A Good Plan Makes A Good Hunting Trip

Any outdoor activity with friends or family can be fun. By preparing the right equipment and having an itinerary, those who choose to come along will feel safe about the trip.

Hunting Tips Planning a hunting trip isn't much different than planning a fishing trip or an out of town vacation. A person must make sure that those who choose to participate know where the venue is and how long they will be gone. Most hunting is done on weekends so generally involves camping in the wilderness.

Except on the opening day, "small game hunting" is permitted for almost all species starting half an hour before the sun rises until half an hour after sunset.

In most U.S. state forests as well as areas in wildlife management, "small game hunting" will only be available on a certain number of established areas under the "permit-required" hunting program.

"Permit-required" areas typically are open to the public through a daily "permit system" and normally are made accessible through private land owners' cooperation with local sportsmen's associations or clubs.

Anybody aged 10 and over must acquire a license to hunt "wild birds" or animals with the following guidelines:

o Children below10 years old are never permitted to hunt.

o Hunters that are between 10 -15 years should have a "junior license".

o Hunters that are 16 years and over should have an "adult license" to hunt.

Taking a heavy duty backpack is essential to store all the gear which should include the ammunition, food, sleeping bags, water, and the tent. If the filled backpack is difficult to carry on your back, then using a belt can help by putting some of the weight on the hips.

Everything should be stored in waterproof bags. These will prevent their contents from getting wet if you run into bad weather during the trip. A person can use bags of different colors to make it easier for the hunter to find what is needed.

Safety is a number one priority when small game hunting.

1. To avoid tick bites, always tuck or insert your T-shirt into "your pants" and make sure that your pants are tucked into "your boots".

2. Women must purchase and use outdoor footwear specifically made for them; never wear men's boots.

3. Stop at a certain point and look back, take a good long look and survey the trail you followed to avoid getting lost. Also look for markers, such as a large tree.

4. Wear the proper hand warmers.

5. Stop and bend down to pick up a cigarette butt, or any litter left behind by other hunters.

6. Carry along a few waterproof matches.

7. Clean your riffle before and after use. Never fire over 20 shots if you did not clean the bore. Also, do not allow your riffle to gather dirt as this lessens its performance. Proper cleaning will prevent the weapon from jamming and give you a clear shot at the target.

8. Wear hunting clothes with plenty of pockets to provide extra storage for such things as water bottles, snacks, a handy first aid kit, etc.

9. Choose clothing patterns suitable for hunting but pay attention to comfort as well. Avoid extra bright colors as they will only announce your arrival.

10. Wear an attractive orange colored cap.

11. When you see somebody who is hunting near your location, always call out and inform them of your location, to avoid being shot at if you are mistaken as their target.

12. Treat your riffle as if it were loaded at all times and point or aim the muzzle in a very safe direction.

13. Always be certain of your "target" as well as what is behind your target before you pull the trigger. When not sure, call out.

People can buy hunting equipment for less than $500 at any sporting goods store; sometimes a store is located near the entrance of the hunting grounds.

Everything must be checked before going on a hunting trip: this includes the weapon and the scope.

Knives and the tent should also be inspected to make sure that they are all in good condition prior to the trip.

The computer age has made the compass obsolete. People can now buy a mini-global positioning system that can determine the person's exact position within a few feet. Those who are not familiar with the territory will find one of these useful in case the group gets lost.

The climate in the mountains can be very cold so having the right clothing is important. Be sure to include a good pair of boots, socks and warm clothes.

Planning is necessary before venturing into the outdoors, but by preparing for the event a week or two in advance and knowing what dangers to avoid, you can be sure of making your hunting trip fun and everyone will have a good time.

Update: Hunting Trip Planning

Becoming An Expert Animal Hunter

Live Animal Hunting

Getting Home Safely

Planning Your Hunting Trip

Hunting Dangers to Avoid

Hunting Seasons

Hunting Accessory Tips