Hunting and fishing is a time for you to get back into the outdoors. With the right preparation and licensing, your time spent hunting can be beneficial for your family and for the environment. The entire excursion can go even more smoothly if your vehicle is ready to hit the wilderness. Here are some things to consider when planning your trip.
1. Install a custom tarp on your truck.
Custom tarps are a really useful thing to have when hunting. You use the back of your truck to haul gear, ammunition, firearms, and other weapons. Your don't want your supplies getting rained on, and because the weather can change unexpectedly, it's nice to have the piece of mind that everything is protected.
If you do have things uncovered, covering it all back up again is simple with a roll-up or sliding tarp system, especially because you don't have to tie anything down with spare ropes and bungee cords.
2. Invest in truck bed protection.
Constantly moving dressed animals, gear, and coolers in and out of the back of your truck can ruin the finish of the truck bed. A truck bed liner or portable protector can help prevent any long-term damage that will reduce the value of your vehicle. Don't forget to add storage compartments to your truck bed if you'll need them. Some people find that this helps hunting gear to stay organized and clean.
3. Install extra lighting.
Sometimes, your truck is your main source of electricity and lighting. If you're out in the woods for an extended hunting trip, you can install off-road lighting to run off your truck's battery, instead of hauling a bunch of extra lamps and flashlights that might require substantial independent battery supply. Off road lights can supplement your headlights when moving through more dangerous terrain and they can provide enough light for you to make camp after sunset.
4. Clean and detail before you head out.
If you're about to head into the wilderness for several days, you might not be too concerned about starting with a clean vehicle. However, the cleaner your truck is to begin with, the less likely it is that you will accidentally litter the countryside with packages and bottles that fall out of the truck accidentally. If you're not someone who keeps the truck free of trash and crumbs, take an afternoon to clean things out before beginning.
Another upside to cleaning before starting to make sure you have a stockpile pf basic supplies. For example, if you usually keep an first aid kit in the glove box, the pre-trip clean will help you see if you need to to up on any supplies.
You also don't want to end up hauling superfluous items. If you usually keep a cooler in your truck to hold your lunch or equipment for your day job, you don't want to bring those on the road. You'll have more space for the things you actually need.
After cleaning, you might want to consider covering the seats and floors with mats and removable covers. Hunting is a messy sport, and you don't want to ruin your truck's interior with mud, blood, and bits of grass and leaves that can stain.
5. Swap out your tires.
If you'll be off roading, you'll need tires with more aggressive treads. If you have all weather tires, especially if they are not new, these will not be enough. Switch to a set of all-terrain tires to make sure you don't get stuck in the woods after a heavy rain.
For more information, contact a company that specializes in custom tarp systems.
