Anyone know....

[el_vaquero]

of any guides that will loan or rent rifles to hunters?

A guy at work wants to take his son pig hunting, both their first times and they have no (I mean zero, nothing, nada) gear (or hunting skills for that matter...haven't even taken a hunter safety course yet). They want to hunt rifle and have a good chance of taking something. Since I'm more of a DIY archery type I'm not up on that stuff....anyone??

Thanks!

 

[Speckmisser]

Probably a dumb question, but they do plan to get the hunter safety certs and licenses first, right? Otherwise, the only place they could hunt would be a preserve like BigHorn Canyon. But you probably know this already...

One thing you might consider is introducing these guys to some of your other hunting friends, or maybe have dinner with some nearby JHOers and get to know one another. You might be able to set something up where the newbies can learn the ropes and make friends with someone who will either hunt with them and possibly share a rifle.

Lots of guides carry "truck guns", but I don't know how many would be willing to loan or rent to a brand new hunter. I'm not completely sure I would unless I had the opportunity to do some range time with them first.

As far as hunts, what are they expecting to pay?

 

[jackrabbit]

I would imagine that there would be a significant liability issue if someone rented a gun and the renter hurt somebody or got hurt with it. A loaner might have less liability, but maybe not less if loaned by a guide service -- but I really don't know anything about guide service liabilities. I would suggest that, if they have enough cash flow, they just buy a couple rifles from a private party, take them to the range to get used to it, then sell them again after the hunt if they decide to get another rifle model or do not want to hunt anymore. They couldn't lose much more than the cost of a rental (if they could rent one) doing it that way I would figure.

 

[Mt Goat]

I know my opinion wasnt asked, and sorry ahead of time for preaching, BUT a successfull hunt is more than just killing. Being a hunter is learning your weapon, knowing your bullet, knowing the shots you can take and shouldnt take. The Hunters Safety Course is just a START. If these guys can afford to pay a guide for two, they have enough money to go buy a rifle or two. You can pick up a used 270 or 30-06 from a Gun Shop or a Pawn Shop for a few hundred dollars, thats half the cost of a pig hunt for one guy. If they cant afford the rifles, how can they afford the $600 each for a pig hunt for two at $1200, and gas to get there $200, and the processing of the animals after they are taken at $150-$200 each, if they are both sucessfull thats $300-$400. If they arent successfull they spend a minimum of $1400, if they are, they're looking at around $1700. All that said, To be safe with a weapon you need to know your weapon and respect that weapon. To be an ethical hunter you need to know your weapon so you can dispatch the animal as fast and safely as possible.

Why pull the cart before the horse, With kids involved go slower and have fun with the process. With kids involve dont skip corners. Teach them to respect their fellow hunters, respect and know their weapon, respect the game they are after, and to just be ethical outdoorsmen all together, and at ALL cost safety first.

Larry Lowell

 

[Cold1nhand]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mt Goat @ Jun 2 2008, 09:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I know my opinion wasnt asked, and sorry ahead of time for preaching, BUT a successfull hunt is more than just killing. Being a hunter is learning your weapon, knowing your bullet, knowing the shots you can take and shouldnt take. The Hunters Safety Course is just a START. If these guys can afford to pay a guide for two, they have enough money to go buy a rifle or two. You can pick up a used 270 or 30-06 from a Gun Shop or a Pawn Shop for a few hundred dollars, thats half the cost of a pig hunt for one guy. If they cant afford the rifles, how can they afford the $600 each for a pig hunt for two at $1200, and gas to get there $200, and the processing of the animals after they are taken at $150-$200 each, if they are both sucessfull thats $300-$400. If they arent successfull they spend a minimum of $1400, if they are, they're looking at around $1700. All that said, To be safe with a weapon you need to know your weapon and respect that weapon. To be an ethical hunter you need to know your weapon so you can dispatch the animal as fast and safely as possible.

Why pull the cart before the horse, With kids involved go slower and have fun with the process. With kids involve dont skip corners. Teach them to respect their fellow hunters, respect and know their weapon, respect the game they are after, and to just be ethical outdoorsmen all together, and at ALL cost safety first.

Larry Lowell[/b]

Very well put Larry. I was thinking the same thing. Might also be a great thing to do the hunter safety together as a bonding experience. And like Speck most guides won't "loan" you a rifle without prior knowlege of your hunting ability, experience, etc.. I think it would be best for them to tag along on a hunt or two, see what it is all about. If they like it, then take the next steps and prepare for a lifetime of bonding with each other and nature. Some of the best hunting trips I have gone on, I didn't even fire a shot. It is more about the experience than killing something. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy it when we harvest an animal... but it means so much more when you have it in your heart than just for the sake of killing something.

 

[el_vaquero]

Well, I have discussed the Hunter Safety Course and getting a license. I have also discussed the other issues with him. The bottom line is he can afford it, but he's on the stingy side and I don't think he wants to shell out all that money...especially since they are both the city type and don't know if they will even like it. I only told him I'd look into it a bit since I only hunt archery and go on DIY hunts....

Thanks for the input fellas...