Preparedness leads to a safer hunting season
Brian Baxter | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years AGO
All across Northwestern Montana the signs are becoming more obvious each day. Small groups of folks gather around the backs of pickups to admire the trophies they hold. Conversations are punctuated by the common phrase, “Been hunting?”
The snow levels are creeping down into our valleys, pushing elk and deer into the winter ranges. The whitetail rut is becoming more intense. Prime times for many aspects of hunting are upon us, and I bet most of us are ready, or at least we hope so.
For some reason, it always seems to take more time than anticipated to prepare for the serious task of filling our freezers with high-protein meat from the wild lands around us. In many cases, it is a survival mission. Whether one hunts with a significant other, family, friends, youngsters or grandchildren, the wise individual will plan.
Sure, there are the lucky few who just happen to take a big buck out of pure chance, but for the most part, similar to many things in life, what you put into it is what you get out of it.
We rally to get our vehicles in the best shape possible. Tune-ups, oil changes, rotating our tires, and weight behind the wheel wells are standard. Throw in our chains, shovels, kindling, extra water and a sleeping bag just in case. Next, add wheelbarrows or game carts. A ready-to-go chain saw and a long length of strong rope are handy for a blow-down in the road.
In the cab, we have our maps. Put them in a plastic file box, labeled if possible, to keep them organized. A meat pack with some extra rope, flagging, game bags and an extra knife are also useful. Gallon plastic bags for the heart and liver are also a good idea. I carry a small sounding ax from my timber cruising days, which can also be very helpful.
The day pack is an integral part of a wise hunter’s equipment. This can hold, among many other items, knives and sharpening stones, headlamps and flashlights, compact meat saw, fire starter, hand warmers, first aid kit and a space blanket. Using flat kitchen containers can help keep small items organized and dry.
A GPS, map, compass, knife, toilet paper, extra ammo, spare hat and gloves, game calls, rattling devices, electrical tape for your rifle barrel, and your hunting license round out the prepared hunter’s list.
The bottom line is that overly thorough beats the heck out of ill-prepared! A considerate individual carries what he or she needs so that they do not impose on their hunting partners and to ensure that they will return that evening to their loved ones and a warm home.
ARTICLES BY BRIAN BAXTER
Voices in the Wilderness: Forest Choir
After the snowfall, Old Man Winter rests. He is warm now, with his long white hair flowing down his shoulders. After conjuring up infinite patterns of snow flakes, each one unique, and gently laying down the soft blanket of albescence, he tucks his chin into his full beard and begins to dream. In the mountains, the creatures of the earth begin to stir after the quietness of the last flake falling has been fully appreciated.
The Camaraderie of Hunters
Although the rather unexpected warmer temperatures and lack of snow at low- to mid-elevations during most of our recent hunting season did not help much, many hunters had a great season. And seasons are measured in a variety of ways, depending on each individual hunter.
Please thank our tireless firefighters
In the pitch dark, with layers of smoke blocking out the moon and stars, a lone driver takes off on a mission. He meanders his pickup through a maze of old logging roads that would trap a man easily. He feels a slight adrenaline rush of the fight or flight syndrome as he encounters ridiculously steep drop offs at every switchback. It’s a long, treacherous drive, and as he approaches an alder tunnel he fears he has missed his drop point. There are no turnouts on the hill where the Bay Horse fire is active. The old road warrior continues through the brushed in access road in hopes of finding the initial attack team that is spike camped out for the night. Busting through the one last bottleneck of vegetation, the wheel man arrives at the bivouacked squad’s location. Justin Figgins’s exhausted, black-faced crew are glad to see the driver, who has hot meals, Gatorade and other goodies, as well as humorous comments for the men and women of this squad.