Hunting promotes population control for on certain animals that specifically do not have a predator. Not only does it help in the eco-system, it also allows you to have a meat source. Most hunters practice environmentally appropriate techniques that are not cruel for animals.
If you decide to pursue hunting, it is essential to get proper training. The training shall help you know the safety tips which you and other may benefit from.
Should you want to start hunting, you must first decide which game you want to participate from. The next steps shall follow such as selecting a weapon, familiarizing with safety rules and requirements. Provided in the next sections are some of the basic steps you must do when hunting.
Conduct research
Before participating on any activity, you must conduct research to at least have basic knowledge about it. For hunting, you can first decide on your preferred game.
The game you will choose shall identify the methods you must employ during hunting. You can select small games like squirrel and crow as well as big games like moose and bear.
Upon identifying which game you will participate, you can start getting hunting tools. The hunting tools must be appropriate for the hunting game you select. You would not need to get big tools for small hunts, right? Some weapons you can consider are shotgun, rimfire rifle and bow and arrow.
The best way to learn about hunting is talking to someone who has a lot of experience in it. You can start by asking your family member for more information. Moreover, you can also speak with workers from your sporting goods store. They are mostly knowledgeable about the equipment you can use for hunting.
Start preparing
There are several safety courses on your area you can attend. Some states may require you to get a hunting license before you can participate in the activity. Make sure that you comply to hunting regulations in your area to prevent potential legal consequences.
Hunting activities may cause accidents and injuries that require immediate medical attention. With this, it is important to be prepare should this happen.
You would not want to spend the whole night waiting for medical help, right?
Here are some of the emergency supplies that you must pack up.
- Cellphone or a communication device
- Daily medication
- Hunting gear such as clothing, bags and boots
- Light or fire starters
- Light source
- Signaling device
- Survival knife
- Emergency shelter
- Map or any navigational tool
The last thing you can do when preparing for is choosing and practicing a tactic. There are several methods you can utilize on the hunting game. Some of these include hound hunting, stalking and ambush hunting. Whatever your selected method is, we recommend you practice it before participating on the actual game.
Familiarizing with Your Selected Weapon
Once you select your weapon, you can start to gather the appropriate ammunition for your selected game. It is pertinent to get ammunition that can provide a clean shot. Nevertheless, it should not create an extensive damage to the meat of the game.
After selecting and purchasing the weapon of your choice, you must understand its configuration or action. The mechanism of action of a weapon is different for each type.
Weapons such as double barreled, single shot, shot guns and rifles have different mechanisms. The same goes along for bows and re-curve compound. The bottom line of this step is that you become confident in handling your weapon.
Hunt Planning
When planning for a hunting activity, you should select a good location where your game is present.
Once you were able to determine the location, it is pertinent to familiarize yourself on the terrain. We recommend you walk around the area to give you an idea of where your game can likely be in.
The next thing to look into is the weather and temperature condition. It is best if you can come prepared should there be a bad weather once you go hunting. By knowing in advance the environment condition, you may be able to eliminate the risk of danger.
Lastly, inform your close kins with your plans. In this way, you can seek assistance from them if your encounter an emergency. Moreover, if you are conducting a hunt in a private property, it is essential to get the land owner’s permission. By confirming the activity to your stakeholders, this may limit the chances of getting hurt and accidents.
Going on the Hunt
The hunting activity shall depend on your preferred game and restrictions in your area. If you prefer an evening stand with a deer, you need to arrive in the middle of the afternoon. We recommend you arrive a few hours earlier to help dissipate your scent.
As you commence the hunt, we recommend you enter the area on a quiet and peaceful manner. If you have a vehicle with you, park it on a considerable distance. This will ensure that your game shall not be bothered and remain calm.
We recommend you look for signs such as foraging evidence, tracks or droppings. These shall indicate that your game is within the area. You must also be mindful on the wind conditions. Extreme wind conditions may cause the game to hide. Furthermore, the wind can also carry your scent and alert the game.
Lastly, you must aim for a clean shot. As an ethical hunter and meat eater, it is recommended to quickly get your game down. It should be as painless as possible. With this, you must avoid shooting an animal which is far away or moving.
Final Thoughts
We recommend proper preparation and planning before you hunt. As must as possible, practice an ethical way in hunting. Moreover, follow the rules and regulations built on your area.
As soon as you are hunting, track a wounded animal and dispatch it well.
It is your responsibility to locate the wounded animal and end the suffering it encounters in a humane way. If you are a first time hunter, it is best to stick with group hunting activities. Not only will you be guided, you shall also be safe and protected should an emergency happen.
