Everyone knows how to have a successful hunt. Those “secrets” have been told many times for many years. What’s the real secret nowadays? How to be a happy hunter. The term “happiness” has it’s different meanings for different people, as does the term “successful hunt”. For some, “success” means shooting and bringing meat home to [...]
Everyone knows how to have a successful hunt. Those “secrets” have been told many times for many years. What’s the real secret nowadays? How to be a happy hunter. The term “happiness” has it’s different meanings for different people, as does the term “successful hunt”. For some, “success” means shooting and bringing meat home to the kitchen. Therefore, some hunters can only be “happy” if they follow that definition of success. This article is for the ones who chase happiness from the other trail. It’s for those who have the mindset that is more content with a safe hunt, whether or not the coolers are full on the way back home. So, here’s some “secrets to a happy hunt.”
A happy hunter starts with safety. I once read a newspaper article by a well established columnist in a local Fort Worth/Dallas newspaper who urged us hunters to leave our cell phones in camp. He thought it would be a distraction and be a horrible thing if it rang loudly while attempting to silently hunt deer. Yes, it would be ugly for it to spook a deer while it played your favorite ringtone, but that’s not gonna happen, because you have made it a habit to set it to vibrate or put it on silent when you make your last bathroom break, or when you check to see if you have your rifle cartridges in your hunting bag. Please, by all means, bring that ever important, bridge to civilization, long-distance lifeline with you in the stand. It is much more worth the chance of forgetting to silence it and spook a big buck than to not have it when you become lost or injured.
A happy hunter brings extra toilet paper.
Speaking of the hunting bag, there are a few items that need to be in there every time you go out to the woods. When you go, don’t assume they’re still there from the last trip. Check it every time and verify that everything is in it’s place.
Flashlight with fresh batteries,
Fully stocked first aid kit, even if it’s a small one. There’s nothing more frustrating (or scary) than having a first aid kit whose contents have been used up.
Pack a water bottle,
lighter,
whistle, (yep, an “old school” whistle that will not run out of batteries and will help searchers locate you. Remember, the universal call for distress is three of anything, like 3 whistle blasts. You may have run out of bullets for three gun shots.)
plastic bags, (they can keep stuff dry)
jerky, peanut butter crackers or some other protein packed provision that’ll produce power in a pinch,
toilet paper.
Just as in an amusement park, you’re going for a thrill ride, so buckle up in the stand. Without throwing yourself off of the tripod, be sure that your safety strap is going to work properly and hasn’t worn due to weather or repeated use. Also, it’s not a bad idea to tie your backpack or fanny pack to the tree or stand so it won’t make an untimely exit from the hunt.
Going hunting in warm weather? Many bowhunters do. Wear snake chaps. Don’t worry about overheating as you walk to or from your stand. Counter the heat created by the extra layer by wearing shorts. It’s much more fun to sweat a little than to be bit a little. Just re-spray with odor neutralizer once you get to the stand, and quit your belly aching. You’re hunting! It can’t get much better than this!
Even if you’re not legally obligated to do so, plan to wear blaze orange (fluorescent orange, hunter orange) to and from the stand. Something as simple as a hat or vest can save your life and keep the other hunter out of a lot of trouble.
"My walkie-talkie doesn't have the friends and family plan, so just call in an emergency."
Ahh, yes, the “other hunter”. This person may have been your life long best friend, relative, or just some dude that shares the lease with you. If y’all are the walkie-talkie types, try to agree on how much “talkie” is going to be going on during the hunt. A little pre-hunt communication can go a long way. Talk with other hunters in the group how much they want to use their two way radio. That way, everyone will be on the same page as to what to expect. Do they want to notify other hunters to keep a look out for certain deer that may be heading their way? Do they just want to check in at the top of every hour? Do they want to turn it on only in case of an emergency? Even if you think you’ll never use the two way radio, pack it in the hunting bag! Just like the cell phone and whistle, it’s another avenue that can lead you back to the safety of camp should you need it. Planning helps minimize frustration, worry, and maximizes the hunter’s happiness!
Be safe and take time to be a happy hunter.
