HUNTING “Moral of my story is get out to your hunting grounds early. Stay all day and put in the time and work. Pack plenty of water, take a lunch and delicious snacks,” counsels Dave Anderson, here glassing from a comfortable position. (DAVE ANDERSON)
Set Yourself Up For Success With fall seasons right around the corner, here’s how a former guide prepares to hunt big game and the all-day strategy he follows. By Dave Anderson
H
unting season is just around the corner, so now is the time to really start thinking about things you can do to not only prepare but also set yourself apart from others to succeed at notching tags this upcoming season. Hunting camp means something different to each of us. As much as I dearly love the camaraderie with family and friends, in addition to
the good food, my focus and what consumes my mind is notching a tag and being successful on a hunt. My ultimate goal is to fill my tag so I can provide my family with the cleanest protein available. I have a busy life that seems to get busier every year, so having months to scout and check out new areas gets tougher. I have gone blindly into a hunting unit and still found success. It is our job to be a detective and find the clues that will end up with a deer
or elk in our crosshairs or bow sight.
THERE ARE MANY tools that we can utilize to help us to be successful, especially when we have limited time to scout. We are so lucky these days to have Google Earth, onX maps, Basemap and Gohunt to look at new areas. These tools allow you to get a feel for the landscape, terrain, forest cover or lack thereof and land ownershp, among other elements, without having boots on the ground. nwsportsmanmag.com | AUGUST 2021
Northwest Sportsman 147
