5 Best First Hunts for Young Hunters (Ranked by Fun Factor)

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The biggest mistake new hunters make is starting with the wrong species. If your first hunt is sitting in a freezing tree stand for 8 hours and seeing nothing, you might never go back. But if your first hunt is a dove field where birds are flying every 30 seconds and you’re burning through a box of shells with your buddies? You’re hooked for life.

Here are the five best species to hunt first — ranked by how much fun you’ll have and how quickly you’ll want to go again.

#1: Dove — The Perfect First Hunt

Difficulty: Easy Gear needed: 20-gauge shotgun, shells (size 7.5 or 8), blaze orange (where required) Season: September-October Cost: $50-100 (license + ammo)

Dove hunting is fast, social, and forgiving. You sit in a field (often with friends or family), and mourning doves fly over in waves. You shoot, miss, shoot again, and eventually start connecting. Nobody expects you to limit out. The whole point is the shooting.

Why it’s #1 for beginners:

• Non-stop action — you’ll see dozens to hundreds of birds in a single afternoon
• Short hunts (2-4 hours, usually evening)
• No special skills required beyond basic shotgun handling
• Social — great with a group
• Dove breast tacos are legitimately delicious

#2: Squirrel — The Best Teacher in the Woods

Difficulty: Easy Gear needed: .22 rifle or 20-gauge shotgun Season: September–February (varies by state) Cost: $25-50 (license + ammo)

Squirrel hunting is the single best way to learn woodsmanship. You have to move quietly through the timber, sit still against a tree, watch for movement in the canopy, and make a precise shot. Every one of those skills transfers directly to deer and elk hunting later.

Why squirrel hunting is underrated:

• Long seasons with generous bag limits
• Public land almost always holds squirrels
• Teaches patience without the all-day commitment of a deer hunt
• Morning hunts — out by noon, home for lunch
• Squirrel and dumplings is an underrated meal

#3: Turkey — The Most Exciting Hunt You’ll Have

Difficulty: Moderate Gear needed: 20-gauge shotgun, turkey calls (a simple box call works), camo, decoys (optional) Season: April–May (spring) Cost: $100-200 (license + tag + calls)

Nothing in hunting compares to calling in a gobbler. You sit in the predawn darkness, let out a series of hen calls, and wait. When a tom answers — that thunderous GOBBLE echoing through the timber — your pulse goes through the roof. Then he starts walking toward you. At 20 yards, you can see every detail of his fan and beard. It’s electric.

Why turkey is perfect for youth:

• Many states have youth-only turkey seasons (1 week before general season)
• Spring hunting means pleasant weather
• Hunts are usually over by 10 AM
• The calling game is interactive — you’re having a conversation with the bird
• A gobbler is a genuine trophy that mounts beautifully

#4: Whitetail Deer — The Classic First Big Game

Difficulty: Moderate Gear needed: Rifle (.243 Win recommended), ammo, blaze orange, warm layers Season: October–January (varies by state) Cost: $150-300 (license + tag + ammo)

This is the hunt most people picture when they think “hunting.” Sitting in a tree stand or ground blind on a cold November morning, watching a trail, waiting for a deer to step out. It requires more patience than small game, but when a buck walks into range at 80 yards and you settle the crosshairs — that moment is why millions of people hunt.

Youth deer hunting tips:

• Start with a doe hunt — higher odds of filling your tag
• Many states have youth-only deer weekends with less pressure
• A ground blind is warmer and more comfortable than a tree stand
• The .243 Winchester is the ideal youth deer caliber: accurate, low recoil, plenty of power
• Bring a book or phone (on silent) for the slow periods — 8 hours of sitting is a lot

#5: Pheasant — The Social Hunt

Difficulty: Moderate Gear needed: 20-gauge shotgun, shells (size 4 or 5), boots, blaze orange Season: October–December Cost: $100-200 (license + preserve fees if applicable)

Pheasant hunting is a group activity. You walk through tall grass in a line, and roosters explode out of cover with a cackling flush that makes everyone jump. Then you shoot. It’s active, it’s loud, and it’s a blast with a group.

Why pheasant is great for youth:

• Active hunting — you’re walking, not sitting
• Social — best with 3-6 people
• Many states have youth pheasant weekends (1 week before adult opener)
• Hunting preserves offer guaranteed bird encounters if wild birds are scarce
• Pheasant is one of the best-tasting game birds

Where to pheasant hunt:

• South Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska are the classic wild pheasant states
• Most states have pheasant stocking programs on public wildlife areas
• Hunting preserves ($100-200/half day) guarantee birds if you’re learning

The Progression

Here’s the path most young hunters follow:

Dove/Squirrel (age 10-12)
    ↓
Turkey + Pheasant (age 12-14)
    ↓
Whitetail Deer (age 12-15)
    ↓
Western Big Game — Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn (age 15+)

There’s no rush. Every species teaches you something different, and the skills build on each other. A kid who spent two years chasing squirrels will be a better deer hunter than someone who jumped straight to elk.

Ready to plan your first hunt?

• Step-by-step first hunt guide
• Build your gear list under $300
• Find your state’s youth seasons