When you’re about to head outdoors, in the woods, for a hunting session, you know very well that you must be fully prepared – especially if you plan to hunt for multiple days!
As such, you have to take the proper accessories with you. If you miss one single essential thing and you realize that after you arrive at your destination, your hunt may be over before it actually begins!
Therefore, in the following article, we’ll point you out some of the best hunting accessories that you have to bring in the woods with you for a successful hunt! Keep in mind that both the basics and the more intricate items have to be taken into account for an ideal hunting kit.
Hunting equipment:
Trusty Binoculars
As you may know, the binocular is the standard tool owned by any explorer or hunter. In fact, a hunter is still an explorer, as many people state, as he explores the field in search of his target before the start of the hunt.
With a proper binocular, you’ll be gauging your targets and explore the surrounding environment like a true hunter – without disturbing and/or scaring any prey. On the other hand, such a tool is extremely helpful for noticing out of the ordinary things – such as a blocked pass or road.
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Decoys
Depending on what you hunt, you may want to never forget bringing decoys with you!
Turkey and waterfowl hunters say that not using decoys is a very big mistake and can significantly impact one’s hunt. In fact, some state that the more decoys you have available for use, the more often you’ll fill your bag with the spoils of the hunt.
Bird Calls
Obviously, you should have a call for every type of game that you are currently hunting. However, having the proper call is not the same as actually being able to use it efficiently. Therefore, make sure to do your best to master your call, as this influences the end of the hunt.
Scent Killer
If you’re a serious hunter, then the last thing you want your prey to smell is expensive perfume. Most hunters believe that using a scent killer spray is enough – however, this is only half of what can be done to completely mask your smell.
Your clothes should also be washed with a clothing detergent specially designed to kill scents. Then, for increased efficiency, you should have a spray for both your clothes and your boots.
Trail Camera
As mentioned above, you may be hunting for multiple days. In such scenarios, you may want to plant some trail cameras that would help you better track your prey.
Since you cannot follow an animal constantly, you can easily rely on a camera to provide you with an image, the date, as well as the time when a large animal crossed its motion detector sensor.
Rangefinder
When hunting deer or elk, any sudden movement in their proximity will alert the animals and make them run away. Naturally, this is the main reason why hunters use rifles – or even bolt action rifles – and hunt such animals from afar.
In this case, you may want to equip yourself with a rangefinder. This particular tool helps you measure the distance to your target, in order to ensure an accurate shot. Keep in mind that the rangefinder’s range should be fit with the type of prey that you hunt.
Various Knives
When it comes to knives, you’ll need the usual pocketknife, as well as skinning and gutting knives – if you plan on dealing with your prey on the spot.
If you rely solely on a pocketknife, it should be strong enough to tear flesh and skin animals – at least small ones. A lot of hunters prefer pocketknives instead of skinning/gutting ones because they are lightweight and don’t take a lot of space.
Bone Saw
If you hunt large animals – like deer or elk – a bone saw may be very helpful during a hunt. With it, you can cut the rib cage of the animal or cut through any thick joints that give you a hard time.
On top of that, such a saw can also be used to cut wood for the fire – and for cooking.
Various Scopes
When hunting with a firearm, you should strongly consider a couple of scopes that may make your hunt easier. In this respect, we mention medium range scopes, as well as night vision scopes – in case you’re hunting night prey.
Even though you have a range finder with you and can adjust your iron sights properly, things will be much easier with a scope – even if it’s not a fancy one. Moreover, you will still rely on a range finder whether you have a scope or not.
Read next: What You Need To Know About Ambush Hunting
Weaponry
As a hunter, you’ll have to take into account the following types of weaponry: firearms, compound bows, and recurve bows. Even if some of you may think that the firearm is the ultimate weapon for a hunter, keep in mind that there are scenarios where a silent – yet deadly – weapon is much more effective.
Naturally, you don’t want to forget about ammo either!
Depending on the type of hunt/prey, hunters will usually grab a firearm as well as a compact bow – one as big as your backpack, preferably. The idea here is that if you’re able to complete a hunt with your bow, you may want to avoid wasting bullets!
The Bottom Line on Hunting Gear
If you pick up a hunting and surviving life, if we may say so, then it is essential that you are properly prepared for the woods.
A fully immersed experience that implies living in a log cabin for a couple of weeks will require a lot more than just the aforementioned items. However, these are the hunting accessories that you should take with you no matter how much time you plan on hunting. They will help you better track and manage your prey, as well as make you a much more efficient hunter!
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