Season is Coming - A Checklist for Opening Day
Posted by The SportDOG StaffThe most anticipated time of the year is upon us…Opening Day! As you and your mates plan the first big trip, it’s important to make sure you’re fully prepped for what lies ahead. There’s nothing worse than getting out in the bush and realising you’re missing gear, something got damaged in storage, or worse, your best hunting mate isn’t ready. Here’s a quick checklist to run through to make sure you’ve got smooth sailing on Opening Day:
1. Health Check: We always like to schedule our dogs’ check-ups a few weeks before the season starts just to make sure our top hunting mates are ready for a strong and healthy season. It’s always smart to have your vet give the thumbs up for your dog’s health before anything goes pear-shaped out in the bush. Also, if your dog is on any meds, this is the perfect time to stock up on refills to make sure you’re sorted for any upcoming trips.
2. Gear check: If you haven't used your gear in a while, now's a good time to get it out. Give the rifle a proper clean, check the batteries in all your electronic collars, look for any tears in your field gear. You don't want to be out in the bush and realise you forgot to charge your collar. If your electronic collars are getting on in years, might be wise to order spare batteries to ensure they last the season.
3. Paperwork: Having everything sorted a couple of weeks before your trip will help avoid stress when it's time to enjoy your hunt. Make sure you've got all the right tags and permits for the area you'll be hunting in. Check if you need any special paperwork for your dog and get that from the vet, and ensure your hunting licence is kept in a handy spot for easy access for wildlife officers.
4. First Aid Kits: Nothin' wrecks a day out bush like a sudden emergency. It's a smart idea to have a decent-sized first-aid kit in the ute for big emergencies, but also carry a small one for when you're on foot. This should include bandages, ointments, Epi-pens or similar emergency meds for your dogs and mates, and a painkiller/fever reducer. For those of us lucky enough to have had few bush emergencies, this is an easy one to forget, but if you end up needin' it, you'll be spewin' for not having it.
Getting all this ready to roll now will help you and your mates make the most of Opening Day and all the trips to follow. Got anything else you reckon is essential for must-have field gear? Let us know.
Happy Hunting!
The SportDOG Staff
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