One of the best outdoor recreational activities is hunting as it allows you to connect with nature, will help to manage the countryside and also, hopefully, provide you with some dinner to feed your family. Whilst you are enjoying all of this you will also get physically fit and develop a newly found respect for the natural world. However, like everything in life, it is not easy and you can’t just expect to head out to the forest or mountains and return with a deer or some pheasant or grouse for the evening pot. It takes time, dedication, and guidance but anyone can become a safe and efficient hunter.
Here we are going to look at the best tips to improve your hunting skills.
Preparation
Whether you are an experienced hunter or a novice, preparation is the key to hunting successfully. This preparation comes in many forms, from making sure you know the terrain well and carrying appropriate kit, to understanding the behavior of the animals you are hunting. You must also know what you are going to hunt in advance, there is no point turning up hoping for the best, especially given many animals can only be hunted during a specific season to protect their breeding, etc. You need to be licensed and also well versed with the local regulations regarding bagging limits. The better prepared you are in advance the more chance of success you will have. Finally, make sure someone knows where you are going!
Technology
Technology can be your friend when trying to improve your hunting skills, so monitoring the weather is key, whether using an app or the radio, not only for your own safety but because it dictates the habits of the animals you are trying to hunt. You will become a much better hunter if you know what is coming. Similarly, you may want to use a camera trap as this will give you all sorts of useful information about the types and quantities of animals that there are in your region. If you want to be a successful hunter you need to use the available technology to your advantage.
Equipment
Hunting, like fishing, can be a tedious and long drawn out affair so having the appropriate equipment with you is paramount, especially as you could be in the field anywhere from days to weeks. You need to have the protective equipment for all weather conditions and will also have to carry your own food and water for the trip. Check the forecast beforehand, dress appropriately, and make sure you have a warm sleeping bag for those cold nights spent in a hide.
Shooting Skills
If you can’t shoot you are not going to be very good at hunting so make sure you spend weeks preparing in advance. Even if you are an expert hunter it is still worth shooting all your rifles before the trip to ensure they are well sighted and work properly. If you are a novice spend time at the range to hone your skills. You don’t want to be lying in the field with a stag in range only to miss because your poor shooting skills let you down. Practice practice practice is the key here.
Learn to Hide Your Scent
One of the most important things to note is that animals have a far better sense of smell than humans do. Yes, you may be camouflaged, but this will not be enough, the animals will sniff you out, and before you know it the brace of deer you had your sights trained on has disappeared. The wind is your savior so always make sure you are downwind of your prey i.e. the wind comes to you from the deer. This way they have no chance of smelling you. You can also take further precautions by showering well before you leave without using any soap products, as these will leave a residual odor. It is important to get into this habit before every trip if you want to become a successful hunter.
As we have discovered improving your hunting skills is no walk in the park. Preparation is key in terms of knowing where you are going, the animals you will hunt, and making sure that you don’t emit any unwanted smells. You should practice well before each trip to make sure you don’t miss the target and risk injuring your prey. Use available technology to track the weather and the animals will improve your success. If you follow these tips and have a little bit of patience then you will improve from a rookie hunter in no time, and you will delight your family with fresh wild game on the table.