
Hunting is a popular outdoor pursuit; people indulge in this sport for several reasons. For some, hunting is a way to explore the wildlife and know about the natural habitats; for others, it is adventure and fun. Irrespective of your reasons, you must develop hunting skills to have an enjoyable experience.
Hunting is a big commitment that takes interest, time, lots of leg work, and specialized gear and equipment like long-range scope for 6.5 Creedmoor that helps you spot your target and hunt them down. If you are a beginner in hunting, you must hone your skills to get the right start and excel further.
This guide covers all the prominent points that will help you learn about the key hunting skills to become a good hunter.
Take hunter education class and pass the test
Before you step into the wilderness and start aiming, it is essential to learn the nuances of hunting. A good hunting class incorporates all the aspects of hunting, such as learning about the animals’ natural habitat, ecosystem, food, and firearms handling.
Completing the hunter education and passing the test certifies that you are now prepared to get into the game. Also, you will require a hunter license. Although the requirements may vary from one state to another, it is important to have this license.
What do you want to hunt?
It’s important to decide your hunting choice, whether you want to play it small or end up in a larger game. While it may seem tempting to you to jump right into hunting big games, you must always start with a smaller target. The hunting categories are divided into the following segments:
Small game | Squirrel, rabbit, skunk, and raccoon |
Big game | Bear, deer, boar, bison, elk, and caribou |
Game birds | Pheasant, dove, grouse |
Waterfowl | Geese, ducks, swan |
Furbearers | Fox, bobcat, beaver, and pine marten |
Predators | Coyote, wolf, and mountain lion |
Hunting is a regulated activity; and with this segregation, it becomes easier for the authorities to control hunting activities.
The best season
If you want to get into the hunting game, you must know the right season for hunting. Every year, the state game agency releases new dates and seasons for hunting. For example,
Season | Time |
Squirrel seasons | It starts in summer or early Fall and continues till winter |
Big game season (deer, bear, bison, etc.) | Generally, it opens in fall and continues up to winter |
Besides, the hunting season breakdown is also based on hunting methods like rifle season, bow season, muzzleloader season. You have, for instance, dates that typically start in summer or early fall and run through late winter. Season dates may vary from one state to another, so make sure you cross-check with the state agency.
How to find the right hunting location?
The locations mainly fall into two categories: public and private lands.
Private land
If you already have access to private land for hunting, it’s great. Well, it can be the case when you have someone in your family who hunts or has a hunter friend. Also, when you have private land, it is easy to get permission for small games but tough for baits like deer. However, if you do not know someone with private land, you can always go for public land.
Public land
You can easily find public hunting lands online. All you need to do is a bit of basic digital scouting. Remember to take notes of the potential habitats, access points, and terrain features. Also, look for factors like hunting pressure when finding the perfect spot to avoid pressure.
Do your research
If you want to become a great hunter, you must also do some good research. You can talk to the locals about the best spots for hunting, the right time for hunting, and the best season. Besides, during hunting, you must focus on your observation skills. Over a period, you will learn about the wildlife and animals; the more you observe and learn, the better is the probability of your success.
Essential gears for hunting
You must not step into the hunting game without proper knowledge about the gears used in hunting. You must know what type of gear will help you hit your target.
Besides choosing the right firearm, you must keep them in good condition to ensure its seamless operation at the time of hunting. Never keep your gun in the case for several days at a stretch. Also, keep a slightly oiled rag handy to wipe the gun when they are not in use. In addition, it is advisable to clean it for more than 5 to 10 rounds after the end of the season before storage.
- Always check your gun is not loaded
- Use solvent for cleaning and removing the bolt, then wipe it clean
- Follow the manufacturer’s instruction for cleaning the bore and use only that solvent the manufacturer advises
- Run patches until the barrel is clean
- End by running oiled patches
- Wipe down the entire action and barrel using light oil coating
Tactics to follow during hunting
Even though every hunting game requires a different tactic, some are essential tactics or skills that do not change regardless of weather, location, and the animal.
- Lookout more than you hunt: The most successful hunters are the ones that take their time scouting. The purpose of this tactic is to identify and learn about the game animal and its species and discover new ideas.
- Patience is key: Even though hunting is an exciting experience, you will need to spend a lot of time watching, sitting quietly, waiting, and observing. So, it is vital to maintain patience because the right mindset will only ensure success.
- Be sneaky: It is foolish to ignore the survival instinct of animals, as they know precisely when they are being hunted. So, it is best to start quietly. Also, avoid large march, speak softly, and stay silent when you see the game nearby. However, when you are hunting big games, the most crucial consideration is the power of smell and wind direction. Further, give attention to your clothing, try to wear camouflage but don’t forget blaze orange for safety.
Conclusion
All these things might seem complicated initially when you first go on hunting, but eventually, with practice and experience, you will master the skill. Hunting education will prove helpful here. If you want to make your hunting experience exciting and fulfilling, make sure that you practice as much as possible and learn more about the wildlife.