Preparation can make for a more successful hunt

The black rain pummeled the puddles outside with a steady beat. In the darkness, the man slumbered, but true sleep eluded him like an undulating curtain of comfort.

He never slept well on these nights. It always seemed like his soul was out searching the happy hunting grounds for deer and elk. Still, the man slowly rose and there was a determination in his rising that demanded respect. His planning for this opening day and hunting season began the day after the season closed last year.

He analyzed, as objectively as he could, what he had done right and the mistakes he made in all of his past hunting experiences. One thought stood out to him more than others: He must hunt every day like it was the last day of the season. He must hunt with the fire in his belly, and desire in his heart.

In preparation for the harvest season, he began by twisting the meat hooks set in the ceiling beams of his garage a turn or two until they were tight and seemingly able to withstand the weight of a quarter of an elk, if necessary.

The outdoorsman cleared off his work bench, and made sure the tools that might be needed such as hacksaws and skinning knives were available.

He swept out the area, admiring his antler collection as he worked. Next, he focused on his rig. The tires were good, but he still needed to pack his chains. The sandbags were loaded into his pickup to assure better traction over the wheel wells.

Other tools, shovels, rope, and the tree climber and chainsaw from the old days were put in place. Next, he had gone through his meat packs to make sure the gamebags, ropes, plastic gloves and all were intact and then put them in place.

The tires were checked on the game cart and it was all loaded up in advance. On top, he slid in the two heavy-duty plastic toboggans. It was a full load, but experience told him he still had room for a nice buck and if he strapped some gear on top and had some help, he could get a quartered elk and its head in there, maybe.

The woodsman now contemplated whether he had prepared the most important three aspects of his planning properly.

First, had he gone over his topographical maps and familiarized himself with this new area? Sure, a GPS was a great tool, but they sometimes failed for many reasons. There was absolutely no substitute for the basic skills of orienteering with a map and compass.

The skill had gotten him out of many situations. Second, had he replaced all the batteries in anything electronic, and packed his day pack with all proper survival gear, including his wilderness medicine first aid items and handbook?

And lastly, was he now comfortable and confident with the sighting in of his rifle? Feeling satisfied, he taped the end of his barrel with electrician’s tape and headed out.

Rain turned to snow as he gained elevation. He parked aside the gate, leaving room for emergency vehicles to pass. The hunter slung on his daypack and chambered a round, safety on.

In the pre-dawn light, he checked his topo map often as he proceeded. As he walked, he studied the tracks he found. A bobcat had meandered along the streams’ edge, and a marten had crossed the trail leaving its telltale two-by-two oval pawed bounding stride pattern in the new snow. It was then he spotted the heavy buck tracks.

The veteran hunter hunkered under a grand fir and waited. The sun came up slowly and lit the edge of the meadow in fall gold and sherbet orange. A soft breeze and the sun warmed his face, and he fought the cold and hunger. Peering into the trees, he spotted the buck in a small opening. Carefully sliding the sling around his arm, military-like, he confidently raised his weapon and slowly breathed out, squeezing the trigger gently as his cross-hairs found its mark.

I wish you all a safe and successful hunt. A special  good-luck hope for the huntress, seniors, first-timers and young folks.

 If you are interested in a free two-day program that may help you with your hunting success, check this out: On Oct. 19,  join Montana Wilderness Association’s program entitled “Reading Map, Compass, Tracks and Sign,” and on Oct. 20, join the group for “Wilderness Medicine 101.”

Both classes are at Libby High School. They are professionally instructed, and run approximately 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be classroom and field study. Persons may register for one or both by emailing arobinson@wildmontana.org or calling 293-6500.

(Brian Baxter is an outdoorsman and columnist)