Sarley: The best way to learn to hunt is by finding a mentor to show you how it’s done

Hunting is a tough sport to pick up on your own. You really need someone to mentor you. You can read all the books and magazines you want, but it is not like getting personalized instruction. YouTube has plenty of videos, but it’s not the same as having personal lessons.

It is hard to do, but you need to approach people and ask them to help you. I realize it is intimidating to be a rookie and approach someone experienced, but I have never heard of somebody being rejected when they asked for help getting into a sport. I’ll bet you’ve heard co-workers talk about going hunting. Tell them that you’d be interested in trying it. I am sure they will offer to help you.

First up, you’ll need to have a firearm to use. Illinois has recently allowed some hunting for deer by using a rifle. Most hunting is and can be accomplished with the use of a shotgun. A basic shotgun is a very reasonably priced investment.

I had a buddy who shot a J.C. Higgins brand 12-gauge. Higgins was an economical private brand manufactured by Sears. They ceased making the brand in 1962. He still uses the gun to this day and is a very good shot. Shotguns can cost thousands, but I wouldn’t think a rookie needs to overthink about one.

There is a public shooting club in Naperville called the Naperville Sportsman’s Club. Every year they have a day where the public is invited to attend and take a gun safety class followed up by the opportunity to shoot a round or two of trap or skeet. The members lend their guns to the club for the public to use. The rookies didn’t realize that the guns they were using sometime cost up to $10,000 apiece. The price doesn’t improve anybody’s shooting, though.

Shotguns come in a number of styles. The basic is the 12-gauge pump. The 12-gauge is powerful and can do anything you ask of it. The 20-gauge is lighter and easier to handle, but it may not be appropriate for deer. I am in the market for a new 20-gauge because I think it would be easier to handle for an old codger like me.

Pump guns are ready to shoot when you pump the stock to get engaged. The guns hold three shells but can be altered to hold five, but who the heck needs that? Side-by-side and over-under guns have two barrels. One on top of the other or next to each other and hold two shells. These guns are usually more expensive and more professional target shooters tend to use them.

The Mossberg 500 series is the most economically priced shotgun out there. There is no reason to look down your nose at this gun. It is a reliable piece of equipment that won’t break down or ever let you down. I watched a target shooter knock down 100 clay pigeons in a row with a 500. No sweat.

The Remington 870 is the biggest-selling shotgun in the world. Many shooters start with an 870 and never find the need to move up. The 870 is a great gun, and that’s the bottom line.

The next challenge is finding a place to shoot. There are not a lot of places that allow shotgun practice. I never heard of a place that allowed you to shoot indoors. You need to find a place that is open to trap or skeet or any of the other target sports. It is best to get to know a rural property owner who will let you practice with your gun on their grounds.

• Daily Herald Outdoors columnist Steve Sarley can be reached at sarfishing@yahoo.com.