Layering systems might differ slightly from climate to climate, but the foundation remains. Nowadays, having a layering system is an absolute must for me and, truth be told, I won't do it any other way. Since I have changed my ways, I have never been more comfortable out in the field. Because of that, I find myself spending way more time in the field—no matter the conditions. This transfers into more animals spotted, which inevitably leads to more opportunities to fill that tag.

After getting smashed in the jugular with the hunting bug, I soon realized how important owning a good backpack was. The first animal I had to pack out by myself was a mountain lion. I ended up dragging this lion for about three miles and from that point forward, I vowed to get a backpack that could do the work for me and haul out my loads.