Checklist for winter hunting

January 2, 2024

Since ancient times, when our ancestors lived in large groups and caves, hunting was the only way to get food and feed the family. The men of the tribe united to hunt colossal prey. It was a true survival instinct. It didn't matter what the weather or the season was; the only thing that mattered was bringing the meat. This is not surprising because it is still said that men desire to hunt at the level of their bodies. Perhaps that is why they still adore this activity despite thousands of years of evolution. Of course, mammoth hunting is a thing of the past. You no longer need to risk your life and health to get food and feed your family, but whether it is nature and instincts, an irresistible desire for extremes, or simply a tribute to traditions, men all over the world understand all the intricacies of hunting and have an incredible desire to get prey. Hunting is a great time to be alone with nature, enjoy the scenery, and understand the diversity of flora and fauna. However, even though hunters do not become hunters to survive but to satisfy their desires and needs, it remains the same dangerous occupation. Because wild nature dictates its own rules of behavior and survival, which should be followed. How many times have you heard stories about missing hunters? Or you, who did not follow specific rules or were not prepared and died at the hands of animals. And it didn't have to be predators because even the cutest creatures can attack in crises. Therefore, to go hunting, you should have excellent skills and the ability to behave in the wild, to be able to distinguish between animals and plants, and to have good physical fitness and endurance because a lot depends on this.
A special feeling of adrenaline when it is worth hiding and searching for prey, lurking and preparing for a shot that cuts through the air and hits the target directly. Is this the feeling we are after? That fine line between danger and pleasure makes everyone want the blade's edge and crave it more and more.
Countless hunting animals hold a special place in the heart of every hunter. As a rule, the most prestigious and challenging at the same time is to get a predator or some huge and robust beast. That is why hunting for, say, deer is considered prestigious. After all, this vast and powerful, proud animal adds fear and an irresistible desire before pursuing. And as we know, adrenaline can increase our strength and abilities.
As for predators, this is also a particular pleasure because scientists have long proven that man is also a predator. Such a confrontation of species makes the blood in the vessels accelerate and want to prove its superiority. But as we know, most predators lead a nocturnal lifestyle because they have everything necessary for this. From the ability to camouflage in the dark, which is much easier to do than during the day, to the unique structure of the eye, which allows them to see at night no worse than during the day. So how can you compete to the death with these fast and nocturnal animals? This is usually night hunting, which requires even better training and skills from everyone, excellent ability to disguise, and special equipment because the difficulty of night hunting cannot be overestimated. That is why already experienced hunters try to try their hand at night and win over the prey. However, it would be best never to think that night hunting is one of the most difficult because you can prepare well for it and develop your senses. Of course, it is more dangerous, but the level of adrenaline and pleasure is off the charts.
During night hunting, we cannot do without a powerful night vision device so that our capabilities with the predator are on par because nature's ability to see at night is embedded in them. Therefore, before such a trip, bring glasses, a scope, or other devices that work with night vision technology, depending on your skills and needs. Suppose you are not fond of night hunting but have already mastered ordinary hunting. In that case, we suggest you try a completely different level of pleasure, which combines ordinary hunting, which we already understand, and the danger and intrigue of night hunting.
Winter hunting is an activity that requires your dedication and a heightened level of training, although it is fascinating. To go hunting in the winter, you should understand all the details and have all the necessary equipment.

Winter hunting, what is it, and what are its features
Winter hunting is a hunt that can take place over several days in an open space with an overnight stay in tents in the middle of wild nature. But several factors make it so difficult at once.
First, it is the weather conditions, because it is freezing around, snow everywhere, making it difficult to move.
Secondly, most animals either adapt to winter, such as hares or squirrels, they change the color of their fur to camouflage themselves in the white snow better, or they hibernate, such as bears (which is both a plus and a minus), so you should understand which booty you go.
Thirdly, hunting can occur around the clock, so the amount of special equipment increases significantly, as does the need for physical training. Not only that, everyone needs to be able to use it correctly and appropriately; having it in a bag is not enough.
But that's what makes it so unique. The hunt is challenging and exhausting when there is only wild nature around; you must always be ready for everything, understand the tracks and signs, think everything through, and follow the plan. However, success in such a hunt brings much more satisfaction because the efforts made had their results. Despite all the dangers and difficulties of winter hunting, if you understand all its features and follow specific rules that have been tested thousands of times by the most experienced hunters, even in winter, you can get great pleasure and results from hunting.

Rules of winter hunting
Successful winter hunting requires an excellent understanding of the weather conditions and features of the chosen area. Therefore, before the trip, study the weather forecast to avoid harmful conditions, and also read or ask other hunters about the area where you will hunt. Are there places for tents, and how difficult is the road to that point? Also, study the variety of animals that live there to choose the prey you want to get and be ready for different events.
Of course, one should not forget about hunting rules because not all animals fall under the term "free hunting" when such animals can be hunted regardless of the season. Some need protection or are on the verge of extinction, so such a hunt can cost you dearly. It is better to study this issue in advance and choose a prey not from this list. Take care and bring documents, licenses, and all permits for hunting and use of weapons with you to avoid trouble and leave only pleasant memories from hunting. Be sure to prepare all the necessary equipment, such as a rifle, night vision device, knife, warm shoes, flashlight, tent with sleeping bag, and cooking utensils, to make your hunt successful and comfortable.
Keep all electronic devices charged and almost extra charging stations or batteries for recharging so that everything works clearly and as you intended.

Checklist for winter hunting
Despite all the dangers and difficulties of winter hunting, if you understand all its features and follow specific rules that have been tested thousands of times by the most experienced hunters, even in winter, you can get great pleasure and results from hunting.
The most important thing, without which absolutely no hunting can be done, is weapons. This rifle is relatively light in weight, as you can work with it for quite a long time. As a rule, it can also be equipped with a sight, allowing you to track and shoot prey at a reasonably long distance. After all, depending on your wishes and financial capabilities, modern rifles can have sights of different power and range, or you can always modify it yourself and improve the range of sight and the quality of the image in it. The success of your hunt and sometimes even your life and health greatly depend on it. But, it is also essential that the sight is built-in or additionally improved with a night vision device since the day in winter is much shorter than the night. The duration of the hunt can be unlimited, and a night vision device will come in handy. Night vision technology is the modern salvation of any hunter because it allows you to see images at night in real-time with the help of residual light from celestial bodies (night vision devices) or by reading the different temperatures of bodies and transmitting them as an image in the lens (thermal vision). Of course, both work principles have advantages and disadvantages, but they are worth your attention, especially during winter hunting. Therefore, take care of this in advance so that later you are focused on tracking prey in the dark when modern technologies have provided you with all the opportunities for a high-quality and pleasant hunt.
Of course, all the necessary equipment for the gun, such as ammo in sufficient quantity and even with a spare, as well as a bag or case for the gun, should be with you. So you will be okay with the number of cartridges and whether they will be enough to achieve the goals, and the bag will ensure reliable storage of the gun and its long-term operation. Continuing the theme of weapons, take a knife with you because there have yet to be situations on the hunt when it would not have come in handy. For example, you caught a game that needed to be planned. That is, it's not just a trophy, and that's it, it's a way to survive, it's your food. Of course, in this case, you cannot do without a knife to disassemble the prey, process it, and prepare it. For example, you may need a knife to fire or collect firewood. Plus, it should be pretty sharp and medium length because the animal you hunt can be significant. Let's say a wild boar with very thick skin that is not easy to pierce or cut or a graceful deer that is quite large and will be too difficult to take apart with a small knife, so consider this before preparing to hunt.
A knife is also helpful for security because hunting is unpredictable, and someone may be tracking you while following your prey. In this case, you won't have time to use the gun, and the knife is perfect for close self-defense, so keep it close at all times to use at any time. But we note that it is worth following the rules of storage and use of weapons so they do not harm you.
It is not enough to have equipment capable of shooting prey because it must also be lured to you. That is why, depending on the animal species you will hunt, you need to choose the right bait. If you plan to pursue a predator, the trick you will need is just ordinary meat. Just note that the baits should not be placed near the place of your placement and not at a considerable distance from each other so that you can follow the animal's movement and keep sight of it.
We've covered what gear you need to lure and prepare your prey, but there's one essential thing you can only go hunting with: clothing and your equipment. Let's start with clothes because winter is unpredictable, and you should be prepared for rain, snow, and low temperatures. Therefore, you should take with you and immediately put on warm clothes that will fit tightly to your body, but note that in addition to warmth, your clothes should be light and comfortable enough so that you can move freely and be mobile sufficiently on the hunt itself. Therefore, we recommend wearing compression underwear under your hunting suit because it will maintain your normal thermoregulation and, at the same time, light. Also, make sure your clothes are tight and waterproof, which will provide warmth and protect you from humidity. Shoes should also be chosen appropriately. Please do not put on a new take because it can be uncomfortable and rub your wounds, which will be painful to hunt with. Shoes should be warm and light, freely accept any position of your feet, and be waterproof to protect your feet. And, of course, warm socks to add softness and keep warm. Choose, for example, warm high boots with a heated insole, which can save you warm during an extended stay in the cold.
Remember your head and hands, and be sure to wear a warm hat; pay attention to how tightly it fits your head so that it does not press your head but does not slide over your eyes and thus does not block your view. And, of course, warm gloves so that your hands are not constantly in the cold. It should be noted that you should be comfortable wearing gloves for various tasks, from the hunt itself and sorting out the prey to setting up the tent, which, by the way, should also be taken with you on the hunt. After all, the tent will become your home during the hunt, so you should take care of your comfort. The tent should correspond to the size of the people who will sleep in it so that no one is cramped or too free (because there will not be enough heat. Also, choose waterproof tents with a thickened bottom to make it more comfortable to rest after hunting. Choose a tent that you can put up because other modifications can cause misunderstandings and negative emotions, and for a successful hunt, we need a clear mind and concentration. For this, we should rest well, which will help us with mattresses or sleeping bags. Since we only sometimes know the terrain where we will hunt, buy thicker mattresses for a comfortable and softer sleep. Also, take care of blankets or thermal sleeping bags so you don't get cold at night because a restful sleep will allow you to recover better and start hunting with new energy.
In winter conditions, the daylight hours are very short and much shorter than at night. Therefore, we advise you to take a flashlight on the hunt. After all, everything in the dark is not so scary if you direct a beam of light at it. Of course, you will need a flashlight in any situation, starting from where you need to find something in a bag or tent with poor lighting and ending with searching for prey or disassembling baits. However, it is impossible to overestimate the importance of a flashlight because it is an indispensable device for hunting and everyday life. Therefore, when going on a winter hunt, we advise you to take several flashlights with you of different sizes and modifications; for example, one will hang in the tent for light, another outside for gatherings by the fire or cooking, and one small one should always be in your pocket, just in case. Remember to take several pairs of batteries or accumulators to not be left without light at the most necessary moment.
Also, what should be taken care of before winter hunting is a first-aid kit, which will contain everything you need to provide first aid in any case. Thermal blankets in case of transfer, hemostatics in case of injury, and various medicines for other issues, such as poisoning, which can happen to anyone, anywhere. Therefore, so that your hunt does not end with an illness or a hospital, we recommend that you take everything you need in advance to avoid wasting precious time in an emergency.
Everyone who has tried WINTER HUNTING at least once can no longer refuse it because it is an incredible experience that adds a little extreme to everyday life. Every hunter must train their body and skills in handling weapons to stay in good shape, and the hunt brings pleasure and results. Moreover, developers are finding new methods and improvements to outdated equipment and bait to make your hunting even more interesting and exciting. Of course, each hunter goes hunting for their reasons; for some, the most important thing is to get the long-awaited prey and to enjoy the trophy; for others, the very process of hunting and tracking the game is essential because, at this moment, they feel like all-powerful predators, which is also natural. After all, humanity hunted similarly for thousands of years before us, and these are our instincts. Others go on a winter hunt for beautiful landscapes and nature, looking for unique species of animals or plants and studying the secrets of the surrounding world; that's an absolute pleasure. In this case, the hunter doesn't have to shoot the prey; often, they use a photo weapon to track down and photograph a valuable specimen.
Each hunter gets something different from hunting, but everyone must follow safety rules and prepare carefully for this action. Study the area where you will hunt, take all the necessary equipment that may be needed during the hunt, take care of your heat and health, and, of course, food, the need for which is natural and constant. Therefore, we recommend that you make a list of all the things you may need, in what quantities and modifications, and take them all before your trip. Remember your map and documents to avoid problems with law enforcement agencies.
We hope your hunt will be productive and bring you incredible pleasure, regardless of your goals.