Tips & Tactics

Military-style Planning for Hunters

Military-style Planning for Hunters

By U.S. Army Maj. (Ret.) Ryan Choate

Critical to any military operation is Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB).

I've found the military decision-making process (MDMP) is not unlike the preseason planning process a deer hunter must go through.

In the military, we want to know how, when, where and with what the enemy will attack. We gather this information through various collection methods including scouting reports, satellites and unmanned air vehicles to learn as much about our adversary as possible.

Hunters use some of the same methods, but with different tools such as trail cameras, Google satellite imagery, and scouting for scrapes, bedding areas and food sources.

The goals for both service personnel and hunters remain similar. We develop a threat template where hunters develop a game template.

We use this knowledge to exploit our adversaries' weaknesses, which can only be achieved with a clear understanding of how the enemy or game operates. This will help you in planning your deer hunting game plan and ambush.

The key is organized, focused and educated preseason scouting. If you use all the tools and technology available today, you will gain the advantage of time, location and method of engagement.

In short, learn as much as you can about your quarry and invest in time to gather intelligence during the offseason, so you will have plan of attack and greater success during hunting season.

Copyright 2024 by Buckmasters, Ltd.

Copyright 2020 by Buckmasters, Ltd