What should I bring hunting?Dressing for the WeatherIn recent years, I have hunted the North Dakota pheasant opener in 80 degree sun, 4 inches of snow, 20 degree cold, and 50 degree rain. The opener has been so hot that I’ve worried about my dog and has also been so cold that the water pipes have frozen in my cabin. This can all occur in early October so packing for a trip to ND can be a little challenging. If you are coming out to ND in December, expect temperatures below zero but some incredible hunting as the birds bunch up in the remaining cover after the crops are harvested. I dress in layers so I can adjust my dress throughout the day. I have often started the hunt 1/2 hour before sunrise with the temperature around 20 degrees. Then by about 10:00 AM, the sun was shining and the temperature had risen to over 50 degrees. For early season hunts I wear a good pair of brush pants. Make sure they are somewhat waterproof to shed the morning dew or light frost. For my upper body, I wear a good undershirt, a T-shirt and a long-sleeve flannel shirt. I cover this with my gun vest and then a canvas hunting jacket to cut the wind. As the temperature rises, I can leave the hunting jacket in the truck and remain comfortable the rest of the day. For my hands, a pair of cheap jersey gloves is usually enough. For later season hunts, I often wear a pair of chaps over my pants to keep my legs warmer and to shed the snow. My upper body starts with a good long-sleeve undershirt with a mock turtleneck, a long sleeve Henley, and a flannel shirt. This is covered with my gun vest and then a canvas hunting jacket to cut the wind. I prefer a nice old hunting hat with flip down ear flaps to keep my head warm and my hands stay warm with a good pair of light leather gloves. My fingers and ears get cold easily in the ND wind, so I pay special attention to them. Guns and Gear I suggest using a 20 gauge or lightweight 12 gauge shotgun with a modified choke and shells with 4 or 5 shot to hunt pheasants. You may want to switch to a full choke later in the season as the birds get jumpy and bust out of cover earlier. If you intend to hunt in federal waterfowl production areas, you will need non-toxic shot. Please note that if you are hunting in an area that requires non-toxic shot, you cannot be in possession of any toxic shot. This means that it cannot be in your gun, your pocket, or within reach while you are hunting.  My hunts always include: wet wipes, toilet paper, zip-lock bags, a compass and a first aid kit for me and my dog. As you can see from the picture to the left, Abbey needed a little more than a first aid kit in 2006. This photo was taken after her second ACL surgery. She injured herself running through the woods at home a few weeks before the season started so she didn't get to hunt that year. Boy, was she upset! But that's another story! The latest tool attached to my belt is a multi-tool that has a game shears instead of a pliers and a built-in choke tube wrench. |
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