Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,525
- 4,786
Want to start a list of lessons learned on out-of-state hunts? Here's a few things I've picked up over the years, and I haven't done a lot of out-of-state hunts:
1. You're not home, or even close to home. Bring everything and be prepared with extra money to buy stuff you didn't bring.
2. Listen to the locals about safety stuff - bad roads, thieves, grizzlies, little things like that can ruin a whole hunt.
3. Maps. More maps. Really good maps. A compass (or two) and a GPS help too. Maps. Scouting ahead of the season helps too.
4. Expect some resentment from some folks when they see your out-of-state plates, particularly if you bag a big one... Some folks don't realize this is the "United" States... I didn't go to war for just Washington state!
5. If you're going "out west" for that big classic hunt - wow... the list of things to do is long - but start planning early. Get in shape. Most of Wyoming is sitting at lung-sucking altitudes... Heck, they walk around at 6,000' every doggone day and hunt at 10,000' - crazies.
6. Make sure your gun works. Bring ammo. Doh! This group should have no trouble with the gun, scope and ammo end of things!
7. Tags and licenses are good to have, particularly when the warden shows up. Wear your hunter orange.
8. Make sure your vehicle is up to the job. I put about 1800 miles on this trip to and from Wyoming including hours of freeway running at 75 mph. My '99 Dodge has 95,000+ miles on it but is in good shape and I serviced it right before the trip. Good tires and tire chains are a great idea out here.
9. Plan ahead on how to take care of downed game. Can you move it once it's down? Can you get it out of that hole it ran into after being shot? Can you clean and skin it yourself? Do you know where the meat processor is or is that a job you can do yourself. Thought about taxidermy?
10. Relax and enjoy. Out of state trips can be great. Plan early, hope to be drawn for that tag and enjoy. I really should have brought my fly rod too.
More lessons?
1. You're not home, or even close to home. Bring everything and be prepared with extra money to buy stuff you didn't bring.
2. Listen to the locals about safety stuff - bad roads, thieves, grizzlies, little things like that can ruin a whole hunt.
3. Maps. More maps. Really good maps. A compass (or two) and a GPS help too. Maps. Scouting ahead of the season helps too.
4. Expect some resentment from some folks when they see your out-of-state plates, particularly if you bag a big one... Some folks don't realize this is the "United" States... I didn't go to war for just Washington state!
5. If you're going "out west" for that big classic hunt - wow... the list of things to do is long - but start planning early. Get in shape. Most of Wyoming is sitting at lung-sucking altitudes... Heck, they walk around at 6,000' every doggone day and hunt at 10,000' - crazies.
6. Make sure your gun works. Bring ammo. Doh! This group should have no trouble with the gun, scope and ammo end of things!
7. Tags and licenses are good to have, particularly when the warden shows up. Wear your hunter orange.
8. Make sure your vehicle is up to the job. I put about 1800 miles on this trip to and from Wyoming including hours of freeway running at 75 mph. My '99 Dodge has 95,000+ miles on it but is in good shape and I serviced it right before the trip. Good tires and tire chains are a great idea out here.
9. Plan ahead on how to take care of downed game. Can you move it once it's down? Can you get it out of that hole it ran into after being shot? Can you clean and skin it yourself? Do you know where the meat processor is or is that a job you can do yourself. Thought about taxidermy?
10. Relax and enjoy. Out of state trips can be great. Plan early, hope to be drawn for that tag and enjoy. I really should have brought my fly rod too.
More lessons?
