Maybe you grew up around hunters but never went yourself. Maybe you want to put your own meat in the freezer. Or maybe a buddy keeps asking you to come along, and you don’t want to look lost.
Nobody is born knowing this stuff. Every hunter you’ve ever met had a first season. Here’s how to get to yours.
Step 1: Pick one animal to start with
Don’t try to learn everything at once. Pick one animal and learn it well.
Good first choices:
- Small game like rabbits, squirrels, or quail. Lots of chances, cheap gear, and you learn to move quietly and read the land.
- Doves if you like to shoot. Fast action and a fun first hunt.
- Deer or javelina if you want big game. More work, more planning, but very rewarding.
In Arizona, small game and doves are easy to start with. Big game like deer and elk usually means entering a draw months ahead. We explain that in our post on how the Arizona draw works.
Step 2: Take hunter education
Even where it isn’t required, take it. You’ll learn gun safety, the rules, shot placement, and how to act in the field. It’s one of the best things a new hunter can do.
Each state sets its own rules about who has to take it. In Arizona, kids ages 10 to 13 need hunter education to hunt big game. Check your state’s wildlife agency for the current rules where you live.
Many states offer the course online with a hands-on field day. Some offer in-person classes too.
Step 3: Get your license
You’ll need a hunting license before you go. Most states sell them online now. In Arizona, anyone 10 or older needs one, and you buy it through the Arizona Game and Fish website.
Some animals also need a tag or permit on top of the license. Read the rules for the animal you picked so you know exactly what to buy.
Step 4: Read the regulations (yes, really)
Every state puts out a hunting regulations booklet each year. It tells you:
- Season dates
- Legal hours to hunt
- How many animals you can take
- What weapons are allowed
- Where you can and can’t hunt
It’s not fun reading. But “I didn’t know” won’t help you with a game warden. Keep a copy in your truck or on your phone.
Step 5: Find a place to hunt
This is where a lot of beginners get stuck. Here are your main choices:
- Public land. National forests and BLM land are open to hunting in most places. Arizona has a lot of it.
- Private land. You need the owner’s permission first, every time.
- State programs. Some states have walk-in or access programs on private land. Check your wildlife agency’s website.
A hunting map app can show you where public land starts and stops. That keeps you from crossing onto private land by mistake.
Step 6: Get the gear that matters (and skip the rest)
You don’t need to spend a fortune your first year. Start with the basics:
- A safe, reliable gun or bow you can shoot well
- Clothes for the weather, in layers
- Good boots that are already broken in
- A knife
- Water, snacks, and a small first-aid kit
- A map, phone, and a way to charge it
See our full list in what gear you need for your first deer hunt.
Step 7: Practice before the season
Shoot a lot before you hunt. Practice from the same positions you’ll use in the field: sitting, kneeling, and using a rest. Know how far you can shoot well, and don’t take a shot past that.
Go walk your hunting area before the season too. Look for tracks, droppings, trails, and water. You’ll be calmer on opening day if the place isn’t brand new to you.
Step 8: Find someone to learn from
Hunting with someone who knows what they’re doing is the fastest way to learn. Ask friends, family, or coworkers. Look for learn-to-hunt classes and mentored hunts. Arizona Game and Fish runs hands-on events through its Outdoor Skills Network.
If you’d rather have a pro show you the ropes, a guided hunt is another way to go. We break that down in is a hunting guide worth the money?
Step 9: Know what happens after the shot
New hunters often forget this part. Once an animal is down, you have work to do. You’ll need to tag it the way your state says, field dress it, and get the meat cool fast. That matters even more in Arizona heat.
Watch a few videos and, if you can, help someone else clean an animal before your own hunt.
Don’t worry about getting it perfect
You’ll make mistakes. You’ll spook animals and come home empty some days. That’s part of it. Every trip teaches you something.
Start small, stay safe, follow the rules, and keep going.
Next step: Read our post on what gear you need for your first deer hunt.