What you do before the hunt can be just as important—if not more important—than what you do the day of the hunt. That’s because preparation and practice are keys for success.
With hunting seasons already open in some areas or fast approaching in others, here are six things you can do to improve your odds whether hunting with a bow, rifle or black powder.
- Scout areas beforehand. Look for forage and bedding areas, and identify natural lanes of travel. Don’t forget to formulate an exit strategy for how to remove game if you are successful.
- Get in hunting shape. It could be something as simple as a series of hikes or bow pulls-holds. Match strength and conditioning efforts to the terrain and mode of hunting you plan to employ. For archers, that means strengthening arm and shoulder muscles.
- Get serious about target practice. The current term is mindfulness. Focus on each step of every shot. Use the same bow or firearm you intend to hunt with, as well as the same ammo or projectiles.
- Do dress rehearsals. When target shooting, wear the same clothes, footwear and outerwear you plan to use when hunting.
- Shoot all the angles. Shoot uphill and down, short and long. This will prepare you to shoot from a tree stand and in different types of terrain. Practice in different types of weather and low-light conditions, too.
- Get a head start. If you plan to be stationary, set up your tree stand or blind at least 24 hours beforehand, if possible.
Why-Didn’t-I-Think-of-That Camping Cuisine
This summer I ran into a family of six enjoying what they called tacos in a bag, which can be fixed cold or hot. For hot, heat meat or beans. Prepare other ingredients,
such as veggies, olives and cheese, and combine everything in snack-size bags with your favorite taco chips. Bon appetit!
Outdoors 101: Know Before You Go
Got a new piece of gear? Give it a test drive before using it in the field. That way you understand how it works and goes together, and whether there are missing or damaged pieces. That goes for gear that has been in long-term storage, too.
August is National Picnic and Catfish Month, and …
August 1, National Mountain Climbing Day
August 3, Campfire Day
August 10, National S’mores Day
August 31, National Trail Mix Day
Notable Quotables
“The perils of duck hunting are great—especially for the ducks.”
—Walter Cronkite
Got a Tip or a Whopper?
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