Most of us know what’s in our hunting packs as well as we know what’s in our wallets. Okay, maybe sometimes even better.
State wildlife agencies want hunters to keep another checklist in mind as you head afield:
- Know the rules and regulations where you hunt
- It is every hunter’s responsibility to know where they are to avoid trespassing
- Not only is littering careless and unsightly, it is against the law
- Leave gates as you find them – if a gate is closed, close it behind you
- Hunters must be sure of what they are shooting at (species, sex, etc.), and know what lies beyond their target (houses, outbuildings, livestock, vehicles, other hunters)
- Be aware of fire danger at all times, and use precautions
- Check clothes, dogs, ATV’s and vehicles for weeds and weed seeds to help prevent the spread to other private and public lands
- Ask for permission to hunt on private land
- Access to public lands (on a private road) through private land requires permission of the private landowner, lessee, or their agent
- Avoid ridge driving and driving to overlooks – not only is this a poor strategy while hunting, it is considered as driving off road if it is not already an established trail
- Report any hunting and fishing, trespassing, vandalism, or other criminal activity you see by contacting your state game agency
- carry bear spray, be prepared and know how to use it
- hunt with a partner and let someone else know your plans
- get harvested big game out of the woods quickly
- upon returning to a site where harvested game is left unattended, study the site at a distance for any movement or changes and signal your approach by making plenty of noise
- never attempt to frighten or haze a bear from a carcass
(Photo source: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)