Whether you are a beginner in the world of hunting or a seasoned veteran, we can all make improvements to our hunting skills in order to find more success in the outdoors. Big game hunting is unlike any other outdoor activity or sport and presents a unique set of challenges and difficulties. In order to help, here are five major tips for better big game hunting!
Pay Attention to the Wind
It doesn’t matter what big game animal that you are hunting or what weapon you have in your hands, you should always be mindful of the wind. Many big game species, such as deer, elk, and bear can smell human odor from extremely long distances. Even if you are using scent eliminator products or are hunting from long distances, you should still always pay attention to the wind and try to stay downwind whenever possible.
Study Your Hunting Area
Knowing as much as possible about your hunting area will not only bring you more hunting success in the woods, but it will also make you a much safer hunter as well. The most successful big game hunters know their hunting areas inside and out, and this only comes with plenty of in-person scouting and online maps and resources. The more information that you can gather about your area, the better off you will be.
Study the Animals You are Hunting
This tip goes directly with the previous tip, as not only should you study your hunting area but you should also study your target animals as well. If you are deer hunting, for example, you should be familiar with their physical characteristics (and proper identification for species and sex), how to tell age and some of their usual habits. Another great example of how this can help is knowing something as simple as what their diet consists of can help you more easily locate them by first locating their preferred food sources.
Bring the Right Gear
Every hunting trip will be different, but that does not mean that you shouldn’t be as prepared as possible. A comfortable pair of boots or footwear can quite literally make or break a hunt, as well as the proper clothing. Do you expect cold weather or rain? Make sure to bring the right clothes! If you are hunting in a dry or arid climate, you might opt to bring extra water and sunscreen. No matter what species of animal that you are after, you will want to ensure that you have everything necessary to have a safe and enjoyable hunting experience.
Don’t Give Up
The most important tip of them all is to never give up. Hunting big game can be a challenge, but that doesn’t mean that it is impossible. If you always have a positive mindset and just keep trying, you are going to have some success!
Final Thoughts
These five major tips will help anyone, regardless of skill level, up their game while in the woods. No matter what big game they may be after! For more great ideas on how to fish and hunt from the experts, check out the awesome articles on our Bradley Smoker Hunting & Fishing Blog for more great tips & tricks.
