What do young hunters need at the beginning?

In order to hunt successfully and ethically, some equipment is necessary. Although your collection of hunting gear will continue to grow over the coming years and adapt to your needs and style of hunting, every young hunter should acquire some basic equipment at the start of their journey as a hunter.

Geartester Festival: The Best Opportunity for Weapon Tests

Anyone who wants to experience and test hunting equipment and weapons in a practical way should not miss the Geartester Festival. Here, visitors have a unique opportunity to try out various weapons such as silencers, shotguns, and handguns under real conditions and get a feel for their handling. From shooting from a goose hide to innovative applications – the festival offers an ideal platform to test products up close and get comprehensive information about the latest developments on the market.

The Gun Safe

Before the first hunting weapon and thus the tool for hunting can be purchased, a gun safe is required to store it safely and legally. 
In Germany, gun safes used for the secure storage of hunting weapons must meet certain safety requirements. These requirements are specified in the Technical Guidelines for Gun Safes (TR W 311) of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).

Depending on the number and type of weapons to be stored in the safe, there are different security levels that depend on the resistance time and wall thickness of the safe. For the storage of hunting weapons that have a permit, a minimum of security level 0 according to TR W 311 is usually required. This corresponds to a resistance time of five minutes and a wall thickness of at least 2.5 mm.

It is important for young hunters to ensure that the gun safe they choose meets the requirements of TR W 311 and provides enough space for their weapons. The safe should also be positioned in such a way that it is not easily accessible and is protected from unauthorized access.

The First Weapon!

Hunting is arguably the oldest craft in human history. Like any craft, to pursue it adequately, one primarily needs the right tools. In hunting, this fundamentally means the firearm, more specifically the rifle / long gun. However, before such a hunting weapon (usually a rifle at the beginning) can be purchased, a gun safe must first be acquired.

This is mandatory for the proper storage and safekeeping of the weapon. Nowadays, it does not matter whether the first weapon is a repeater, a break-action rifle, or even a shotgun or handgun. The regulations listed in the firearms law apply.

Only after that can one focus on the right hunting weapon, which should also include a gun sling and a case or gun bag for transport. Additionally, a gun cleaning kit should be acquired for proper maintenance.

Nowadays, complete solutions are so popular among young hunters that many also acquire a suitable hunting optic for young hunters as well as a suppressor suitable for young hunters.

Many retailers also offer starter packages for young hunters, which include a bundle of these directly related equipment items along with the weapon. Some retailers even offer a thermal or night vision device as many hunters today like to use these aids, and young hunters are increasingly embracing technology.

The (Active) Hearing Protection

Many young hunters today do not just opt for simple earmuff hearing protection with purely sound-dampening effects, but use so-called active hearing protection.

These are particularly popular as hearing protection for driven hunts. This type of hearing protection dampens sounds of certain frequencies – such as the loud bang when firing – while amplifying other ambient noises. Such sounds can include the cracking of branches or the noise of game moving through the leaves. They are thus both hearing protectors and headphones in one.

The Binoculars

To safely identify and observe game, acquiring binoculars is highly advisable. Theoretically, one could also observe game with the scope on the weapon, but this use is cumbersome due to the length of the weapon and is unethical, as it is inappropriate to aim at animals that may not yet be identified as game with a weapon.

Before purchasing binoculars, one should primarily consider their own requirements for them. Once one is aware of what their binoculars should be able to do, selecting the right binoculars for hunting becomes quick and easy.

The Hunting Knife

Additionally, a high-quality hunting knife should be acquired right at the beginning, as it is constantly used during hunting and is essential in many situations. Without a hunting knife, stag knife, boar knife, skinning knife, bush knife, boning knife, butcher knife, etc., the process of hunting and the subsequent processing of the game would never be guaranteed as we know it today.

A good hunting knife is characterized primarily by two things: it is sharp and it is handy. Furthermore, it should be safe enough that one does not accidentally cut themselves carelessly, or there is a risk of cutting when carrying it in the sheath or folded on the body.

It should also be stable and suitable for the intended tasks. It should not bend, break, or dull too quickly. Since hunting knives are also used in winter in snow and wet conditions or even in rain, they should be made of rust-resistant material.

The Clothing

One should also have weatherproof clothing from the very beginning. Without this, walking through the hunting grounds can quickly become a strain and provide little joy. A weather-resistant, preferably quiet hunting backpack or a similar hunting bag, as well as a hunting hat or cap complete the basic equipment.

For clothing for driven hunts, special requirements apply, as this form of social hunting takes place in the cold season and the employed shooters are not allowed to leave their stands for several hours.

It is therefore highly advisable to delve deeper into the special requirements for driven hunt clothing.

The Field Dressing Aids

As you will quickly notice, there are many utensils that can influence your hunting success and simplify many hunting situations for you. In addition to the knife, a small bone saw is very helpful for field dressing. It makes it easier to open the pelvis and ribcage if desired. Such a tool is usually included in a professional field dressing kit.

The Hunting Backpack

A hunting backpack is an indispensable companion for every hunter. It provides storage space for all the important equipment that the hunter needs while hunting. There are special hunting backpacks that are tailored to the needs of hunters. They feature many practical functions such as padded shoulder straps for comfortable carrying or weather-resistant materials that protect against wind and weather.

The Shooting Stick

A stalking stick / shooting stick is often very practical as well. If game is not within shooting distance of a high seat, one can approach it and have a useful shooting rest at hand in open fields with the aforementioned stalking stick.

The Light Sources

Since setting up and taking down usually occurs in the dark, a headlamp is also essential. Flashlights are less recommended, as using them leaves one hand less free than with a headlamp, which should have various brightness levels. Additionally, it is advisable if it has red or green light functions, as these can be less perceived by game.

The Retrieval Aids

Once the game is down and has been processed, the right retrieval aid can save you the hassle of dragging or carrying the game. The further transport to the cooling cell can also be made uncomplicated and, above all, clean with the right equipment in the form of a game carrier for the trailer hitch or a game tray for the trunk.

Expanding the Inventory

There are many other pieces of equipment that are sensible and helpful. With the equipment mentioned above, however, adequate and ethical hunting can already take place, and the first hunting successes can be achieved. Gradually, however, the equipment items listed below could complete the hunting practice.

The Shooting Rest

Especially for supporting the stability of the weapon and thus the precision of the shot while hunting from a stand or high seat, using a shooting rest is advisable. Shooting rests made of plastics or leather are becoming increasingly popular.

The Heating Devices / Body Warmers

Hunting typically occurs year-round and even in the dead of night - e.g., during wild boar hunts. Therefore, it is always important for hunters to address the topic of warm clothing and maintaining a comfortable and healthy body temperature during the cold winter months.

To stay warm on the high seat in icy temperatures, in addition to insulating clothing, one also needs aids such as:

• Hunting blankets
• Hand warmers / pocket heaters
• Hunting bags
• Heating vests
• Sole warmers
• High seat heaters
• High seat stoves
• etc.

For Power Supply

Power banks are now standard equipment for outdoor activities and hunting. Whether for the phone or for the heating vest, they are indispensable for essential equipment, especially when spending extended periods outdoors. The same applies even more to hunting: During long night sits, thermal cameras and attachment devices can be quickly recharged, extending the duration of the sit.

The Game Calls

Game calls are tools used by hunters to attract wildlife. There are various types of game calls, such as mouth calls, tube calls, or electronic calling systems. Each call has its specific purpose and can be used for different species of game.

However, using game calls requires a certain level of experience and finesse. Not every situation is suitable for the use of calls, and not every animal responds to every call. It should also be ensured that the use of game calls always complies with applicable laws and regulations.

The Traps

Trapping is a popular method in hunting practice to take certain species of game. This type of hunting also offers young hunters an interesting opportunity to gain experience and improve their skills. However, trapping requires a high level of expertise and care, as traps must be used in a species-appropriate and ethical manner to avoid unnecessary suffering to animals. Before young hunters begin trapping, they should thoroughly inform themselves about the legal regulations and seek advice from experienced hunters.

There are various types of traps that young hunters can use for trapping, such as live traps, box traps, snap traps, neck snares, or even leg-hold traps.

The Game Cameras

Game cameras, also known as trail cameras or wildlife cameras, are special cameras used in nature to observe wildlife. They can detect movements and heat sources in the environment and automatically take photos or videos.

Game cameras are particularly useful for hunters, conservationists, and researchers to study the behavior of wildlife or monitor wildlife populations. By using game cameras, rare or nocturnal species that are otherwise difficult to observe can be identified and counted. They can also help uncover and prevent illegal wildlife trade and poaching.

The Hunting Dog

"Hunting without a dog is rubbish" - this well-known quote underscores the importance of a hunting dog in the practice of hunting. A well-trained hunting dog is an indispensable partner for the hunter, as it not only helps in finding and pointing out game but also in searching for injured game and retrieving it.

For young hunters, a hunting dog is particularly recommended, as it not only serves as a useful helper in hunting practice but also complements and enriches the experiences and skills of the hunter. Additionally, working with a hunting dog fosters the relationship between hunter and dog, which can develop into an intense friendship over time.

The Dog Equipment

The hunting dog equipment includes a variety of items that are essential for the work of hunting dogs. This includes collars, leashes, harnesses, signal vests, transport boxes, and protective mats for transport in the car.

Depending on the area of application of the hunting dog, special equipment may also be required, such as a life jacket for hunting near water or a tracking harness for searching for injured game.

For Tradition - The Hunting Horn

Hunting horns, also known as hunting horns, are musical instruments typically made of wood or horn and used in hunting. They are used to give signals during the hunt, such as the signal to set up or to start a hunt. Hunting horns can also be used in traditional music groups or at military events.

For Game Processing

The Cooling

Wild cooling options are essential for hunters to properly store the harvested game meat and, above all, to maintain its quality. Game meat should be cooled as quickly as possible and at low temperatures to prevent bacterial growth and ensure long shelf life.

There are various ways to cool game meat, including game cooling chambers, game refrigerators, or outdoor coolers. Game cooling chambers and refrigerators are usually larger and provide space for a larger quantity of game meat. They can be set up in the basement, garage, or in a separate room.

There are also special cooling containers that are ideal for transporting game meat. These can also be used mobile if needed.

For young hunters, it is advisable to at least have access to a game refrigerator to cool the harvested game meat immediately and thus maintain its quality.

The Kitchen Devices

At the end of the hunt comes the processing of the harvested game. Since hunters usually pursue edible game species, these are typically processed and served on the plate. To simplify the processing process as much as possible, hunters can also rely on some aids in the kitchen.

There are a variety of kitchen devices that can help hunters process and store their harvested game meat. One of these devices is, for example, a vacuum sealer, which can be used to vacuum pack, freeze, and extend the shelf life of game meat.