Hunting is a great way to get backpack outdoors, getting in touch with nature and getting that much needed fresh air you need. As you can imagine, hunting dates back to the early centuries where the earliest civilisations hunted animals as it was their only source of food. Without hunting, there would have been an imbalance in the food chain. Currently, there are about 300,000 active hunters within Australia out of a population of about 24 million, of which one million are involved in shooting and firearms. Back in the early civilisations, hunters used bows, arrows and spears to hunt their prey. But now since we have guns, they have increased the success rates of hunting. Hunting in fact, is one of the best ways to preserve wildlife and balance nature. Naturally, hunting has helped the ecosystem in more ways than one. There is a number of licensing and regulations that you (as a hunter) may be aware of abide by. As you may already know, hunting laws differ between each state and territory. Animals such as rabbits, hares, foxes, feral cats, wild dogs, deer, pigeons and others can be legally hunted in Australia. Most species are classified as feral or pest animals that can be hunted at any time. Other animals are classified as game animals where they can only hunted in regulated seasons. Hunting is a popular activity around the world. For some, it may be an addictive sport. There are also a number of people that participate in hunting as a recreational activity. You, as well as many others, may enjoy hunting because of the challenge. It’s a challenge that, once you overcome, gives you confidence to move onto the next challenge. It can be extremely fun and give you the sense of achievement once you have caught your game. Hunting requires a lot of skill and patience. There’s much more to hunting than just going out into the bush and killing animals. To be successful, planning your hunt is crucial. Preparation is key! There are a lot of questions to be answered before you set out on your trip. Where will you go? What will you pack? Do you plan on staying overnight? Are you going alone or will there be others with you? How will you take care of the game you plan on killing? These type of questions are important to think about to ensure you are ready to go.
In particular, backpack hunting has significantly increased in participation over the past few years with more people out in the bush. Backpack hunting is a great way to explore the outdoors. When going backpack hunting, there things you need to remember to bring. This will allow you to hunt more efficiently and effectively. When you’re knee deep in camping and backpack hunting gear, it’s easy to forget some of the most important items. A good idea is to pre-pack a must-bring bag before your next hunt with all the backpack hunting essentials so you’re never without that one thing you forgot to bring. However, it’s easy to get carried away with what to bring and sometimes that can leave you over packing and taking things that you might not need. This not only slows you down but can decrease your chance of success. There are a number of essentials to bring on your trip, but sometimes it’s good to take a step back and think about the simple, big picture items to keep in mind when packing. There are certain things to also keep at the forefront of your mind to better your backpack hunting. The most critical component of backpack hunting is having the necessary equipment to do so. Get the best, lightest equipment you can afford. Good equipment can be pricey, but if you’re a regular hunter and serious about increasing your chances, investing in quality equipment is a must. At Maverick Hunting, we aim to supply you great hunting gear at affordable prices. We acknowledge the need for quality products and welcome you to our online store for hunting supplies, clothing, accessories and many more.
Backpacks
If you’re a hardcore backpack hunter who pushes yourself and your body, there are a number of great backpack manufacturers that use fine materials, quality construction, functional and unique ideas, and practical solutions. One of the most imperative pieces of gear for a backpack hunt is the pack itself. You will need to be able to pack all the necessary gear as well as food to last your trip. This may vary to some, but important factors to consider when selecting a backpack are the size, durability, versatility as well as comfort. Many of you may hunt for more than one day, so packs that are small enough to compress and pack on your back are suitable. Ideally you would want to choose a pack that is small and light enough to carry for long hunt hunts, but big enough to carry what you need. Choosing a smaller pack over a large one will be easier for you to carry and force you to only bring the necessities. Furthermore, lightweight packs with a durable and sturdy frame are a huge bonus. Comfort is another important aspect. There are a lot of brands on the market, so you should be looking for a brand that suits you personally in terms of adjustment and comfort.
Quality clothing and boots
Backpack hunting starts with that you will wear on day one and most likely end in the same outfit. This is why quality clothing is a no brainer for hunting. Good quality and durable hunting clothing and boots are expensive, but you certainly get what you pay for. Investing that extra bit of money towards durable and long lasting gear ensures that your clothes will withstand the harsh terrain and weather. It will keep you insulated during those cold days and prevent you being soaking wet from the rain. Lightweight wool base layers with simple lightweight outer layers and an outer shell for wind and rain protection is ideal when backpack hunting. Depending on where you are hunting, the need for rain gear will vary. Just like your pack, if your boots fail on you, it will result in a quickly ended hunt. Rocks and hard terrain can easily destroy a pair of cheap boots. Durable hunting boots will keep your feet dry and last you throughout many hunting trips. Nothing has the ability to end a backpack hunt like blisters. One of the fastest ways to get them is by hiking in wet boots. While keeping your feet dry sounds simple enough, it is always a reoccurring issue. It may not even be raining during your hunt, but taking extra precautions when crossing streams and walking through grass with dew can help prevent your boots from getting wet.
Sleep system
Deciding to stay overnight means you will need a sound sleep system and shelter. A sleeping setup consists of some sort of shelter, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Opting for sleeping bags that will keep you warm during those cold nights will affect your mood and performance throughout the hunting trip. Sleeping systems with quick and easy tents and sleeping pads to set up will save you a lot of time and hassle. Never forget that lightweight equipment is always the way to go, because in the end, you will have to carry it wherever you go.
Equipment and accessories
Having quality equipment along with quality clothing will boost your chances of a successful hunt. Solid glassing optics and binoculars are expensive but this is one thing you may want to invest in. Having good optics will definitely serve you well and allow you to see more clearly. Also having a tripod and binocular adapter will also make a huge difference. A survey revealed that the preferred method of hunting is predominantly with rifles and shotguns, but there are many that still like to stick to traditional methods of hunting with bows and arrows. Rifles are highly personal and well-built rifles reduce its maintenance in the field and at home. Most rifles today are capable of extremely good accuracy without much effort needed. To keep your rifle in great condition, equip yourself with the best, premium quality gun accessories. This keeps your gun as good as new! Other key accessories to take are knives, a first aid kit and a waterproof LED headlamp. A knife is pretty straightforward, but it can be an important tool that can be easily forgotten. Any hunting trip would require a knife, so making sure you grab yourself a sharp and lightweight knife. A first aid kit is vital for those unforeseen accidents. Out in the bush, anything can happen, so it’s best to come prepared. In addition, an LED light will be of use when you’re out in the bush. Instead of lighting a fire, use the headlamp for the evenings and early mornings.
There are many other essential items that you can bring during your backpack hunting trip. This can differ from hunter to hunter. Once you set out on your hunting trips, you will learn and improve over time while personalising your backpack to the items you personally will need. Backpack hunting can be as difficult or as simple as you make it to be. It’s a very personal experience where you learn as you go. Don’t wait and get into the outdoors with quality equipment today!