for the money. Any pros or cons? Also, can a single sight be upgraded on that gun? Thanks again for all the input!!!!

While I have nothing bad to say about the 870s, you may want to look at something like this http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/hunting/firearms/shotguns/mossberg-535-ats-pump-action-combo-shotgun-field-deer. I haven't heard many if any bad things about the mossberg 500 series. I only suggest this because of the 3.5" chamber.

[Lunchbox]

What does everyone have to say about the Remington 870 magnum 26" shotgun? I like the wood stock. From the reviews it sounds like a decent gun for the money. Any pros or cons? Also, can a single sight be upgraded on that gun? Thanks again for all the input!!!!

While I have nothing bad to say about the 870s, you may want to look at something like this http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/hunting/firearms/shotguns/mossberg-535-ats-pump-action-combo-shotgun-field-deer. I haven't heard many if any bad things about the mossberg 500 series. I only suggest this because of the 3.5" chamber.

My only issue with the 500 is it feels cheaply made... The excessive rattling of the forearms even on brand new pieces, it's something I've never seen in any version of an 870 even some older then me. Just some food for thought.

[Irish.40]

I have heard the Mossbergs rattle out of the box as well. Thanks again!