Winter is considered the best hunting season compared to other seasons. why is it like this? Well, the availability of snow makes it easier to track animals leaving tracks as tracks. Another factor that makes winter a favorable hunting season is the lack of foliage and water.
If you're an occasional hunter and looking for some helpful winter hunting tips, the following tips will help you prepare for your hunting spree. Even if you're not a pro, these tips will help you gain the confidence to succeed on your hunting adventure.
Know the water source:
For the first few months, deer and other animals have plenty of water to sustain themselves. But as the cold began to intensify, the days shortened and the nights lengthened, the availability of water slowly declined. Most water sources freeze over in late winter, making it difficult for animals to find the water they need to survive.
The desperate need for water makes it easier for hunters to track and hunt their targets. Water is scarce, and even the most elusive and crafty animals can't wait to quench their thirst and get outside.
Find the animal living area:
Long winter nights keep wildlife largely concentrated in one place for warmth and rest. Therefore, it is very important to locate the litter area and use glazing and to know the entry and exit points of the animals. This is the key to finding prey.
The main reason animals leave their habitat is in search of food, and if the hunter directs their movements carefully, they are easy targets.
Find areas where food is available:
Although during the late winter months the animals' focus is mainly on keeping warm and resting, they still need food to survive. Often, animals will choose bedding areas that have an available food source nearby. Hunters need to pay attention to this movement of animals.Because of the longer nights, animals usually come out during the day to find food. If you can find these areas, it will be easier to target the animal of choice.
And here are some of the gear or gear you must have before winter hunting:
Balaclava: A balaclava or commonly known as a ski mask is a garment that covers the entire face and protects against cold and snow. It also helps to hide the main part of the face, thus providing the perfect camouflage.
Hand warmer:There have some of the best winter outdoor products you could belong to combat the cold winter. Like Ocoopa union 5s rechargeable hand warmers. When hunting in winter, the rechargeable hand warmers would deliver comfortable warmth to you in a flash, and with a rechargeable battery core refill your hand warmer for another 15 hours of use anywhere and anytime outdoors, allowing you to enjoy a better hunting trip.
Satellite Telephone: A satellite phone is one of the most needed tools to stay in touch with your team. Hunting can sometimes take up an entire day, and staying in touch is necessary for safety.
Best Animals To Hunt During the Winter
Cougar
You have to complete exams to get licensed and certified, but it's worth it for the chance to hunt six-foot cats. They're fast and smart, and they know when they're being followed. If you're new, bring a game guide—an injured mountain lion can be very dangerous. Outings like this can be expensive, so save your money and do your research so you can get the most out of the trip.
Coyotes
If you're lucky enough to track a coyote, you're doing the country a favor. Coyotes are multiplying and spreading so rapidly that at least 70% of coyotes need to be killed to keep their numbers constant. They are not good for the herd because they know that fawns are the best size to feed their young. But they'll eat just about anything, and they can adapt to changing conditions, so you might want to try hunting them at night, when they're more active. Bring the right lighting and you'll have the edge.
Wild Boar
The targets are also out of control and they seem determined to take over the country. They trample crops, destroy the habitat of endangered animals, spread disease, and are otherwise unpleasant. Because they travel in packs, you may succeed in killing more than one at a time. Some enthusiasts prefer to shoot from the back of a pickup truck or helicopter, relying on the extra noise to dislodge wild boars from the bush. Watch out for the sows though, as they will come after you if they think you are threatening their piglets.
Bobcats
At first glance, bobcats resemble domestic pets, but they are ruthless predators that can tear through chicken coops. They are one of the best animals to hunt in winter because their tracks are easier to track in the snow. Stealthy and reclusive, bobcats lurk in rivers and along abandoned roads and trails. They will likely spot you first, but if you can imitate a female bobcat in heat and hold still, you may be able to lure a male to you.
Essential Tips To Improve Your Still Hunting
Practice shooting target
One of the most important skills in hunting is shooting your target. To take the perfect shoot, you must accurately target your subject. It sounds easy, but targeting isn't always the case when you're a beginner. The best way to improve this skill is practice, because as the saying goes, practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the easier it will be for you to shoot the target animal on the first try.
Move slowly and stealthily
Animals and birds can sense motion more accurately than humans, which means the target animal can detect any slight movement, causing it to flee. To successfully kill your target animal, you must move very slowly and without making any noise to ensure that the animal does not feel your presence. It can take time to master, though, and a successful hunt doesn't need to be impatient.
Do some research before you go hunting
Before you start hunting, you need to do some research to better understand the animal you want to hunt. Learn more about animal behavior and the best way to track it. You also need to know the habitat of your target animal to plan where to go on your next hunting trip. Another thing you need to know is the best tools to use for hunting the desired animal. Doing thorough research can help you learn everything you need to know about the animals you plan to hunt and hunt successfully.
Don't poke animals
After a successful shot, you want to make sure the animal is dead. On TV, hunters poke the animals they shoot to make sure they are dead, and that only works on TV! When an animal is injured it becomes extra alert and wild in order to survive, so if you poke it and it is alive, you may end up injured as the animal is in deadly defense mode. It is wise to throw something at the animal while you are standing a few yards away and wait to see how it moves or reacts. If nothing happens, you are safe to pick up your animal.
