Hunting Blog

Though any catch is a good catch, seasoned hunters know that some animals are better trophy candidates than others. Regardless of your chances of being listed in the annals of time as a great elk or deer hunter, it’s nice to know you can do a rough score of your animal in the field. So pack a steel tape measurer and a note pad to work out your own rough score.

Measure the inside spread of the main beams at it’s widest point. Measure the length of each main beam from the burr to the tip. Measure the length of each point more than one inch long from the top of the main beam to it’s tip. Measure the circumference of the main beam between the burr and the first point, then proceed to measure between the first and second, second and third and so on until you’ve measured the circumference of all segments.

Finally, add the measurements together to obtain a rough gross score for your rack. There are deductions for asymmetrical presentation, and a non-typical rack is harder to score. However, the Boone and Crockett club offer a great online scorecard you can fill in or download for use in the field.

Choosing the right weapon for firearms hunting is essential to success in your pursuit. Arguably the most popular weapon used in firearms hunts is the rifle. And there are plenty of variables to consider when hunting with a rifle. As you check out the hunting rifles on offer, consider it’s fit, sight, weight and action, as well as it’s caliber.

Judge the rifle’s fit by holding the gun tight to you shoulder, and pressing your cheek against the stock. The stock should slide easily in and out of your armpit area, and the scope shouldn’t bite into your eyebrow. With your cheek pressed against the stock, your shooting eye should be in line with the sight - if you need a shorter or longer stock, a gunsmith can adjust this for you.

The average hunting rifle weighs between six and ten pounds - lighter guns are easier to pack around, but heavier guns dole out less abuse when fired. The action of your rifle should be chosen by assessing your own skill and deciding what you need most. Bolt-action rifles are generally more reliable, particularly in cold climates or rough terrain.

Getting the calibre of your hunting rifle right relies on you having a sound knowledge of the game you’re going after. While a .270 is fine for deer hunting, it’s simply not enough for running down a brown bear.

In today’s gadget culture, it is easy to loose sight of basic skills all outdoors enthusiasts should possess before venturing into the wilderness for a hunt. One of the most important vanishing skills is the simple act of using a compass and a map to navigate.

Plenty of folks will tell you a good GPS is all you need to navigate the woods today - but they’re dead wrong. What happens if the satellites you are using go on the fritz? What if the batteries go flat? What if the unit gets damaged? Well, if all you’ve got is a GPS and a hunch that the sun sets in the west, you’re sunk.

So, visit an outdoor supply shop and have a look at the compasses on offer - try some, see which you find easy to read and which have the features you’ll rely on most. Then, invest in a good map of the area you’re hunting - topographic maps are great for finding low-lying areas deer and other game animals love to hide in anyway. And, most importantly, practice using the compass before you’re in the field. You never know when your life might depend on it.

If you plan to succeed, you’re a step ahead of the other hunters any day. Part of a successful hunter’s plan should include the basics of field dressing, as well as a hunt kit that includes the tools you’ll need in the event of success.

First, pack a good hunting knife. Whether you choose a fixed or folding blade is up to you, but experts agree you should pick a knife you’re comfortable using and bring along a stone to sharpen it. You’ll need this to make incisions in the animal for field dressing - it will come in handy for skinning as well.

The second thing you’ll need is a lightweight saw. There are plenty of options here, including the folding variety, but the key again is finding a tool you’re comfortable with and can wield with confidence in the field. The saw will be used to remove antlers and split the brisket.

Finally, consider bringing along a lightweight hatchet or axe - some experts recommend a pair of hatchets. A good hatchet is useful if you’re going after bigger game as quartering an elk is no easy task, so you may as well be tooled up for the job.

When you’re planning a hunting trip to an area you’re unfamiliar with or are going after big game, an outfitter can provide some much needed know-how and essential equipment. Which is great, for some of us. For the rest, we’d rather rely on our own skills and judgement, make the investment in hunt-specific equipment and put in the work to make the hunting experience our own.

The price of hunting with an outfitter is high - often reaching easily over the $5,000 mark. If the cost alone doesn’t put you off using a hunt outfitter, the lack of independence might. For some, the thrill of the hunt is exploring the terrain, self-reliance and pitting your wits against those of some of mother nature’s cleverest critters.

Some outfitters offer a sort of half-way house that many hunters find to be a fair compromise between the help they need and the freedom they crave - the drop camp. An outfitter offering this service will usually guide you and your party to an existing camp, leave you there to do as you like and stop back to check on you and top up your supplies as needed during the week. He’ll also haul away your gear and meat once the hunt is done.

Particularly when you’re going after big game, like elk or caribou, booking your hunt with an outfitter can be easier than going it alone. There are a number of things to consider - from the equipment and physical effort required to understanding the lay of the land and knowing where the beasties like to hide.

An outfitter can provide a solid alternative to spending thousands on gear you’re unlikely to use for any other purpose or hunt in your lifetime. That isn’t to say hunting with an outfitter is cheap - it isn’t, but you’ve got to weigh the investment up against the savings. Additionally, an outfitter can provide you with some essential services once you’ve made that golden shot and bagged your trophy. Bear in mind an elk weighs at least four times what you do, and consider how readily you can pack that animal out of the hunt zone - with an outfitter, a lot of that hassle simply disappears.

The majority of good outfitters won’t guarantee you a kill- this is because to do so is impossible unless you’re hunting on a ranch or farm that breeds the animals for this purpose. However, an outfitter worth his salt will usually give you a fifty per cent chance of bagging a good mark. So do your homework and check the outfitters’ references from the outset to avoid disappointment.

When we pack up all our gear and head off for hunting season, one of the items we often leave behind is a camera. Whether you’re a great photographer or not, having even the most basic camera on hand can be useful in the field.

If you have a compact digital or traditional camera, that’ll do nicely. Many seasoned hunters recommend packing a three-pack of disposable cameras into the rest of your gear - this way if they get lost or broken, no one cares, but you have them on hand if you need them.

A great way to involve friends or family members in the hunt is to take them along to document your trip. A relative who loves taking pictures of the outdoors is ideal for this job, but your nephew armed with a digital or disposable camera will do just as well. Have them fill in a hunt journal for you and take photos of areas you want to remember for next year. Also, taking pictures of your trophy before it’s butchered is always a bonus