Hunting
Information
Since the late 19th century, hunters concerned
about the future of wildlife and the outdoor tradition
have made countless contributions to the conservation
of the nation's wildlife resources. Today, millions
of Americans deepen their appreciation and understanding
of the land and its wildlife through hunting. Hunting
organizations contribute millions of dollars and countless
hours of labor to various conservation causes each year.
What
to do first
Get ready, prepare and research.
Take a look at the animals
in your area, look at where they live, how
they are part of the environment, decide if their
hunting seasons will work with your schedule.
You may also want to decide if you plan to hunt
with a rifle, pistol or bow and arrow. Look at
the laws in your area, see how much time and money
it will cost you to get started.
Read
about Hunting
There are plenty of books
on hunting. In addition you can check out
websites like ours that offer information on the
various aspects of hunting. Get a copy of the
Game & Fish Dept regulations from your state.
Attend an outdoor show or convention, get the
free materials from the vendors there is a goldmine
of information available for free in these areas.
Get
the proper Licence
Each state will expect you to get
a hunting licence, and perhaps an additional
permit to hunt some large game or to fish. Go
to your states game and fish dept or wildlife
agency to see what licence's you'll need and any
additional permits you may need for use of public
lands. If you decide to hunt out of state you
may need to have a both a licence from your state
and a temp licence and permit in the state where
you are hunting. A hunting guide can be very helpfully
with the paper work involved in hunting out of
state.
Practice
by hiking in your hunting areas
Visit the area
you plan to hunt as often as possible. Find
as many trails and new areas as you can. Look
for signs of the animals you plan to hunt bedding
areas and scat. Look for areas of feeding, and
drinking. Visit at different times of year, in
all seasons, learn where your animals tend to
travel, then when it is time to hunt all your
attention can be on the animal and not the trail.
Learn the roads to and through your hunting area.
Some roads are paved some are not, know if there
is another way out if you run into any trouble.
Make a note of GPS coordinates of good campsites,
areas where you sighted animals, where you get
good cell phone signal. Get a good idea of where
you'll want to hunt from when you go.
Practice
by sighting in your rifle or bow
Visit a local
shooting range and sight in your weapon. Learn
to shoot it in all types of weather, learn to
load it while keeping your eye on the animal in
the distance. Practice with many brands
of ammo to learn which works best in your rifle,
etc.
Talk
to a Hunting Guide Or Go hunting with a guide
Professional
hunting guides know more than anyone about
the areas they guide in. They are a wealth of
information on the animals, the areas and the
gear for hunting. Go out with a guide before the
hunting season to learn what to look for and what
NOT to do. Guides in the off season are usually
less money and are more often available when you
are.
Browse
Wild Game Recipes
Be aware of what to do with your kill after the
hunt. Learn how to butcher the animal or know
what butcher you plan to visit after the hunt.
Before
You Go on a Hunt
-
Apply for special tags or permits
- Budget
your hunting all year, a little each paycheck
- Obtain
written landowner permission for private land
- Pre-season
scouting
- Purchase
hunting license
- Purchase
or reload ammunition
- Reserve
camp sites if needed
- Schedule
vacation time from work
- Sight
in rifle with ammo you plan to use when hunting
- Shop
around for a taxidermist
Calls,
Scents, and Lures
- Game
scents and attractants
- Wash
all clothes in scent remover just before youleave
- Wash
dogs and equipment
- Practice
game calls
- Masking
scents for use at camp
Clothing
for Hunting
- Wide
brim hat
- Sunglasses
- Camoflauge
clothing (shirts, hats, pants, gloves)
- Buy
your cammo after the season each year durring
clearence sales
- Other
clothing for use at camp & cooking
Hunting
Field Gear and Accessories
- Camping
equipment
- First-aid
kit
- Dog
First Aid Kit
- Survival
Kit
- Game
bags
- Ice
(to pack meat)
- Pack
or cart to hike the kill back to camp
- Rope,
tape and twine
- Safety
gear
- Salt
- Optics
- Radio
(two-way to communicate with other hunters)
- CB
radio for emergency use and longer range communication
Guns
and Ammunition for Hunting
- Ammunition
- Bipod
- Gun
cleaning kit
- Range
finder
- Hunting
or pocket knife
- Knife
sharpener
- Bone
saw
- Rifle
and sling
- Scope
and scope cover
- Shotgun
- Sidearm
Licenses,
Tags, and Hunting Regulations
-
Bird stamps
- Drivers
Licence
- Dog
Lience
- Vet
History (for dog in case of emergency)
- Game
regulations (current)
- Hunting
license
- Hunting
tags and permits
After
the Hunt
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