HUNTING TECHNIQUES

Hunting refers to the activity of pursuing and killing or capturing wildlife for trade, or for food, or for recreation. Modern-day hunting refers to legalised hunting, as opposed to poaching, which is illegal. It is usually not considered hunting if a person pursues wildlife without intending to capture them or kill them. The animal or animals which are hunted are commonly referred to as 'game'. Game can include birds, and small, medium or large wild mammals- such as rabbits, deer, wild boars, and even rhinos and elephants. In fact, deer and moose hunting is very much popular among hunters. Modern hunting is mainly a recreational or sporting activity.

Hunting techniques can be various and which technique needs to be used when is something that depends on the skill of the hunter, as well as the species he is hunting for.

Driving, Flushing, Glassing and Spotlighting

Driving is the technique of herding game in a particular direction. This is employed when hunting is done in a group, and one hunter drives game towards another hunter. Flushing is the practice of scaring animals while being concealed in a particular place. Glassing is a technique that uses optics, such as binoculars, to locate animals. Spotlighting, also called jacklighting or shining, is a method used to hunt nocturnal animals by blinding them with high-powered lights (spotlights, flashlights, etc.) before killing them. Spotlighting is illegal in many countries in the world.

Baiting, game calling and beagling

Baiting is the use of baits to hunt animals. Leopards are commonly hunted by placing a smaller animal like a deer high up on a tree to lure the leopard into climbing the tree. Bears are also hunted by baiting- baits for bears include something sweet and aromatic which would attract them. Game calling is a technique in which the hunter uses animal noises in order to attract game. These noises mimic the cries of a particular animal, and can either be made manually or artificially. Beagling is very similar, and uses beagles to hunt rabbits and foxes.

Trapping, camouflage, dogs, persistence hunting and stalking

Trapping involves using traps such as snares, deadfalls and pits to trap animals. Elephants are commonly hunted in this way. Camouflage is the technique where the hunter conceals himself from the vision of the game by wearing something that blends in with the colour of his environment. Dogs are often used to assist in hunting. They can drive, herd, track and pursue game as well as retrieve dead game. Persistence hunting and stalking are techniques that are often used in deer hunting. In persistence hunting, the game is pursued till it is exhausted and gives itself up; in stalking, the game is silently pursued by the hunter on foot.

For hunting animals, a hunter most often needs hunting gear such as binoculars, rifles or guns, ammunition, holsters to hold firearms, ear protection, hunting boots and camping gear, hunting knives, etc. All such hunting gear and accessories are available at manufacturers, retailers and outfitters across the world. However, firearms and ammunition require special licences, without which they cannot be purchased.