Hunting, at times, can be a frustrating activity. After sitting in the woods for several hours without killing anything, the hunter is often left wondering what could be wrong. Well, here are some tips to make sure your hunting trip is a success.

Tip 1: Location

Whether I’m hunting deer, duck, or any other animal the first thing I need to do is find a good location. Usually I go out to the woods a couple of days before the hunt and scout out a good location. I look for signs such as scrapes or tracks, I also look for food or water sources and find out where they are roosting or bedding down. Make sure you know where it is and how to get there so you don’t get lost.

Tip 2: Camo

On camo, my suggestion is to look at what type of brush or trees are around where you are hunting and find a camo pattern to go with it. Camo is essential in the woods or in the brush on the edge of a lake, because it helps you blend in so the animals don’t see you and get spooked.

Tip 3: Weapon

Make sure you have the right gun or bow for the place you are hunting. When I’m choosing my weapon, I take into account distance, terrain and of course the type of animal I’m hunting. If you are hunting a 100-yard food plot, it is OK to have a smaller gun like a 223 or a 243. However if you are hunting a massive clear cut, you will need a larger gun like a 270, 30-06, or a 7mag. to reach out and get the deer. Bows are good to use on a climbing stand or an ambusher in the deep woods. You can also hunt a smaller food plot with a bow. Just make sure you have your bow tuned to a legal draw weight for where you are hunting.

Tip 4: Weather

I  always check the weather conditions before I go out to the woods, and dress appropriately. When it’s cold, all I can say is, if you don’t dress warmly enough then you will get uncomfortable and won’t stay on the stand long enough to get a good deer.

Tip 5: Identification

In my personal opinion a big part of hunting is making sure you identify your target before you shoot. Know what you’re shooting at and how big the animal is. Know the limits and state laws and regulations that you need to abide by when you are hunting.

Tip 6: Safety

Always follow gun safety. I usually let someone know where I’m are hunting before I go, just to have a back-up plan in case something happens to me and I can’t get to my phone. Also know basic survival tips in case something goes wrong, and wear protective clothing whether that consists of hunter’s orange, goggles or ear protection. Identify your targets before shooting, make sure if you are hunting by yourself that you have been through a hunter’s education course and be aware of your surroundings.

Have fun and enjoy your hunt.