Wanting to do first hunt this fall or beginning of next year

[araya907]

Hello all, I'm glad I found a forum that people are active on! I am wanting to get into hunting, so I figured starting small would be best. I am wanting to hunt for Ptarmigan this fall/into beginning of next year nd hopefully move on to bigger game.. I have alot of questions! But am also trying to do as much research as possible.
1. Good areas I might have luck getting a Ptarmigan or 2? (I am located in Anchorage)
2. Is there any courses that teach how to field dress a Ptarmigan? Or do I need to find a guide? (They are just super expensive)
3. Have been told a 22 is best for beginners (on the gear list)
4. Besides Ptarmigan what might be other game that is good hunting for beginners? Doesn't necessarily have to be for meat (preferred) but am interested in fur hunting to make my own winter gear
4. Any suggested gear i would probably over look as a newbie

Thank you in advance for any advice/tips given!

 

[alaskaduke]

Small game is always a good starter. For a new hunter going after ptarmigan I might suggest a .410 shotgun. May find rabbits while ptarmigan hunting too. The .410 might give you a better advantage. Watch a couple of YouTube videos on dressing a ptarmigan and rabbit. Not a lot of meat but the breasts are very good. Going north along the highway you’ll find areas. Also, if you have a UTV or snowmobile, you can get back into good areas easily. Good luck! Follow the rules and enjoy.

 

[araya907]

Small game is always a good starter. For a new hunter going after ptarmigan I might suggest a .410 shotgun. May find rabbits while ptarmigan hunting too. The .410 might give you a better advantage. Watch a couple of YouTube videos on dressing a ptarmigan and rabbit. Not a lot of meat but the breasts are very good. Going north along the highway you’ll find areas. Also, if you have a UTV or snowmobile, you can get back into good areas easily. Good luck! Follow the rules and enjoy.

Appreciate the tips! I'll look in .410 I don't own and snowmachine (yet), planning on hiking and snowshoeing these 1st couple times i go out.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

Go for a 20 gauge instead of the 410.

 

[Brian M]

For hunting ptarmigan on foot, the east end of the Denali Highway can be excellent, and the Kenai Mountains can be productive as well. Get high and work the willows (for Willow Ptarmigan), or walk the ridges for Rock Ptarmigan. Grouse hunting can be fun in September and October. It's not super sporty, but driving quiet gravel roads at first light can be productive, as the grouse come to the edge of the road to eat gravel. Make sure you're on public land, and make sure you don't shoot on or across the driveable surface of the road. I'd agree with the .410 recommendation, but a .22 is good as well. And cleaning a grouse/ptarmigan is pretty easy - no need to hire a guide.

 

[araya907]

Go for a 20 gauge instead of the 410.

I'm still learning alot but why do you recommend the 20 gauge over the 410?

 

[araya907]

For hunting ptarmigan on foot, the east end of the Denali Highway can be excellent, and the Kenai Mountains can be productive as well. Get high and work the willows (for Willow Ptarmigan), or walk the ridges for Rock Ptarmigan. Grouse hunting can be fun in September and October. It's not super sporty, but driving quiet gravel roads at first light can be productive, as the grouse come to the edge of the road to eat gravel. Make sure you're on public land, and make sure you don't shoot on or across the driveable surface of the road. I'd agree with the .410 recommendation, but a .22 is good as well. And cleaning a grouse/ptarmigan is pretty easy - no need to hire a guide.

Thanks for

For hunting ptarmigan on foot, the east end of the Denali Highway can be excellent, and the Kenai Mountains can be productive as well. Get high and work the willows (for Willow Ptarmigan), or walk the ridges for Rock Ptarmigan. Grouse hunting can be fun in September and October. It's not super sporty, but driving quiet gravel roads at first light can be productive, as the grouse come to the edge of the road to eat gravel. Make sure you're on public land, and make sure you don't shoot on or across the driveable surface of the road. I'd agree with the .410 recommendation, but a .22 is good as well. And cleaning a grouse/ptarmigan is pretty easy - no need to hire a guide.

 

[araya907]

Thank you! I'll definitely start mapping out areas I want to hike and scope out as the weather changes! I'll definitely add "do not shoot across driveable roads to my notes" been watching YouTube videos about cleaning game in the field, just want to avoid wasting as much as possible

 

[kwackkillncrew]

I'm still learning alot but why do you recommend the 20 gauge over the 410?

more bbs, more range and you can use the 20 gauge for waterfowl as well. Sure you can do all that with a .410, but it makes it more difficult, unless you are just going to ground pound the ptarmigan, the go for the 22 or 410.

 

[4merguide]

.....I'll definitely add "do not shoot across driveable roads to my notes"....

If you didn't know that already then I have to ask, have you taken a Basic Hunter Education class already? If not, check out the Hunting Regulations it see if you are required to have it before hunting.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

If you didn't know that already then I have to ask, have you taken a Basic Hunter Education class already? If not, check out the Hunting Regulations it see if you are required to have it before hunting.

i am required to have it. I think i have been checked 2 or 3 times while hunting and not once have they ever asked for my card.

 

[4merguide]

i am required to have it. I think i have been checked 2 or 3 times while hunting and not once have they ever asked for my card.

I don't doubt that at all. Back in my day in the lower 48 you used to have to show it just to be able to buy a license. Heck, after taking hunters ed at the age of 12, because I didn't have my card anymore, and I guess it had been too long ago to still have a record of it, even at the age of 27 I had to take the class again to be able to go to Colorado to hunt elk. Hunter Ed is mandatory in most states just to get a license, not only if it is required for the area you will be hunting.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

i got mine when i was 12 in minnesota. Lost it a few years ago and contacted the MNDNR and paid 5 bucks for an electronic version that i can print out. now i have unlimited haha