Gear List "Visualization": The Ignored Practice
Too often hunters find themselves in a situation saying, “ Man, I wish I would have brought that!” or “Why didn’t I think of that?”. And all too often, it’s because of not utilizing a key practice method called visualization.
Ref: http://dialedinhunter.com/mule-deer-hunt-gear-high-country/
The Art of Visualization
Visualization is not a new concept, but to hunters, it’s definitely something that is commonly overlooked. visualization, to some, is a form of meditation and mindfulness.
Don’t worry, there’s no need to shave your head like me and start saying “Oooms”’. (Although you can if you’d like.) Visualization is actually much more welcoming than it sounds, and hunters are pretty familiar with a version of this already—daydreaming.
You are probably asking yourself, why do I need to visualize my gear list for hunting? Well, I’ll explain.
Your Gear List
Your gear list is a collection of all of your hunting gear. Base layers, mid-weight layers, heavy layers, outerwear, socks, footwear, headwear, handwear, tools, packs, etc. So it’s no wonder it can be a little overwhelming at times trying to determine what is coming with you and what should stay behind.
Envisioning something brings you deeper into the moment to help you understand the moment better. For instance, the next time you start planning a hunting trip, try to mentally understand the terrain, weather conditions, and different scenarios you might encounter. Mentally check your gear for terrain equivalency. (Should I really wear these rubber knee-high boots out west in the mountains?) Imagine how your gear will pack up and where everything will go. Anticipate what gear you’ll need first from your pack so you're not burrowing it deep down under everything. Perhaps even rehearse packing up your day pack after a day of glassing.
It all adds up
Visualization is a great tool for every hunter looking to strengthen their hunt. Even if your the “well seasoned” hunter who has been on multiple OOS hunting trips who believe their gear list is perfected and their process is refined, all of the little things add up. Preparing for a hunt determines how successful you’ll be. Let’s say, if creating custom hunting gear gives you an increased 5% success rate, hunting with an experienced person or friend gives you an increased 5%, and visualizing your gear list gives you an increased 3%, that all adds up to a higher success rate.
It’s especially key for newer hunters or hunters looking to increase their odds of a successful hunt. While knowledge from other hunters is always recommended and sometimes trusted above other methods of finding information, there is no one size fits all approach and is sometimes different to each individual. But don’t be afraid to ask either. We are always picking people’s brains on how they plan their gear lists
Whenever hunters come to me and ask “What should I bring on a trip like that?” or “Is this the right item I should bring?” most of the time I’ll reply with “Well, think about it”. Because what I might think is a good idea, you might know more about the situation and might have a better understanding. Just make sure to weigh all of your options and for your next hunting trip, try visualizing your gear list to match your target destination.