Tips and Tricks For Hunting a New Species

Picking up my new tag got me thinking about what processes I go through when hunting a new species of animal. ​​Whether you’re a seasoned hunter looking to expand your repertoire or a novice eager to embark on a unique outdoor quest, the pursuit of a different species opens up a world of excitement and discovery. However, with this excitement comes a set of responsibilities and preparations that are distinct from hunting familiar game. This article serves as your guide to successfully hunting a new species, offering tips and tricks that will enhance your skills, ensure safety, and promote ethical hunting practices.

Scout, Scout, and Scout Some More

Scouting is the foundation of a successful hunt for a new species. When you know nothing about a species or its habits, every scrap of information that you can gather is important. Scouting involves gathering crucial information about your target animal and its habitat, allowing you to make informed decisions and increase your chances of a successful harvest. Here’s how to effectively scout for a new species:

• Scouting Trips: Plan scouting trips to the hunting area well in advance of the hunting season. These trips allow you to familiarize yourself with the terrain and observe the species in their natural habitat.
• Signs and Tracks: Look for signs such as tracks, droppings, rubs, scrapes, and bedding areas. These clues can indicate the presence and movement patterns of the species.
• Trail Cameras: Deploy trail cameras in strategic locations to capture images and videos of the species. This technology provides valuable data on their behavior and daily routines.
• Pinpointing Hotspots: Based on your research and on-site observations, identify potential hunting hotspots where the species is likely to frequent.
• Scouting App: Consider using scouting apps and GPS devices to mark locations of interest and create digital maps that can be accessed during the hunt.
• Seasonal Changes: Be aware of seasonal changes in the species’ behavior, such as breeding, migration, and feeding patterns. These shifts can impact your hunting strategy.
• Weather Factors: Take into account weather conditions and how they affect the species’ movement. Changes in temperature, wind, and precipitation can influence their activity.

For my upcoming pronghorn hunt, I have taken a day to travel directly to my hunting unit and scout with boots on the ground. While this isn’t always possible it is the most effective way of scouting for a hunt. I was able to see the undulating hills and mark potential hunting locations using my GPS map. It also was an opportunity for me to spot resident pronghorn populations and note any movements throughout the day. Of course, conditions may change on the day of the hunt so it is important to remain flexible and take things as they come.

Do Your Research

With modern technology, research has become much easier than in the past. Today there are numerous online and digital resources available for the average hunter. Simply entering a search term like, “Hunting pronghorn in eastern Colorado,” turns up site after site of information. It is important to look for general information, such as what clothing to wear, as well as site-specific information, such as where to park and what regulations exist in the area. Getting as much of this information as possible may help to ensure that you have what you need and that your hunting trip doesn’t have too many unexpected issues. There is nothing worse than pulling up to hunt a field only to realize that the field is not open to the public, or that there are other regulations that prevent you from hunting there.

In addition to using online maps, forums, and guides, it also pays to have some expert perspective as well. Finding someone who lives in the area or who has hunted there before is an invaluable resource. They will be able to give you a first-hand account of the terrain, where animals may like to hang out, and they may have gear tips as well.

For my pronghorn hunt I have done my online research, I know where I want to hunt and how to approach the landscape. I also have learned that there is a single parking lot for the area that I am in and all hunters must start in the parking lot. Through online forums, I discovered that the Department of Wildlife tickets pretty heavily for cars parked outside of this lot. I also have a friend who hunted this unit last year. He saw many pronghorn and has provided me with some insider tips such as making sure that I bring kneepads and gloves as there are many cacti in the area and the potential for getting stuck by one while stalking a speed goat is pretty high. While you will never learn everything that you need to know through second-hand research, it is a good place to start.

Gear Up

Each new hunt that I undertake has different gear needs. While oftentimes it is possible to use the gear you already have for different hunts, there are moments when it pays off to buy hunt-specific gear. For me, it is generally better to have a gear item and not need it, rather than need an item and not have it.

Clothing

When hunting a new species or location the first thing that I think about is clothing. Clothing can play a huge role in hunting success, especially in areas with extreme weather or terrain. Weather is often the deciding factor when selecting clothing. If temperatures are hot, you may need some lightweight hunting gear, if temperatures are cold, be sure to have adequate warm clothing including hats, gloves, warm boots, pants, and thermal layers. Many times clothing that works for one hunt may work for another.

Before starting a new hunt, you may use information from your scouting or research to determine if a particular type of camouflage would work better in an area or if you need any special clothing such as waders or gaiters for wet or swampy conditions. For my pronghorn hunt, the weather is likely going to be warm to hot so I have layers packed to give me flexibility when in the field.

Guns and Ammo

Another consideration when hunting a new species is what gun and ammunition to use. While there is great overlap in guns and species, especially for big game, it is always important to use the right tool for the job. Much of this is determined by your current gun selection at home and I wouldn’t recommend buying a gun for each new hunt, however, if you have multiple sizes and types of guns at home, it pays off to do some research and use the best gun for the job.

The place that I see gun preference come into play the most is when hunting waterfowl or upland birds. Many prefer shooting smaller shotguns, like a 20 gauge, for some birds such as dove or pheasant, while saving their 12 gauge for ducks or geese. In hunting new big game species it is important to select a gun and ammunition that has the capability of taking down your animal cleanly and at a distance that you are comfortable shooting.

Decoys, Stands, and Blinds

The final gear consideration is thinking about your field setup, do you need decoys, a hunting stand, or a blind? In some cases you may be able to hunt one species just as you would another, for example, when I hunt elk here in Colorado I use pretty much the same gear as when I hunt deer, that is because it is pretty much spot and stalk mountain hunting. However, when I hunt birds I have decoys for each species and different blind considerations for each as well.

Determining what to buy and how many you need comes down to knowing the area that you are hunting in. Some areas require a wide-open spread of over one hundred decoys, while smaller areas may only need a dozen, it depends. The same goes for tree stands and blinds, you want to place yourself in an area where your target species is without being too conspicuous. For my pronghorn hunt I will not be using any specialized gear in terms of decoys, stands, or blinds, for this species what I need is a good set of binoculars or a spotting scope to scan the open prairie looking for animals. Luckily I already have some good binoculars that I use for other big game hunts so I am all set and ready to hunt!

Wrapping Up

Hunting a new species of animal is exciting. To make the most out of your hunt it is important to scout well beforehand, do your research, and gear up with any new items that you may need for your particular hunt. Learning about local weather patterns, talking to hunters with experience in the area, and utilizing digital technology to do some pre-hunt research will put you well on your way to a fun hunt that fills your freezer.

As you gear up this summer for whatever you decide to hunt, set yourself up for your most success with a blind that is quiet, comfortable, and built to last.

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