For families who love to know exactly where their food comes from and avoid purchasing meat raised in factories and fed hormones, a hunting trip is a great solution. Hunting for your own game allows you to know exactly where your meat products come from. It also ensures the animal isn’t fed hormones and lived a happy and free life before bringing it home to the dinner table.
If you teach your little ones how to hunt properly and with the best hunting ethics, they’ll grow up to be some amazing hunters. When planning a hunting trip for the first time or without much experience, it’s important to know all the hunting supplies and hunting essentials needed to make it the best trip possible.
In the guide below, you’ll find several ways to prepare for your first time hunting! Continue reading to find out more.
Practice Your Shooting Skills
Even if you know how to properly shoot a firearm or a bow, you need practice shooting before your hunting trip. Keep in mind that there’s a proper way to shoot certain animals to ensure it’s a humane kill. You should also keep in mind that using your firearm or bow on a hunting trip is a lot different than using it at the range.
The target you’re hunting will move. You should practice taking shots at moving targets and practice taking shots from all different positions. Once you have enough practice to feel confident while hunting, be sure to place firearms and bows in an airline-approved case to ensure its safety.
Be sure to purchase a bow or firearm that’s needed for properly hunting in the area you choose to hunt in and for hunting the type of game you want to hunt. These hunting firearms will ensure a humane kill.
Consider Hiring a Guide
If you’ve never been hunting before or have never taken the family hunting, then it might be best to consider hiring a guide. When you hire a guide, the guide will have the majority of the hunting trip planned out for you. Ask the guide what parts of the hunt will be included and what parts must you still plan for.
Ask them what you still must pack as well. It’s a good idea to write out a list of questions to ask ahead of time. This can help you and the entire family plan better.
For example, ask what the terrain will look like?
Pack All the Essential Gear
There are several items you’ll need to take with you on your hunting trip. Again, ask the guide if any of these are included if going that route. Otherwise, you’ll want to ensure you have all the right tools needed to make it a great experience.
Here are a few essential items to consider bringing along with you.
- GPS
- Knife
- Flashlight
- Paper map
- Lighter
- Water, sports drink, high-energy snacks
- Bug spray
- Binoculars
- First aid kit
- Wire ties and small rope
- Rangefinder
- Cell phone
- Wipes and toilet paper
- Headlamp
- Shooting sticks
- Extra ammo
- Rain gear
- Extra batteries
This list is just to get you started. Make sure you have all the necessary gear in your backpack before heading out. Keep in mind, you should plan to carry about 15 pounds of extra weight (all the essential items) on you during the hunt.
Wear the Right Type of Clothing
Yes, there’s a certain type of clothing you need to wear and bring with you to remain safe during the hunt. For starters, pack your bright orange vest and hat. Don’t forget your camouflage either.
If you’re buying new hunting clothes for this trip, then you’ll want to try them on and wear them beforehand to break them in. This will make them more comfortable when it comes time to spend hours in them. You’ll also want to bring a change of clothes with you.
Consider how the temperature will fluctuate during the day and evening hours and plan accordingly.
Bring Your License and Know the Laws
You won’t be able to hunt legally without a proper hunting license. Make sure you have your license with you and it’s up to date. It’s also important you know the laws of the state you’ll be hunting in.
Don’t just assume you know the laws because you’ve hunted before in another state. All states are different. If you don’t know the laws and haven’t received your license yet, then you’ll want to do both of these as soon as possible.
Sometimes, it takes a while to receive a license after applying for one, so don’t wait until the last minute.
Build Your Endurance Beforehand
You might not think about your endurance before heading out on your hunting trip, but you should. If you don’t work out on a regular basis, now is the time to start a routine. You can also consider taking long walks each day to build endurance that way.
During your hunting trip, you’ll be walking long distances and for long periods of time. Do you have the endurance to keep up? Are you in physical shape to complete the hunting trip?
These are some things to consider and plan for.
Upload Maps of the Area
Do you know where you’ll be hunting at? If you hire a guide, then be sure to ask them the coordinates. Then, pull up these coordinates on a topographic map.
This is a great way to get more familiar with the land and the terrain. You can also use Google Earth to pull up a map of the area. The more familiar you are with the area you’ll be hunting in, the more prepared you’ll come, and the more comfortable you’ll be.
Take Lots of Pictures
Your hunting trip should be an amazing trip to remember. You’ll make some great memories, and the best way to capture these memories is by taking pictures! Don’t forget your camera and do be sure to take lots of pictures.
Having a bunch of pictures to go through when you get home is fun and exciting. It can also be the start of a hunting trip album! To keep your camera safe, you should pack it inside a hard camera case.
Enjoy Your Hunting Trip
If you’re planning a hunting trip in the near future, then be sure to use the hunting tips and advice listed above to ensure you make the most out of your trip. You can have a wonderful experience when you know what to expect and how to plan for it.
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