Planning a destination hunt is something that takes time and attention to details. This brief guide will help do it yourself hunters to plan accordingly for their upcoming hunt.

[caption id="attachment_6079" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Planning a DIY destination hunt takes planning, but can lead you to some incredible places.[/caption] Do-It-Yourself (DIY) destination hunts have always been part of the hunting culture. Hunting's root trace to men of days gone by when you could rove the land providing sustenance for your camp. Some people feel it is the ultimate hunting experience. Folks who can show up to a location away from their home stomping grounds, run a smooth camp, and come home with something to show for it all surmount a great challenge. These trips are more than just camping trips with archery equipment. Destination hunts require serious planning and the right gear. If you are unfamiliar with planning a destination hunt the task can seem a bit daunting. While not meant to be a complete manual, this guide will cover the very basic questions you need to answer before embarking on your adventure.

Learn the Area

Learning as much as you can about the area you are going to hunt is perhaps the biggest planning endeavor you face. Much has been made recently of google maps and its ability to help you prepare for a hunt. While google maps is a great tool and should be scoured rigorously it should not be your only resource. Getting in touch with local wildlife biologists is a great way to learn about your hunting area. These folks want to see you come in and have a great hunt, and will offer inside tips other locals may not. Secondly the use of good old fashioned topographic maps is something I like to use. These maps will show you the elevation of the area, so when combined with google maps, and a call to the wildlife officer, they can be a great tool as well.

Test Your Gear

Another major piece of advice for somebody planning a DIY destination hunt is to test your gear before you leave. Nothing will expose a weakness in your gear like a weekend trip will. You will want to make sure your stove is working, tent has all the necessary stakes, your sleeping bag did not get invaded by mice, and so on, before you get to your destination. Hunters also add another element of gear planning when they plan a destination hunt. Dealing with your archery gear and making sure it is bomb proof is also important. In addition to making sure your archery gear is in top shape, you should also make a note to pack a few extras like broadheads, arrows, rope cockers for crossbow hunters, and so on. You might not need them, but in the case of DIY destination hunting it is better to have them and not need them, then it is to need them and not have them.

Be Prepared for the Worst

This is probably the biggest area of concern for planning a destination hunt. People who are unfamiliar with an area tend to underestimate what it will be like. Know what the worst weather conditions can be like, and prepare for those. If your hunting trip is in the mountains in early September plan for snow. It might not snow, but anyone familiar with the ways of the mountain would not be surprised if it did. The same goes for other areas as well. If there is a possibility of 100+ degree heat, you ought to plan for that. Underestimating the ferocity of mother nature can be the worst decision you can make. While not in great detail, these are the major items for consideration when planning a DIY destination hunt. Knowing the area, testing your gear, and preparing for the worst case scenario are the bare minimum things to consider. Details like what gear to bring, physical stamina, and hunting details vary widely for each specific hunt. Start with these three big items for consideration and you'll have a large chunk of the work behind you. NEXT: OFFSEASON ARCHERY SHOOTING TIPS