Many outdoor adventure lovers choose hunting as their hobby. It’s a versatile and fun activity as long as you take it seriously and hunt responsibly. It enables you to get in touch with nature and strengthen your survival skills. Along the way, you can learn a lot about wildlife and acquire many other skills that are necessary for a successful hunter. It’s a group activity so you’ll get to spend more time with your friends and make new ones.
Preparation is the key to successful hunting. You need essential gear that’s going to make the experience even more enjoyable and comfortable. Although there’s different equipment for different types of hunts, you should never head out without the basics. You may find military gear, like backpacks really useful because they’re made to last and will fit everything you need. Besides a backpack for all of your stuff, there are several other important things to take in your hunter’s kit.
What Essentials Do You Need When Going Hunting?
A Good Pair of Binoculars
This is one of the main pieces of equipment that you absolutely can’t go without. They should provide you with a clear image of your surrounding and enable you to see every detail. From spotting the correct species to confirming the target’s size and sex, a good pair should have it all. You can check stores for high-quality hunting binoculars online and read some reviews so you know that you’re getting the best deal possible.
Binoculars are important so you can see the prey from a distance but it doesn’t see or hear you. Since you’re going to be pretty far away, you need to be able to identify the species and its surrounding. In this way, you can assess the situation, avoid possible obstacles, and track the prey. When choosing the right binoculars, you need to consider their features.
- Magnification – If a pair has high magnification, it doesn’t mean it’s better. It can make the image appear unsteady and blurry. For this reason, you shouldn’t go too big, and 8x to 10x magnification is usually enough. It depends on the terrain as well. Lower magnification is better for the woods while higher magnification is used for wide-open spaces.
- Objective Lens – Wider objective lenses capture more light and produce a brighter image. This is very important for nighttime when you’ll need quality binoculars for hunting in order to see the target. Larger lenses are heavier and more expensive but you need appropriate equipment for success. Usually, an objective diameter of 42 is enough for all hunters.
You should opt for a pair that’s water-proof and fog-proof that’ll make hunting possible in different weather conditions. The weight and the eye-relief feature need to be considered as well in order to use them for a longer period. You should look for binoculars online and compare their characteristics so you can choose the ones that suit your needs best.
A Versatile and Handy Knife
All hunters need a knife that comes in handy in different circumstances. You can choose from the wide array of hunting knives used for gutting, skinning, and deboning the prey. You can go for a camp knife that’s used for all different kinds of tasks or specialised knives, such as the Bowie knife, caping knife, skinning knife, and boning knife.
Folding knives are easy to store, offer multiple blades, and are pretty lightweight. Fixed blade knives, on the other hand, are usually more durable, have a larger blade, and are easy to clean. You could go with a multi-tool as well, which is the most versatile option. Pay attention to the handle because you’ll need a non-slip surface that stays in your hand even when wet. Plus, the whole process of dressing an animal will be more comfortable if the handle is ergonomic.
A Suitable Flashlight as Additional Source of Light
Besides good hunting binoculars and a knife, a convenient flashlight can save you a lot of trouble, especially if you plan to hunt in the early mornings or after dark. There are many situations where you might need additional lighting, like searching for keys or something else in the dark, and not having one is unnecessary frustration. It can help you to dress or track a wounded animal. Look for a good LED flashlight with the following features:
- An adjustable focus so you can zoom in and out;
- Water-resistant so you don’t have to worry about the weather conditions;
- Shock-resistant and durable;
- Ergonomic design for easy handling;
- Multi-coloured for easier hunting.
First Aid Kit for Emergencies
First aid kits save your life, literally. It can consist of a few essentials or it can have as many as you need, just mind that it will be additional weight to carry. The contents can vary depending on the location, weather, and how much time you’ll be out in the wild. You should be prepared for all kinds of situations, from injuries to unplanned camping outside.
You can buy ready-made kits that have most of the items that you’ll need but it’s always good to check and take anything else that you think will benefit you and those around you. You should have your prescription medication, painkillers, antibacterial cream, hand sanitiser, bandages, gauze, some allergy pills, tweezers, and anything else that you might find useful.
Moisture-Wicking Base Layer and Rain Gear
Weather can be unpredictable and inappropriate clothing will take all the fun out of the adventure. You need good base layers that will wick moisture away from your body and keep you dry. You could go for natural materials, like wool, or synthetic ones. There’s special clothing for hunting that blocks scents that you can buy if you think that it would be beneficial for you.
Proper rain gear can protect you against hypothermia and prevent moisture from staying too long on your body. You need to invest in quality pieces that will offer you the necessary protection and will last for a long time.