What to Bring When Hunting Upland Game
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to cover what to bring when hunting upland game. We are going to cover a variety of things one can bring with them on a hunt to optimize their experience and ensure that game is dispatched humanely. Without further ado, let’s go over things you can bring with you into the field when hunting upland game.
What is Upland Game?
The term “upland game” refers to many types of birds. A diverse range of birds can be classified as upland game. Some upland game birds are also considered migratory birds. Of course, not all upland game is considered migratory and not all migratory birds are considered upland game. Common examples of upland game encompass birds such as quail, chukar, pheasant, grouse, dove, pigeons, and turkey to name a few.
Protective Equipment
In the field, the safety of oneself and those around them is paramount. There are many pieces of gear which one should have on them while hunting to promote safety. As with any type of shooting, one will want to have ear and eye protection. These forms of protective equipment safeguard one’s hearing and eyesight, two senses which are important for hunting and life in general. With modern ear protection offerings, one can take advantage of electronic ear protection which will aid in amplifying sound. The sound amplification qualities of many electronic ear protection offerings aid shooters in hearing game without having to risk their hearing. In addition to preserving one’s sight and hearing, hunters also employ other types of gear to protect their body in other ways. Many hunters employ gloves in the field for a number of reasons. Gloves can be utilized to ward off the cold if one is hunting in the early hours of the day or if it is the cold season. Additionally, gloves can aid a hunter by protecting their hands while retrieving game. In many cases, one may need to reach into bushes and bramble to recover game. Gloves can protect one’s hands from getting cut by things such as thistles and thorns, ensuring one avoids injury. While walking in the brush, one also needs to be mindful of things such as snakes. As a precaution, many hunters employ leg gaiters to protect against snake bites. Another important piece of safety equipment one should bring on a hunt would be an orange vest. Fluorescent orange vests, and other articles of clothing like hats, are often employed to make a wearer appear more visible to other hunters. This is done to reduce the likelihood of being shot by another hunter. Unfortunately, there have been many instances of hunters taking shots at any perceived movement in the field, only to hit another hunter. By utilizing an orange vest and other articles of clothing, one can seek to limit this potentiality. As always, one should ensure that they are aware of their target and surrounds, only pulling the trigger when sighted on something they intend to kill.
Practical Items
There are also a number of practical items one should consider employing in the field. A hunter could benefit from things such as a pair of sunglasses and a hat to reduce glare and keep their vision clear. Additionally, medical supplies such as a first aid kit are also essential in the field. There are many opportunities for injury during a hunt, one should prepare accordingly and have appropriate medical supplies on hand. Proper footwear is also an important practical piece of equipment which one should have in the field. One should ensure that they are wearing footwear suitable for walking on various types of terrain, ensuring proper traction and footing is achieved. Of course, comfort is important if one is going to be walking around all day on a hunt. If you are doing more stationary hunting, a proper stool is also a good practical item which can serve you well.
An Appropriate Firearm
Of course, one should want to have an appropriate firearm for the game they are hunting. In the case of upland game, a shotgun is an optimal choice. Chamberings such as 12 gauge, 20 gauge, 16 gauge, 28 gauge, and .410 bore are appropriate for hunting upland game. Various forms of shotguns will also be viable for hunting upland game. Pump action, double barrel, single shot, and semi-automatic shotguns can be utilized for this role. At this point in time, many companies produce shotguns which are optimized for hunting use. These models generally have longer barrels, include choke tubes, feature magazine plugs when applicable, and other features geared towards hunting. Companies such as Benelli, Beretta, Franchi, Remington, and Mossberg are among the producers of these types of shotguns. Many of these firearms can also be equipped with slings, making them easier to carry in the field.
Appropriate Ammunition
A firearm is of little use without ammunition, especially in the field. One should ensure that their shotgun of choice is accompanied by appropriate ammunition when hunting upland game. First and foremost, one should ensure that the ammunition they employ is reliable in their firearm. This is more of an issue with semi-automatic shotguns as they require a sufficient recoil impulse and inertia to cycle reliably. If your firearm is unreliable with the ammo you are using, one’s hunt will be suboptimal. Of course, one should ensure that the ammunition they are using is appropriate for the game they are pursuing. Certain game will require certain loadings. For example, it would be inappropriate to utilize light birdshot loadings on turkey. One must select ammo which is optimal for their use case and will reliably and cleanly dispatch the game they are pursuing. If you would like to read more about ammo recommendations for small upland game hunting, we have a blog on that subject as well.
A Vest
A hunter will be well-served by a vest in the field. Typically, vests include a means to carry ammunition in a large, spacious pocket. Many vest pockets feature pockets which can easily hold a box of ammunition, allowing an end user to have an ammunition source readily available in the field. One can also utilize smaller pockets and compartments to carry other tools and equipment such as knives, tools, sunglasses, and more. Additionally, many vests include a compartment on the back which is designed to hold game. This compartment essentially acts as a worn game bag and will aid a hunter in retaining recovered game on their person.
A Way to Carry Game
Of course, one will need a reliable and efficient way to carry the upland game they recover in the field. As mentioned above, many vests implement a means to store game on one’s person, essentially acting as a game bag. A vest will certainly work for storing game, but is ultimately limited in the number of birds it can retain. Game stringers are an efficient means to haul game that has been recovered in the field. Like the name suggests, game stringers can be used to string up multiple animals for ease of carrying. Additionally, one can employ something such as a bucket to carry game.
A Means to Clean Game
When hunting upland game, one should also carry a means to clean and process game on their person. This can be accomplished by a sharp knife or blade. These forms of cutlery are available in a variety of configurations such as fixed blade or folding knives. Additionally, one may want to carry a pair of scissors for cutting the wings off of recovered game. With a good knife and pair of scissors, one will be able to easily process game expediently and efficiently.
Decoys
For upland game, one can effectively employ decoys to attract birds to a set location. These decoys are available in either static or dynamic form, providing hunters with multiple options to attract game. Dynamic decoy offerings of game such as dove feature spinning or flapping wings to simulate flight. Many hunters employ a combination of both types of decoys across a given area to maximize their chances of attracting game.
Always Check Regs
As with any type of hunting, one should always check the regulations and rules for their hunt and area. Some areas require lead-free ammunition, meaning that those caught with lead ammo in these areas will be subjected to consequences such as fines. There are also regulations regarding specifically when and where one can hunt. Additionally, some regulations exist which require certain practices for hunting and dealing with game. For example, in some areas it is required to keep one wing on a bird while transporting in case a game warden needs to identify the gender of the bird. Regulations can vary widely depending on where you are hunting. Additionally, local, state, and federal regulations may apply for your specific circumstance. These regulations can also be subject to change, meaning that one should ensure that their knowledge is current.
Conclusion
All in all, this covers many important things one should bring into the field with them while hunting upland game. By sticking to these recommendations, one will ensure that they will have a safe hunt which is optimal and ethical. If you are going into the field and need ammunition, we here at True Shot Ammo offer a wide range of shotgun ammo for sale. These offerings encompass specialized loadings and are available in individual boxes and in bulk shotgun ammo offerings such as “flats.” Whether you are after shotgun ammo or need to buy ammo of a different type, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting. Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options. View more posts about hunting:
