September 23rd 202220 Tips for Hunters before National Hunting & Fishing DayTomorrow is National Hunting & Fishing Day. It is held every year on the fourth Saturday in September. Here are twenty tips to help avid hunters. These tips were compiled by our AccurateShooter Hunting Forum with the help of Hunting Editor Colton Reid, who has been out hunting this month. Some items are preparatory, such as using maps, sighting in the gun, and improving your physical fitness. We also discuss equipment. Proper boots and a GPS are essential for successful hunting. These tips will help you have a safer hunting experience and increase your chances of success. Preparations before the Hunt Map Your Hunt and Notify Others — Before you go on your hunt, create a plan. Also notify your family and friends about where you are going and the expected return date and time. You can print a Google Satellite map to locate landmarks and trailheads. You can mark the location where you want to park your car and give a copy to a friend or family member. A hunter might injure his self by falling from a rock or slipping in a stream-bed. The hunter may become confused or unable walk after such an injury. Trusted persons should be able to locate you if you become lost in the wilderness. Before you leave for a trip, give a map to a family member or friend. You should show them where your vehicle will be leaving and where you plan to be on your hunt every day. Licenses and Permits – Make sure you have valid hunting licenses. This process should be started well in advance of your planned hunt(s). The NSSF states that border crossings can require you to be aware of firearm transport laws and Chronic Wasting Disease-related regulations. You may need to be aware of firearm transport laws and regulations related to Chronic Wasting Disease when crossing borders. You should work on your fitness — Multi-day hunts can involve trekking miles. You must be in good physical condition. You could be in danger if you don’t have the right fitness level, especially if you underestimate the terrain difficulty. According to the NSSF, “Failing to adapt to the terrain can make a great experience less enjoyable and can even lead you to lose your health.” Do your homework — Research the area where you will hunt. Talk to other hunters. Take a look at satellite photos. Get a true sense of the terrain and walking challenges. MAKE A PLAN for a multi-day hunt. The NSSF says: “Eliminate all surprises.” Learn as much as you can about your destination, the area where you will hunt, the weather, and what you should bring [.]”. Rifle and ammo — Make sure that your rifle is sighted in and that your ammo has been tested. You should sight-in your rifle with the ammo that you will use on your hunt. Click HERE to see the 4-Shot Sighting-in Method. 6. Shooting Positions — Practice the shooting positions that you will use out in the field. You can practice sitting, kneeling, or prone positions. You can also practice shooting with shooting sticks. Before you take your shot, make sure you have a steady rest. Back-Up Irons — If you can, choose a rifle with backup iron sights. Modern scopes are extremely durable, but they can and do break (glass can crack). Back-up iron sights are a great way to keep you hunting even if your riflescope malfunctions. If you’re in remote areas, you should bring a GPS. Although it is a good idea, you might not have coverage if your location is far from the nearest towns. You can also use your smart-phone as a digital camera to capture your trophies. Garmin InReach Explorer+ is a great option for safety and navigation. This high-tech handheld unit has interactive SOS and connects you to the GEOS 24/7 monitoring center for search-and-rescue. You can also send and receive text messages from anywhere via advanced inReach satellite technology. Yes, you can communicate even if your nearest cell tower is miles away. 9. Choose Good Gear — You’ll be spending a lot of time on the ground so make sure your boots are comfortable. A pack with a harness for your rifle may be a good idea to keep both hands free. Multi-day trips require you to have enough water and be warm enough at night. Multi-day hunts require backpacking. Make a Gear List — A complete list of all the gear and supplies that you will need. This includes guns, ammunition, rangefinders, binoculars and proper clothing. A good first aid kit is essential for any wilderness trip. There are many bad things that can happen. During The Hunt11, you can cut your hand or break an ankle. Make a plan — know where and when you will be going. When deer are most active, try to be there in the morning and evening. 12. Take your time — Don’t get too excited if you spot a deer. Slow down and take it easy. Wait for the animals to relax and go slow. Next, determine the best way to approach your prey. Keep in mind that you only have so many opportunities. Don’t waste them. Glasses More, Walking Less — Let your eyes do all the walking. Get good binoculars and make use of them. Deer/elk can see you better than you because of their enhanced senses of smell, hearing, and smell. You are likely to be spotted by your prey if you are constantly walking around. Riflescopes are not binoculars. Never use a riflescope to replace your binoculars. It is tempting to do this, but it is a dangerous practice. Binoculars that have built-in rangefinders are a favorite of ours. If you are looking at long distances, it is a good idea to keep your binoculars in your pack. Be sure of your target before shooting — Farmers are required to spray-paint their cattle every year during whitetail season. If they don’t, hunters will “harvested” them. Hunting with “buck fever,” or any other disease, can lead to mistakes. Don’t shoot if you are unsure. Know when to Unload — After you are done hunting, unload your firearm before you return to camp. Before you attempt to climb a steep hill or traverse slippery terrain, unload your firearm. Wear hearing protection — You will need full sensory use of your ears while you are following and stalking your prey. When you are ready to fire the shot, make sure to slip on hearing protection. A shot from a large-caliber hunting gun can reach 170 decibels. Permanent hearing damage can result from unprotected exposure of noise from a single 170+ dB shot. (Source: ASHA.org). You double the noise risk if you make a second shot. A hunter who uses a non-suppressed rifle must have hearing protection. You can keep a pair on a cord around the neck. You can also get lightweight neck bands with earbuds such as the Howard Leight Quiet Band QB2HYG or 3M Safety Band. All have a 25 dB Noise Reduction rating. These lightweight bands can be worn around your neck for quick deployment when you are shooting. “Once a hunter has achieved success, the real work begins.” — Colton Reid18. Harvesting the Animal — Be careful when dressing your animal. Sharp knives are essential. Some hunters prefer knives that are easily replaceable and razor-sharp. Don’t rush. You must ensure that meat doesn’t become moist or dirty. Heat, moisture, and dirt are the three main spoilers of meat. Pace Yourself when Packing Out — If your goal is to bring down a large buck, how will you dress the animal and get the meat out? Always be ready to carry extra weight when you hike out. If you’re successful, don’t waste the meat that you worked so hard to get. You need a pack that can carry a heavy load. This is no small feat. You could be carrying 60 to 100 pounds more than your other gear. Take your time. Take your time. Do not harm yourself.20 Enjoy the Hunt — Colton Reid, our Hunting Editor, offers this wise advice to all hunters, but especially to novices: “Have Fun, and Appreciate Your Hunt, No matter Whether You Bag a Buck or Not.” It’s a privilege to be in the wilderness and get away from the city. It’s a great place to be. Keep your spirits high. It is normal to feel tired. But, remember that fatigue is part of the territory. You may feel exhausted at the end of the day. You may feel the need to go home and quit. Keep positive and stay focused. It’s worth it to be patient.
CLICK HERE for Hunter Training/Mentoring Programs State-by-State.Visit WhereToHunt.orgThere’s a great online resource for hunters that will help you find game locations in your state and ensure you have all the proper permits and game tags. WheretoHunt.org has an interactive map of the nation. The NSSF has information for all 50 states about hunting licenses and permits, where to hunt and hunter education classes, laws, regulations, and more. You’ll also find links to required applications and license forms for each state. Click Map to See State-by-State Hunting Information
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