Tips For Air Travel - Part 2

Tips for Air Travel (Part 2) – Finding Flight Pitfalls – The Carry-On Conundrum

By Lora Gene Young

Your mother always said; make sure you have extra clean underwear in your carry on. Though that is still true, there are a few other things you should consider in when packing your luggage before a hunting trip.

1. Your carry on. Yes, clean underwear is a must! But you should also consider what you will need if your luggage gets delayed and you have to hunt before your luggage is returned. First, your spare change of clothes. Most people pack a spare change of clothes in their carry on. If you are hunting, this spare change of clothes should be your most compact set of hunting clothes. Clothes are not the only important hunting gear you should pack in your carry on. Optics are a carry on must! If your checked bag or gun case is lost, chances are your outfitter will have a spare gun for you to use until yours arrives. The outfitter might also have some spare clothes you can borrow, but good spare optics… Make sure you pack your binoculars and your range finder in your carry on luggage. 
   
2. Your checked bag. If you have a spare set of hunting clothes and your optics in your carry on luggage, the next step is packing your checked bag. Remember, all knives must be checked. Also, your ammunition must go in your checked bag. Ammunition cannot be transported in the gun case. Make sure you check ammunition regulations for your hunting location before you leave. Many countries have limits on amounts, calibers, and variety.
3. Your gun case. If you are taking your own gun make sure your gun case meets regulations. It must be a hard case with locks. Your gun should be stored with bolt out. Remember, no ammunition in your gun case. Knives could be transported in here if you need extra room in your checked bag, but I do not suggest putting your optics in your gun case. If this is delays in transportation you are stuck without a gun or optics. No a good way to start a hunting trip of a lifetime.

Lost luggage is a headache, especially in a foreign country, but proper packing of your carry on can make it less of an ordeal. International travel is always accompanied with delays and hiccups, but airline troubles should not dampen your hunting experience. Hopefully these tips will ease your travelling woes and lead to a successful and carefree hunt.

Pheasant Hunting Gear List for Women

Prois Reversible Sherpa Fleece Vest and Blaze Orange Cap

A head-to-toe pheasant hunting gear list for the ladies! All of the gear listed here are my personal favorites for pheasant hunting and would be a good option for most upland hunts. 

1) Blaze Orange Hat

• I prefer to wear a blaze orange ball cap but it's a good idea to bring along a blaze beanie as well, depending on the wind and the temperature!
• This Blaze Orange Cap with Waxed Bill from Prois is a great option, available at www.ProisHunting.com for $26.99

  

  Prois Blaze Orange Hat with Waxed Bill

  
  

2) Blaze Orange Vest / Upland Vest

• The Prois Reversible Sherpa Fleece Vest is one of my hunting staples because I can use it year round and for multiple hunts. One side is blaze orange fleece, perfect for rifle season or upland hunting. The other side is camoflauge, making it great for hunting, deer, elk and other game. It also has scapular pockets designed to hold activated hand warmers! It is available at www.EvoOutdoors.com for $170.10 

  

  Prois Reversible Sherpa Fleece Vest
  
  

• Another great vest option is the Badlands Upland Vest Pack. It's lightweight, has multiple pockets, perfect for holding shotgun shells and other loose items. It's available at www.ProisHunting.com for $179.99 

  

  Badlands Upland Vest Pack

  
  

3) Long Sleeve Shirt

• If the weather is warmer I recommend a lightweight top that wicks moisture. My favorite is the Prois Ultra Long Sleeve Shirt, available at www.EvoOutdoors.com for $50.40. You can pick from Realtree AP, Realtree Max-1 or Black. 

  

  Prois Ultra Long Sleeve Shirt

  
  

4) Jacket

• If the weather turns cool, keep the above top on as a layering piece & add a jacket. Last season on the cooler/windier days I paired the above top with the Prois Pro-Edition Jacket and that was perfect. You can find the Prois Pro-Edition Jacket at www.EvoOutdoors.com for $215.10

  

  Prois Pro-Edition Jacket
  
  

  
  

5) Brush Pants

• The Prois High Plains Brush Pants are a comfortable, yet durable option for the female upland hunter! They have Cordura facings, pleated knees, boot zippers, multiple pockets, and the waist rests at the natural waistline. These are available in Khaki at www.EvoOutdoors.com, or at www.ProisHunting.com in Olive, $161.10 to $179.99 

  

  Prois High Plains Brush Pants

  
  
  

6) Gloves

• I found on my first pheasant hunt that despite warmer temperatures, the wind can still cut like a knife! For days like this fleece gloves are perfect. The Women's Ranger Glove by Manzella are fleece with a 4-way stretch fabric for a great fit. You can find these in size S/M or M/L for $22 at www.EvoOutdoors.com

• 

  Women's Ranger Glove by Manzella

  
  

7) Socks

• A good pair of moisture-wicking socks are imperative for a long, active hunt like pheasant hunting. Whether it's warm or cold you want your feet to stay dry! The Day Hiker Sock by Minus33 is made of merino wool which is known for keeping your feet dry and comfortable in any weather condition. You can get these from www.EvoOutdoors.com for only $13.00 

Day Hiker Sock by Minus33

8) Boots

• A good pair of waterproof boots are a must for pheasant hunting. My personal favorite for pheasant hunting in the flat, Kansas plains are these SHE Outdoor Avilla 16" Waterproof Rubber Boots. They are fully lined with 5mm Neoprene and are easy to pull on & off. I like that they are taller, making it a good option for hunting in deep snow. I walked the pheasant fields for miles at a time & had no problem with them rubbing my feet or creating blisters. They are available at www.BassPro.com for $99.99 

SHE Outdoor Avilla Boot

9) Shotgun Case

• You definitely need a shotgun case to protect your shotgun while transporting it from your home to the field. The Tenzing TZ SS54 Shotgun Case has a soft water-resistant outer shell and a fully surrounding 1" foam interior padding. You can find this at www.EvoOutdoors.com for $99, BUT through October 31 use coupon code: packout14 to receive 15% off of this case and any other pack!

Tenzing TZ SS54 Shotgun Case

10) Pets

• Don't forget about your pet! If you hunt with dogs keep them protected from the elements in the Pointer Dog Vest by Rivers West. Its made with micro fleece, is very insulating and waterproof. One great feature is the top zipper has an inside fleece fly to keep the dog's hair from getting caught in the zipper! It is $49.00 at www.EvoOutdoors.com. 

I hope you find this gear list helpful when planning your next upland hunt! 

-Andrea Haas