You have waited, planned and perhaps even saved for years in order to afford that hunt of a lifetime. It may be for mountain sheep, mountain goat or even a guided elk hunt deep in the Rocky Mountains. Or it may be trip far afield to another land for cape buffalo or possibly to Alaska for a monster brown bear. While the trips and terrain may vary, there are some fundamental principals in preparing for such a trip that are essential for a successful, safe and enjoyable hunt.
The place to start is to completely understand from every aspect exactly what the hunt will entail. That includes everything from the type of terrain you will be hunting in, to the weather conditions expected, to the quality of hunt and your trophy expectations. Also, find out if horses are provided or if you're expected to pack in and out, what type of shots you might encounter, what are the optics and the calibre of rifle you’ll need. If you are booking with an outfitter, most provide an equipment list. If they don’t, ask for one. But that is just the beginning.

By Mark Hoffman