Time can be at premium for those who like to hunt, so manufacturers are always coming up with new gizmos and gadgets to maximize the hunting experience and minimize time spent on the trail.
Equipment, such as camouflage clothing, has been on the market for decades, but small improvements make a big difference for those who don’t like to go home empty-handed.
Joanne Dyck, sales associate at Screamin’ Reel Fly and Tackle in Donex Pharmacy & Department Store, is an avid hunter and she says camouflage clothing is always a popular purchase in the store. She adds innovations, such scent control in the fabric, makes the garments that much more efficient for the wearer.
“It hides a human scent. A lot of people buy scent eliminator separately but this makes it easy.”
Another popular feature in camouflage clothing is low-noise fabric, which many manufacturers are now using. The soft material allows the wearer to move about without alerting game with the rustle associated with some other fabrics.
A staple item for hunters is a game call and Dyck says most people use some kind of a call. She says the most popular in the South Cariboo area are moose, deer and elk.
“They’re really useful if you see an animal and want to stop it. Often the animal will stop and look, and give you an advantage.”
Dyck notes a must-have for many hunters is a trail camera, which scouts a given area for game prior to a hunter going out. The device is fastened to a tree and left for a period of time. A motion detector activates a camera when an animal comes within range and it records images for the hunter to see later.
The device is popular because it can eliminate extra time spent in the bush just waiting and watching for the presence of game.
Range finders are a staple for hunters but newer and better models are out this year, she adds.
“They’re always improving them. They’ll tell you how far away the animal is and the newer ones take into consideration the ‘droppage’ for a bullet or hunting arrow in its trajectory. It compensates and shows you where you have to aim.”
The basics, such as binoculars, camping and safety gear, knives and global positioning systems, are always equipment hunters are looking for.
