It just takes a second to change a life forever.
As we go through our daily lives, we as a society take a lot for granted. A slight miscalculation can cause a tragedy, something that most people forget or don’t even understand. “There but for the grace of God go I” , is a idiom uttered by an Englishman named John Bradford. Mr. Bradford must have realized how close we come to disaster each day. We have seen the horrific car accident on the freeway heading home, heard the story of the unfortunate coworker suffering from a fatal disease but how many of us realize that it can happen to us just as easily. As we venture out into the wilds to engage in our favorite pastime, how many of us actually plan ahead and consciously attempt to avoid mishaps, accidents and disasters.
Oh, I will do it later.
We all have said that, at one time or another. Time is a valuable commodity. Even as you read this article, there are other tasks gaining urgency. The Good Game Hunting family hopes that any time you spend here with us is time well spent but the clock is ticking for hunting season. We all know that helping with the children, feeding the dog, spending time with a loved one are wonderful ways to spend our time but cleaning a rifle is a lot lower on our time priority list. As hunting season approaches, time becomes more valuable. The ‘to do’ list gets longer and the days get shorter. Even the practice of daylight saving time costs us an hour in the fall, the time we most need more time.
Hunter safety is hunting success.
Taking time to go on a scouting trip is time well spent for increasing both your hunting success and hunter safety. Knowing the terrain, seeing the trails and streams first hand before you are engaged in any hunting, fishing or camping activity is a brilliant idea. By spending a few days and hopefully a few nights in the area you plan on hunting will teach you valuable information.
What might look like a great camping area on the map or the first day of the hunt can become a flood channel that first night when it rains. Discovering how dry or wet the hunting area is can prevent a forest fire, stop that untimely cracking of a branch as you stalk your game or even finding usable fire wood for the camp fire are things that can only been found out by first hand experience. Finding out what game trails are active helps in deciding camping areas, how far away to stage your vehicle and will prevent exhaustion as you travel to and fro looking for that active game trail.
It is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Each hunting trip is more than a frolic in the woods on a sunny day. How many times have the clouds rolled into the valley and the crash of thunder shook you from your hide or game stand. The rain comes pouring down and you realize that your jacket is in the truck or even worse at home. As the rain soaks your skin and you get that chill down your spine, this hunting trip has become more a trip for survival than you had planned for.
Understanding the area you are hunting in, it’s weather patterns and weather norms are vital for your survival as a human being. It is a fine line between under packing and over packing for the trip but its best to judge on the side of too much gear than not enough. There will be equipment failure, lost or destroyed gear or even the strange shrunken jacket of your hunting partner, it used to fit but now its too small.
Making a list and checking it twice.
As we all think of that song about Santa making a list and checking it twice, we need to realize Santa wasn’t too far off. Spending a few days creating a list and actually writing it down can prevent forgotten items, doubling up on other items . Pick an area in your residence and stage or gathering the items on that list, checking serviceability and functionality of each item as you do so. This is the perfect time to perform weapons maintenance, ensuring that what you are using to actually hunt with is complete and functioning. Taking time to go to the range to ensure the accuracy of your rifle, ensure your compound bow is drawing and releasing properly, or just making sure your flint and powder are dry and sparking is essential for success.
Something often forgotten but essential to the adventure is the condition of your vehicle. Good tires, oil change, status of the drive train and transmission are all things to be checked and completed before starting off on the expedition. Creating a list, checking each item on that list and packing it will ensure comfort, hunting success and even assist in survival if the worst does happen.
I thought you had it.
Nothing beats that moment when your hunting party realizes that ‘someone’ has forgotten a valuable and needed item. The finger pointing and yelling that ensues just goes to show that ball was dropped. Creating a list, calling each member before starting the trip will provide a comparison with the other members in your hunting party. Not every ones needs to bring the cooking grill but everyone might bring a bottle of propane to provide fuel for it. What will be used to harvest the animal after a successful hunt are to be listed, ensured for functionality and discussed amongst the party. Does everyone need to bring their own knives, ropes and rack or will one kit suffice. As a hunting party, each member has to realize that the success or failure of the expedition is based on teamwork and planning.
Have a plan and stick to the plan.
Often forgotten until disaster strikes is leaving a detailed plan with each spouse or special person. Assuming that cell phones will work in the area of the hunt is a very bad idea. Even if you have done a scouting trip into the area, do you want your life or the life of your friend hanging in the balance as you attempt to get 2 bars of cell service. The modern outdoorsman has easy and cheap access to ham radios, GPS units, EPERBs and a vast wealth of emergency survival equipment. Unfortunately, technology runs on batteries and tends to fail when needed the most. A map and compass combined with the ability to read and understand it’s usage is vital for every member of the party.
Image by Chad Cooper
