5 Tips for your Out-of-State Hunt
Traveling across the country to chase big game is as exciting as it is intimidating. Being far from your home, shop, and stomping grounds presents a new set of challenges that require some crucial preparation ahead of time. Check out some of the most effective ways to ease your mind and increase your odds of success from the timber to the treeline.
1. Emergency Archery Repair Kit
Traveling to unforgiving destinations puts your bow and accessories at a higher risk of being damaged. Having a small emergency repair kit for your equipment can help to remedy a trip-ending mishap in minutes.
Things to keep in your Kit:
- Replacement d-loop cord
- Extra serving (2-3 feet) - some even carry dental floss just in case!
- Lighter
- D-loop/Needle-nose Pliers
- Allen Wrenches
Keeping these supplies on hand gives peace of mind when taking your bow on the road. You can design this kit to fit your exact needs and bow setup, and add any additional pieces that may better suit your needs.
2. Bring a Backup Release
Fumbling for a release that isn't there in the moment of truth is a bowhunter's worst nightmare. Although it's important to keep your release in an area with quick and easy access, this leaves you susceptible to losing it when hiking in the dark or busting through brush. Keeping a spare in a secure place like a zippered pouch can help to turn a missed opportunity into a successful trip.
3. Extra Sight Tapes
Elevation change can have a drastic effect on how your bow shoots especially at long distances. By bringing a few extra sight tapes that are close in number to your current tape, you can easily check your marks and adjust if need be when you get to your final destination. This ensures you aren't making easy mistakes when ranging and dialing your sight in the heat of the moment.
4. Spare Batteries
While most of your equipment doesn't require batteries or electronics, some of the most important pieces depend on them. Keeping an extra battery for your sight light can make the difference in executing an effective shot in low light on your target animal. Along with your sight, rangefinders also typically require a special battery that is notorious for going dead at the worst times. These batteries are both very small and will fit easily in your bino harness or backpack.
5. E-Scouting
Last but certainly not least, e-scouting the area or unit you'll be hunting can help to maximize your time in the field. By looking at areas of interest and placing pins for reference you will be able to narrow down your options and spend more time in terrain that provides the most opportunity for game. Not only does it save you time ahead of your trip, but it's also a very inexpensive way to get a good look over a large amount of ground from your laptop or phone.
Although taking your first trip out-of-state can be intimidating, these are a few steps you can make to provide peace of mind and better prepare yourself for the hunt ahead.