PREPARING FOR YOUR HUNT

Hunters who go into the field with all they need for each phase of the hunt do
better, it’s as simple as that. Prepared hunters get better results, have fewer
accidents, enjoy their time on the hunt more and are always keen to learn
how they can perform better the next time. The old saying, prior planning
prevents poor performance, is definitely true when it comes to the hunt –
and we make no apologies for reminding you that being prepared is the key
to success. So, prepare for your hunt in every conceivable way.
First, know the habits of the game you’re hunting. If you’re hunting quail for
the first time, talk to people who’ve hunted it before. Ask them for tips, and
more importantly, evaluate the advice you’re given against your own
research – some people like to talk the talk, but that doesn’t mean they can
walk the walk. It’s important to know that the advice you’re given checks out
in the field.
Don’t be shy about checking out books from the library, making enquiries
with online game hunting forums or pitting the opinions of your friends and
family against one another – the results could surprise everyone, and a little
information goes a long way when it comes to planning a successful hunting
adventure.
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The next key to planning a successful hunt is knowing the terrain you’ll be
hunting in. This takes two forms – first, understanding the type of ground
you’re likely to encounter, and second, physically scouting the territory
you’re going to be hunting. Researching the habits of the animal you’re going
to hunt will give you a fair indicator of how the animal behaves, what sort of
cover it hides in, where it likes to eat and sleep. You can take that
information and apply it to the actual ground you’re going to cover.
Visit your hunting ground and get a feel for the likely areas you’ll find the
animal in question. Seek out areas where you’ll be able to watch for animals,
as well as areas you’ll be able to hide in and take that perfect shot. If you’re
unable to visit the area in person, ask people who live nearby what their
experience of the land is – granted, they’re unlikely to reveal their favorite
duck blind, but they might be able to give you pointers that will help make
your trip more fruitful.
Pack well – don’t overlook the standard items you should include and don’t
leave things out in the name of saving space. Truth be told, you don’t know
what you’ll rely on most until you’re in the field and by then, if it’s something
you’ve left at home, you’re simply out of luck. Make a survival pack, which
doesn’t need to be any larger than a fanny pack, and keep it with you
always. This should include a space blanket, a bottle of aspirin, a few
nutrition bars, two eight-ounce juice cartons and a packet of water purifying
tablets.
In addition to this, be sure you take a properly-stocked first aid kit. Refer to
the basic Red Cross guide for what should be in a first aid kit and you can’t
go too far wrong. Bear in mind you need enough first aid supplies to tend to
more than one wounded person – accidents happen, and so do stupid things.
You need to be prepared for both, so stick a mini first aid kit in your vehicle,
a full-sized one at base camp and another mini kit in your daypack in
addition to your survival pack.
When you’re packing for camp, include enough supplies for everyone in your
party plus at least one spare of everything. Always bring more food and drink
than you’ll actually get through, in case you end up staying longer than you
intended. Pack a box of waterproof matches into any nook or cranny you can
find – matches are one thing you can’t do without, and you never realize
they’re gone until it’s too late.
Finally, the most important part of properly planning your hunt is letting
people know where you’re going. This should include: a rough schedule of
when you intend to be where and when you will return; a map illustrating
where you’ll be hunting with any areas you know you’ll explore highlighted;
emergency contact numbers; and, details of who else is in your party. Leave
a copy of your plan with a relative or close family friend, as well as a work
colleague.
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You should also post a copy of your plan in the appropriate area of the
recreational park or forest that you’re hunting. The point of this is to give
search and rescue teams a fighting chance of finding you if there’s an
emergency or if you don’t return home in due course. Making a proper hunt
plan at the outset of your journey gives them a place to start – without it,
they’re charging blind into thousands of acres of woodland.