MAY 24, 2022 – Whether you’ve just entered into the world of hunting or have spent the off-season preparing for hunting season for the last several years, you know that little changes in your approach can make a big difference in the results. The following will explore a few tricks and innovations you can employ to help improve your hunting performance.
Properly Insulated Clothing
A person who’s freezing cold and shivering isn’t going to respond as quickly as ideal in some hunting situations. Beyond this, numb fingers are slow and clumsy. There’s a famous Scandinavian proverb that says: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad outfits. Don’t let being cold keep you from accomplishing a hunting outcome you could have managed in warmer weather.
Be sure to wear lots of light, insulated layers that keep you warm and dry. You need to be particularly wary of sweating as sweat can make your clothes wet, and then the cold will really get under your skin. Light layers allow you to take away and add clothing as you need to create the perfect temperature. Pay special attention to high-quality socks and waterproof footwear that can handle long days in the wilderness.
Find A Scope You Like
A scope can make a huge difference in whether you hit your target or miss completely. Take some time to read scope reviews like those provided by https://shootingmystery.com/best-1-6x-scopes/ and ask around for what people in your area prefer. Once you find a scope you like, be sure to keep it well maintained; you want to extend its life and help ensure that there aren’t specks of dust or hair preventing you from seeing slight changes way off in the distance. It’s important to note that sometimes it takes a little bit of time to get used to a new scope.
Keep Your First Aid Kit Up To Date
A first aid kit can be the difference between a funny story and a problem that got serious very quickly. Make sure you bring a first aid kit that is well stocked as well as an emergency blanket (these fold up to the size of a credit card so it can fit in your kit. Be sure to check the expiry dates on items in your first aid kit and replace anything that is out-of-date, even if it’s not sued up.
Waterproofing Gear
Moisture finding its way into your gear can cause some problems. You want to ensure that the pack you use to carry everything keeps water out. Some days are foggy or damp, and this can result in moisture creeping into your gear.
Get Your Firestarters Together
Getting a fire going is an art, particularly if the wind or moisture levels are against you. Be sure to bring backups for all fire-starting tools. This might mean extra lighters, extra matches, a flint set, or a combination of the above. If you want to make fire starting really easy, you can bring a few cotton balls that you’ve soaked with petroleum jelly. Six or seven of these will fit nicely into one of those little 35mm film canisters making sure that they take up almost no space in your pack, and they’ll burn for about three minutes which is plenty of time to catch larger items on fire.
Bone Larger Animals Before Moving
If you’ve got yourself a bigger animal like moose or elk, you can take the bones out and this will allow you to move quarters a lot easier. Bring along a cheesecloth to keep the meat wrapped and clean but in contact with circulating air.
DIY Cover Scent
Some animal species are really clever, and this means they can learn to recognize cover scents. One spectacular trick that is incredibly inexpensive involves collecting a bunch of natural items from the ground you like to hunt on; this can include acorns, twigs, leaves, pine needles, and anything else you find. Throw everything into a big pot of water and bring the water to a gentle boil. Let the concoction simmer for 20 minutes, and then remove it from the heat. Let it cool, and then transfer it into a spray bottle. You can then spray your gear and yourself on hunting days. The scent lingers and perfectly matches the area where you hunt.
The above tips should help you take your hunting game to the next level. With a good knife, some patience, and a bit of luck, you should be able to come home with a prize. As with any activity involving a firearm, be sure to follow all safety regulations and legal restrictions in your area.