Safe and successful hunting requires knowledge of

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1 INTRODUCTION Safe and successful hunting requires knowledge of certain field techniques. These include preparing for the hunt, species identification, hunting and game taking procedures, field dressing, skinning, cooling and care of game meat. Hat Turtleneck Outer Jacket Shirt Gloves Thermal Underwear Wool Pants Boots Wool Socks Hunting Trip Equipment You will need basic equipment on any hunting trip. Plan ahead. Knowing what to expect in the way of terrain, weather and shelter, and planning for these conditions is essential to a successful hunt. This equipment is important for day trips or long backpacking trips. Basic equipment can be added or varied to meet the needs of specialized hunting trips. Some basic equipment includes: 1. appropriate clothing 2. compass and maps 3. survival kit 4. first aid kit 5. miscellaneous equipment 6. firearm and ammunition 7. appropriate licence and/or permits CLOTHING Clothing should be lightweight and not hamper your movements. Your clothing should be functional and you should dress in layers. Break-in any new clothes, particularly boots, before your hunt. Always take extra clothes and socks so you have a complete change if you get wet. Clothing for outdoor use must have three qualities: It must provide insulation to keep you warm. Wool is often the preferred material. It should offer you protection from heat, cold, getting wet, cuts and scratches, and from being mistaken for game. It must be absorbent to soak up perspiration. It should not be completely waterproof, but should breathe to allow moisture to evaporate. Your clothes should prevent you from getting wet. Clothing that is completely waterproof will shed rain and wet weather, but will not provide insulation or absorb perspiration. Without insulation to keep you dry, you will likely feel either very cold or extremely hot while wearing totally waterproof garments. Clothes should protect you from cuts and scratches. Tough pants, jackets, and gloves will help. Your clothes should be strong and not tear easily in heavy brush. Though popular, jeans are not always the best choice. Because of the wicking quality of jeans, even walking in wet grass can cause you to become soaked. 67

2 Outer clothing should be a bright colour to protect you from being mistaken for game. Most states and provinces require the wearing of hunter orange garments; check your provincial regulations. Always wear layers of clothes. You can easily take a layer off or add one to adjust your temperature. Clothes will also provide shade from the sun. In cold weather you should wear long thermal underwear for extra insulation and absorbency. Heavy cotton shirts are suitable in mild weather, but wool should be used in cold weather. Cotton loses its insulating ability when it gets wet. Pants can be of any hardy fabric including cotton twill, duck, denim or wool. Wool is a very useful fabric because it provides some insulation against the cold even when it becomes wet. Polypropylene or wicking-action material moves moisture away from the skin and increases the effectiveness of other worn clothing. Hat A hat should be included with your hunting gear. In cold weather, it is very important to wear a hat since body heat is lost faster through the head than anywhere else. Your hands and feet will remain warm longer if your head is covered and warm. In bright sunlight, a hat shades your eyes and protects you from sunburn. Your hat should fit well so it cannot be easily knocked off or nudged over your eyes by tree branches. Boots Your boots and socks are very important. Care and conditioning of the feet and proper fitting boots are essential to the hunter s well-being. Boots that fit poorly can cause painful blisters which can be a major injury when walking far from camp. Friction from boots that are too large, loosely laced boots, or lumpy or wrinkled socks can cause blisters. Wearing two pairs of wool socks will keep your feet warm and soak up perspiration. Break-in a new pair of boots before you go hunting by wearing them on short hikes. Lace your boots snugly around your foot, but less tightly around your ankle. To do this, lace the boot firmly to the top of the instep and tie a reef knot there to hold the tension. The laces can then be comfortably laced from the instep to the top of the boot. The weight of your boots is very important. Even a few ounces of extra weight carried for many miles can be equal to several hundred pounds of physical exertion. Boots should be sturdy, with strong soles that will not slip and slide on rocky trails. Avoid wearing boots heavier than you need. Hunting boots should be a full size larger than your regular shoe size to allow room for thick socks and inner soles and for some swelling of your feet which is normal during hard walking. Gloves Gloves are a necessary part of a hunter s gear. They help keep you warm and protect your hands from cuts, blisters, splinters, and other injuries. Jackets Hunting coats vary with the season. In mild weather a denim jacket is light-weight and hard-wearing. A longsleeved lumberjack shirt of heavy wool is also suitable for mild weather. Down vests are light-weight, warm, and allow great freedom of movement. For extremely cold weather conditions, a down-filled jacket with hood is best. Down loses its insulating qualities when it becomes wet. COMPASS AND MAP A compass and a map should always be carried when hunting. In some provinces it is mandatory. All hunters should familiarize themselves with the area they are hunting. If you don t know the country at all, go with someone who does. Even when with a hunting party, don t wander away from the others. Know where they are at all times. This will not only keep you from getting lost, but it will also keep you out of the line of fire of your companions. When entering the woods from a road, check your compass at the point where you leave the road. A topographical map used in conjunction with your compass will help you to recognize landmarks such as streams, roads and other features as you walk. The average walking speed is about 4 km/hr, so noting the time you ve travelled will give you an idea of distance covered. However, in rough terrain you may walk considerably slower. A compass is a necessary part of any hunter s equipment, particularly if you expect to travel in unfamiliar terrain. Even though you may know the country, cloudy or stormy weather may conceal familiar landmarks. Just carrying a compass is not enough you must know how to use it. Compass It s a good idea to take two compasses on any hunting trip one to use and a spare in your survival kit. Looping the lanyard through a button hole, attach your compass securely. You can also loop it over your neck. There are many types of compasses available. They range from a simple pocket compass which shows general directions, to complex models with sights and sighting lines, useful for sketching a rough map or navigating exactly to specific locations. 68

3 The important part of a compass is its magnetized needle, balanced on a pinpoint and free to swing around. When left to itself, the needle always points to the magnetic North, which is the northerly direction of the earth s magnetic force lines. This end of the needle is usually marked with the initial N, shaped like an arrowhead, or coloured so you can tell which end of the needle is pointing north. There are several types of pocket compasses. The best of these has a liquid-filled dial which slows the swinging of the compass needle and makes it easier to use. The compass dial is divided into 360 parts. These divisions are called degrees and each degree represents a bearing or direction. The degrees are measured clockwise from North, which is called 0 or 360 on an Orienteering Compass. This is the compass most commonly used. The four cardinal directions,north, East, South, and West, are at right angles to each other (i.e. N-0 or 360, E-90, S-180, and W-270 ). Using a Compass Compasses can be used three ways without a map. 1. To find directions or a bearing from one point to another. 2. To follow a bearing from one point to another. 3. To return to a point of departure after travelling on a bearing. The modern orienteering compass gives directions and bearings quickly. To find a bearing with this type of compass: (a) Hold it level in your palm at about waist height in front of you, then turn and point the directional arrow where you want to go. If the compass is not held level, the needle may show an inaccurate reading. (b) Orient the compass by turning the compass housing until the North end of the orienting arrow is under the North end of the compass needle. (c) Read the bearing in degrees where the tail of the directional arrow meets the degree scale on the housing. Some compasses have other indicators to show where you read the bearing. Parts of a Compass Base plate (transparent) Direction of travel arrow Scale in inches Magnifying lens North point of dial Orienting arrow Scale in mm Safety cord Index pointer Magnetic north needle (North end red and luminous) Compass dial (360 0 in 2 degree graduations) Compass housing (turntable) Orienting lines (compass meridian lines) 69

To follow this or any other bearing is also a simple matter. With the needle and orienting arrow properly aligned, pick out a landmark along the line of sight and walk to it.

4 To follow this or any other bearing is also a simple matter. With the needle and orienting arrow properly aligned, pick out a landmark along the line of sight and walk to it. When you reach the landmark, orient yourself again, walk to your next landmark and so on. It is a good idea to write the bearing down, if possible, because a twig or limb may touch your compass housing and move it. Destination Direction of Travel Sighting Line fog to 0.5 km or more in open country on a clear day. Remember too, that a compass can only give you the direction you want to travel, but cannot tell you where you are. You should have a general idea where you are before you try to use a compass. Therefore, before entering the woods, always take time to check the bearing of the highway you are leaving and the direction you are travelling. Then, if you get turned around, the reverse bearing will take you back. Because a compass is equipped with a magnetic needle, be careful to keep it away from all iron-bearing metal and electric currents. This includes axes, knives, guns, fishing rods, bridges, railway and fence lines, cars, rings on fingers, watches, etc. Sometimes even the zipper on a jacket may cause the needle to change direction. Power lines will do the same. When camp has been set up beside a base-line such as a river, road or railway, you can easily find the way back to camp with a compass. If you are hunting north of the base-line, you know that as long as you don t cross that base-line, all you need to do to find camp is walk south from where you are and you will be in line with camp. Referring to a map, you should know if you are above or below the camp. A compass is best used in combination with a map. The map will show which direction to take to get to a specific location. The compass will keep you walking in the right direction. Maps To return to your starting point, turn around, orient your compass to the opposite bearing, and using landmarks as before, walk to it. This is called using the reversed bearing. Thus, if you were travelling on a bearing of 60, the reverse bearing would be 60 plus 180 = 240. A landmark should be chosen that is on the course of the hunter s ultimate destination and one which will be visible until it is reached. On reaching the marker, the hunter chooses another landmark in the distance and checks the bearing again with the map and compass. In a forest, a straight course can be maintained by lining up two trees and walking directly toward them. As the first tree is reached a third tree is lined up, behind and in a straight line with the second. This procedure is repeated each time another of the trees is reached. A common mistake when using a compass is to look at the bearing too often. Renew your bearing only as often as the distance between good landmarks dictates. This distance will vary with the terrain, cover and visibility, ranging from 3 to 20 metres in thick brush or A map is best defined as a reduced diagram of a portion of the earth s surface as viewed from directly above. Have a map of the area in which you plan to hunt and study it in advance. Road maps are not always drawn to scale and often lack sufficient detail to be of use for anything but a highway and road guide. The preferred map for most uses is the Topographic Series at a scale of 1:50,000. These are detailed maps showing the elevations of hills, valleys and landmarks such as roads, lakes, vegetation, swamps, and buildings. Key elements of topographical maps include: Legend: a listing of symbols shown on the map and what they mean. Scale: provided as a ratio. For example, on a 1:50,000 scale map, one unit on the map equals 50,000 of the same units on the ground. Contour lines: a contour line shows the outline of a hill at one elevation. Widely spaced lines indicate a gentle slope. Closely spaced lines indicate a steep slope. True and magnetic north arrows: indicate the direction of true north and magnetic north. Most maps are oriented so that true north is at the top of the map sheet. A compass, however, points to magnetic north. 70

5 Grids: a series of vertical and horizontal lines that mark the map off in a grid system. Topographic maps show both geographic (latitude/longitude) and UTM grids (kilometres) that make it possible to determine your precise location. In the Atlantic Provinces topographical maps are available from various private and government sources. A listing of topographical map distributors can be found online at NRCan.gc.ca/ Some hunters also rely on hand-drawn maps that they, or other hunters, prepare. Mental maps are based on your memory of the direction and distances you have travelled. These should not be chosen over a good topographical map. Using a Map and Compass A compass used alone is a valuable asset in unknown territory, but use it with an up-to-date, detailed map and a solid grasp of map and compass principles, and you have the next best thing to a local guide. Individually, a map and compass are valuable tools for navigation. Together they extend the limits of each, allowing us to determine the direction and distance to a destination and our ability to reach it. The distance from one point to another is determined by measuring the distance on the map using any unit of measurement. The metric system is the most convenient. This measurement is then converted to the distance in the field by means of the map scale. For example, a measurement of 2 cm between two points on a 1:50,000 scale map would be equivalent to a distance of 100,000 cm or 1 km in the field. To find the direction or bearing between two points on a map: 1. Draw a line between your starting point and your destination. (A - B) 2. Lay the baseplate edge of the compass along this line. Make sure the direction of travel arrow is pointing in the direction you wish to go. 3. Holding the compass base steady, turn the compass housing so the orienting lines in the compass housing are parallel with any meridian (North-South) lines on the map. Make sure that North on the compass housing is pointing toward North on the map. 4. Read the bearing on the compass housing at the base of the direction of travel arrow. Using the example in the figure below you would obtain a reading of 50. Failure to comply with the statements above will result in an error of 180. Second, most maps and their meridian lines are drawn according to true North. A correction for what is known as declination must be made. Check on the margin of the map to determine the angle of declination. In Eastern Canada the angle of Magnetic Declination is added to any bearings taken from the map. Depending on your location, your adjusted or magnetic bearing should be 18 to 30 greater in the Atlantic Provinces. Declination must be considered when using a map and compass to plot a course on the ground. Example: map bearing 50 + declination 23 W = magnetic (field) bearing 73 71

6 Landmark (dead tree) Landmark Procedure Continue on at STILLWATER Paces at 140 Course of travel 50 Off-Set Procedure Continue on at 50 Check back-bearing from here MAGNETIC DECLINATION (VARIATION) The magnetic declination from true or map North is not the same in different places. It changes as you alter your position in relation to the north pole. Use the declination that is on the map you are using. This is the angle between true North (the direction of the north pole) and magnetic North (the direction of the magnetic pole, which is located roughly 2,300 km south, in the Boothia Peninsula of Nunavut). The reason declination decreases as you move West is that the magnetic needle need not swing as far off true North in order to line up with the magnetic pole. As you move West the declination decreases until it is nil. At that point, a line drawn North from your position would pass through both the magnetic North pole and the true North pole. In Canada this line of zero declination passes through the area of Thunder Bay, Ontario. East of this line, the declination is added to true bearings. West of this line it is subtracted. NOTE: The magnetic declination is given on each topographic map. MAINTAINING A BEARING WHILE AVOIDING LARGE OBSTACLES To continue a journey along your compass bearing, when you come upon a large obstacle such as a body of water: 1. Pick a prominent landmark on the other side of the water that is in line with the intended course of travel Paces at 320 STILLWATER Mark tree or place stake on which to take back-bearing Course of travel Walk around the stillwater to that landmark, for example a large, dead tree, and continue from there on the original course. Upon reaching a barrier with no landmark on which to sight, off-set the compass at right angles to the direction of travel, (50 in the example provided). Swing left from 50 to 320 and, counting paces, walk along the new bearing to the farther end of the water. On reaching that position, swing back to 50 and travel in that direction to reach the other shore. Then place the compass on 140 and count the same number of paces back to the imaginary point where you would continue the old line of travel. Placing the compass on 50, check the back-bearing, 230, to see if it points to a previously chosen object at the place where you first came out to the water. If it does, then you know you will be continuing along the original line of travel when facing 50. Practice with your compass before you go on your hunting trip. The time to orient yourself using your compass, map, and landmarks is when you leave camp. If you wait until you are lost, it will be too late. 72

Q 0403.03.03 4. Never totally rely on using a GPS unit; carry a map and compass and know how to use it. 5. Store the GPS unit in a warm and dry place. 6.

7 Q Never totally rely on using a GPS unit; carry a map and compass and know how to use it. 5. Store the GPS unit in a warm and dry place. 6. Be careful not to knock or drop their GPS unit as it may damage internal electronic devices. 7. Learn more about GPS operation by taking advanced training. GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) GPS is a satellite-based radio-navigation system developed and operated by the US Department of Defense. Development of this system started some time in the 1980 s. It permits land, sea and airborne users to determine their three-dimensional position, speed, and time of day, in all weather and anywhere in the world with great precision and accuracy. Although developed primarily for scientific and military purposes, GPS units have begun to enter the regular consumer market. Small hand-held units are available for hunters, hikers, travelers and ground search and rescue teams. Using a GPS unit along with a topographic map or marine navigation chart can be very useful to hunters. It can help to determine your exact position or how to find the best and safest way to access your favourite hunting areas and return home. There are many GPS units available on the market and users are advised to consult with the owner s guide for precise information on operating the different units. Hunters should also: 1. Make sure their GPS unit has been set to work with the specific type of map they are using. 2. Use their GPS unit in clear unobstructed areas outside buildings or equipment to receive a better signal. 3. Always remember to carry spare batteries for their GPS unit. w nsew n s e 73 OTHER EQUIPMENT Depending on the time of year, the length and location of your trip and the game hunted, you may need other types of equipment. Some items you may include are: Sharp, strong knife or hand axe Bonesaw Lightweight packframe or backpack of good quality Cheesecloth: to protect meat from flies Portable stove (propane or multi-fuel), pots, pans, etc. Food: take a variety of freeze dried and dehydrated foods. They are easy to prepare and nutritious. Emergency food: foods with a high caloric content (i.e. nuts, chocolate bars, dried fruit, candy, sugar), bouillon cubes, coffee, or tea, if desired. Tent: windproof, waterproof, strong, lightweight Sleeping bag: down-filled or synthetic filled Insolite sleeping pad Extra socks and gloves, safety pins Several metres of light, strong rope Flagging tape Sunglasses Binoculars Flashlight Camera and film Plastic sheet Aluminum foil for a dish, pan, etc. Survival kit (from Lesson 5) First aid kit (from Lesson 5) KNIVES Some hunters prefer a sheath knife, others like a pocket knife. It is often wise to carry both when hunting, in case one breaks or is lost. The blade of any knife should be of good quality steel so it will keep its edge for a reasonable time. With regular use around camp, a knife needs to be sharpened every three or four days. Knife blades should not be used to pry, chop or bore holes.

Outdoor Clothing: The Layering System

MOUNTAINEERING KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Sheet 1 Version 1:1 Revised: 01052006 Written & Compiled by Walt Meyer Venture Forth 2006 Outdoor Clothing: The Layering System When you re out in the mountains and you