hunting alone
- Thread starter rkr
- Start date
The Outsider
CGN Regular
I prefer to hunt alone, it's easier to keep quiet when still hunting.
Also, for me there's a certain magic to be alone in the wilderness with a rifle and a pack.
Just be careful not to get lost, keep an eye on landmarks, pack water and food, a flashlight, headlamp, matches, compass etc.
I always have extra socks and gloves, and in the odd chance you might run into a big bear, extra underwear might come in handy!
Wear good quality clothes, especially footwear that were previously broken in.
Buy a good quality game cart and keep it in your truck all season.
Start with short trips at first.
and leave detailed instructions where you will be,
Do some internet research before, and you'll be fine.
Also, for me there's a certain magic to be alone in the wilderness with a rifle and a pack.
Just be careful not to get lost, keep an eye on landmarks, pack water and food, a flashlight, headlamp, matches, compass etc.
I always have extra socks and gloves, and in the odd chance you might run into a big bear, extra underwear might come in handy!
Wear good quality clothes, especially footwear that were previously broken in.
Buy a good quality game cart and keep it in your truck all season.
Start with short trips at first.
and leave detailed instructions where you will be,
Do some internet research before, and you'll be fine.
Last edited:
Weatherby2
CGN Regular
- Location
- British Columbia
its always newbie or not a good idea to hunt with a partner when you can but a mans gotta do what a mans gotta do just be safe!
I hunt whitetail alone and can give you a few pointers:
Whether you are going on crown land or on private property (with permission): scout, scout and scout. Get a decent GPS, mark waypoints where you find scat, tracks and rubs during the early rut. Know your way in the dark to where you want to be well before it is actually hunting season.
Second, assuming you know how and where to shoot, know how to field dress a deer. It's not hard, but if you've got no clue it can be overwhelming. Have a plan for how you are going to get the deer out of the field/bush, whether it be an ATV or just dragging it out on top of a tarp (surprisingly effective, if tiring). Know how you are going to load the body into your vehicle.
All that said, I hunted for years with my father, brother and a party, so I did not have to learn everything on my own -- I would not suggest you do your first season alone unless you have no choice. You would be much better off being part of a successful hunt and seeing how to dress, move and process an animal before you try it solo.
Whether you are going on crown land or on private property (with permission): scout, scout and scout. Get a decent GPS, mark waypoints where you find scat, tracks and rubs during the early rut. Know your way in the dark to where you want to be well before it is actually hunting season.
Second, assuming you know how and where to shoot, know how to field dress a deer. It's not hard, but if you've got no clue it can be overwhelming. Have a plan for how you are going to get the deer out of the field/bush, whether it be an ATV or just dragging it out on top of a tarp (surprisingly effective, if tiring). Know how you are going to load the body into your vehicle.
All that said, I hunted for years with my father, brother and a party, so I did not have to learn everything on my own -- I would not suggest you do your first season alone unless you have no choice. You would be much better off being part of a successful hunt and seeing how to dress, move and process an animal before you try it solo.
Solo hunting is a special inner-feeling kind of outing. It may not be the best option for your first venture, especially depending on terrain, hunting method to be used and remoteness of hunting locale, but solo is better than going with anyone that causes you to doubt their safety prioritization. A lot will depend on your personal knowledge of the bush in the area you intend to hunt. If you do go solo in unfamiliar areas, plan, plan, plan ahead.
Don't hunt with him. Hell, don't go to the range with him. One of the people I used to hunt with would be drunk before his morning coffee was done. He once blew up a shotgun barrel by firing at a deer after plugging it with mud. Another time he had a negligent discharge in my direction. I never hunted with him again after that day.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Baby steps...do some scouting. Learn the watercourses....location of major roads. Easiest way to not get lost is know the area....and the landmarks that will help you walk out. Multiple ways to navigate...a GPS is good, but also take a compass as they dont rely on batteries or satellites that may be obscured.
Dont be too ambitious. You will be fine.
Dont be too ambitious. You will be fine.
Dorian Gray
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Ahhhh You've hunted in the valley too i see. Good times lol.
OP, the other guys were right when they said about scouting. Spend as much time as you can going over the area you intend to hunt before hunting season so you know it well. A GPS and a compass (and knowing how to use both) are always good things. And as The Outsider said, leave detailed instructions with your friends and family of where you are going to be in case #### happens. I can tell you from personal experience (a friend and i spent 3 days in the bush without food or water and no one knew where we were), it's very important.
Also, leave the retard at home. Have fun.
Hunting is 90 % location. If you are hunting public land be aware that if someplace is great looking, obvious and easily accessible it will be just as obvious to everyone else and everyone and his dog will hit it on opening day. Picture what will get hammered and where you would go if running for your life. Consider where people avoid ie, rough tangles and anywhere you can expect to get wet feet just getting to.
Scout, take a GPS and a compass, extra clothes and some food. Im not sure where you are hunting but if its remote all I can say is be prepared. ALSO remember that when you shoot your first animal be prepared to gut and haul that sucker outa there. have a plan. I once ran into a guy 5 miles back in the bush and he had an elk on the ground....He had no way to get that thing outa there, not a good idea.. leave the dangerous dork buddy at home also.. have fun, I love hunting alone. Just something kinda spiritual about being way out in the bush with nobody around.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I hunt alone every year, I quite enjoy it. Don't hold yourself back, good luck you may not score this year but you'll learn. You'll also be stunned how much work it is, and yet you'll be back next year.
I do a ton of hunting alone ,one thing to remember it is not about how far you can walk or how fast it is what you can find on your way ,,A lot of hunters walk right by there target and never know it ,,,Having a plan is the most important part of a hunt ,know were you want to be and were you want to end up and hunt your way there ,,Dutch
If you know the area well enough to not get lost, and you have cell reception, and perhaps even show your spouse or a friend how to get to your stand (in case you need someone), then why not. As for gutting a deer and dragging it out, its not that hard, but even then, try and have a friend on your phone that would come give you a hand if you do put one down.
When I started hunting it was small game nothing like honing skills in the field you would learn lots from just hunting rabbits and squirrels by fall you would be in good shape and have sum added skills
I'm starting a new job up in Cold Lake Alberta and planning a elk hunting this fall so I will head out fishing camping and small game hunting on my days off to learn the area and by fall i will be ready for elk
I'm starting a new job up in Cold Lake Alberta and planning a elk hunting this fall so I will head out fishing camping and small game hunting on my days off to learn the area and by fall i will be ready for elk
