Planning a Hunt
For many hunters, hunting is a year round process. As soon as one season ends, preparation for the next one begins. While opening day is the big one, often there are many things to do well before the opening day arrives. As hunting season approaches, hunters anticipate the opening day with a great deal of eagerness. Their attention turns to thinking about the upcoming hunt – a new rifle, shotgun or bow, reloading special ammunition, getting the camping gear in order, or maybe a trip to pursue a different game species. The experienced hunter realizes that it is important to make definite preparations for the hunt.
Personal Hunt Checklist
Many hunters like to use a personal checklist to make sure they do not forget something that is essential or very helpful to their hunting trip. Many factors must be considered in hunt planning. The first of them is the type of hunt to be made. Is it a day hunt or for several days? Is it a big game, upland birds or waterfowl hunt? Will you camp, stay in a motel or use an available cabin or other shelter? Will you use a firearm (cartridge or black powder) or bow? Are you on your own, or are the services of a guide or outfitter being used? What sorts of conditions are likely to be encountered? These and many other questions result in lists with a great deal of variability among hunters and hunt types.
Categories for a personal checklist might include some of the following items:
1. Hunting arms and ammunition – list all that must be included.
2. Clothing
3. Sleeping
4. Toilet articles
5. Field equipment
6. Game processing equipment
7. Other – miscellaneous
8. Camping gear
9. Food
10. Game regulationsA wise hunter will pay attention to each of these categories, attempting to have the best preparation and equipment for the type and length of hunt that is to be taken. The mechanics of the hunt are also important, since some types of hunt access may limit the weight or bulk or equipment that can be taken into the hunting area. For backpack hunters, weight may be such an important factor that very limited equipment is used. While a heavier item may be better at a specific task, the lightweight of another item may make it more desirable for the hunter. At other times, vehicular access makes convenience the most important factor. Thus, what is being hunted, where it is being hunted, how the area will be accessed, the type of weather and climatic conditions to be encountered, and much more enter into the planning process.
Hunting Regulations
Every hunter must take the initiative to know game laws and regulations in the area where he or she is hunting. The laws must be studied and understood before the hunt, particularly when hunting in an unfamiliar state. Some states require species applications and only those hunters “drawn” are issued a permit to hunt. Other states require special species stamps, such as a state waterfowl stamp, or conservation stamps that must be affixed to the hunting license.
Most states now require proof of hunter education (safety) training before licenses are issued to youth and/or adults. Others may require the International Bowhunter Education Program as a prerequisite to obtaining an archery hunting license. Provision for these courses should be made well in advance of hunting season, allowing plenty of time to locate and complete a course. Since most of the people who offer them are hunters and volunteers, locating a course once the hunting seasons begin can be an extreme challenge, and the night before you leave for a planned trip is not the time to find that the course takes three days!
The Hunt Plan
If more than one person is involved, a cooperatively developed hunting plan should be developed. This allows each hunter to assume responsibility for some of the hunt’s logistics. Decisions can be made that will reduce excessive duplication, insure adequate equipment for the hunt, and make the preparation process simpler for everyone involved. A few of the items that might be considered are listed below.
1. Who will secure and pack the various camp gear needs?
2. Who has a meat saw? (One may be enough.)
3. What kind of transportation is needed and who will provide it?
4. How will expenses be shared?
5. Have landowner contacts been completed? Who is responsible for them?
6. How long will the trip take, and when do we leave and return?
7. Where and how can you be reached in an emergency, and has a hunt plan been provided for
responsible people at home?
8. Will you call home during the hunt or be out of touch for the duration?
9. Are adequate maps of the hunting area available, and who is obtaining them?
10. Have all details of the hunting lease been finalized and confirmed?
11. Are the directions to the hunting area clear and understood?After the Hunt
Except for story telling, there is a normal letdown after a hunt. Most hunters must return to work and other tasks left at the beginning of the hunt. The hunt is not over, however, until all the equipment and game are properly cleaned, maintained, and stored. Equipment should be checked to see that it is in sound order. Cast iron or sheet steel utensils should be cleaned, coated with a light coat of oil, and stored. Tents should be dried, cleaned, folded, and stored out of reach of nest-building mice. Stoves, lanterns, and other equipment should be checked, cleaned, and put away for the next trip. Taking time to clean equipment adds to its life and effectiveness, gets it ready for the next outing, and saves time before the next trip.
Proper care and storage of game includes making it as table ready as possible before it is preserved or used. A little time spent at the end of the hunt makes the probability of a delicious meal much greater and prevents frustrations when preparing game for a meal. Proper storage also provides a higher quality product for the table.
Summary
Hunting is like many other things people do. It requires some planning and preparation. Attention to planning, whether it is for an afternoon squirrel hunt or a 30-day safari, makes the hunt more enjoyable and goes a long way toward making it a success. Learning from each hunt improves the planning and preparation process.
