As you may have heard, there is a possibility of an occasional bit of moisture falling from the sky in Ireland. Thus, it's a good strategy to prepare yourself for certain eventualities when trekking through the beautiful mountains, boggish lowlands and ancient forests of this Emerald Isle.
Hear are a few tips to help...
CLOTHING:
Layers - simply put, dress in layers. In Ireland we often experience 4 seasons in one day, especially out "on the hill." It could be sunny and roasting you, then an hour later its snowy, then clear and dry, then lashing rain. The best option is to start on top with a soft wool base layer, a shirt, an insulating layer and a quiet waterproof hunting shell. It is best if the shell has pit-vents and loads of pocket storage. On the bottom, tough, quiet, waterproof trousers with wool boot socks is usually sufficient, but when it's particularly cold, throwing on a pair of wool long johns is a good idea. The terrain can be unforgiving as often there is gorse or thickets to push through which can snag and damage some of the nylon gear.
Pockets/Backpack - plenty of pockets is always a good idea.
Gortex/Deertex/Seetex - the outer shell should not be water "resistant", it should be water "proof". If it's not, you'll be miserable and at risk of hypothermia.
Wool - wool is the best - it is insulating, even when wet, and naturally odour resistant. Cotton will freeze you. Synthetics like spandex, etc with hold water... and there will be plenty.
Boots - Gortex boots or Wellies are the best option, unless you like blisters and wet feet.
EQUIPMENT:
Rifle - Ireland has a minimum calibre requirement for hunting deer. Our service requires rifles for our hunts to be .243 up to anything in the .30 cal range. If hunting Sika Deer only . 243 is perfect. If hunting trophy sika stags or Reds, at least a .270 is preferable - although a .243 will certainly do the job well with excellent shot placement.
Glass - you cannot shoot what you cannot see; on the rifle and in binos. Irish deer are very bashful, and usually are most active at dawn & dusk. In the winter the daylight is decreased in both time and intensity.
Knife - must be sharp and easy to carry.
Torch/Headlamp - since many harvests happen at the last light, a good headlamp and small but bright hand torch are essential.
This post is just designed to give you a bit of direction, these are just our recommendations based on years of experience hunting this island... If you have any specific queries, drop us an email.
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