How to Plan Your Hunting Trip

The real purpose of any big-game hunting trip is tobonus.
have an enjoyable and rewarding experience in theBroadly speaking, the best areas for any game
great outdoors. In addition, every hunter hopes tospecies are those regions where game has been
climax such an experience by taking a prized gamehunted the least. There the biggest trophy heads will
animal. That is the unsurpassed thrill of any hunt.be found. Competition with other hunters will be less
It is wise to do some thoughtful and early planning.keen. Danger will be less all the way around. And the
Careful preparation not only assures your owngame itself, in proportion to the degree it has
enjoyment, but it is the best guarantee for thepreviously been in contact with man, will be less
success of the hunt and the safety of yourself andwary.
your hunting companions.Sources of Hunting Information
The Hunting PartnerIn choosing a region in which to hunt any game
Perhaps the most important is the wise choice of aspecies, one of the hunter's best tools is a good
hunting partner. Solo hunts, or occasionally taking offmap. Some of the best maps for the purpose are
into the hills alone to enjoy getting back to nature,the hunting maps published by the state game
are fine experiences. But in big hunting country,departments especially for hunters. These usually are
where the remaining concentrations of our big-gameavailable free by early fall in states having shootable
supply are found, hunting alone is not sensible.numbers of any game species. The interested hunter
It is far safer, especially when after the largermay obtain one simply by writing the Fish & Game
species of game, to hunt with a partner and it is lessDepartment at the capital of the state or province in
laborious to be able to share the necessary heavywhich he wishes to hunt.
chores. But most important, a hunting trip, like anyOutfitters and Guides
satisfying experience, must be shared with someoneSome states and provinces require the services of a
to be completely enjoyed.licensed guide for the nonresident hunter. Such a
Unless the partner has been on previous hunts, goodservice is considered by the game commissions to be
questions to ask about him are: How stable a personnecessary not only as a measure to prevent
is he? How does he react to unavoidablegame-law violations but, equally important, to keep
inconvenience? How dependable would he be if thehunters unfamiliar with the country from becoming
chips were down and someone's life depended uponlost.
his decisions and courage?In primitive country, the lost-hunter situation each fall
The partner who qualifies in such vital respects, andis a serious business. The Forest Service, Fish &
loves the outdoors, is apt to have the numerousGame Departments, mounted posses, and state
other qualities which will make him a prizedflying organizations have to donate time, money, and
companion. And, of course, he has the right toeffort to retrieving lost hunters from rugged, remote
expect the same overall sportsmanship andmountain terrain. Requiring the nonresident hunter to
dependability from you.employ a licensed guide or outfitter largely eliminates
Choosing A Hunting Areathis problem.
The game one wishes to hunt is, of course, aHe can lead the hunter to the best trophies. And as
fundamental consideration. No hunter should ever planpart of his services, the guide does much of the
a hunt with the simple hope that he will bag anythingprosaic camp work, such as tending horses and pack
that jumps up, or that he is "out after everything."mules, logging up wood, setting up camp, and lugging
Well in advance of his hunt, he should determinethings around. This leaves the hunter all his time to
what species he wants most, then route the hunthunt and enjoy himself.
into a region where he is most apt to find thatPlan your hunting trip well and you will be more
species. Additional species should be regarded as asuccessful and enjoy yourself more.