Camping, fishing and hunting are popular outdoor sports. What makes someone want to do any of those instead of just taking a hike through the woods and going home, or taking a stroll through a field to do some bird watching?  Many people prefer the sense of them against nature; living in the wild and fishing and hunting like we used to have to do to survive. Sleeping under the stars and cooking what you caught or killed for dinner is almost a primal need for some people, even though we have comfy beds to sleep in and grocery stores where we can buy meat.

Hunting might be more technological today than ever with laser scopes and precision weapons, thermal underwear and heat packs, but people still want to hunt because of that primal urge that has never seemed to go away-man against nature, struggling to survive. If you want to hunt, but you’re undecided about exactly how to go about it or what you’d like to hunt, here are some basics to help you decide.

Can you tolerate cold weather? A great deal of hunting is done during the winter season.  Even more passive methods of catching game like trapping are often done when the temperatures dip. If you’re deer hunting or trapping, for instance, you might need to be out before dawn in extremely cold weather.  Are you well-suited for this or do you think you would be miserable doing this as a hobby?  At the very least, consider the cost of the equipment you’ll need.  You have to have protective clothing and you must dress in layers, with one of them preferably wool. Warm boots that will keep your feet from getting wet, proper headgear and excellent gloves will all be necessary.

Can you climb a tree and sit perched in one for hours?  Deer hunting will involve you setting up a deer stand in a tree–often not the easiest of tasks, especially if you’ve never done it before.  Do you have someone to help you set up the stand originally?  Do you like the idea of climbing up into the stand in the dark and sitting there for a prolonged period of time?  If that doesn’t appeal, you might choose to hunt something other than deer.

Do you want to go after big game? Some people enjoy the challenge of squirrel hunting.  Squirrels are small, they move quickly and it can be difficult to bag one or the several required for a good meal. But some people dream of taking down the giants like bear, moose and elk. First, consider that just because you want to hunt bear or other large game doesn’t mean you’ll be allowed to.  Often areas where you can hunt have draws and only those who draw the tags are allowed to even try. And consider the cost.  Often its necessary to travel, and you might need a large gauge (and more expensive) gun as well as other specialized equipment.

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Originally posted 2009-01-08 15:07:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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If you’re serious about hunting, you’re going to end up out in the woods before dawn more often that most people care to think about! And you’ll be out there scouting for deer in weather that would send most of us running into our dens with fuzzy slippers and hot cocoa, wishing for a roaring fire. You need to keep certain things in mind when hunting in cold weather, and you’ll want to be sure you have the right hunting equipment and hunting clothes to make it a more enjoyable experience, and to keep yourself safe from the elements.

Wear wool.

Wool hunting clothing provides excellent insulation against the cold. You won’t want to wear it against your skin, of course, but make one of your layers wool. And you should have at least 2 or 3 layers of clothing on, including long underwear. You won’t want to trek out into the woods wearing the clothing of 4 men, and getting your innermost layer wet with sweat—that defeats the purpose of trying to stay warm. But do take the heaviest layers of your hunting clothes with you. Then once you’re in the deer stand, you can put them on and stay warm. (Make sure your outermost layer is orange and reflective or whatever type of hunting clothing is required in your area.)

Cover your head.

Most of our body heat leaves us though the soles of our feet and the tops of our heads. Just wear a regular cap while you’re exerting yourself getting there and getting set up, then wear a thermal cap. If it’s really cold, you might want a thermal face mask to protect your nose and keep your skin from getting chapped. Be sure your ears are covered, and make sure you’ve got a decent seal around the neck opening of your hunting clothes (as well as at the wrists and ankles) to keep the cold air out as much as possible.

If it’s a wise choice in your particular area, get waterproof hunting gear like waterproof gloves and outerwear. And don’t scrimp on hunting boots. You might want to carry these, too, until you get in place rather than risk getting the insides wet where they will keep your feet cold, and you miserable. Rubber soled and rubber-outer-wear boots do an excellent job of keeping your feet dry. Be sure they’re insulated or the cold will seep right through your hunting boots and drive you to leave before you’ve spotted that trophy deer. Invest in the small heat producing packs that can go in mittens and boots as needed. These can make all the difference between an enjoyable day of winter-time hunting, and coming home stiff and frozen and wondering why you went hunting in the first place.

Finally, be sure your family or friends know where you’ll be, and carry a cell phone or other means of communication. While this is a good rule to follow all the time, it’s especially important when hunting in the winter.

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Originally posted 2008-12-08 19:29:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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