Hi there Rane--
Glad you came to our forum! I hope you'll come back often and let us know how your new shotgunning career is going
It's great that you're getting a chance to hunt as a young man--those of us who grew up in hunting and fishing families know that our first trips contain priceless memories. Enjoy it! You'll always have those memories with you.
That said, I feel I must tell you that jacklighting bunnies and um, "other things," is not the greatest way to take your first shots. When you're hunting, people get fairly excited sometimes and nighttime, in particular, makes for something of an eerie atmosphere. It's best to learn in broad daylight, with clay targets and no distractions, first just standing them out there and then having someone throw them for you, first by hand and then with a hand trap.
The person that accompanies you for your shotgun training should be an adult who has experience with guns and who is patient and responsible about helping you.
Also, I really feel that everyone ought to take a gun safety course these days. Even if all the course does is reinforce stuff you've already learned, it's well worth it. But you'll probably learn some new info. I took one of these courses when I moved to Connecticut, even though I didn't have to. I asked the instructors all kinds of questions about the state gun and hunting laws and even got some tips on where to hunt from them. None of us is above basic gun safety! You can find a course by contacting the NRA or just visiting a gunshop and asking around a bit.
I have found that almost anyone can handle a 12 ga, given the correct loads and a reasonable shotgun fit. If you're a really small guy, the way the gun's stock fits you may in the end prove to be a bigger factor than the gauge. I wouldn't worry about that too much at the moment--it's something think about as you progress. Fit, by the way, can be altered to suit you better on most guns. Use "low brass" field loads for your first target shooting and hunting endeavors. You don't say what kind of shotgun you'll be using, but most 12-ga guns are heavy enough to take alot of the punch out of the kick.
Good luck Rane, and if we can help you more, don't hesitate to ask!
Best,
Jeff23
Glad you came to our forum! I hope you'll come back often and let us know how your new shotgunning career is going
It's great that you're getting a chance to hunt as a young man--those of us who grew up in hunting and fishing families know that our first trips contain priceless memories. Enjoy it! You'll always have those memories with you.
That said, I feel I must tell you that jacklighting bunnies and um, "other things," is not the greatest way to take your first shots. When you're hunting, people get fairly excited sometimes and nighttime, in particular, makes for something of an eerie atmosphere. It's best to learn in broad daylight, with clay targets and no distractions, first just standing them out there and then having someone throw them for you, first by hand and then with a hand trap.
The person that accompanies you for your shotgun training should be an adult who has experience with guns and who is patient and responsible about helping you.
Also, I really feel that everyone ought to take a gun safety course these days. Even if all the course does is reinforce stuff you've already learned, it's well worth it. But you'll probably learn some new info. I took one of these courses when I moved to Connecticut, even though I didn't have to. I asked the instructors all kinds of questions about the state gun and hunting laws and even got some tips on where to hunt from them. None of us is above basic gun safety! You can find a course by contacting the NRA or just visiting a gunshop and asking around a bit.
I have found that almost anyone can handle a 12 ga, given the correct loads and a reasonable shotgun fit. If you're a really small guy, the way the gun's stock fits you may in the end prove to be a bigger factor than the gauge. I wouldn't worry about that too much at the moment--it's something think about as you progress. Fit, by the way, can be altered to suit you better on most guns. Use "low brass" field loads for your first target shooting and hunting endeavors. You don't say what kind of shotgun you'll be using, but most 12-ga guns are heavy enough to take alot of the punch out of the kick.
Good luck Rane, and if we can help you more, don't hesitate to ask!
Best,
Jeff23
