Hunting in the US - info for an outsider?

[WebleyGreene455]

I grew up on the Louisiana Gulf coast, so I admit that my blood was highly refined from birth. Nevertheless, I think it more likely that you will come away from your American experience with a whole new appreciation for the Gulf Stream.

The only reason I don't appreciate the Gulf Stream here in GA is the tendency to produce Giant Murder Storms every so often. I've never been to the Yankee lands in the winter, and I hope never to go.

 

[enysse]

@Alistair, I live in Milwaukee County. It’s okay, it’s by far the busiest part of the state but there is a lot of job opportunities and where a lot of people live. I live less than 20 minutes from the downtown area where all the action is located.

 

[Alistair]

@Alistair, I live in Milwaukee County. It’s okay, it’s by far the busiest part of the state but there is a lot of job opportunities and where a lot of people live. I live less than 20 minutes from the downtown area where all the action is located.

Ah cool. I'll be living downtown Milwaukee! Perhaps we could meet for a beer sometime?

Al.

 

[enysse]

Ah cool. I'll be living downtown Milwaukee! Perhaps we could meet for a beer sometime?

Al.

Sure Al, let me know when you are settled into your job in Milwaukee.

 

[Alistair]

Sure Al, let me know when you are settled into your job in Milwaukee.

Will do. Fingers crossed it won't be too long, but depends on the duration of the US travel ban really.

Speak soon,
Al.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Bah.

What is it, 20F for the winter? Days are longer than they are here and snowfall doesn't look too bad. I've hunted in worse. First time I went after Hinds in Scotland I was there a week and it never got above 15F the whole time. Never stopped blowing a gale either. I was still out on the hill every day from dawn till dusk. It's character building!

I think Texas is making you soft Red Leg!

Were you walking/ stalking, or sitting as still as a rock in a tree stand? It makes a big difference. Rabbit hunting at zero is better than deer hunting at 25 IMO.

 

[npm352]

You may need USA hunter education. Some states, including Idaho, have temporarily gone to online only without a "field day" requirement because or COVID. If it lets you take it online and get it without actually having to schedule a field day, you can save a ton of time and hassle. Good for life in all 50 states, Mexico and Canada.

I believe it is hunter-ed.com just make sure you can do it all online and the particular state let's you do it as a nonresident of the state.

 

[Alistair]

Were you walking/ stalking, or sitting as still as a rock in a tree stand? It makes a big difference. Rabbit hunting at zero is better than deer hunting at 25 IMO.

Not a lot of trees in the Scottish Highlands. Plenty of crawling around in frozen streams and lying motionless in bogs trying to make the last hundred yards though.

 

[Tra3]

In the northern climes we seem to get a few quality cold days per hunting season. My last weekend of muzzleloader hunting in December of 2019 it was -15F air temperature, the wind came up to around 10 mph. It was hard to stay still for long. I brought two 13 year old boys out with me. They lasted less than an hour stationary and were ready to go in. It is a fun experience, but requires practice to figure out what clothing works. @Wyatt Smith is absolutely right that if you can move, you can hunt in much colder weather, but I bet you know that! The times I have had hypothermia were from not extreme cold air temp, but being wet. (Falling though ice, skiing in the rain, putting in docks in cold water, Boston marathon in a cold rain)
If you haven’t used a muzzleloader yet, definitely plan to add that to your hunting seasons. They are generally inexpensive and fun to tinker with, and you get multiple additional weekends of hunting with a rifle.

 

[Dirtdart]

I can not say how many generations of my family were born and raised in Florida beyond my grandfathers grandfather. My point is that there was a time when I thought I knew a bit about cold weather.

I spent a winter at Ft. Leonard MO when I was 18 years old. That was the first time I had seen snow. The temperature dropped to zero degrees Fahrenheit including a slight 10 mile per hour breeze a couple of times while I was there. I was certain I would freeze to death. Looking back on this it was just my thin blood.

I am fortunate to have spent a decade of my life in the great state of Wyoming. I can swear to checking the weather station and clearly seeing - 28 F (actual temp not windchill) and heading out to try and shoot waterfowl on numerous occasions. I have also had the distinct pleasure of going through the ice on the North Platte River when the air temp was -20F.

I have not yet had the pleasure of wintering in Wisconsin but I have been told it is very mild like the high country in the UK.

Welcome to the US Alistair!

 

[Alaska Luke]

It's not hunting but a very fun trip would be Yellowstone National Park. Its probably the closest thing to the Serengeti in North America. Herds of Elk, Buffalo, deer, pronghorn etc. If you know where to look you can watch wolf packs and grizzly bears. Of course you could try hunting near the Park but you might be busy enough just figuring out Wisconsin. A camping and hiking trip could be fun and you could get an idea of how to be prepared if you went back to actually hunt later.

 

[Firebird]

Don’t forget the fishing which is a good way to get through summer and other non hunting times.

 

[Alistair]

Don’t forget the fishing which is a good way to get through summer and other non hunting times.

Sounds like a plan!

I've done a fair bit of fishing in the past, mostly lough fishing for trout over in Ireland.

What sort of fishing is on offer in the US? I'm assuming you can fish public waters as well?

Al.

 

[Chukar]

Sounds like a plan!

I've done a fair bit of fishing in the past, mostly lough fishing for trout over in Ireland.

What sort of fishing is on offer in the US? I'm assuming you can fish public waters as well?

Al.

I'm in the upper-left part of the states, so take this as a grain of salt.

If I were to live in Wisconsin for a period of time I would trout fish the "driftless area" in the Southwest of Wisconsin. Fly fishing for troots.

Next up would be fishing for salmon and steelhead coming off the Great Lakes, a short ride North to Sheboygan or so. Again on the fly.

Ice fishing in the deep cold winter. Walleye and perch, deep fried. An ungrateful version of your fish and chips but tasty as all get out. Check out the Friday fish fries.

Seems like smallmouth bass is a good option there for the warmer months, (July 16-July 21), lots of opportunities near Milwaukee from what I see.

Carp. Yes, I said carp.... Book a trip up to Beaver Island, Michigan and hook into a 10# meat eating carp on a fly rod and prepare to have your mind adjusted.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I'm in the upper-left part of the states, so take this as a grain of salt.

If I were to live in Wisconsin for a period of time I would trout fish the "driftless area" in the Southwest of Wisconsin. Fly fishing for troots.

Next up would be fishing for salmon and steelhead coming off the Great Lakes, a short ride North to Sheboygan or so. Again on the fly.

Ice fishing in the deep cold winter. Walleye and perch, deep fried. An ungrateful version of your fish and chips but tasty as all get out. Check out the Friday fish fries.

Seems like smallmouth bass is a good option there for the warmer months, (July 16-July 21), lots of opportunities near Milwaukee from what I see.

Carp. Yes, I said carp.... Book a trip up to Beaver Island, Michigan and hook into a 10# meat eating carp on a fly rod and prepare to have your mind adjusted.

You left out those two teethy fish: musky and pike.

 

[Alistair]

Evening all, I thought I'd give this thread a bit of a bump as I'm finlly, finally seeing some progress with my visa!

I'm now all approved and will be landing in Milwaukee in approx. 3 weeks. Firearm ownership has been checked and validated with the BATF, so hunters ed is in my future and then I can start looking for some toys and some oppurtunities.

In the interim, if anyon is local to Milwaukee or WI more generally and has recommendations for shooting clubs, ranges, hunting experiences, decent guides, fishing etc (or even fancies a meet up over a pint) then drop me a PM.

Suggestions for local watering holes and cigar shops are also most welcome!

Cheers!
Al.

 

[Rob404]

Welcome future Cheeshead

 

[Alistair]

Well I made it!

17 months for a visa, 18 hours of flights, 1 lost case and a rather unfriendly customs officer, but I have finally reached the sunny shores of Lake michigan.

Now I shall sleep.

 

[LucasK]

Congratulations, good luck! Lived in the twin cities for a bit, dress in layers! The air temperature held at 40° below zero for a whole week one of the winters I was there. Good times! One of the great things about that part of the country is the people! Hope everything goes well.

 

[rinehart0050]

Best of luck!