Hunting has been a faithful companion of man since ancient times until the present day. In the primitive communal system, it was almost the only way to earn a living. Ancient people used simple weapons – stones, clubs, spears, organized collective roundups, and built trapping pits. In our industrial age, man hunts not for food. It’s more a sport, excitement, and adrenaline. Yes, and equipment for hunting has changed and improved. Nowadays, you can easily purchase all the necessary equipment for hunting, including scopes and scatter guns. Below, we have gathered the basics you need for a successful hunt.
How to choose equipment for hunting
The main criteria to consider when choosing equipment are:
– Durability
– Durability
– Lightness
– Convenience
– Versatility of use
Strength and durability are especially important when choosing guns, and traps. It is quite an unpleasant situation when you track an animal for a long time, finally get it on a fly, pull the trigger – and nothing happens.
The weight of equipment also has considerable value. Especially if hunting on foot is expected. It’s not at all comfortable to carry an extra 20 kilograms. Fortunately, modern technology allows an optimal combination of durability and small weight.
Comfort first of all concerns clothes and shoes. Shoes should not chafe, and clothes – cramped motion. This allows you to move quickly, and seconds are often decisive when you are hunting.
Versatility allows you to use the same things for hunting at different times of the year without spending extra money on equipment. For example, jackets on a fastened lining.
What you need to take on the hunt
To make a list of necessary equipment for hunting, you need to decide in advance how long you will stay in the countryside, whether there will be an overnight stay, as well as who will hunt. It is also recommended to read the weather forecast. Do not take unnecessary things with you – they might not be necessary, but they will create an additional load.
Here is a sample outfit for a hunting trip of one day:
Clothing and shoes according to the season.
A duffel backpack.
A shotgun with a case.
Extractor.
Case with ammunition.
Covered knife.
Navigator.
Hunting lance.
A bag for the prey.
Not to forget, of course, about the food and water, as well as the first aid kit.
Shotgun
A gun is the holy of holies for a hunter. And there are a lot of disputes about the right choice of it.
Some hunters advise using classic double-barrel shotguns. They are lightweight and not so long that they cling to tree branches. The most popular is the 20 gauge because of its weak recoil.
Others prefer a carbine as a hunting weapon. It is lightweight, short, and allows you to hunt at a distance that is inaccessible to smooth bore rifles. If you install a scope, you can increase the distance even further.
It is necessary to use a carrying case to carry the gun. It will protect against damage, dust, and dirt. The best option is a case made of soft leather. It doesn’t weigh much and won’t make your luggage heavy. However, if you have a long ride to the hunting area, and even on rough terrain, you should give preference to a hard-shell carrying case. It will not be possible to take it for hunting, but you can leave it in the car. But it will protect your gun better during transportation.
The extractor is a device for cleaning the gun. Many hunters do not consider it a necessary attribute. But situations when it is necessary to clean the muzzle, however, are not excluded. It can be a defective cartridge or the ingress of dirt. Therefore, it is not worth neglecting such equipment for hunting.
Cartridges and a cartridge case
It is not necessary to try to take as many cartridges of various kinds as possible. After all, no one ever hunts for everything in a row. Foremost, you should decide what kind of prey you want to get and then get all the ammunition you want at the rate of five rounds per one animal or bird.
A cartridge case is an essential piece of hunting equipment because cartridges can’t stand moisture. And in the woods, it is often wet. Therefore, its design should be closed.