Based on statistics an estimated 12.5 million hunt every year, which accounts for about 7% of the country’s population. All these hunters hunt in areas where it is legal to do so which account for 60% of the country.
For many of these people, hunting is just another sport. However, for some hunting is more than that, it’s a profession. With big game hunting attracting the largest number of hunters, 10.7 million, there are many wannabe pro deer hunters out there. As such, if you want to join the ranks of professional hunters you will have to learn how to behave like one. And while becoming a professional hunter comes with its own benefits and perks, no one can become a pro overnight.
However, you can fasten the process by listening to expert professional hunters. Speaking of listening to the pros, I asked 30+ expert professional hunters what three items they never forget to carry when going on a hunt. Also, I asked them to share with me any tips, warnings and general advice they might have for beginners. Below are the responses I received. But before we begin I would like to thank all the hunters who took part in this process.
John Gale – Back Country Hunters – As an organization that happily helps mentor new hunters but often new backcountry hunters, I always provide the following advice:
There are three core elements to successful hunting adventures:
- Planning,
- Preparation, and
- Diligent execution.
Planning
First you must plan as far out in advance as you possibly can.
Figure out what you want to hunt, where you want to hunt the species of choice, and what time of year.
Then build a logistics plan around those elements knowing that things will change, hunting is dynamic and when you have so many elements that can change unpredictably, you need to build backup plans and backup plans for your backup plans. Which leads me to the next core tenet, preparation.
Preparation
This is just as essential as the planning phase. You need to get in top physical condition, particularly if you are big game hunting in challenging terrain that will demand a great deal of strength, endurance, and cardiovascular health. Nothing spoils a hunt like being out of shape and when it comes time to pack out that big bull elk, you better be ready to move quick with a heavy pack so you can get that meat cool and secure.
Plus if your hunting buddies are in great shape and you’re not, that unwritten social contract with your partner gets tested if you literally can’t carry your share and keep up.
Another essential part of preparation is more logistically oriented. You have to make sure you have the right gear for the hunt and if you are hunting big game, there’s usually a lot of more of it. My kit changes dramatically from morning waterfowl trips to all day upland excursions to 7-10 day backpack/horsepack hunts 10 miles into the backcountry.
You need to plan for every possible need and make adjustments to your kit… don’t neglect your first aid kit either. Even for shorter day trips, I always pack a small first aid kit with essentials like bandages, antibiotic ointment, a good anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, and epinephrine if you have allergic responses to things like bee stings.
Don’t neglect your feet either. Good boots are only as good as they fit your fit and have enough miles on them to be broken in. If you don’t have great boots with outstanding ankle support, don’t be afraid to spend $400 on a pair if you can afford it.
Don’t do it the day before your hunt, however. Do it the summer before a fall hunt and wear them on training hikes, wear them to work and if you work out in a gym, don’t be afraid to load your big game pack up as you would for your hunt (minus the food) and put those boots on for some serious treadmill and stair climber time.
You may get some strange looks but those in the know will give you the knowing nod and think you’re a badass who is on their game….you might even guilt them into joining you to do the same thing.
Diligent Execution
The next important thing, especially if you’re big game hunting, is to know and scout your hunting area. You may think the reason to do this is so you can gain an advanced understanding of the habitat, terrain, and animal movements but the more important reason is to become familiar with your surroundings. Buy the best map you can get and then consider buying the quads for surrounding areas too.
Bring your compass, know how to use it and if you have a GPS, bring that too but try and use your map and compass first. Knowing the area and terrain intimately will not only help you get on your quarry faster, you’ll know where the water is, you’ll be able to build in exit or shelter strategies for foul weather or possible injury and you’ll know the best way to pack your hard-earned meat out after a successful hunt.
Use your scouting time as a safe and controlled outdoor training opportunity to use your map and compass. GPS units are amazing but they run out of batteries, get lost, get damaged, and if you don’t pay attention, they can lead to very inaccurate readings.
I remember one time where I marked the location of my truck and failed to pay attention to the satellite signal and the accuracy of my location. I went in about 8 miles and was coming out at night using only my GPS when I realized that I was in the wrong place.
Not having visual references to get your bearings as you hike and move at night is always challenging but in this case, I was also relying on GPS coordinates that were taking me to the wrong location.
Now I was only off by a few miles but by the time I realized it, I was tired, hungry, and ready for that cold beer in my cooler at the truck. Because I always have my map and compass and had a good idea of where I was at based on the surrounds I could see, I was able to set a course and get back safely.
I was able to use my GPS unit (after the satellites were fired up and it was reading accurately) to confirm my current location as a back up but the map and compass saved me from spending a very uncomfortable and potentially dangerous night out that was unplanned in a late season hunt at 12,000 ft in Colorado in late November with temperatures in the single digits. The beer I drank at the truck that night remains one of the very best I have drank in my entire life.
Even if you are doing a casual duck hunt for the morning, you still need to know how to get to your spot in the dark and have planned to bring a headlamp (I always bring two and have extra batteries on me for every hunt) and the necessary gear to trudge through the marshes or flooded timber.
Even if you are going upland bird hunting for the afternoon, you need to make sure you have your shotgun, the right shells, water and a good vest.
If you are archery hunting, there’s similar preparation for remembering your bow, arrows, broadheads, and your release if you use one (if you do, you should bring a back-up release and extra loop material too).
Planning and preparation are everything. There’s more I could go into here under preparation but you get the idea; be ready to hunt by knowing where you’re going, ensuring you’re physically able, ensure that you have the gear and equipment necessary to accommodate foreseeable needs but also plan for the unpredictable, and be prepared to get home safely whether you are coming out heavy with table fair or empty-handed ready for the next attempt.
Bonus Tip
The last thing I tell people is to take all this information piece by piece and start where you’re comfortable and having fun.
Your first hunt doesn’t have to be a 10-day backcountry excursion for elk 10 miles into the Wilderness. I suggest that people work up to a goal like that by starting off with a morning or evening turkey hunt or find a friend with a dependable duck blind.
It’s real, you still have to plan and prepare for the hunt and if you stop having fun or you forgot something important or something happens that you didn’t think to plan for, the truck is usually close by and you can easily abort the mission if things go sideways.
The next important piece that could mean the difference between success, failure and wanting to become a hunter for life is finding a place or person(s) where you can get mentorship and ask all the questions you may have without ever feeling bad.
So many new hunters find themselves in bad social circumstances where condescending attitudes or other uncomfortable encounters have them hanging up their boots before they even get them dirty on the trail.
Find an organization like Backcountry Hunters & Anglers that has welcoming programs for youth, women and men at any age or experience level. We have great resources like Backcountry University that teach skills and woodsmanship. We have state chapters with plenty of local members and leaders that are happy to take people out. We have great relationships with state fish and wildlife management agencies and can help identify opportunities there with the great programs they offer too.
The other benefit of joining a conservation organization that speaks your language (whether it’s BHA or not) is that you’re giving back to the resources that are providing so much benefit and enjoyment to you. I don’t care what organization you join, but find one that is active and is dedicated to the conservation of fish and wildlife, habitat, public access and the future of our hunting and fishing traditions.
May your long guns be steady and your arrows true.
Link to this Giant Article – https://outdoorever.com/hunting-tips-from-experts/