Prepping For Another Season

The air feels a bit colder in the lingering morning darkness, heavy fog clings low to the earth before the sun burns it off – it can only mean one thing, that another hunting season has rolled around! This year it inexplicably feels like we are a bit behind the ball when it comes to preparing to head out in the bush, but the following are a few things off my mental (well, now written) to-do list before going out for the season. Happy hunting!

 

Making Sure All The Gear Is In Working Order

Prior to the start of hunting season, it’s nice to get to the gun range to make sure any of the rifles you plan to hunt with are dialled in. It’s also a great opportunity to get a few shots under your belt if it has been a bit since you were last shooting.

 

While the weather may be good now, gear makes all the difference in inclement conditions. Checking over your boots, jackets and pants is of particular importance, as I find they get abused the most while outdoors – some minor repairs can help you get more life out of your clothing for another season. Same goes for hunting packs – ensuring zippers, straps and the like are all in working order can save you before you’re packing a heavy load out.

 

This is an equally good chance to make sure your optics are ready to roll, and that all your knives have been sharpened/have extra blades at the ready.

Making Sure All Your Licenses Are Current & You’ve Read The Regulations

This is a no-brainer – you must make sure you are carrying any tags and licenses you’ve purchased for the season with you. I custom ordered leather tag holders for both me and my partner so we have a secure place for the season’s tags to be tucked into. The migratory game bird permits are far from waterproof, so I like to place mine in a zippered plastic bag in my inner jacket pocket. Having a scan through the most recent regulations ensures you know what you can hunt for; some regions have seen plenty of updates.

Making Sure You Have A Plan For When Things Go Right – And For If They Go Wrong

Having plans in place ahead of time for when you have a successful hunting trip or, perhaps even more importantly, for if things go wrong, is a crucial thing to consider before going out into the bush. Early season hunting can be great, but if you are hunting for large game such as a moose or elk, you absolutely need a plan for what happens after you pull the trigger, as the hot weather can put you in a bit of a time crunch. Do you have someone you can call to help get the animal out of the bush? Are you prepared to quarter and pack an animal on your own? Do you have access to a meat cooler to hang the carcass upon getting it out of the bush? All are important to consider.

 

Packing an inReach or a radio for communication is always a good idea in case things go sideways, but there is no replacement for planning ahead. Tell someone where you plan to go, roughly how long you will be gone and when to call for help if you missed your check in. Even when just heading out for a short grouse hunt behind our house, I make sure to text someone my plans if no one is home with me at the time – there is no harm in being prepared.