Plans for the Future

[jarandhel]

This is not for now... I have neither the time nor the money for this now... but it's something I am thinking about for some as-yet-undetermined point in the future...

I would like to learn to hunt. I realize that is going to require a monetary investment in a firearm and amunition, and probably other gear that I could not at this time properly specify without further research. Also, obviously, the appropriate licensing to own and use aforementioned firearms in this state and any nearby states in which I would like to hunt.

So far, I see two problems: 1) lack of property on which to hunt, unless I can locate public lands where it is allowed. I think some of the national forests in VA allow hunting at certain times of year especially if their deer herds become overpopulated due to lack of natural predators, so I don't think that will be too hard to manage. 2) I need to find someone to teach me not only the proper way to hunt (which I think I can figure out myself for the most part, along with standard hunter-safety classes and the requirements of obtaining a license in the first place) but also and more importantly how to properly field-dress, clean and butcher the animals. (I'm not interested in hunting for trophies, I want to put meat on my table, especially venison.)

The second is likely to be somewhat problematic as the last time I tried to assist someone (Ri's father) with that act I ended up briefly passing out due to the smell (I was up again as soon as I hit the ground) in what he described as a "visceral reaction". I ended up just washing off the meat inside away from the odor of the carcass and had no further problems, so it wasn't a matter of being grossed out by the act of butchering. I suppose training my body to get used to the odor would work. Either that or I need to find some kind of trick, because I'm determined to eat anything I kill and that requires getting over that.

So yeah, not something I'm able to start at the moment, but something I'm strongly thinking about for the future. Any advice/input welcome.

Comments

[hasufin.livejournal.com]

0) Firearms are expensive. You should get your FOID card and go to gun shows. I'd be willing to accompany you, as these also often have other accouterments I need.

1) You'll find, especially as you get into more rural areas, that private owners are willing to let you hunt on their land. tHe best way to find out about this is to get to know other hunters. Finding a hunter willing to mentor you will help here. Alternately, try to find online communities devoted to hunting.

2) In almost all states, there are state-sponsored courses for gun safety. There may well be courses covering hunting as well, but as per usual experience is more important.

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

0) Are you sure a FOID card would be necessary for a gun show in this area? From what I could find in an admittedly fast search, FOID appears to be a practice limited to Illinois. Apart from that minor quibble, I completely agree. And the expense is why I'm presently holding off till a future date. I just don't have the money to spare for it right now.

1) That's a very good suggestion, thank you. I'd just need to find hunters of a similar mindset to myself... while I realize not all (or even most) hunters act this way, I've known an awful lot of hunters in the south jersey area that tended to get wasted on beer and then go hunting. Not always on their own land, either. I'll be avoiding the subset that acts that way as much as humanly possible.

2) Yeah, with the gun safety and hunting courses, I think I can work out what to do well to manage the actual hunting part on my own with a bit of practice. It's the field dressing, cleaning, and butchering that's the tricky part, especially with the effect the odor had on my body last time. I know enough to know that puncturing certain organs can lead to contaminating the meat, but I'm not sure which organs they are or where one would necessarily find them on a deer, that kind of thing. I'll be doing more research on it as time goes by, especially once I start approaching a financial situation that would allow me to purchase a gun, but I think that's one area I'd feel more comfortable seeing hands-on demonstration of.

[hasufin.livejournal.com]

0) Oh, right. I grew up in IL, you see... I don't know all that much of the local gun laws. I was just meaning to do the paperwork such that you *can* purchase a gun. But, clearly, I don't know what is involved here.

1) Can't say I've ever known any hunters who went for the "get drunk with guns" theory. Which is neither here nor there.

2) Some hunters actually use gas masks. Sportsman's Guide sells 'em.

I've also known that, in cleaning and butchering a deer, having some means to hoist it up is a HUGE bonus. I don't know much about that process, as I was 10 the last time I saw it done, but if you should bag one, I'd be glad to help.

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

0) From what I understand, there's no paperwork to do. They do some kinda computer background-check at the point of sale before you're allowed to transfer gun ownership, but there's nothing you have to do in advance as far as I can see. VA does not apparently require gun registration except for machine guns.

1) I'm hoping they are a very VERY small minority outside of certain portions of south jersey. I unfortunately have come across some of my neighbors there in South Jersey so drunk (evidenced by empty beer cans on the ground around the kill) that they shot a deer on our property and forgot about it entirely, just left it there to rot.

2) ... wow, I halfway had thought of that but I thought I'd look fucking ridiculous. Still kinda think that, actually. I'll keep it in mind as backup, but I think I'm gonna try the Vicks idea first.

Hoisting is a good point... forgot about that. The last time I helped do that, it was suspended from something... want to say some sort of metal frame, but it was over 8 years ago and my memory of that detail is not so great. And thanks for the offer of help... I may definitely take you up on that.

[hasufin.livejournal.com]

0) Note to self: acquire handgun while it's still possible to keep it off the books.
Seriously, though, I had no idea. I've heard good things about C & E Gunshows though there seems to be the typical dose of 2nd amendment stuff.

1) Wow. That's *drunk*.

2) Hey, no shame in it. As the veteran of more dissections than I can count, I assure you that the insides of animals are NOT meant to smell good. However, honestly, you've smelled worse - I know perfectly well you've babysat drunk people, and that introduced me to a world of odors I'd never imagined.

[historychick49.livejournal.com]

I don't hunt, but my grandfather and one of my cousins did, so going by what I remember from them...

Probably the only other equipment you'd need would be field-dressing supplies (definitely a good knife; I'm not too sure about anything else) and proper hunter-safety attire - neon-orange jacket or coveralls, sturdy boots, camo clothes with plenty of pockets, etc.

For the smell... maybe carrying around some Vick's Vaporub and dabbing that thickly under your nose before you start dressing the deer?

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

*nods* Yeah, that was pretty much what I was thinking of, but I haven't done the research yet so I didn't want to leave it to chance that I was forgetting something. Also probably going to need to invest in a very large cooler to transport the meat, and possibly a small chest freezer to store it in for the apartment.

The Vicks idea for the smell might work... I'll definitely keep it in mind.

[historychick49.livejournal.com]

Oh geesh, I didn't even think of transportation/storage. Yeah, you'll need stuff for that, too.

And for the Vicks, I got the idea off of CSI, actually - I remember one of them used it while dealing with a particularly smelly decomp. :P

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

Heh... I'd been leaning towards thoughts of doctor-style face masks and such, personally, but I wasn't sure if those would be all that effective against simple odors, however strong. I like the Vicks idea... overpower the oder, rather than try to screen it out.

[dancinglights.livejournal.com]

I use an asbestos-grade filter mask for everything from changing cat litter to investigating buildings full of asbestos, things I am allergic to, and poisonous levels of pigeon crap. It'd help.

Never tried the Vicks thing, but generally minty food-smells combined with horrid ones just correlates horrid with food-smell to me and my body decides it wants even more badly to puke, just, you know, in case it ingested some. Lose.

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

*nods* That's a good point. I may go the abestos mask route...