Matty Two Times asked:
I’m going hunting in way upstate New York (deer hunting mostly but we’re going after anything from squirrels to black bears), and I need to know what I should bring. I have most of the generic equipment, guns (.30-06 and 12 gauge), ammo, camo, scent-lok, extra layers, etc, but is there anything else I need? More importantly, this is my first time hunting, and I need advice on how to be a better hunter. Help.
I’m going hunting in way upstate New York (deer hunting mostly but we’re going after anything from squirrels to black bears), and I need to know what I should bring. I have most of the generic equipment, guns (.30-06 and 12 gauge), ammo, camo, scent-lok, extra layers, etc, but is there anything else I need? More importantly, this is my first time hunting, and I need advice on how to be a better hunter. Help.
Your going into a fairly remote area and should the worst happen, maybe a fall and a broken leg, or worse, could be life threatening . Just getting lost, you could literally walk around in circles till you starve.
The solution is to carry a SARBE. It’s a beacon than when activated sends a distress signal via a satellite and alerts the authorities to the fact that that you are in distress. Mostly used by sailors but no reason why a hunter should not carry one. Check with a local Chandler for models and prices. It might even be possible to rent one for the duration of the trip.
There nothing nicer than the sight of a rescue chopper when you need one.
Not much info to go on here, but I’ll give it a shot (no pun intended). If you are NOT camping out and staying in a lodge or other accomadations bring:
A hand axe
A gerber folding saw
A good knife such as a Schrade skinning knife
Cooler for the meat
plastic bags or baggies
binoculars
maps/compass or gps
If you are hunting from a stand a camo face mask and gloves
license and tags
A good book to read at night or in the stand
apples (stomp on them before you go out to hunt
some webbing or rope to drag your deer with
blaze orange somthing (hat, coat, vest)
Sunglasses
a boresnake for field cleaning your rifle and one for the shotgun
I probably forgot something, but good luck and enjoy yourself.
Lots of good answers here, just thought I’d make two suggestions, if a cooler is too bulky, once you gut you animal, throw some salt into the meat. Also, if you have to pack the meat out in say, two or more trips (more for moose and elk then for deer,) then bring some pepper along and shake over the meat. The smell will keep animals from eating anything left cached for later
Bring lots, because you will need lots.
If your going into unfamiliar territory a very good GPS unless your going with an outfitter good luck and be careful