The Empty Cases’ Guide to Big Game Hunting

Big game hunting is really a very simple endeavor. One we have complicated with gear and boundless minutia. You find an animal, work yourself into a shot, take it, and then the work starts. I remember when I was a teenager my hunting gear consisted of a boots, military surplus clothing, a rifle, a knife and a hat. I didn’t have a rattle bag, a rangefinder, a bottle of deer pee or a ballistic APP on my phone. Hell, I had no idea I’d ever take a telephone hunting.

Of course today we’ve all been convinced we need all sorts of stuff. And, not only do we need all that stuff, we need a pack to carry it in. I’ve seen guys carry a 30-pound pack to an elevated deer blind. They’ll set there all morning with half of the gear Cabela’s sells at their feet, while they scroll through some program on their phone to help them find deer.

So, with all this foolishness in mind, I’ve created the Empty Cases’ Guide to Big Game Hunting in 22 Steps. It has three things going for it. It’s short. It’s free. And, it’s on the Internet, which means you can reference it on your smart phone while you are hunting.

1. Get up early.
2. Get in the field / woods early. Be there to see the sun rise.
3. Hunt with the wind in your face.
4. Wear your clothing in layers. (Wool is your friend.)
5. Carry a knife; a sharp knife.
6. Take plenty of ammo. None of us shoot as well as we think we do.
7. Use terrain and foliage as concealment.
8. Watch where you are walking. Yes, it is possible to fall into a warthog hole or step on a rattlesnake.
9. When glassing, look close then far. If they are far away you have time, if they are close you don’t.
10. Water. You have to have water.
11. East or West, never underestimate the value of binoculars and a spotting scope.
12. Turn the ringer off on your telephone.
13. When its time to shoot, if you can get closer, get closer and if you can get steadier, get steadier.
14. Toilet paper. Never leave camp without it!
15. Carry your license with you.
16. Eat a good lunch.
17. Stay out until after dark. Be there to watch the sun set.
18. Never be the first one to leave the campfire.
19. Always carry a camera and take too many photos. (Yes, you can use your smart phone for that.)
20. You’re going to fall down, you’re going to lose useless gear, and you’re probably going to get lost. Have lies prepared in advance for all these things.
21. Most importantly, take a kid hunting with you.
22. And remember one last thing: sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you.