Some people love hunting. Others want something a little more challenging, and that’s where backcountry hunting comes in Backcountry hunting is not for the weak. It is a wilderness pursuit. Hunters will travel off the beaten path, deep enough that they cannot return to a vehicle or permanent shelter each day. They will carry all the necessary gear on their backs. Simply put, they are living out in the wilderness.
So, yes, it is definitely more challenging than ordinary hunting. And, while most of the skills are the same, you do need to be much more precise in the backcountry. Why? Because there is no room for error here – not in regards to fitness, fear, navigation, or shot placement.
Fortunately, you will learn how to guarantee precision during this type of excursion below.
1. Practice Unconventional Shooting Angles
Ethical kills are a must. You do not want to cause the animal any more pain, especially when it is not necessary. Plus, no one wants to trail through the wilderness for miles just to find the buck they’ve shot. These are two reasons why you must practice unconventional shooting angles.
This is not a job for the shooting range, though. Flat ranges cannot replicate the variables you will encounter field shooting. Instead, you must simulate the steep downhill or uphill shots as well as any awkward field positions. You can practice getting into these positions – whether that’s half-squat, kneeling against a tree, or sitting in a boulder field.
And don’t forget gravity’s effect. Gravity affects a bullet’s drop less on steep angles. You should be ranging the horizontal distance to target using a reliable rangefinder.
2. Utilize Pack-Based Rear Supports
This is another way to ensure ethical and precise shots. Pack-based rear supports – also known as “squeeze” bags – provide a stable, shock-absorbing platform for the butt of the rifle. This means the natural “wobble” of human support hands are eliminated. They also ensure consistent and repeatable recoil management.
The key here is to compress the pack correctly. Your rifle shouldn’t be rested on the edges of your frame. The main body of the pack should be cinched down to become dense, then it can be laid in the desired position. That might be flat or on its side to provide the right height.
Even when you have made the perfect shot, you need to continue this precision. In the backcountry, you might be living off the meat you harvest. This means skinning and cutting. If this is the case, relying on the Blood Brothers Speedgoat Ultra is your best option.
3. Strengthen Your Core
But there is no better than a strong foundation. Strengthening your core provides this. You’ll have a stable shooting platform if your midsection is strong. It will even reduce physical fatigue and help you balance better in the backcountry, where the terrain is more rugged and unforgiving.
It is best to focus on stability here. Don’t just focus on crunches and the like. Rather, you should be prioritizing weighted pack plants, Russian twists, and other anti-rotational and stabilizing movements.
To conclude, precision in the backcountry matters. Hunters need to be precise to make ethical shots and remain safe. This is a key way to ensure your excursion is a success. Thankfully, you can utilize the methods above to achieve that.