If the Navy can lose confidence in a ship’s captain for something as embarrassing as mounting a rifle scope backward, imagine what a bull elk might think if you stroll into the woods with your sling twisted, your scope on correctly, or your boots on the wrong feet. Commanding officers and hunters aren’t all that different — both are expected to show up prepared, focused, and with their gear squared away. After all, nobody wants to be the guy who becomes a punchline because his “clear sight picture” is more like a blurry cartoon. (See the viral Navy photo below. Yikes.)

So before you head out at first light, give your gear a good once-over. Check your scope, secure your straps, and make sure everything is pointed the right direction. The Navy might be able to reassign a captain when things go sideways, but in the Montana backcountry, your only reassignment is back to camp empty-handed. A little extra care up front keeps the jokes off you and the stories on successful hunting stories!