Preparing for Your Upcoming Hunt
The most successful hunts are the ones with the most preparation put into them. Without preparation for an upcoming hunt, you are relying on the stars to align for the chance at success. This hunting preparation can be separated into three major categories of physical, mental, and gear. Let’s talk about how you can better prepare for your upcoming hunt in each of these categories, and a few tips to get your started!
Being Physically Fit
The first major preparation for any hunt, especially those that will require a lot of hiking and lifting, is being physically fit enough for the task. Get familiar with the terrain that you will be hunting in and start getting accustomed to it. Unfortunately, this usually means something a little more than simply walking on a treadmill. A great tip is to break out the hiking boots and backpack, load it up with some weight, and go on some real hikes well before the hunt. This will get your body used to carrying the weight, as well as simultaneously breaking in your gear properly.
When setting goals for your physical preparation, make sure you are being realistic. If you start off by trying to hike 10 miles a day with 50 pounds on your back, this will most likely stop you from following through with your prep. Start off small and up your goals each day or week as you start to progress and get better.
Gear Preparation
One of the most important aspects of preparing for a hunt is getting all of your gear ready and making sure you are familiar with it all. The last thing you want to do is lace up your hiking boots for the first time on opening morning, or shoot your bow to get practice in a week before the season starts. Gather up all of the gear that you will be using during the hunting season, and use it well before then.
Practice with your bow or rifle before the hunt, that way you are familiar with your weapon before ever having to use it on an animal. This also gives you an opportunity to inspect all of your gear and see if anything needs replaced or upgraded before you have the need for it.
Mentally Preparing for the Hunt
Last but certainly not least is your mental preparation. This can mean something different to everyone, but one must have some sort of strategy before heading out to the woods. This can be as simple as deciding which treestand to sit, or as complex as planning out a week long hunting trip. This includes what you plan to do in the case of a successful hunt and preparing yourself mentally for hunting situations that might arise.
Final Thoughts
Your hunting preparation will be one of the biggest factors in how much success you will see during the actual hunting season. By spending the time to properly prepare for a hunt, you can enjoy this newfound success and become a much better hunter!
