The Captain developed the Hunter’s Checklist with input from fellow hunters and it is always changing. Here is a clever addition to keep you prepared for the worst. Andy Goodover emailed the Captain with this tip:
Cap,
I have one suggestion to add to your list…a small bottle of hand sanitizer, and I mean the small travel size. After you field dress your animal or after nature calls its there for you to use. But the real reason I carry it is its almost 100% alcohol. Put some on the toilet paper we all carry, and you have fire starter that burns with barely a spark from flint and steel.
HUNTER’S CHECKLIST
- Cell phone in your vehicle–it just might save your life.
- Toilet paper, small bucket, and shovel in your vehicle–when nature calls
- Travel size hand sanitizer
- Hunting license (yes, check it again to make sure) so you can hunt when you get there.
- 2012 sunrise/sunset tables-so you know when you can start and have to stop
- Good pair of hunting boots and warm socks plus an extra pair of socks–there’s nothing worse than wet or sore feet
- Sharp knifes, and a pack saw–one for the hide, one for quartering
- Sharpening stone or steel
- Game bags and a quarter-pound can of pepper and a spray can of Pam–they keep flies off your game after you field dress it
- Rain gear–dry is better than wet
- Extra clothing–it would be nice if you could take layers off as the day warms up
- Plastic tarp–to place your animal on when cleaning or to cover up when transporting
- Binoculars–they give you an edge and are safer than glassing from your rifle scope
- Range finder
- Hunting GPS maps (chip for your Garmin GPS–hunt with confidence)
- Electrical or duct tape–to tape your license onto the carcass (after you validate it by cutting out the month and date)
- Hunter’s orange sweatshirt or vest and cap–it’s the law (400 square inches above the waist)
- Compass or GPS unit-if you want to get back to camp
- Map of your hunting area-so you don’t trespass or get lost
- Sighted in rifle and ammo–one-shot is the best hunt
- Ammo carrier–makes things easier in the heat of the moment and keeps your cartridges clean
- Orange marker tape– it helps you get back to camp and can help mark the site of your kill
- Five to 10 feet of rope–hundreds of uses
- Small flashlight–helps before dawn or after sunset
- Matches in waterproof case and small candle–they will help keep you warm if you need to start a fire
- Energy bar–it helps you keep going and is light to pack
- Leatherman tool–a thousand uses
- A good spare tire, jack and tire wrench–ever been stranded?
- Two pairs of gloves–in case one pair gets lost or wet
- One pair of rubber dishwashing gloves–use when field dressing your animal
- Two one-gallon jugs of water–many uses, including washing hands and washing out carcasses
- Sunglasses–if you get in a snow situation, you won’t be squinting all day
- Warm cap–most body heat is lost through your head (with or without hair)
Also, put supplies into a fanny pack: a pocket first aid kit, small package of trail mix, small water bottle, pocket-size emergency blanket, plastic garbage bag (cut armholes and head hole and you have a rain proof vest), small packet of fire starter, short piece of nylon cord (to help drag game out), waterproof matches and a throw away cigarette lighter. Also, don’t forget an extra set of vehicle keys. Finally, a camera–a picture is worth a thousand words.
If you have a tip you would like to add to the list, e-mail me atcaptain@montanaoutdoor.com or drop it in the mail to: Hunting Tips 4591 Heavens Gate, Missoula, MT 59803.
