The ground softly crunches with every footstep. A chilly breeze rolls across your cheeks as you breathe in the sweet, earthiness of the woods. Your pups are excited to be back at it after a long, hot summer as they work the multitudes of scents across the ground hoping for a whiff of birds.
This picturesque moment is about to play out for so many of us that love to chase feathers. Whether you’re walking the woods and fields for woodcock and quail, pulling into your favorite preserve or settling into your duck blind, the old saying, “failing to plan is planning to fail” will absolutely ring true. This month, we make sure those little, and not so little, details are buttoned up to give us the best opportunity to fill our bags.
Location, Location, Location
With a private lease, the location is pretty easy although a lease is no guarantee on quarry. You need to understand the habitat for your targeted species, as well as migration preferences. A lot of this is collected from previous hunts and summer research as you’ll have a better idea of the chance for success. Mapping apps such as OnX and HuntStand are great with pinpointing and tracking specific areas, so you know everything from where to park, water sources, ravines to avoid, boundary lines and previous successes.
For those headed out of state, contact the tourism department for your destination. About mid-August, my mail carrier hates me. The department will send you maps, hunting specific books particularly for “WIA-Walk In Access” properties and more. I’m always in the mid-west for a couple weeks in October and I cross through half a dozen states, all of which with public land and wild birds. Before you blast me for all that paper, there’s something to be said for being able to scribble down an emergency vet location and number in towns I’m hunting through as well as noting spots for gas and groceries. There are large swaths of land out west that have very low or no cell service. God forbid you’re left scrambling trying to find a vet for a snake bite or tangle with barbed wire.
Be Social!
There are a ton of hunting groups across the country. You’re not going to get a map to someone’s honey hole, but you’ll glean great info on where to start, where to avoid and potential populations in that area. Often, someone will offer to go out with you, so they don’t have to hunt alone, basically acting as a local guide!
Got Gear?
It’s important to have the right gear for the hunt. Again, this is a matter of planning and researching. Are you trekking up into the mountains for grouse? Walking for miles across the grasslands? Defying the freezing cold to sit the morning in your blind? Be prepared for the terrain, the weather and the possibility of failure.
I say the possibility of failure as in no birds, your gun doesn’t go bang, your GPS on dog collar stops working, etc. You can’t carry two of everything, nor do you want to try and pack that much gear. Just be sure the gear that you do have is in good working order, free of gunk and grime and fully charged.
When it comes to boots, guns and dog collars, I do carry an extra of each of those. If one of those items goes down, my hunt is over. I’ve pushed the envelope on a dead collar before, but it was nerve-wracking. Gunner is super solid but hunting those draws and coulies out west with no eyes on your dog is very unsettling. I don’t plan on doing it again.
Even if you’re hunting just an hour or two from home you need to plan accordingly. Know the forecast, closest emergency vet, have plenty of water even a dinner ration in case you run late, or the truck breaks down. Always carry a medical kit for you and your pup!
Akward Ain’t Filling Your Bird Bag
Be confident and efficient with your shotgun. Practice, or better yet, a private or group lesson will be pay off in dividends. If your gun jams, can you break it down? Have you practiced shooting in what you’re wearing to hunt, or will the buttstock get hung up? Are you nervous about going out by yourself or is your buddy also pretty inexperienced? Is your dog ready? When hunting public land do you have a backup in case your original plan doesn’t work out?
There’s no question we are all mentally ready for cooler weather, autumnal colors and chances at feathers. But are we physically ready? Take an assessment of your gear and be sure to plan for success. Make certain you share time practicing and hunting with a friend or family member. You’re going to need someone to take a pic of all those birds lined up in front of you and your pup!
