Hunting prep

[FortWayneGunfighter]

Sooo I haven't never hunted anything besides so coyotes and squirrels but I recently got the urge to go for something bigger with more meat. Question is what all will I need/want for a dear hunt and eventually bear hogs an other large game? I have two rifles good for hunting 30-30 and a 308 I know license and tags but nt much else...

 

[rkesar]

You will need a bow, shotgun, or pcr to hunt deer in indiana

 

[FortWayneGunfighter]

I'm in Cali right now with the military hunting in Cali

 

[Hawkeye]

Well, on an Indiana forum, yod be more likely to get info in hunting in Indiana. Maybe there's a California forum out there?

 

[rkesar]

I have no clue about cali, i thought you meant Indiana, sorry

 

[FortWayneGunfighter]

I hate Cali I miss the great state we share and will be hunting there later! But I mean more common things like calls or things like that

 

[whitetailbowhunter]

I always carry with me : doe in rut 69 scent, binos, an orgional primos bleat can, and a primos grunt that uses an o-ring to make any sound you want (fawn doe's to mature buck's). There are a ton of gimmick items out there for deer hunting but those 4 items along with some good camo, and well praticed shot are about all you need to get started.

Another tip. I learned this years ago from a field and stream article and it works great. buy a box of UNSCENTED tampons from DG, Walgreens, etc. (super awkward to do wearing camoflauge) and pour your scent on the tampon, tie a loop with a string, and bam. you get 25 "scent sticks" for like $2. It's Great.

 

[FortWayneGunfighter]

^see that's exactly what I need to hear thank you!

 

[mayor al]

Ft Irwin or 29 Palms??? I lived on the high desert before retiring and moving to Indiana in 2000. At times I miss the wide-open spaces out there, but thats about all of SoCal I think about.
Hoosierland is a major step up from that !!

In Indiana you can use a rifle or shotgun for Deer, but only if the caliber is what is normally considered a 'larger than .38 Special' pistol round. No 45 acp, no 30 carbine, .223 or 7.62x39 or anything longer...like your 308 or 30-30. Save them for trips out of state...like Kentucky and Missouri where full sized rifles are legal.

Shotguns for deer require slugs , no buckshot.

We us 44 magnum Ruger Carbines for deer here in state.

 

[FortWayneGunfighter]

No 30-30 in Indiana? Well shoot and I'm In 29 palms such a nice please...not. No really it's not terrible it's just in California and ungodly hot afghan weather without being in afghan. So what is deer legal in Indiana? As far as rifles

 

[mayor al]

As I said before- Center-fire pistol calibers stronger than 38 Special. These include 357 magnum, 41 mag, 44 mag 44Special, 45 LC, 460 and 480 ruger...(label may be incorrect on that.
We use 44 mag carbines, I have a 357 lever gun also. I have several full-sized rifles for use out of state. 30-30, 308, 338 Win Mag, 7.62x39 and 223, 30-06 but not for hunting in Indiana.

Calibers on the prohibited list include the 30 carbine, 38 Special, 40 S&W, 45 acp and several others. NO 270's or 223's or any of the 30 cal rifle length calibers. Go to the Indiana DNR website and look under the deer-regs for a complete list

Remember distances here are not like SoCal. We can be at the Hog Hunting area in Missouri less than 6 hours from our home in Floyd county. AND we took 3 deer from our back deck here last winter. No long rides for us.

 

[FortWayneGunfighter]

Oh yeah that is true havent been home in a whilr

 

[Mgderf]

Muzzle loaders can also be used.

Now, for the kicker. You can use that .308 round legally in Indiana, if it's in a pistol configuration!

I have a Savage Striker pistol chambered for .308 Winchester that is Indiana deer legal.
Most any pistol chambered in a cartridge larger than .243 cal is deer legal in Indiana.

I know, it doesn't make any sense, but them's the rules.

 

[kup]

stolen off the internet with a BING search

many others out there also, I copy a few and then use them to create one for me and the type of hunting I am doing .



Deer Hunting Checklist | What to bring with you before you head out to the woods

Deer Hunting Checklist
Clothing

Extra pair of socks
Gloves
Face-mask
Hat
Boots
Pants
jacket
Rain Gear
Scent cover spray clothing and boots
Safety harness
hand warmers
Weapon
Gun or bow
ammunition or arrows
Release aid for bow
Bow or gun hanger
pull up rope for gun or bow
Other
License
Cell phone
Knife
Drag Rope
String for tagging
GPS or compass (depends on where you are hunting obviously)
Scent attractants
Calls
Water Bottle
Whistle (in case of emergency)
Seat cushion
Tree stand or ground blind
Chair for ground blind
Snacks
Prescription medicine
Camera arm if filming
Video cameraDigital camera
Backpack to carry all

Gander Mountain® Resource Center > Deer Hunting Checklist : We Live Outdoors®


Equipment:
Firearm
Ammunition
Bow
Arrows
Broadheads
Binoculars
Spotting Scope
Optics Cleaners
Tree Stands 0
Ground Blinds
Safety Vest (Required)
Screw In Tree Steps
Stackable Ladders
Flashlight/Headlamp
Gun Hoist
Gun Rest
Bow Hanger
Decoy
Scents (Cover and Attractant)
Scent Wicks/Drag or Scrape Dripper
Scent Free Containers for Clothing
Scent Reduction Clothing Wash
Disposable Chemical Heaters
Pack
Folding Saw
Knife
GPS
Compass
Map of Hunting Area
Water Bottle
First Aid Kit
Trail Tape

After the Shot:
Gutting Gloves (Wrist and Shoulder Length)
Butt Out Tool
Pelvic Saw
2 Plastic Bags (for Tarsals/ Liver and Heart)
String for License
Deer Drag
Grinder
Knife Set
Freezer Paper and Tape
Marker
Gambrel
Knife Sharpener
Calls:
All Deer Calls
*Grunt Tube
*Rattle Bag/Antlers
*Estrus Bleat Can
*Fawn Bleat Can
*Snort/Wheeze Call

Clothing (Scent Reduction):
Camo Baseball and Stocking Hat
Blaze Baseball and Stocking Hat
Hand Muff
Insulated Camo Jacket
Insulated Blaze Jacket or Vest
Insulated Pants/ Coverallls
Camo Fleece
Camo/Blaze Balaclava
Insulate Socks
Liner Sock
Insulated Boots
Uninsulated Boots
Insulated/Wicking Long Underwear
Insulated and Uninsulated Gloves
Camo T Shirts
Camoflage Cargo Pants
Camoflage Belt

To Do:
Sight Firearm/Bow
Sharpen Knife/Broadheads
Buy License
Watch Instructional DVDs (Calling/Game Prep)
Read Instructional Books
Scout Land
Secure Landowner Permission
Landowner Gift
Clean Binoculars
Organize pack
Practice Calling
Wash Clothing
Hang Treestand

 

[M4Madness]

So what is deer legal in Indiana? As far as rifles

Anything with a bullet .357" or larger that has an empty brass length between 1.16" and 1.8". It doesn't have to be a pistol round, it just has to meet the above criteria.

The fastest legal calibers for deer rifles in Indiana now are the .358 wildcats (.358 Hoosier, .358 WSSM, etc.). They are right up there in .308 Win territory in regards to power with velocities of 2600+ FPS.

 

[psyop]

I am learning right along with you .. great advice guys. This will be my first year hunting. I will be using 50 cal muzzle loader. Any advice on the best tree stands?

 

[mayor al]

I am learning right along with you .. great advice guys. This will be my first year hunting. I will be using 50 cal muzzle loader. Any advice on the best tree stands?

Lots of good buys new and used around for tree-stands. Major concern would be weight limit/capacity and securing method..how is it attached to the tree etc. I am a big guy and don't do well with a 300 lb total limit for me and my gear. I use a 2 man stand that has a 500 lb limit and a wider seat and platform.
Besure you test your safety harness before trusting it in the field.

I rarely use my treestand, as a ground blind works well for me in the locations I have available.

 

[BuckCreek]

You might find this useful: Deer Regulations | Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide | eRegulations.com

Scroll down the page until you come to Hunting Equipment and Legal Firearms, or just search for that on the page. It gives the current allowed cartridge sizes and examples of ones that would be legal. One that is now legal that was not previously is the 450 Bushmaster.