Hunting is a very enjoyable sport. One of the most entertaining forms of hunting is big game hunting, which involves hunting for, and taking down large animals, like moose, elk, and sometimes even bears. However, big game can be very dangerous to hunt. Even the most harmful ones, like elk, can kill you if they corner you, and they’re in a bad mood. So, you need to prepare.
Proper preparation will help to prevent you from being attacked, injured, or killed. It will also help you to ensure that when you go out, you have fun.
Here is how to prepare for hunting large game.
Target Animals
The first thing to consider if you want to go out hunting large game is the animal that you are going to be hunting. One popular type of game that’s hunted in the United States is mule deer. It’s a good idea to look into the best mule deer hunting tips before setting out if this is the case, so you can set yourself up for success. Consider the legality of hunting the animal you’re after, too. Some animals are protected and can’t be hunted, like grizzly bears (however they are only protected in certain states).
Hunting Season
Also, think about the time of year that it is when you want to go hunting. Most states have a hunting season. Hunting out of season can lead to you getting into a lot of trouble. The reason that hunting seasons exist is so that animals can mate, and new animals can be born. Introducing a hunting season ensures that hunters don’t hunt animals to extinction. Hunting out of season could result in you being arrested, fined, and banned from hunting in the state that you are caught in.
Finding Location
You won’t be able to go hunting unless you know about good hunting locations. Thankfully, such locations are not hard to find. All you have to do is a little bit of online research. Also, if you are plugged into the hunting community in your area, then you can ask experienced hunters for their recommendations. Most hunters will be more than happy to share locations with you, as long as you are a mature, somewhat experienced, and personable hunter.
Buying Equipment
You need to ensure that the equipment you have is fit for the animals that you are hunting. If you’re looking for grizzly bears for example, then you’re going to need a lot more than a .22 rifle. It can be very dangerous going out in search of big game, and not having the proper equipment. Hunters are mauled and sometimes killed when they attempt to go out without the right equipment. Even deer can kill you if they are large enough, so do not underestimate your prey, and so you are able to kill them painlessly, make sure that your weapon is powerful enough.
Bringing Company
Going out hunting alone can be fun, but it’s more fun to take a friend or relative out with you. It is very important to go out with a loved one who is experienced if you have never been hunting before. Alternatively, you can try and make friends in the hunting community and ask somebody to take you out with them. The reason that it’s good to be supervised by somebody who’s experienced is so that they can teach you tips and tricks, tell you when you are in the wrong, and help you to make better decisions and judgments.
Checking Weather
Always check the weather before you go out hunting for big game. Some animals will go into hiding if the weather’s not particularly nice. Going out hunting when it’s raining or extremely cold might not be a good way to find animals, because of this. Checking the weather forecast protects you, too. If you are going deep into the woods to go hunting, then heavy rain could limit your visibility. You could end up getting lost if you aren’t able to see your way around. Make sure you bring equipment that’s appropriate for the weather, too.
Other Predators
A lot of hunters are completely ignorant of the fact that while animals are just food to them, they are just food to some of the animals that they will be sharing forests with. Bears, for example, can be very aggressive, and will quite happily maul, kill, and then eat human beings. The same is also true for big cats and even wolves. If you are in a predatory animal’s territory killing animals it would normally be hunting for, then you could end up coming into contact with it and could have to kill it to protect yourself. Because of this, you need to do your research into the area that you are hunting in, learn about predatory animals there, and buy safety equipment.
GPS Tracking
Whenever you are going out hunting, it’s always good to take a GPS tracker with you. This is just so that if you get lost, you can find your way back to your car. Also, having a GPS tracker makes it easier for your loved ones to find you. If you get hurt or injured and don’t come home on time, then they can use your GPS tracker (which you should connect to a second device, that your loved one’s own) to find you and get you help.
Food Supplies
Finally, make sure that you bring food supplies for yourself. Hunting trips sometimes go on for days. Some hunters go out and actually hunt for animals, with a view to eating them. This is a very risky style of hunting though. If you do not bring any food with you and intend on hunting to eat, then you could get weak very quickly if you don’t find anything. Bring some backup food supplies with you, so you can keep yourself fit and in as good shape as possible.
Hunting is a very popular hobby in the United States and a fun sport. If it’s something you are considering, and you specifically want to shoot big game, then follow the advice outlined here. Make sure that you get proper gun training, too. If you aren’t able to use your firearm properly, then you will not be very successful when it comes to hunting for game of any kind.
Photo via Unsplash
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