Hunting’s Roots: It’s About Experience, Not Expensive Gear

Long before high-tech weapons and designer camo, hunters thrived with nothing more than sharpened sticks and keen instincts. Today, hunting can feel like a gear-driven industry, with endless gadgets, promising success or shortcuts. But after 30 years in the field, I can tell you that the heart of hunting lies in skills, patience, and time spent in the field, not your wallet. So, what do you really need to get started? Let’s break it down.

A nice buck harvested in 2024, while simply sitting still/quiet at the base of a tree with the clothing pictured.

Fieldcraft: Your Foundation

Great hunters aren’t born or bought; they’re made through time spent outdoors. Fieldcraft, the art of understanding nature, animals, and terrain, is your starting point and foundation. No app or gadget can replace the lessons learned by slowly/quietly walking the woods and observing wildlife in its element. Here’s how to build time-tested fieldcraft at little or no cost:

• Understand the Land: Learn to spot tracks, animal signs, animal behavior, and other aspects that make up the broader environment. Study local plants, terrain, and subtle changes that occur throughout the seasons.

• Master the Wind: Always try to travel and hunt with the wind in your face to control your scent. Skip pricey scent-blockers and just avoid scented soaps on hunt days.

• Move Like a Ghost: Step heel-to-toe, use natural terrain and cover to your advantage, and pause often to scan the area, which also mimics an animal's rhythm as you travel.

• Navigate Smart: Grab free topographic maps from USGS and a $20 compass. Learn and practice basic map reading and orienteering skills to explore confidently.

• Act Ethically: Safety and respect come first. Know firearm safety rules and take only humane shots, and don't leave trash behind. You represent all hunters, so do it right.

Get Out There!

Start small, spending a few hours exploring your land or a local wildlife area during the off-season. Every outing helps to sharpens your instincts and fieldcraft. Even after decades, I still learn something new every single time I step into the woods. That is part of the journey!

Getting started does not need to be a costly and/or overly complicated endeavor. If you have clothing to keep you comfortable in the field, a firearm in a suitable caliber with reasonable accuracy out to 75 or 100 yards (many shots in the woods will be inside 40 yards), and a few basic field dressing tools you are ready to get started. Other 'nice to have' items will become apparent as new hunters spend time in the field, but my mindset has always been "less is more" and I have long enjoyed the simplicity that comes with this approach. At the end of the day, there are no replacements for the fundamentals that have existed since the dawn of mankind and the journey to master those ageless skills is what keeps many hunters returning to the woods year after year. Get out there, take it slow, become familiar with the land and environment you hunt, develop a strategy that works for you, and enjoy yourself!

Conclusion

I am happy to chat and share what has worked for me over the years, so please feel free to reach out any time. I also plan to expand on this blog post in the future, possibly even authoring a book that goes into more detail. Sharing knowledge and experiences is a big part of keeping the sport and tradition of hunting alive for future generations!