How To Plan Your Next Hunting Trip

Tips On Equipment, Game & Destinations

From big-game expeditions to southern hog hunting, planning for any hunting trip should start months before you actually travel to your destination.

You’ll need supplies, equipment and even entertainment for the inevitable down times. Expect your experience to match your preparation. The more thorough your planning, the more fun your adventure will be in the end.

Here’s how to ensure you will return from your trip with memories more valuable than your trophy by following these simple tips:

Selecting The Right Species To Hunt

There’s a whole country at your fingertips, and choosing a destination is best determined by what you are seeking to hunt. Looking for bear, bobcats or elk? Head to Maine, Kansas, or Oregon, for example.

Also, consider the others in your group and pick a place that is exciting for everybody.

There’s more to ponder than just pure fun, though. If returning home with meat is your goal, scratch out areas with rigorous terrain. Scoring even 50% of the time is considered to be a successful hunt and you don’t want a place where it’s difficult to get your kill back to the car.

If you’re less concerned about the quality of meat and instead want a pelt, brush up on the best tactics for preserving hides. And, of course, you’ll want to hit a region with a proper population of that animal.

Pick A Hunting Method

From traditional rifle hunting to waterfowl hunting, there are a variety of ways to score a mount. Take your pooch or load up on trapping supplies — just be sure you know the local laws about catch limits and other possible restrictions.

For instance, Maine is the only state to allow the trapping of black bears. There is a limit of one per season and you must register for a license. And if you want to use your dog on the hunt, know that this has a limited six-week time period.

Does subduing an animal with a handgun sound more exciting? Then check out boar hunts in Georgia. Bring your pistol and prepare for a long day or night of stand hunting. Planning a four-day trip to the Southeast means you could walk away with up to four hogs.

No matter what adventure you choose, familiarize yourself with local customs and rules to get the most out of your time.

Be Prepared

Among other supplies, you’ll need licenses, proper clothing, and equipment. It’s easy enough to pack outdoor gear and a warm coat, but what might not be obvious is the type of ammunition you’ll need or how much food you’ll require not just for the day but the entire trip.

You should also study your prey.

Embarking on a journey without fully understanding the species you’re hunting could result in an uneventful trip at best.

Even if you’ve tracked the species previously, research how others hunt the animal. Perhaps there are new techniques, tactics or firearms that vary from what you currently know and use. That distinction could be the difference between coming home empty-handed and being the toast of the town.

So compile a checklist and enjoy the fruits of a well-thought-out trip.

Pick A Destination

Even though hunting is the main reason for your trip, there are other factors to consider before any journey. After the list is narrowed to areas that contain your animal of choice, check out the topography, culture, and local scene.

Enjoy the fresh air of an Alaskan mountain, the quiet stream of the West’s backyard, or the beauty of a New England fall.  When done right, few experiences are more thrilling than being in nature while also somewhat testing your survival skills.

And at the end of the day, be sure share some of our stories with the locals at the local bar.

Hire An Outfitter

Sound planning is the key to a once-in-a-lifetime trip. It may seem overwhelming at first, but hiring a professional guide or outfitter will be an immense help. Get advice, information, and tips on how to best enjoy your big expedition. Depending on the service selected, outfitters will provide you with food, lodging, and hunting services.

So next time you’re looking to capture the great outdoors, follow a few of these suggestions to be right on target in more ways than one.