What are some common tips for outdoor hunting?

Sep 14, 2023 by guguluza

Hunting is a science that represents the accumulated experience of human development up to this day. Its significance lies in controlling wild animal populations, maintaining natural ecological balance, and preserving the cultural heritage of hunting. In its current context, hunting is conducted in accordance with national regulations and takes place in designated legal hunting areas.

  1. Hunting Hours

The optimal time for nocturnal hunting is from 2:00 AM to 4:00 AM.

  1. Direction Determination

Utilize natural features to determine direction: use a straight pole and position it perpendicular to the ground. Place a stone at the apex of the shadow cast by the pole, point A. After approximately 10 minutes, when the shadow's apex moves to point B, place another stone. Connect points A and B to form a straight line; this line indicates the east-west direction. The direction perpendicular to line AB is the north-south direction, with the end facing the sun being the southern direction.

  1. Hunting Shelter

A shelter is a temporary structure on the ground used to conceal the hunter. Ground shelters can be simply constructed behind trees, bushes, logs, or rocks to blend in with the natural surroundings. Alternatively, specialized tent-style camouflage shelters can be employed.

Ensure that you position the shelter:

① Downwind, based on the prevailing wind direction during a specific time period of the day, such as in the morning.

② With your back to the sun.

③ Ensuring that the area in front and behind the shelter is secure.

④ For safety, keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction when entering or leaving the shelter, and ensure the chamber is clear, and the firearm is on safety.

  1. Animal Tracking

To approach an animal, you must first locate it. If no animals are in sight, use tracks and various clues they leave behind. Animal tracks are impressions left by their feet on the ground.

Over time, these impressions may distort due to exposure to sun, rain, wind, and overlap from insects and other animals passing through. The clarity of a track diminishes quickly after it's made. Additionally, the type of ground surface directly affects how long a track remains visible. Generally, the following methods can help estimate the approximate time a track was made:

① Freshness: After a track is made, exposure to sun, wind, and rain will begin to blur its edges. The clearer the edges, the fresher the track.

② Climate: If there has been recent rain or snow, you can determine whether the track was made before or after it. The same applies to dew and frost. If there is fresh dew on the ground but not on the track, it indicates the track is very fresh.

③ Water Evaporation: In regions where the ground is dry, but a track shows signs of moisture, you can estimate the time the track was made based on the amount of residual moisture.

④ Vegetation: If there are fresh, undisturbed plants within the track, it indicates that the track was made some time ago. If there are flattened fresh plants within the track, it suggests the track is recent.

⑤ Overflow: Snow, dirt, sand, water, and similar materials generally get pushed forward in the direction of travel. Over time, these displaced materials can dry, harden, and blend with the underlying ground, or evaporate.

Paths frequented by animals are generally easy to discern, especially for rabbits or hoofed animals. Like humans, animals prefer routes with the fewest obstacles. Over time, the path from resting areas to water sources becomes quite evident. If you find plants bent, broken, fallen, or compressed along less-traveled paths, if tree bark is stripped, pine needles show signs of movement, or there are fresh, broken twigs on the ground, it indicates animal activity.