Looking to Get Started! (deer / boar)

[Comanche]

Can't go wrong with a scoped Winchester or marlin 30-30.

Shot placement and practice is key to a humane kill.

Practice with climbing stand as being high on n a tree has many advantages.
A safety harness and lifeline with prussic knot is mandatory.
Practice lowering and raising unloaded weapon while on your stand.

Cheap Walmart camo is fine but I like me a shirt with pockets so I don't fumble getting things from pants pockets.
Mesh/leafy camo suits are awesome and breathable.

Spend time at WMA's scouting for trails and sign.
Get a compass or use smartphone compass to mark your entry point in woods so you don't get lost on way out in the dark....it's another world in the dark.
My buddy got lost once in scrub pine in bear country.
He's is near deaf and could not hear the big creek rushing down the hill where he needed to be.
In his panic he lost his pack and never found it.

The fact that you're just getting into it is great and you're about the same age I was when I started hunting.
I'm still learning something every day and love the woods so much I hunt every weekend all year long.
We coyote hunt all year so it affords us time to scout deer trails year round.
Going to start trapping as well so there's another addiction for us.

 

[24on48hunting]

Study the area that you intend to scout before leaving the house. Learn what key terrain features lie within the area.
Deer are always going to use the path of least resistance. I look for old logging roads/terraces on the sides of a steep ridge, ridge saddles, well worn creek crossings, bottlenecks/funnel areas, places where different types of timber converge. My favorite is where open hardwoods/clearcut/thick planted pines all three converge. All of these are good features to focus on when scouting.
Study Google and Topo maps before heading out. Invest in a good GPS. It makes finding your spot or even your stand easier, especially in the dark. More importantly, it can aid you in getting back to the truck.

 

[DJespersen]

Can't go wrong with a scoped Winchester or marlin 30-30.

Shot placement and practice is key to a humane kill.

Practice with climbing stand as being high on n a tree has many advantages.
A safety harness and lifeline with prussic knot is mandatory.
Practice lowering and raising unloaded weapon while on your stand.

Cheap Walmart camo is fine but I like me a shirt with pockets so I don't fumble getting things from pants pockets.
Mesh/leafy camo suits are awesome and breathable.

Spend time at WMA's scouting for trails and sign.
Get a compass or use smartphone compass to mark your entry point in woods so you don't get lost on way out in the dark....it's another world in the dark.
My buddy got lost once in scrub pine in bear country.
He's is near deaf and could not hear the big creek rushing down the hill where he needed to be.
In his panic he lost his pack and never found it.

The fact that you're just getting into it is great and you're about the same age I was when I started hunting.
I'm still learning something every day and love the woods so much I hunt every weekend all year long.
We coyote hunt all year so it affords us time to scout deer trails year round.
Going to start trapping as well so there's another addiction for us.

Thanks for the advice.
Leafy camo could be an option, could layer under it as needed also. I have lots to scout and learn, i dont think i'll be making my way up into any stands just yet. May be ground/blind hunting or scouting first to get my feet wet, i have a few streamlight flashlights i'll be sure to bring em with extra batteries.
I didnt know Coyote hunting was a thing here in GA. any advice on looking into that as well would be appreciated. Could use all the experience i can get, and a year round animal would be aide in that.

Does anyone have any advice for using a smart phone or anything to (1) See my position so i can find my way back. (2) mark or flag any spots that i think could be good? I guess if i could just see where i am on my phone i could screenshot it and review it to mark where i was when i saw some deer sign.

 

[DJespersen]

Study the area that you intend to scout before leaving the house. Learn what key terrain features lie within the area.
Deer are always going to use the path of least resistance. I look for old logging roads/terraces on the sides of a steep ridge, ridge saddles, well worn creek crossings, bottlenecks/funnel areas, places where different types of timber converge. My favorite is where open hardwoods/clearcut/thick planted pines all three converge. All of these are good features to focus on when scouting.
Study Google and Topo maps before heading out. Invest in a good GPS. It makes finding your spot or even your stand easier, especially in the dark. More importantly, it can aid you in getting back to the truck.

Good clues! been reviewing a lot on google earth, and watching lots of videos on what to look for both on maps, and of people actually discussing and showing deer sign they've found.

Any advice on my question posted above about using smartphone as GPS?

 

[24on48hunting]

Some places a smartphone will suffice. A GPS would be more reliable.
Also, keep in mind that at some places, especially on Federal land, they frown on flagging trees.

 

[24on48hunting]

Can't go wrong with a scoped Winchester or marlin 30-30.

Shot placement and practice is key to a humane kill.

Practice with climbing stand as being high on n a tree has many advantages.
A safety harness and lifeline with prussic knot is mandatory.
Practice lowering and raising unloaded weapon while on your stand.

Cheap Walmart camo is fine but I like me a shirt with pockets so I don't fumble getting things from pants pockets.
Mesh/leafy camo suits are awesome and breathable.

Spend time at WMA's scouting for trails and sign.
Get a compass or use smartphone compass to mark your entry point in woods so you don't get lost on way out in the dark....it's another world in the dark.
My buddy got lost once in scrub pine in bear country.
He's is near deaf and could not hear the big creek rushing down the hill where he needed to be.
In his panic he lost his pack and never found it.

The fact that you're just getting into it is great and you're about the same age I was when I started hunting.
I'm still learning something every day and love the woods so much I hunt every weekend all year long.
We coyote hunt all year so it affords us time to scout deer trails year round.
Going to start trapping as well so there's another addiction for us.

I do about 75% of my deer scouting during turkey season.

 

[Smoothie]

Keep the lower and put a 7.62x39 with a 16" or longer barrel on it. This is the 30-30 from Hades and ammo is cheap and easy to practice with. .

I don't think you can put a 7.62x39 upper on a 223 lower?

 

[Allsmiles]

Sure you can, I've had one for over 20 years. Just need a different mag and AK amml. Now you can't put a 308 (7.62x51) upper on a 223 lower.

 

[Bypass]

None of these guys have a clue what they are talking about!!!

What you need for the deer in GA is a 50 BMG.

 

[drewga11]

Thanks for the advice.
Leafy camo could be an option, could layer under it as needed also. I have lots to scout and learn, i dont think i'll be making my way up into any stands just yet. May be ground/blind hunting or scouting first to get my feet wet, i have a few streamlight flashlights i'll be sure to bring em with extra batteries.
I didnt know Coyote hunting was a thing here in GA. any advice on looking into that as well would be appreciated. Could use all the experience i can get, and a year round animal would be aide in that.

Does anyone have any advice for using a smart phone or anything to (1) See my position so i can find my way back. (2) mark or flag any spots that i think could be good? I guess if i could just see where i am on my phone i could screenshot it and review it to mark where i was when i saw some deer sign.

There is or was a smartphone app that would allow you to mark stand locations and other things on a map, that was specifically for hunting, but I dont remember what it was called. Keep in mind your smartphone may be useless if the area you intend to hunt doesnt have good cell coverage.