Preparing for the hunt

With only two days to go before the opening of the 2006 Utah deer hunt, there's not much hunters can do in a big way. That is, like putting new tires on the ATV, overhauling the Suburban, scouting new areas or even sighting in the rifle.

Often, though, it's the little things that go into making for a more enjoyable hunt.

Like:

Making sure the box of ammunition is perfectly matched to the rifle.

It's not uncommon for a hunter to either buy or pull down from the shelf in the closet the wrong box of ammunition. Also, it's not unusual for a hunter to forget the caliber of his or her rifle when buying ammunition.

"The caliber is stamped on the barrel of the rifle. It's easy to find and we always suggest a hunter check just to be sure," said J.P. Houston, lodge manager at Dick's in The Gateway.

The most popular caliber here in Utah is the .30-06, followed closely by the .270.

The newest introduction to hunting rifles, said Houston, is the ShortMag, which is simply a rifle that shoots a smaller bullet.

The new cartridge is shorter but faster, which allows for a shorter action and, theoretically, a tighter action. The shorter cartridge also means a quicker action and less movement in the rifle, which translates into a better chance of hitting the target. The new rifles also have less recoil, which makes them ideal for women and younger hunters, and with less recoil comes more accuracy.

The new ShortMag rifles can go from around $500 up to $750 for a basic model.

The new ShortMag ammunition is slightly more expensive than regular loads.

"One thing that hunters often overlook is cleaning the rifle," said Houston. "It's a little thing, but a dirty barrel can mess up a target. A dirty rifle is no help at all to a hunter." Cleaning kits can range from $15 to $50.

Now, certainly, is not the time to be thinking about scopes. But a simple bump or jar can knock a scope off target, which is why it's important to sight in a rifle before going afield. One of the newer features on today's scopes are reticules that glow in low-lighting conditions, which makes it easier to line up the cross hairs on the target, especially in the early morning or late afternoon.

A good, sharp knife is one of the most important tools for the successful hunter. A dull knife can be a hunter's worst nightmare. Old knives can be sharpened and should be before each hunt. There are new knives on the market that are made specifically for hunters. One thing a hunter should be sure of is that a folding knife has a locking blade — that works. Newer knives also have features such as saw and gut hooks to make the task of dressing a deer easier and quicker. A good knife starts at around $40.