Your First Hunt: A Step-by-Step Guide for Young Hunters

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Your first hunt is going to be one of those days you remember forever. The cold morning air, the waiting, the sounds of the woods waking up — it’s unlike anything else. But before you get there, you need a plan. This guide walks you through everything, step by step.

Step 1: Pick Your Species

Don’t start with the hardest animal out there. Pick something where you’ll actually see action and have fun.

Best first hunts:

• Dove — Fast shooting, lots of action, short hunts. You’ll burn through a box of shells and love every minute.
• Squirrel — Teaches you to be quiet, patient, and accurate. All you need is a .22 rifle.
• Turkey — The calling game is addictive. When a gobbler comes in at 20 yards, your heart will be pounding.
• Whitetail deer — The classic first big game hunt. More patience required, but nothing beats the feeling of filling your first tag.

Step 2: Take Hunter Education

Almost every state requires hunter education before you can buy a license. Here’s the good news: most states offer it free online, and it takes about 6-10 hours total.

You’ll learn:

• Firearm safety (the four rules you’ll follow for life)
• Wildlife identification
• Hunting ethics and fair chase
• Regulations and laws
• First aid basics

Don’t think of it as a boring class. The firearm safety section alone could save your life or someone else’s. Take it seriously.

Use our Hunter Education Finder to find your state’s free course and sign up today.

Step 3: Get Licensed

After you pass hunter ed, you need a hunting license. Go to your state wildlife agency’s website and buy one online — it takes about 10 minutes.

Good to know:

• Youth licenses are usually cheaper ($5-$25 in most states, sometimes free)
• You may need separate tags for specific species (deer tag, turkey tag, etc.)
• Some states have youth-only seasons with special dates — check our Youth Seasons page

Step 4: Find a Mentor

Hunting with someone experienced makes everything better. They know where to go, what to do when something goes wrong, and they’ll help you stay safe.

Where to find a mentor:

• Family members who hunt
• Friends’ parents
• State wildlife agency mentored hunt programs
• Organizations like NWTF JAKES, Pheasants Forever, or your local sportsman’s club
• Church or community groups with outdoor programs

Step 5: Gear Up (Without Breaking the Bank)

You don’t need $2,000 worth of gear. Here’s the minimum to get started:

Item	Budget	Why You Need It
Rifle (.243) or Shotgun (20ga)	$250-400	Your primary tool — borrow one if you can
Ear protection	$15-25	Electronic muffs let you hear AND protect your ears
Eye protection	$10-20	Non-negotiable at the range and in the field
Blaze orange vest/hat	$10-15	Required by law in most states during rifle season
Boots	$50-80	Waterproof, warm, broken in before opening day
Layers (base + insulation)	$40-70	Dress in layers — you can always take one off
Daypack	$30-50	Water, snacks, first aid, extra ammo

Total: $400-650 (less if you borrow the firearm)

Check out our First Hunt Gear Checklist for the full interactive list with specific product recommendations.

Step 6: Practice Shooting

Before opening day, you need to be confident with your weapon. That means range time.

For rifles:

• Practice at the distances you’ll actually shoot (50-150 yards for most deer hunts)
• Shoot from a rest, then from field positions (sitting, kneeling)
• Know your zero — if your rifle is sighted in at 100 yards, learn where it hits at 50 and 150

For shotguns:

• Shoot clay pigeons if you can — it teaches you to lead moving targets
• Pattern your shotgun with the ammo you’ll hunt with
• Practice mounting the gun quickly and smoothly

How much practice? At minimum, 50 rounds through your rifle or 2-3 boxes of shotgun shells before your first hunt. More is better.

Step 7: Scout Your Hunting Area

Whether it’s public land or a friend’s farm, walk the ground before season opens. You’re looking for:

• Tracks and trails — Where are animals moving?
• Food sources — Acorn-dropping oaks, crop fields, berry patches
• Water — Creeks, ponds, stock tanks
• Sign — Rubs, scrapes, scat, feathers, dust bowls (turkey)
• Terrain features — Saddles, funnels, ridgelines where animals travel

Use Google Earth or onX Maps to look at the area from above before you go. It’ll save you hours of walking in circles.

Step 8: The Night Before

Lay out all your gear. Check this list:

• License and tags (printed or on your phone)
• Firearm + ammunition (in a case, unloaded)
• Blaze orange
• Ear and eye protection
• Layers + rain gear
• Boots (already broken in)
• Daypack with water, snacks, first aid kit
• Knife
• Flashlight/headlamp
• Phone (charged, on silent)

Set your alarm. Go to bed early. You’re going to be up before the sun.

Step 9: Hunt Day

Here’s what to expect:

Before dawn: You’ll drive to your spot in the dark. It’s cold. You’ll think “why am I doing this?” Then the sky starts to lighten and the woods come alive. That’s why.

The wait: Most hunting is waiting. Be patient. Stay still. Stay quiet. Watch everything. Listen. This is where the magic happens.

The shot: When the moment comes, your heart rate will spike. That’s normal — it’s called “buck fever.” Take a breath. Settle your crosshairs. Make sure of your target. Squeeze the trigger.

After the shot: Don’t rush. Wait 15-30 minutes before approaching (especially for deer). Your mentor will guide you through field dressing and getting the animal out.

What Happens Next

After your first hunt — whether you harvested an animal or not — you’re a hunter. You’ll start noticing things other people don’t: deer trails crossing the road, hawk circles over a field, the way wind moves through timber.

Welcome to the community. It only gets better from here.

Ready to take the next step?

• Find your state’s hunter education course
• Build your gear checklist
• Check youth-only season dates