Hunting Guide
Outfitter
The Learn to Hunt Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do we go?
Most of the lessons and hunts take place in northern New Jersey.
Do I need a license?
Anytime you are hunting you will need a state issued license, and depending on the season and species you may also need additional permits. You do not need a license to take a lesson. You do not need any kind of gun permit to participate in either activity.
How do I get a license?
Most of the time, we make a stop to purchase your license during the apprentice hunt. The first time you purchase a hunting license in any state, you have to appear in person to present identification and your hunter's education credentials, so you will need to go to an official New Jersey license agent. After that you can order it online. If you have not taken the hunter education course, you most likely are eligible for an apprentice license which allows you to hunt with a mentor without having taken the course first.
What does the license cost?
This varies quite a bit depending on your residency and what we're hunting. The full breakdown of license costs can be found on the NJ DEP website. Sometimes all you will need is a basic firearm or archery license. Sometimes you will need additional permits. If you are a resident of New Jersey, you get a lower price on your licenses.
When can we go?
We can go for lessons year round. Deer hunts begin on the second Saturday of Sept. and run through the third Saturday of Feb. Turkey hunts are late April through early June.
When do we meet?
This is determined by what time sunrise and sunset are, so it varies. For lessons and apprentice hunts we usually meet in the morning around 8:00 or 9:00 AM. For hunts we sometimes meet as early as 4:00 AM.
When do we finish?
This also varies based on the time of sunset. Most lessons end at sunset. Deer hunts end 30 minutes after sunset. If we kill a deer late in the evening it might be 10:00 or 11:00 PM before we get back to NYC, as it can take a while to track, extract, and transport the deer to the butcher. Turkey hunts end at noon.
What are my chances of success?
Your odds of being successful on a two day deer hunt are about 90%. We're successful with full day hunts about 50% of the time, and apprentice hunters are successful on their first attempt at hunting about 25% of the time. Turkey hunts are successful roughly 25% of the time.
Do I need any equipment?
No. All you need is your clothes and boots. We can rent you a crossbow or gun to hunt with and will provide all other necessary equipment for the hunt. If you do not have any camouflage clothing, I have camo that can go over what you wear.
How do I make a reservation?
You need to put down a 50% deposit in order to make a reservation. To do this, go to the Book Online page, select the adventure you want, and pick the date from the calendar.
What is your availability?
My availability calendar can be found on this website by going to the Book Online page and clicking Reservation Calendar. This will show you the calendar of available dates.
What are your rates?
My rates can all be found on the Book Online page.
How do we get there?
I used to offer transportation from Jersey City, but we're not longer able to do so. You'll need to arrange transportation to meet your hunting guide on location.
Why New Jersey and not New York?
New Jersey has far more deer and public land within an hour drive of NYC than New York does. Most of the area of New Jersey close to NYC is considered to be overpopulated with deer, which makes for great hunting. New York also lacks the Apprentice License that is available in New Jersey which allows beginners to hunt with a hunting guide as a mentor without having taken the hunter education course.