Hunting is an ancient activity that has been around for centuries. It is a way to provide food for your family, as well as to get closer to nature. While hunting may not be for everyone, it can be a rewarding experience if you know what you’re doing. Here are the top 10 old school hunting skills that every hunter should know.
Necessary Old School Hunting Skills
Knows Navigation
A map and compass are still necessary tools, even with the advent of GPSs. When hunting, be sure to always have these with you. In the event that you lose or break your GPS, you’ll need a backup device.
Knowing that the sun rises and sets in the east and how to determine the north using the Southern Cross are simple abilities that might save your life in an emergency one day.
Mentally Stable
Hunters are a sturdy bunch, and that’s exactly what they should be. Leaving the safety and security of modern life to go out into the wild and hunt is fraught with danger, and we must be prepared to face them.
Hunters face several dangers in the highlands, including weather, terrain, and long-distance travel with large equipment.
However, the phrase “physical fitness” does not adequately describe a hunter’s needs; a more appropriate term is “mental strength.” When you’re emotionally stable, your level of fitness isn’t as important as it is when you’re physically fit. Confidence in your abilities is bolstered by your ability to put one foot in front of the other for long periods of time.
Estimate Distance Without A Rangefinder
Even if you own a rangefinder, you may want to brush up on your abilities so that you can take a reading of an approaching buck when you don’t have time to use it. Try to determine the distance to random objects, such as trees or rocks in a range of open and forested settings while scouting. Then test your accuracy with your rangefinder—you’ll see that it improves rapidly.
Photograph Your Hunt
A hunter should always be photographing his or her hunts. You never know when something will go wrong, and you may not get the opportunity to hunt again soon. Having visual evidence of your hunts can help document them for future years, as well as provide some memories that last a lifetime.
Silently Stalk Through the Forest
You must move as gently, discreetly, and unobtrusively as possible. Take small, measured steps. Maintain your weight on your rear foot and feel the ground with the ball of your leading foot for loud leaves and sticks. After establishing a stable stance, gently shift your weight to your leading foot, rolling it onto the heel until it can support your whole weight. After that, repeat the procedure.
Carry A Survival Kit
Every hunter should carry a survival kit while they are out hunting game. A good kit will help ensure that the hunter is able to stay alive if they become lost, and it should contain matches, first-aid supplies, a compass, rope and a whistle.
Listen To The Weather
Always listen to the weather before going out hunting. Knowing about incoming storms or changes in wind direction is important for ensuring your safety while you are out hunting animals such as deer.
Bushcraft
To me, bushcraft is all about feeling at ease and competent in the environment, and this is achieved through spending time on the mountain watching and learning from others. It takes time and practice to learn how to set up a tent that is safe from the wind and rain while avoiding rainwater pools, recognize native flora and wildlife, and read animal signs to survive whatever weather fluctuations Mother Nature throws at you.
Take Time And Aim
Never assume that the animal will have only one chance to get away from them, so it is important to always take your time and aim carefully before you shoot an arrow or pull the trigger on your gun.
Be Sure Of Your Target
Never shoot at an animal or bird if you are unsure of what you are shooting at. Many people make the mistake of thinking that they see a deer and shoot it, but after doing so they learn that the animal was not a deer at all, and may actually have been someone’s pet or farm animal.
Is Hunting Necessary Today?
Hunters have many reasons why they hunt: They enjoy the outdoors and getting in touch with nature, they want to feed their families by providing meat from animals they’ve killed themselves, or they just love being able to do something with their time other than sitting in front of a screen all day long.
But some people wonder whether hunting is necessary at all? Is there any reason to go through the trouble of hunting animals? Let’s take a look at some facts.
Hunting has been around for centuries, and it has traditionally provided food for people all over the world. The earliest records of hunting are 3 million years old. People hunted because there was no other way to get food, and because wild game was easier to track and catch than domestic animals.
Over time, however, hunting became less necessary in some parts of the world thanks to farming and advancements in food transportation and preservation. But recently it has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to rising beef prices, environmental concerns (and the resulting rise in veganism), and for some people, ethical reasons.
Hunting is no longer simply a way to get food; it’s become an activity that provides fun, excitement and adventure for all kinds of people.
Can Anyone Hunt?
Before you go out hunting, there are some things you’ll want to consider first. If you’re not fully committed to the idea of becoming a hunter, now is the time to back out. There’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that go into hunting, and it’s not for everyone. If you decide to stay committed, make sure you know what type of hunting is right for you.
Is Hunting Right For You?
Everyone has their own individual needs when it comes to hunting. They may want to try hunting big game but have no interest in hunting smaller animals such as rabbits or squirrels. They may want to get involved with wildlife conservation efforts, or they may just be out for a nice weekend of camping and fishing. And while a lot of people do enjoy going hunting by themselves, you should know that many hunters prefer the company of a friend or two.
