9 Big Game Hunting Tips

Considering getting into big game hunting? If you’ve never been before or you’re a novice to the sport, there are a few things you’ll want to know before you jump in! These 9 big game hunting tips will walk you through big game hunting practices to help you improve over time.

1. Get to Know the Game You’re Hunting:

If you aren’t well versed in the life of the game you’re going after, you won’t have much luck. Spend time researching their habitats, where you can find them, when they breed and other habits. Once you’ve got all of the basics down pat, practice your shot. While it can be repetitive and time-consuming, you’ll thank yourself later!

2. Be Mindful of the Wind:

Even the best shooters don’t stand a chance if they’re not aware of the wind patterns during a hunt. Make sure you know the direction of the wind before your hunt begins so that you can adequately prepare and strategize.

If you’re not aware of the wind, your scent can alert the animal and ruin your hunt! It’s one of the most common mistakes made by hunters and it can easily be avoided. Try using a scent-eliminating body wash so you don’t tip off the animals when the wind hits you.

3. Only Hunt One Type of Animal at First:

When you first get into big game hunting, you’ll probably want to hunt many types of animals. If there are a range of big game hunting opportunities in your area, it can be difficult to narrow it down to just one but it will ultimately improve your game immensely if you wait until you’ve had more time practicing.

Successful hunters will be focused on one species at first and only take the gear they need to hunt that animal. Try not to get distracted by a duck wandering by if you’re deer hunting. It will only take away from your experience and knowledge of deers if you shift your attention to another species.

4. Know How to Handle Missing a Shot:

Even the most experienced hunters will miss a shot when hunting big game every once in a while. When this happens, it’s critical to understand where to go from there. Whatever you do, don’t move! Unless the animal has spotted you, the sound of the gun will be the only cause for alarm. The animal will typically run and look for a potential threat. When they don’t see anything, they’ll return to what they were doing and you’ll have another shot. Wait it out for up to 20 minutes and if they’re still spooked, move onto the next one!

5. Stick to a Small Area:

Beginners should always stick to a small area before branching out to larger spots. If you try to cover too much ground when you don’t have a solid foundation, you may experience hunter fatigue. Stationary hunts are your best bet when getting familiar with big game hunting!

6. Learn How to Remove Carcass Hairs:

After you’ve spent time practicing and finally bag an animal of your own, you should learn how to remove unwanted hair from the carcass. Once you skin the carcass, you’ll find that there may be some hairs that will stick around. Use a handheld propane torch to take them off. Make sure the carcass is dry to the touch before you start and singe the hairs until they disappear.

7. Choose Your Tools Wisely:

The tools you use for big game hunting can make or break your experience. Investing in modern optics will allow you to spot the animal from a distance, giving you more time to stalk your prey. Using trail cameras on the property you’ll be hunting on is another great way to identify patterns during different times of the year.

8. The Early Bird Gets the Worm .. or Big Game:

It’s no secret that if you’re willing to put in the time, you’ll reap the rewards. Arriving early and staying late is crucial and probably one of the most underrated big game hunting tips. The more time you put in, the more chances you’ll have to get the perfect shot! Don’t underestimate hunting in the early morning or evening while it’s still dark, as it’s truly prime-time for big game.

9. Brush Up On the Basics:

When all else fails, it never hurts to brush up on your existing knowledge. Re-familiarize yourself with hunting methods and techniques and ask experienced hunters if there’s anything you should research or practice further!

Where to go Big Game Hunting?

With the best practices and big game hunting tips in mind, you should be ready to give it a shot! The only problem is that it can be challenging to find places to hunt year-round.

At LandPass we connect explorers with exclusive land to hunt or fish on. Go to LandPass.com today to get started!