Hunting Blog

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You put a lot of thought into the weapon you choose to hunt with, and take care not to forget anything you might need at camp. An area many hunters overlook is the most important of all - their survival kit. Of course, a survival kit isn’t the first thing most hunters think they need for their trek into the wilderness. But most of us don’t set off for a hunt planning to get lost or injured along the way.

A survival kit should be compact - no larger than a fanny pack. The smaller it is, the more likely you are to keep it with you all the time. Your survival kit should include the following items:
- a space blanket, two if you can manage to fit them in
- at least one day’s supply of food
- a pack of waterproof matches
- 20ft of nylon rope or parachute cord
- a suitable knife and sharpening stone
- two 8oz juice boxes
- a packet of water purification tablets
- a compact first aid kit including a gauze roll, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes and aspirin

This is the bare minimum when considering your survival needs. With these items, odds are you can make it for a couple of days in the outdoors with little worry.

Just as choosing the right weapon, ammunition and hunting plot make a huge difference to your success in the field, picking the right hunting companions is also key. We’re not saying you should only hunt with seasoned woodsmen, but considering the survival skills of the rest of your party is important.

Establish your camp with hunters who have similar interests - that way you’ve got something to talk about when you’re resting or in the advent of weather forcing you to stay at camp rather than pursue game for a day. Similarly, don’t hunt with friends that can’t get along with one another - if your brother and your best workmate don’t see eye to eye, consider leaving one of them behind or taking two separate trips or you might find yourself refereeing the week away.

Finally, hunt with people who can make a positive contribution to your camp. Choose your camp mates wisely - make sure there’s more than one person who can start a fire, perform first aid and offer physical support to others in the group if required.