A hunting camp is a hunter’s oasis away from home. Some hunters travel to hunting cabins while others rough it with tents in an indigenous campsite. However, you choose to set your hunting camp, and there are plenty of essentials that you will need to make it as comfortable as possible.
The lodge itself is part of the adventure of hunting, and you want to make it the perfect place to share stories, plan tactics and kick back after a hard day with your hunting party. Here we look at some standard essentials you should not forget when embarking on a hunting camp.
Pack enough firewood
For some areas, hunting season coincides with cold temperatures, in some areas a slight chill, but for others, it can be downright frosty. The only way to truly fight this cold, especially after dark, is to bring plenty of stock of firewood. Whether you are cutting and stacking your wood in advance at the hunting cabin or loading it up in the truck and hauling it to camp, ensure to bring a lot of fuel. Hunting camp is just not the same without a roaring fire.
Prepare emergency and self-defence kits
Preparing emergency and self-defence kits is an important step in preparing for any type of emergency or disaster. Emergency kits should include essentials such as non-perishable food, water, a first aid kit, a flashlight, and a radio. Meanwhile, self-defence kits can include items such as pepper spray, a flashlight or flashlight stun gun, and a personal alarm. You can also bring a firearm, like a handy pistol, and store it in a secure case.
Make sure to keep these kits in an easily accessible location and review and update them regularly. Familiarise yourself with the items in the kit and learn how to use them properly. Having these kits can give you peace of mind and can help you to be better prepared for any event.
Have a variety of hunting knives
What is a hunting camp without a variety of hunting knives lying around? Everybody should have a knife or two on their belt, and there should be a few backups in the camp just in case. There is no better chance to wear a hunting knife all day than when you’re at hunting camp. For a complete solution, check out a hunting knife and skinning knife combinations that will ensure you are well equipped for severe processing at camp.
Remember to combat the dark
Although hanging out at the hunting campsite is a great time, there is sufficient work to be done, which sometimes means early mornings and sometimes late nights. You will want plenty of gear to keep going after the sun sets, which means powerful flashlight and versatile headlamps.
It is always a bonus to have camo pattern lights, so that you do not have to worry about covering up a neon green headlamp when hunting during the daytime. You will also want to look for a high lumen output in your flashlight, so you will get a great deal of light for tracking, field dressing or whatever else you are doing.
Do not forget coolers
If everything goes right, you are going to have a severe amount of meat on your hands. Unless you are well-outfitted with giant deep freezes in your hunting cabin, you will need a few coolers and plenty of ice for the camp. Avoid getting cheap coolers and invest in something with the ability to hold ice for several days. Get an earth or natural coloured cooler over the bright white refrigerator for hunting camp.
Only rookies leave scent-trails
While you are hanging around hunting camp, it can be easy to forget the value of scent control, or even accidentally taint your hunting gear with unnatural scents. Aside from scent control containers, it is wise to dress in scent blocking gear. You can finish your scent control outfit with sprays for your clothing, boots, and gear like bows.
That said, do not make the rookie mistake of wearing your hunting clothing casually around camp. Rather wear casual hunting wear for those times when you are just relaxing around camp, especially if your friends are grilling meat, or smoking cigarettes.
Featured image: Daniel Nainggolan/Unsplash
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