I took up hunting later in life. Here are 8 tips for new hunters that I wish I’d known sooner

When I decided to take up hunting, I was short on mentors. I was living in a new province away from family and friends, and my father and grandfather had long since retired from what little hunting they’d done. If I was going to learn to hunt, I’d have to do it on my own. Like most people in a do-it-yourself situation, I began by looking online to learn as much as I could. Eventually, I added magazines, books and TV shows to the rotation. I also reached out to hunters I knew, and asked them questions. In a few cases, I was able to tag along for a hunt.

It didn’t take long for me to realize there’s no shortage of tips and tricks out there for new hunters. In fact, there are almost too many, especially when it comes to the typical questions asked by first-time hunters. Start researching what type and calibre of rifle to buy, for example, and you can find yourself going down a rabbit hole for months.

Of course, some things can only be learned through first-hand experience and the school of hard knocks. As I’ve discovered from talking to seasoned hunters, however, it becomes harder over time to see the world of hunting through the eyes of a beginner. I’m now moderately experienced, but I can still vividly recall what it was like to be a total novice. From that perspective, here are some pointers I wish I’d known when I was starting out…