5 Tips For Western Big Game

So, you have just signed on for a guided hunt in the West, or you have a DIY hunt in the works. Congratulations! A big game hunt in western North America can be the experience of a lifetime, and not only because of the abundant game. From mountaintop vistas to the high plains, the sights stay with a hunter long after they have returned home.

But what do you bring? Truthfully, you could fill books with the answer. To get you started in your planning, always begin with the following 5 essentials:

1. Rifle

Most Western hunters use a bolt action, mainly for the extended range it provides compared to a semi-automatic or lever-gun. Most Western guides say you need to be able to make a 400-yard shot. Minimum.

But what cartridge? Right now, 6.5 Creedmooris one of the hottest rounds out there, and for good reason. It’s capable of great accuracy at long distances and it bucks the wind nicely. Plus, the number of new and hunting-specific rounds seems to grow daily, giving hunters more quality choices than ever before.

But don’t forget the proven Western hunting cartridges. They are tried and true for a reason–they work. The 300 Win. Magnum and 300 Weatherby Magnum were taking game at 500 yards and beyond long before long-range hunting became a trend.

There are other new cartridges available that offer outstanding long-range hunting ability. The 28 Nosler, for example, already has a strong following among longer-range hunters, as do the even newer 6.5 PRC. Plus, custom gun makers are turning out a host of new long-range niche calibers.

2. Optics

Whatever you do, do not hunt the West with less-than-quality optics. The distances can be vast, and good optics are 100 percent needed.

Start with a pair of high-quality binoculars, with at least 10x magnification. A good spotting scope is a real help, too. Remember, you may be glassing animals at a mile away or more.

Don’t scrimp on your riflescope. Assume you will have to take a 400-yard shot and pick an optic accordingly. You don’t need a scope with 40-power magnification, either. Most long-range hunters find scopes in the 16x to 20x range more than adequate. Make sure yours provides clear, edge-to-edge images and works in low light.

3. Camouflage

You hunt east of the Mississippi? You already have a closet full of camouflage clothing. Unfortunately, it might not be ideal for your Western hunt.

Most Eastern-based camo is a matrix of deep greens and dark browns. Western landscapes tend to be dry, and therefore the vegetation is much lighter colored. Wear your Eastern camo out West, and you could be spotted a mile away, literally, by every antelope, deer and elk.

4. Boots

You will be doing a good deal of walking over rough and uneven terrain. At the very least, invest in a good pair of hiking boots, and break them in well before your hunt.

Will you be tackling very mountainous terrain? Consider a pair of mountain boots. They have more ankle and lateral support than hikers and will protect you better, especially on rocky slopes.

Also, consider the weather you can expect. Most quality hiking and mountain boots sold today will be waterproof. A good start. But will they need to be insulated? There’s no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to boot insulation. Some hunters can go all day in 0-degree temperatures with a boot carrying just 400 grams of Thinsulate or similar insulation. Other hunters need 1,000-gram-insulated boots anytime the temps dip below freezing. Know yourself, check the weather extremes for areas you will be hunting, and come prepared.

5. Ballistic

When it comes time to make that long-distance shot, to bag that trophy of a lifetime, there’s no tool better than the world’s No. 1 shooting app, Ballistic. And it costs less than a box of hunting ammunition. Distances, wind, slope, and fluctuating environmental conditions—all will affect your projectile’s point of impact. Don’t guess. Not when you’ve invested the time and expense in your Western hunt. Make every shot count thanks to a shooting app that can calculate every factor needed.