Whether a novice or a veteran deer hunter, you must prepare for the actual hunt. Do you have what you need? Do you have protection from the weather? Do you have something to eat? Here is a short checklist to get you started. These are courtesy of Dick’s Sporting Goods and can be printed.
Before Hunting
- Before the season opens, one should site in the gun. Be sure to have plenty of ammunition for the hunt; this is sighting in with the same ammunition.
- Have your permits ready.
- Scout the area. Where and when do the deer pass?
- Wash your hunting clothing in desensitized.
- Set up your tree stand or blind.
At The Hunt
- Obvious items like your gun and ammo
- Deer call
- Small pruners
- Small knife
- cell phone or walkie-talkies
- Blaze orange vest and hat
- Flashlight
- Hunting clothes: camo clothing, boots
- Bug spray
- Binoculars
- Drinks and snacks
After The Harvest
- Your permit, filled out if necessary
- Field Dressing gloves
- Towing rope
- Field Dressing knife
- Field Dressing kit
These few items can remove stress as you bag the big buck. Having everything laid out beforehand aids in a successful hunt. After the hunt, note what you used and what you could have used for next year’s hunt.
