10-30-2012, 10:47 PM
for someone just starting the sport, things could get real expensive real quick so it's probably better to pick one kind of hunting and go with that first.
Utah has a decent deer herd and an excellent elk herd. General season deer tags seem to be an every-other-year kind of thing due to the draw system but a cow or spike (one point) elk tag can be had every year. Elk are much bigger and better eating but can involve lots of hiking and heavy hauling if your really want to get one. Equipment for big game hunting includes a high powered rifle (or muzzleloader or bow), good cold weather gear (boots, pants, socks, coat, hat) and a four wheeler if you really want to get serious. My 13 year old sister took her first elk last year and did fine this year, 9 is still a bit young to be hunting himself but I'm sure he'd love to tag along!
The great salt lake marshes are one of the best places in the nation for waterfowling (duck hunting). lots of public places to hunt right here on the wasatch front that consistently produce ducks over the 100+ day season each year. Equipment for waterfowling includes good waders, a shotgun (20ga remmington 870 or benneli nova would be perfect for a young guy to carry around), waterproof gloves, a good coat, decoys and a call. A good duck dog is hard to train but worth their weight in gold in the marsh! The duck hunting equivalent of a four wheeler is a mud boat that will get you just about anywhere in the marsh so long as there's 6" of water or so. Every year the state does a "youth hunt" where only the kids get to shoot. Most have a blast and have a hard time hitting the broad side of a barn but they never forget the one they do hit! I'd be happy to take you two out next year if you would like.
Utah is not blessed with upland game (pheasants, quail, chuckars, grouse) like some other states, but we do have some. Your best bet for upland game is chasing grouse in the fall or going to a pheasant farm if you're willing to spend a few bucks. Equipment includes good boots and a shotgun. If you go on a pheasant farm neither of you need a license or hunters ed, just show up with a check book!
hope that helps a bit!
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Utah has a decent deer herd and an excellent elk herd. General season deer tags seem to be an every-other-year kind of thing due to the draw system but a cow or spike (one point) elk tag can be had every year. Elk are much bigger and better eating but can involve lots of hiking and heavy hauling if your really want to get one. Equipment for big game hunting includes a high powered rifle (or muzzleloader or bow), good cold weather gear (boots, pants, socks, coat, hat) and a four wheeler if you really want to get serious. My 13 year old sister took her first elk last year and did fine this year, 9 is still a bit young to be hunting himself but I'm sure he'd love to tag along!
The great salt lake marshes are one of the best places in the nation for waterfowling (duck hunting). lots of public places to hunt right here on the wasatch front that consistently produce ducks over the 100+ day season each year. Equipment for waterfowling includes good waders, a shotgun (20ga remmington 870 or benneli nova would be perfect for a young guy to carry around), waterproof gloves, a good coat, decoys and a call. A good duck dog is hard to train but worth their weight in gold in the marsh! The duck hunting equivalent of a four wheeler is a mud boat that will get you just about anywhere in the marsh so long as there's 6" of water or so. Every year the state does a "youth hunt" where only the kids get to shoot. Most have a blast and have a hard time hitting the broad side of a barn but they never forget the one they do hit! I'd be happy to take you two out next year if you would like.
Utah is not blessed with upland game (pheasants, quail, chuckars, grouse) like some other states, but we do have some. Your best bet for upland game is chasing grouse in the fall or going to a pheasant farm if you're willing to spend a few bucks. Equipment includes good boots and a shotgun. If you go on a pheasant farm neither of you need a license or hunters ed, just show up with a check book!
hope that helps a bit!
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