Hello, my name is Hayden and I'm new to the forum! Didn't see anywhere else to post an introduction so I figured I'd post it here.

I'm 15 years old, live in Central Montana and am fairly new to handguns, I got my first sixgun this spring. I'm interested in getting into handgun hunting, so when I came across this forum I figured it would be a great resource.

Looking forward to getting to know and learn from you!

-Hayden

Welcome to the site, Hayden! Kind of refreshing to see another relatively young member (I'm 21.)

Yes, this site is probably the single best source of knowledge for handgun hunters. There are many highly knowledgeable gentlemen with decades of handgun hunting experience under their belts willing to give their advice. If you have a question, any at all, just ask.

Looking forward to having you here!

What are thinking about getting as your first hunting handgun?

Lone Wolf,
Thank you for the warm welcome!

Sorry I wasn't very clear, I got my first handgun this last spring. Ruger New model Blackhawk 45 convertible. Great pistol, love it more every time I shoot it.

Excellent choice! Seems like everyone here loves their Blackhawks. Don't have any experience with one myself, though. So what all are you planning to hunt this fall? I've heard Montana's got quite the selection of big game.

I'm currently trying to bowhunt whitetail while working around my highschool football schedule. If I don't end up getting a deer with my bow I'm hoping to try with my Blackhawk during the youth season (out of school for two days :D) I'm dedicating my rifle season to elk hunting this year (never got one yet) so I'm really hoping to fill my deer tag soon!

Didn't draw for for antelope, sheep, goat, or moose, kinda hard to draw those last three.

And I got a bear tag just in case

Well, then, good luck to you. I'm also still trying to get my first handgun kill.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. These guys won't lead you astray.

hrh2k, welcome to the forum from Iowa. The truth was spoken by TN when he said there is a lot to learn here as there is a wealth of knowledge and experience in the midst.

You did get yourself a dandy to start your handgunning career, and the best quick advice I can give to shoot as much as possible, but make it good practice. And then you will need to find a reloader, either your own or someone who will do it for you.

Good luck and keep us updated on the hunts and the football season. Though you will miss some hunting days because of it, football is a memory you can hang onto for a long time as well. I pulled a quad trying to re-live mine last week, but I'm 3x your age, it happens.

Good luck and welcome again.

Pythonhunter

Forgot to add that my first handgun kill was a mouse at 7 yards with a .22 revolver, and I'm still hooked. The first doesn't have to be a giant, just get out as much as you can.

PythonHunter,

Thank you for the welcome!

As you said practice is definetaly what I need, I've been loading for about a year now, but I'm still in the development stage for my 45. The nice part about having the ACP cylinder is I can pick up a box of 45 auto ball ammo for cheap if I need ammo to shoot.

I actually did manage to score a kill this summer! Gopher at 15 yards, got him just as he was peeking out of his hole. Not that big of an accomplishment but still lots of fun!

Thank you guys for the support!

-Hayden

Welcome hrh2k! I was about your age when I got a Combat Masterpiece 38 special. Surely not the horsepower you have in your .45 Blackhawk. You are lucky to live in the part of the county to use all your Blackhawk has to offer! Share your hunting and shooting experiences going forward!

Shoot straight and often!

Hayden,

Welcome to HHM. I too, am a handgun hunter (for 46 years). I started at 13 with a Ruger Single-Six, then a Blackhawk 41 Mag, etc.. I also happen to be from North Central Montana (Ft. Shaw). My first animal was a gopher, too! Perhaps we can meet and burn some powder doing some Montana handgun hunting. Send me a PM if interested.

Doc

What's up! Cool to meet a younger member like myself. I'm 17, live in Arkansas. I just joined as well. I started out with a Ruger Mark II 22 that I got when I was about 7 or 8, then moved up to a High Standard 22 revolver when I was 14 that I inhereted when my great grandfather passed away. It was his pride and joy! He could shoot the lights out with it, it was awesome. It's one of my favorite squirrel hunting guns now! This past summer I got a glock 20 I plan on deer hunting with here starting in a couple weeks! My dad has a Kimber 45, BlackHawk in 357, and a Vaquero in 45 Colt that we plan on trying to down some stuff with as well.

Welcome to HHM! What part of Arkansas are you in?

Arkadelphia, about an hour from Little rock and 40min from Hot springs, if that tells you anything.