A Beginner's Guide to Practical Hunting Accessories

Experienced hunters know that being well-prepared and well-supplied with everything you need, will result in a much successful hunting trip. However, if you're a beginner, you might want to do a bit of research and find out how can you make your hunting trip much better. The trick is to prepare in advance, know what you're hunting, and find the right spot for your adventure getting the right supplies and accessories.

When you get into hunting, you’ll see that the small things, the accessories, will greatly improve your hunting experience. Some of them will make you a better, more experienced hunter. One of the ways you can improve is to learn how to use stable, temperature-insensitive reloading powder. The market is filled with options, and it might be hard for you to choose the best one.

In general, there are two main types of powder, black powder and nitrocellulose. Black powder is the slow-burning option when compared with nitrocellulose. Because of this, it leaves a large amount of residue and causes a lot of smoke. It's mainly a blend of sulphur, charcoal and potassium nitrate which is an oxidizer.

Nitrocellulose on the other hand burns much faster and it creates more energy than black powder. As the pressure rises, the burn rate increases. Additional benefits of this smokeless powder include stability in storage, better control over the burning rate, and fewer corrosive effects on the rifle.

The majority of powders made nowadays are double-base or single. Single ones have just nitrocellulose, and the double ones have nitroglycerine added to the mix. There are several things to consider when buying powder. The first one is the burn rate. This determines how big will the pressure from the charge be. It's very important that you match the load type with the bullet weight.

Next is density. It determines the bulk of one charge. Bulkier powders won’t allow double charges and prevent overflow. Granule shape is also important. Ball powder is made of small, ball-shaped granules. Flattened ball powder has a flattening on one side, the rest is spherical. There's also flake powder whose granules look like small desks. And last but not least, stick powder. This one is often used with rifles and the granules look like small, extruded cylinders.

It's always a good idea to have your ammo sorted and stored properly. To do this, you’ll need an ammo box. These boxes are very practical and will keep the bullets safe and away from harm. They come in many shapes and sizes and can be made of different materials. The most common ones are wood and metal. There are boxes for every type of ammunition, from smallest to largest.

This is an accessory that will be a big part of your hunting journey and you need to choose a high-quality box that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. The main thing to consider is the size of the ammo you’re using. You don’t want to buy a box that’s too small, it’ll be useless. Make sure the box is water-resistant. This way it won’t be a big deal if it starts raining during your hunting session.

You can even store the reloading powder inside and be certain it’ll be okay. Metal ammo boxes are made to be strong and durable. With them, there’s little to no chance of the ammunition getting wet, or being damaged by wind, sun or dust and dirt. Plus, they have a locking mechanism that gives you extra safety.

Wooden ammo boxes are also very durable because they’re made of hardwood. They're also more suitable to carry heavier rounds. If you prefer being eco-friendly, this is the right choice. No matter which one you choose, it’s important to get the right size, the material that it’s most practical for your hunting adventures.

When you want to attract the game you’re hunting, you should use game calls, also known as hunting calls. They imitate the animal’s noises such as location calls, feeding calls or mating calls. This way the animal will get as close as possible. Look for devices that are as realistic as possible. Find a reliable supplier and compare the sounds.

You can choose between several types of calls. The mouth calls are made of latex and they’re a bit hard for beginners. Just like with reloading gunpowder, you need some experience activating them. Reed calls are easier. The sound they make depends on how many reeds are inside and how you blow into the tube.

If you’re hunting big game, you’ll need rattles. They mimic the sound of antlers clashing in a fight. In many cases, hunters use electronic game calls. They're electronic devices that have many animal sounds pre-recorded. All you do is play the sound. You can control the volume and repetitiveness.

Hunting attractants can make a big difference in the success of your hunting. As a beginner, you should get all the help you can get and they’re a good way to start. Just like the game calls, attractants are meant to bring the animals closer to you, but through their sense of smell.

They can conceal human scents, create realistic hunting conditions and draw in game. Some of them smell like fir or juniper and the animals won’t know you’re there. Apply the attractants strategically. Take note of the wind’s direction, learn as much as the game’s seasonal patterns and you’ll be successful.

If you want to take things to the next level, you should buy some decoys. They can be of great help not just for beginners, but for experienced hunters as well. No matter which animal you’re buying, make sure the decoy is as realistic as possible. This means the right colours, size and shape. Animals are very cautious when it comes to other animals.

Next is durability. The decoy should be made of durable materials that can stand up to harsh weather conditions and long exposures to water, sun, snow and wind. If you’re moving a lot, the decoy should be easily portable even if it's a moose one. This accessory can be a valuable tool in your hunting adventures, so make sure you choose the right one.