5 Essential Hunting Accessories
Hunting is a really wonderful, and mostly underappreciated, sport. It allows participants to get outside, to get exercise, and to develop a number of different skills, all while keeping fit. Hunting can be pursued as a solo activity, but more commonly it is something that is done with friends and family on a deer hunting lease. This adds another dimension to it and elevates it from another simple sport to an experience, something to be enjoyed with others whose company we enjoy. Some people have no desire to actually fire a weapon at another creature, but still enjoy participating as a spectator in hunting excursions because of the bonding and teamwork involved.
All you need for a hunt is a gun (which we will discuss below), but it is worth taking the time to research some other accessories and peripherals which will make the experience easier and which will help to enhance your performance as a hunter. In this article we consider the most important hunting accessories, the ones that will raise the enjoyment, efficiency, and safety of your hunt.
Rifle or Shotgun
As mentioned above, you need a gun in order to go hunting. The type of gun you need will depend on the type of hunt that you are participating in, for example deer hunting or musk hunting. Reliable suppliers like Woodbury Outfitters supply a large selection of rifles so you should easily be able to find one that suits your purpose.
Boots
You can’t put a price on a pair of quality boots, the boots themselves will not set you back a huge amount, but the amount of grief that they will save you further down the line make them an absolutely essential purchase. Poor quality or inappropriate boots can lead to blisters, which can end your hunting trip in an instant. Over the long term, the wrong boots can cause pain, aches, and muscle damage which can put you out of action for weeks. A good pair of boots will set you back, but they are worth every penny.
photo/ svklimkin
Waterproofs
The United States is home to a wide range of climates and environments. Where and when you prefer to hunt will affect how important it is that you have sturdy and reliable waterproof clothing. However, if you are likely to come up against the elements, then you will want to invest in something that you can trust to keep you and your equipment dry even in the heaviest rain. You should also go for something that is as lightweight as possible, after all, as a hunter you will already need to carry around a lot of heavy equipment.
Backpack
A backpack is one of the most important accessories in the hunter’s arsenal. You need a backpack which will be able to carry enough weight to handle all your accessories, which is comfortable to carry even while fully loaded, and which will keep all its’ contents safe. It is a good idea to go for something with some padding to it so that if it’s dropped, the gear inside is relatively protected.
First Aid Kit
You always need to prepare for the unexpected so carrying a fully stocked first aid kit is absolutely essential. You can buy pre-made kits, or you can put one together yourself.
Hunting is a wonderful activity and one of the great American pastimes, but if you don’t prepare adequately you can easily find yourself running into trouble. Make sure that before you set out on a hunt, you have run through a checklist of the essentials.
Author: Carol Trehearn
