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Don’t make the mistake of wearing a new pair of boots for the first time on a long hunt. Wear the boots for a few days beforehand to make sure they fit well and will not cause any foot pain or blisters. With new clothing, make sure you wash and wear the garments before the hunting trip as well to make sure they will be comfortable and not cause any distractions. When you are not sure what sort of weather you will encounter during your hunting trip, the best choice for comfort is layering your clothing. When you wear layers of clothes, you can remove a garment if it’s a warm day or put it back on when it becomes cooler. By using the layering method, you can remain comfortable no matter what the weather. RAINWEAR You should always plan for rain even if the weather forecast predicts clear skies. Nothing makes a hunting trip more miserable than being wet. Bring a lightweight rain jacket with a hood rolled up tight in your backpack just in case. Waterproof boots are also a good idea. Even if it doesn’t rain, you may encounter marshy conditions or the need to cross water while tracking and hunting. CAMP STOVE On long trips, you will need a camping stove to cook food for meals. You can also cook meat you have hunted, such as a rabbit or bird. You can also use a camp stove to fry fish caught in a nearby stream or lake. Be sure to pack cooking oil for frying. Stoves that operate with fuel canisters are a good choice for camping. Ask an adult to help set up the stove correctly and ignite the fuel. These types of stoves can be very hot to the touch, so be careful not to burn your fingers or set anything on fire. When you finish cooking, be sure to ask an adult to check the stove and make sure it’s properly turned off.

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