Hunting is a fun and exhilarating sport but to be successful, it takes time, patience, and planning. You must know and understand the behavior and habitats of the game you plan to hunt in order to be successful. Whether you are a beginning hunter or you have been hunting for many years, finding the best hunting spot is crucial to success. The right location will make a huge difference when it comes to the overall quality of the experience you have and whether or not you can even dress and bag game.
In this article, we will look at some of the ways that you can identify the best hunting spots from helping you understand the key features of a good hunting area down to some of the strategies and tools you can use to help locate them.
Get to Know the Basics of Animal Behavior
Before you can even think about where you will hunt, you need to make sure you know and understand the behavior of the animal you plan to hunt. No two species are exactly the same and each species will have their own preferences for environment, food, and when they are active. Having this knowledge will help you learn to identify the perfect spot for a successful hunt.
Animal Habitats and Patterns
When it comes to wild animals, most have a predictable pattern and are creatures of habit. This means that you are unlikely to find major differences in the way they move around or do things from day to day. Most species will be most active during the dawn and dusk hours as this is the time many enjoy looking for food.
For example, deer are creatures of habit and are known to forage in the early morning and early evening hours. They enjoy cooler weather and overcast weather where the sun in not shining brightly down on them. Knowing this type of information can help you better look at areas and determine if those areas are good spots.
Seasonal Movements
One thing to note about animals and their behavior is that wildlife will often have seasonal patterns that they follow due to changes in food availability, weather, and reproduction cycles. For example, some species may migrate during the winter months while others do not. Understanding what your chosen game will do throughout the different seasons will help you know whether you have a good hunting spot on your hands.
Choose a Terrain and Learn It
The terrain and the environment that you choose as your hunting area will influence how successful your hunt is. Different species prefer different types of terrains and environments, so knowing the landscape you choose will help you choose environments where the animals you want to hunt are located.
Are There Water Sources?
As you look to at an area that interests you, look to see if there are any water sources such as streams, rivers, lakes, or ponds. Water is vital to wildlife, and you are likely to find many different types of wildlife near a body of water.
As you identify hunting spots, look for one that is close in proximity to a water source.
For instance, deer are known to frequent river banks and areas around lakes to drink, especially throughout the summer months.
Are There Food Sources and Areas for Cover?
Besides water, two things that animals need to survive are food and cover. Food sources, such as berry bushes, oak trees, and other vegetation are ideal sources of food for animals such as turkeys and deer. Additionally, wildlife that depends on prey to eat will often be found in areas where there is a lot of prey such as rabbits, deer, and other small animals.
Furthermore, cover is an important thing to think about as well. During the time that wildlife is not active, they are actively under cover. Therefore, you want to identify areas that offer cover to wildlife as you are more likely to find game to hunt here.
Is the Terrain Rough, Uneven, Steady, Sloped?
The type of terrain that you choose to hunt from will also influence the type of game you run into and whether or not you will even find game there. Elevation and slope can influence an animal’s behavior, and you will find that larger game are often found at higher elevations while smaller animals are usually found in lower elevations. The same goes for slope.
When choosing a hunting spot, search for an area that is a good mix of different terrains such as an area that has both high and low elevations.
Technology Can Be a Great Aid to Help You
Technology offers you a great advantage when it comes to hunting and you can use it to your advantage out in the field. From mapping apps to GPS and even trail cameras, technology can assist you in find the best hunting spots more accurately and efficiently.
Mapping Apps and GPS
Maps are a hunter’s best friend when it comes to understanding both the elevation and terrain they are about to hunt on. Topographic maps provide you with detailed information about the entire lay of the land including things such as valleys, hills, and other features that can help you determine whether or not the area may be ideal to hunt.
GPS tools are an excellent assistive device in that they can help you track animal movements, mark potential hunting spots of interest, and find your way throughout unfamiliar or unknown territory.
For example, Google Earth is an excellent tool that allows you to have a bird’s eye view of any hunting area of interest. The map will also allow you to locate bodies of water, any existing structures, and wooded areas.
By combining both maps and GPS, you can properly study, plan, and locate the best hunting areas all from the comfort of your home.
Trail Cameras
Trail cameras are another efficient and reliable tool of technology to use in the field to identify good hunting spots. Trail cameras are motion sensing, which means they will activate when they sense any type of movement.
Hunters usually place trail cameras in areas to further investigate whether there are animals present and when the animals are the most active. Over time, you can review the footage on the trail cameras to help you better determine and understand the behavior of the game you are interested in hunting.
Look for Animal Trails and Tracks
One of the most reliable ways to identify if an area is good for hunting is to look for any animals trails or tracks. These trails and tracks will show you where the animals has been, where it is going or coming from, and how often they frequent the area.
Animal trails are a pathway that an animal uses to move between resting, feeding, and watering. These trails are usually easily identifiable because they are worn down from the constant foot traffic of the game. When you come across a trail, you want to look for signs of recent activity such as droppings, fresh tracks, or even disturbed plants and vegetation. Signs of activity indicate recent and continued use of the trail.
Learning to track is an essential skill that every hunter needs. You will need to spend time learning how to read animal tracks as these tracks will give you insight into the type of game present, its direction of travel, and its size.
In addition to tracks, animals will leave droppings behind, and these droppings can be a clue as to what the animal is eating. For example, if you see a lot of berries in the droppings, then look for a nearby berry bush and this could be the food source for the game that has been in the area.
Don’t Be Afraid to Connect with Locals and Other Hunters
Research and technology are helpful but local knowledge is a very important and powerful tool as well. People who live in and hunt in the area know the land best and can point you in the right direction of a good hunting spot.
Experienced hunters are a valuable source of information, and many are willing to share information with you to help you out. You should network with other hunters throughout the local area to get some tips and tricks on how to identify the best hunting areas. There are plenty of groups on social media that allow you to connect with other hunters.
If you do find that a hunter or two give you information, be respectful of that information, and also share any information that you may have that could help them out.
Furthermore, if you are completely new to hunting or new to an area, you may find that you feel more comfortable utilizing a guide to assist you. Local guides will help you identify areas with the highest potential for hunting success and they can help get you off on the right path.
Remember, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are new to an area – every hunter started out as a beginner!
Be Open to Change and Adapt
Always be open to change, go with the flow, and adapt to your surroundings. There will be times when you think you have found the perfect hunting spot and then something quickly changes such as the weather. You need to be not only ready for this change, but open to it, and ready to adapt when the time comes.
Successful hunters are the ones who are best prepared and willing to change things up when needed.
If you find that you have set up in a spot and you are not having success here, do not be afraid to try a new spot. Sometimes it takes a few tries. Furthermore, sometimes the best hunting spots are found due to having to adapt.
The Perfect Hunting Spot Awaits You
Identifying the best spot for hunting involves a combination of studying the terrain, understanding animal behavior, using technology, and not being afraid to ask locals for some tips and tricks. By taking time to learn about the animal(s) you plan to hunt and the terrain you plan to hunt on, you will find that you can and will have a successful hunting experience.
With the right approach, tools, and knowledge, you can enjoy a rewarding hunting experience every time that you head out into the field.
