Hunting, an occupation that used to be crucial for the survival of first human beings today, has become a hobby. It’s mostly popular among the old population, but there are also young people who are interested in this kind of activity and eager to explore the wood seeking some fun. Numerous countries enriched with various animal species host hundreds of tourists who are interested in getting one step closer to this hobby.
Whether you’re interested in doing this for the long term or just curious to try it at a specific destination, you need to know what’s the essential equipment you simply can’t go without. Mostly because it’s necessary to be prepared for any potential unpredictable situation that might occur, as all adventures in nature carry some risk that should be prevented.
The size of the hunter’s backpack usually depends on their need, but it should certainly include crucial staff. Before you set off for this adventure, it would be good to check all the regulations in place where you want to go, such as which zone is legal to hunt and which one isn’t, in order to avoid potential penalties for not following the rules.
Once you’re sure that you know all the essentials and you think you’re completely prepared in that sense – it’s time for getting all the goodies and hitting the road. So, if you’re already so excited about your first hunt, check out this list of essentials!
1. A license
When the season begins, whoever wants to be a part of it needs to have all the documents. That includes a hunting license and sometimes, for some countries, you might also need an outdoor card that should always be in your backpack. Oh, and personal identification documents that are regularly somewhere in your pockets wherever you go, as well!
A license and a card should be issued to a natural person, with the exception of a foreigner. The person should have passed a certain examination, they must have permission to carry a weapon and they have to be a member of the appropriate hunting organization. Without these requirements fulfilled, the road might become narrow and long, or better said – impossible.
Another thing you shouldn’t forget is – your dog, if you have one. Dogs are frequent companions on these trips, so you should also have the documents that state their race and identity.
Adequate clothing
Appropriate clothes are fundamental – a kind of hunting uniform or camouflage suit. Most of them usually wear a hat for sun protection, but also have a raincoat in their backpack, just in case – as the weather conditions might be rather tricky. In case you’re participating in a group hunt you need to be provided with a distinctive band of striking vibrant color on the cap or shoulder of the vest or jacket.
This type of clothes should be waterproof, too. Waterproof materials can protect you, not only from moisture but also from hypothermia. Exposure to moisture significantly lowers body temperature, therefore following this piece of advice could absolutely save your health.
A knife
Could you even imagine going hunting without a knife? Regardless of whether you want to cut a rope or you simply need aid with catching animals – it’s irreplaceable. It should be made of quality materials like stainless steel and the size of the knife depends on the individual requirements.
There are lots of types, such as a classical knife, those models you can attach to the belt or a folding knife. And the major feature here should be the sharpness of the knife and its durability, as it shouldn’t break.
Weapons
Weapons are mandatory without special emphasis. This sport includes hunting rifles, guns and revolvers – such a great choice on the market and anyone can choose one according to their requirements and preferences.
Regarding some additional details that can be hugely beneficial when using a rifle is a rifle scope. In case you want to make sure that the shooting precision on long-distance is at a high level, this is definitely the right thing for you. The market is flooded with products like this, so you should check out verified producers like Target Frog, if you want quality products and guaranteed success.
First aid
Not so rarely, people get injured in activities like this. Moving through the animal habitats could be quite dangerous, as well as wounded animals. Or you might simply cut yourself in a moment of carelessness. In all these situations, a full first aid box in your rucksack will do wonders. It doesn’t take much space but it can be a crucial thing in critical moments.
A flashlight
Your adventure’s coming to an end, the night is getting closer, but you don’t have time to go home. The only solution is opening the tent in the middle of nature and staying there with your friends until the morning comes. This is definitely the moment when you’re going to need good lighting, so don’t even think about going to the woods without this.
You can always buy a small flashlight so it doesn’t take up much space in your bag. And also, if you really have to sleep in the woods, you can also bring a lighter and matches to help you light a fire.
A compass and binoculars
Do you want to get a good view of the environment and keep a safe distance? Then don’t forget to bring some binoculars in your bag, as well. This way you’ll spot an animal from a large distance and prepare your next step without frightening it.
It wouldn’t be good to wander off the place like this, so the compass seems to be another significant thing to carry in your pocket. During this modern era, some people even came up with the idea of compass binoculars, so that you can have both in one!
A dog
There is no better help in this sport than the help of a little loyal companion. Their amazing sense of smell will bring you to the animal you were looking for. Its presence is always welcome as it can also represent a guardian which will protect us in case any kind of danger emerges.
As we mentioned under the first point, make sure that you have all of the necessary documents for the dog if you choose to be followed by one.
The length of this list depends on the individual’s necessities and could always be longer. Don’t forget some obligatory things like food and water, but also make sure that your bag is filled with essentials that will make this journey much more secure and easier.
