Hunting is a lot of fun when you are prepared when you head out. Since you only have a few days to get ready this check list should help you get ready. Feel free to clip this Hunter’s Checklist out. Oh yes if you have a tip you would like to add to the list e-mail me at captain@montanaoutdoor.com or drop it in the mail to: Hunting Tips 4591 Heavens Gate, Missoula, MT 59803.
HUNTERS CHECKLIST
- Small bottle of hand sanitizer-it’s almost 100% alcohol, can be used to help start a fire when placed on toilet paper
- Cell phone in your vehicle-it just might save your life, plus doubles as a camera
- Toilet paper, small bucket, and shovel in your vehicle-when nature calls
- Hunting license and tags (yes, check it again to make sure) so you can hunt when you get there.
- 2014 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 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
- Binocular- they give you an edge and are safer than glassing from your rifle scope
- Range finder-better chance if you know your distance
- Electrical or duct tape-to tape your license onto the carcass (after you validate it by cutting out the month and date)
- Hunters 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
- Garmin GPS unit loaded with the Montana mapping System from huntingGPSmaps.com
- 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
- Bottle of smoke so you know which way the wind is blowing
- 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-hundred uses
- Small flashlight-helps before dawn or after sunset
- Head lamp for hands free in the dark
- Matches in waterproof case and small candle- it 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-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 pkg. 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. An extra set of vehicle keys. Finally a camera-a picture is worth a thousand words.
To compare your hunting rig inventory with the Captain’s 2014 vehicle checklist, click here.