In our current reality, hunting is regarded more as a past time than an actual means of livelihood as it was in times past. Though there are still some localities where it is done to provide food, this is no longer common. You can find a description of the origin and history of hunting here.
In this article, we will be looking at this activity with a view to providing anyone interested in it with vital information that can help them excel therein. This is because in our modern day concept of hunting, which is many times considered a sport, a lot of preparation goes into it. You can therefore not be successful in it unless you know exactly the things you need.
Let’s now look at some of the important things you should be aware of before getting started.
Gear, Clothing and Accessories
There are a few important gear, clothing and accessories that are necessary for any hunting expedition. Let’s look at the most important of these.
Gear
Guns/Bow and Arrow
Unless you intend to kill your game with your bare hands, you will need the right tool. Guns and bows are likely the two most common tools used for the actual killing of game. Within these two you will have many different choices to choose from. You must however decide on which you want to go with. You can of course decide on going with the two.
Note however that there are other possible options like traps and spears that can also be used for killing or trapping game.
Lights
Lights play a very important role especially when hunting after sunset. With the right kind of light, it will not just provide proper illumination that will enable you find your game or target more easily, it can also help you with the kill. Most animals that are active at night can temporarily freeze when very bright light is shorn into their eyes. This can provide you ample opportunity to kill them before they can escape.
Clothing
What you wear from the top of your head to the soles of your feet are all very important. Aside from providing the usual benefits we derive from clothing, these ones offer other uses.
Your ideal clothing should include the following:
Suitable Top and Pants
Your top and pants should be chosen with a clear understanding of where this hunting will be taking place. Your clothing should not only provide cover and comfort, it should also blend well with its environment. While this is not always a good thing especially on public hunting grounds, they may be suitable in other situations.
Hiking Boots
This is a no-brainer as you need to ensure that your feet are safely encased. It goes without saying that they should also be comfortable enough to make wearing them for extended periods possible. The terrain where the hunt will take place should also be taking into consideration when choosing your shoes.
Adequate Socks
Your socks may not look so important but experienced outdoor people will tell you otherwise. You should ensure that your socks will keep you warm, provide good support for your feet and also provide wicking features that will ensure your feet do not stink up your location, giving your presence away to the animals.
Hunting Jacket
Aside from providing additional protection from the environment, the right jacket can also provide a few storage options for a few of your gear. They can also make it easier for you to be identified as a human by other hunters. This is why hunters are usually advised to wear bright orange jackets.
Hunting Gloves
Getting the right gloves is very essential because they will keep your hands warm and comfortable and also protect them from cuts and bruises that may otherwise arise from cutting, pulling and other activities you may engage in on the hunt.
Accessories
There are a number of other important accessories that you will need. These include:
GPS
It’s easy to get lost in the woods when one is focused on a prey rather than the environment. Having a reliable GPS device will help you navigate with greater ease.
Walkie Talkie
When hunting in parties, having functional walkies will make keeping in touch a lot easier. This will in turn reduce the risk of some members of the party getting lost.
Scent Eliminator
Animals have a very keen sense of smell. By using this scent eliminator, the human smell that would have alerted your prey to your presence is masked or neutralized.
Knives
You will likely be doing a lot of cutting. You should have a number of different sizes of knives for different cutting needs.
Back Pack
There are a number of small items you may need to toss into a bag and carry with you without it constituting too much encumbrance. The right bag can make all the difference in this regard.
Safety
Here are a few safety tips to bear in mind when hunting:
- Always handle every gun like it is loaded. It does not matter if it is not.
- Never point your gun at anyone of anything other than your intended target.
- Unless you are set to shoot your gun, ensure that your fingers are far away from the trigger and the surrounding areas.
- When you have your target in sight, also take into consideration what may lie beyond it. If there is another person beyond that target, it is best not to take the shot no matter how good a shooter you are.
- Understand the hunting guidelines that guide the area in which your hunt is taking place.
For more resources that can help you become a better hunter, visit huntingbetter.com and learn more.
Conclusion
Hunting can really be fun; it can however also be risky. Fully understanding what it entails and taking all the necessary precautions will ensure you enjoy your hunting experience without any accidents.
You can get started right away with some of the tips we have looked at here today.
