Deer Hunting Gun for Beginning
Deer Hunters

By Marty Prokop

This is a good question from Zach, a member of our Free Deer Hunting Tips community.

I’ve included the question and answer in this week’s newsletter. You can also find the answer at the Free Deer Hunting Tips Blog at http://www.marty-prokop.com.

Enjoy….

Zach,

Thanks for your great question.

Here are three factors to consider when choosing the best deer hunting gun:

Deer Hunting Gun Factor #1

One of the first is what your current deer hunting regulations allow in your deer hunting area. In your deer hunting area, does your state allow you to deer hunt with a rifle or do you need to use a deer hunting shotgun?

Deer Hunting Gun Factor #2

Another factor to consider is what part of the country you are deer hunting. Are you hunting in a thick, wooded environment? Or are you hunting in open grasslands?

Deer Hunting Gun Factor #3

Do you want to use your deer hunting gun for other game or is it strictly for deer hunting?

Thick Forest Deer Hunting Guns for Beginners from Marty Prokop

I first began deer hunting at 14 years old. I was hunting in thick forest. My first deer hunting rifle was a Model 94 Winchester 30/30.

I love the 30/30 cartridge but do not recommend a lever action for beginning hunters.

The recoil from the 30/30 cartridge is almost non-existent; it works great for short range shots in the deer hunting woods. Overall, the 30/30 is a great caliber deer hunting rifle for deer hunters, whether deer hunting veterans or beginners.

The Model 94 is a lever action gun. This means to shoot the next bullet, you move the lever down and up to transfer the cartridge from the magazine into the chamber where it can be fired.

The problem is the safety is on when you cycle a cartridge into the chamber. The gun is in immediate fire mode. This is dangerous.

I do not recommend a lever action gun for beginners, because placing a lever action into safety mode can be a challenge.

When I was a kid, to make sure I mastered the safety of my lever action, I practiced 100 times every day for six months putting the safety on and off with my gun empty. Most people will not do this.

Therefore, I recommend a bolt action, slide action or pump with a cross block safety or button safety. With this type of gun you can place a cartridge into the chamber with the gun remaining on safety.

But what about semi-automatic deer hunting rifles?

Semi-automatics are also great deer hunting guns. However, for the beginner, having a bolt action or pump may increase concentration, shot placement and the importance of making the first shot count.

A semi-automatic can be a great deer hunting gun if you are going to use conscious self-discipline to make your first shot count, rather than figure you have multiple shots so you don’t have to master your deer hunting aim.

Open Country Deer Hunting Gun for Beginners from Marty Prokop

If the area you plan to deer hunt consists of mostly open grassland and your average shot at deer is 100 yards or more, you will want to choose a long-range, flat-shooting deer rifle.

A good, open country deer rifle is the .243. The .243 has relatively light recoil and, with practice, is a good, long-range shooter. It is powerful enough for white tail deer, wild hogs and coyotes.

Just like the thick forest guns, for the beginners, I suggest a pump or bolt action with a cross block safety or button safety.

Deer Hunting Shotguns for Beginners from Marty Prokop

Some states or even counties within states require deer hunters to use only shotguns for deer hunting.

Shotguns are great first guns for young hunters. You can deer hunt with a shotgun, and you can also use it for other hunting seasons your state may offer, such as small game and waterfowl seasons.

This is really important if you are on a tight budget. Here’s why…

You can purchase a good shotgun and buy a rifled slug barrel to convert it to a deer hunting shotgun. This can save you $500 to $600 for a deer hunting rifle, because a good shotgun can be a great deer hunting gun.

I’ve taken a number of deer with my 12-gauge shotgun.

By using one gun for multiple species, you will become accustomed to handling the gun. Your hunting skills confidence will increase.

For a beginner, I suggest a 20 gauge shotgun. A 20 gauge shotgun will have moderate recoil, and the overall weight of the gun is manageable for all day hunts.

Shotgun slugs are very reasonably priced; so you won’t spend a fortune on ammunition.

As with any firearm, it is best to practice at the gun range long before you head into the deer hunting woods.

Good Luck and Great Hunting!

Marty Prokop

www.free-deer-hunting-tips.com

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