5 Essentials One Should Carry While Going On Hunting
Whether you’re going for deer or bow hunting, there are essential things you need to learn and carry out for the hunt. Most consider hunting and fishing a sport or hobby, but it’s also a way to keep animal populations under control.
Once you pack and enter the place of the hunt, your survival will be based on what you have in your hunting pack. All the essential equipment for the hunt must be available. If you have the right gear in your pack, the experience will be much different. Some hunters learn their lesson through trial and error. However, we advise newbies to use a hunting guide to achieve adventurous hunting.
This article will list five essential items you must pack for a hunting adventure.
- Hunting Knife
A knife is an essential tool every hunter must carry. It is dangerous to hunt without a knife. There are hunting knives in different sizes and styles. Some hunters prefer a fixed-blade hunting knife in the wild. These knives are good at cutting things. However, you can also invest in a quality everyday carry (EDC) knife. The Swiss Army Knife is a type of EDC many hunters use.
- Navigation for Hunting
The outdoors is a vast place where thousands of people have lost their way in the woods. However, they could avoid this if they knew their destination or survival tips in the wild, where they were, and what terrain was there. Unfortunately, only some can use traditional maps and compasses. Some may try, but they won’t get accurate readings. Hunting GPS units is the go-to tool that has taken over the traditional map and compass method. They have different prices and features, making navigation easy and accessible while hunting. As for more hunting tips, click elk hunting tips.
You can also consider cheaper and simpler alternative GPS units like the onX Hunt App, which is accessible on a mobile device. The app has offline maps to any location, saves Waypoints, and has many tools and layer features even without an internet connection. The hunt app features 3D maps of the terrain.
- Optics
You should not invest in low-quality optics. An accurate kill is easily achieved when you have binoculars and a scope. Except you intend to battle with the animal, you must not forget these items at home.
Binoculars: If you intend to sneak up on an animal and kill it, you don’t need binoculars. But if you want to lay an ambush or steady target for your prey, it will be easier with binoculars. Ensure you buy a binocular with a glare and fog resistance feature. You can spy on your prey from a distance with this item. Some binoculars have a camera for taking photos without going close to the prey. We recommend going for the 10x 42’s because it is lightweight. You can also use the bino harness. The item has an elastic strap to keep it stable while hunting.
Spotting Scope: your kill depends on your scope. You can sneak behind prey or aim it from a distance. Scopes are a brilliant way to take down a trophy bull among the herd, spot sheep on a hilltop, etc. Get a scope that delivers ultra-shape images using the maximum light for low-light conditions. It will be a game changer if the scope can aim from a far distance. Most quality scopes are coated with lens and moisture protection. However, these kinds of scopes are not fit for newbies. It is best to avoid a sophisticated scope as a novice hunter. Also, maintain a 9x magnification until you are confident of shooting the animal accurately—also, the higher your scope magnification, the narrower the aim or view.
- Quality Rifle
The rifle is another essential item you must hold. But you can leave the rifle home if you intend to hunt like the stone age hunters. A rifle is what modern hunters use to eliminate their prey. Aim for high-quality refiles like a 270 Howa 1500 rifle or a 270 Tikka. The former is heavier than the latter. Both have accurate scopes, and you can easily adjust. Remember to carry extra ammunition. You can also add a bore snake to clean the barrel when needed.
- Boots and Clothing
Every piece of equipment mentioned above can help you achieve your target – a kill. However, if you lack comfortable jungle boots or clothes to blend with the changing weather, you may need help that will never come, and you’ll have to return early.
Boots: High-quality and comfortable boots are essential for the game. Ensure the boots are correctly packed with the other loads before you leave home. A non-insulated boot will be good for the warmer months because it is lighter, and the stock system will keep your feet warm and dry. Conversely, insulated boots are the best option for colder months. However, the boot may cause sweating for active hunters, leaving you miserable and completely useless.
Clothing: clothes should be in layers. Most hunters use high-quality merino wool. Whatever layer you choose, ensure they absorb sweat to keep you warm and comfortable. You can try outer layers like Gore-Tex, which is comfortable for rainy and windy days.
Final Thoughts
The above items are among many things a hunter needs to enjoy the adventure. However, you can only carry all of them because only some will be needed in a hunt. The clue is to buy quality hunting gear according to your needs and budget. Regardless of what you’re hunting or who you hunt with, quality hunting items will significantly increase your chances of having a kill.
