>>1850044I am not sure how things work in Ireland, but in the US generally every state requires:
1.) completion of an approved "Hunter's Safety" course. This teaches you what a gun is, basic shooting, types of hunting game, rules, seasons, regulations, and usually has a field portion to make sure you aren't a total retard.
2.) Get the appropriate licensing for hunting the game you want to hunt. Where I live I need a base license + deer tag
3.) Learn about how and where to hunt. Our state has a natural resources department which provides hunting guides that explain the regulations, maps and information on types of game and other things you want to know
After you do all that you should get a rifle in an appropriate caliber for deer hunting, Whatever hunter course you may have taken, or the hunting guide should tell you what is considered legal or ethical. If you want ot practice the fundamentals of shooting without spending a lot of money get yourself some kind of 22lr.
Shoot a bunch, get familiar with your gun, mount an optic and sight it in.
Then you will need to get out and hunt. Best to find a group or club if you don't have any friends to take you. Otherwise you're going to have to call around and figure out where you can hunt legally, and also how to hunt and gut and so on,
Just start with getting a gun and whatever certification you need first, during that process you will likely meet other hunters and go from there.
