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1 |
On your
first scouting trips of the season, be sure to tuck your shirt into your
pants and your pants into your boots. April through September is tick
season in North America, and these ravenous biters are no bigger than BBs,
their nymphs just as nasty and even smaller and harder to detect. |
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2 |
Women should
always seek outdoor footwear made specifically for them; ladies, don’t buy
men’s boots simply made smaller. Women’s feet are shaped differently from
men’s: a more narrow profile to the foot, a higher instep, a calf muscle
that begins to thicken just above the heel, and a thinner Achilles tendon.
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3 |
It’s
absurdly simple, but too many people neglect to look back over their
shoulders as they tramp into the woods. The easiest way to avoid getting
lost is to reconnoiter the way back on the way out, to take a long, good
look at the way the trail is going to appear on the way home. |
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4 |
It can
happen in a tree stand looking too long toward the east. In a goose blind
on the wrong side of the afternoon sun. Snow blindness manifests itself as
a burning sensation in the eyes, pain in the forehead and extreme
sensitivity to light. The response to snow blindness: immediate removal of
the affected person from the sunshine, perhaps some cold compresses to the
eyes, very mild eye drops or mineral oil as a workable substitute and
quick, quick referral to a physician. |
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5 |
Hand warmers
come in two formats: disposable and reusable. Each has advantages. Make
your purchase according to the conditions of a given hunt. |
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6 |
It goes
without saying that, as much as humanly possible, you should leave no
trace of your having ever walked a wilderness trail. Go one step further.
Remove any litter you find. |
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7 |
Put some
waterproof matches into a vest pocket. |
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8 |
Every
longtime hunter has calluses here and there. Enjoy the memories those
calluses represent, unless they become unduly enlarged or particularly
hard. Never cut a callus. After a good soaking in warm, soapy water, use a
pumice stone or a special file to ease the thickened skin away.
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9 |
If you’re
needing a guide for an extended hunting trip, here are some qualities to
look for – admittedly no small task in what is often a necessarily short
interview process:
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Intelligence and
experience
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Energy and enthusiasm
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Patience and an even
temperament
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Woodsmanship and
knowledge of flora, fauna and folklore
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Respect for the
environment
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Organization
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Outstanding equipment
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10 |
Any firearm
allowed to accumulate dirt of any kind simply will not perform to full
potential. Dirt and deposits damage accuracy, lead to corrosion that’s
often irreparable and impede the firearm’s safety mechanisms. Clean your
gun after every day’s use, if possible. Do not allow rifles to fire more
than 20 shots without cleaning the bore. |
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11 |
Whenever you
shop for hunting clothing, make pockets a top priority. Even with your
calls hanging from your neck, you’re going to require major amounts of
room. |
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12 |
And on the
subject of clothing, learn to listen as well as look. Choose patterns
appropriate to the rural backdrop at just the right time of year. Remember to give a good ear to the sounds the clothing makes,
as well. Too often, the stiff and stubborn fabrics in clothes for the hunt
advertise your arrival. With your clothes making loud and altogether
unnatural noises, potential game will be sure to flee. |
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13 |
Scout as if
you were hunting on the last day of the season. Use full camouflage.
Anticipate your movements. Eliminate noise. Allow yourself to be seen
during the scout no more than you would during the hunt. |
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14 |
If you’re
attempting to call coyotes and no wild dog has appeared within 15 minutes,
you’re calling in the wrong place. Move on, please. |
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15 |
Always take
an extra water carrier into the woods - for the dogs, for cleaning game. |