There is no real evidence stating you CAN’T hunt deer while pregnant. There’s a story of a woman, who was nine months pregnant, living out her dream of getting her first buck. She did. She got her dream buck with her bow while carrying her child. No harm came to her or the baby.
While pregnancy can be already tiring, and sometimes stressful from nausea, and other symptoms. Deer hunting could seem a little extreme to most. The hiking, waiting, frequent need to pee while you’re in the middle of nowhere with no toilet in sight… Has to take a toll right?
Well, you could be wrong, a lot of women actually enjoy deer hunting while pregnant, in some cases, it’s HEALTHY to go hunting. If you think it will relieve stress, and get you outdoors to breathe while also spending time with loved ones, then DO IT! Your body will let you know what you can and can not handle.
Things To Think About Before Deciding To Go Deer Hunting While Pregnant:
How Far Along Are You?
This matters because, if you’re farther along, you might be too uncomfortable to make the trek and other physical activities.
Do You Have Enough Space To Pack Snacks And A Bunch Of Water To Keep You Going?
Bringing lots of snacks and water. It’s always a good idea to keep healthy snacks while doing any kind of energy-burning activity. The same goes for water. You can’t have enough of it, even if it makes you feel like you have to pee every three minutes.
Is Your Movement Restricted Due To Back Pains Or A Low Sitting Baby?
You’ll most likely have to walk quite a bit. If you’re carrying low it might make walking long distances difficult. If it’s just uncomfortable and not painful you should be fine. If you feel you need to rest, take it. The time you take to rest might make the baby move to a more comfortable position and enable you to walk comfortably again.
Do You Have To Use The Bathroom Frequently?
There’s most likely no toilet around unless you brought a camper. In most cases, you’re toiletless, but not paperless when you go hunting. Keep this in mind and make sure to bring wipes or whatever makes you more comfortable while squatting in the woods or on the outskirts of a field.
Do You Have Morning Sickness Or Slight Nausea You’d Have To Deal With While Out There?
If so, bring light snacks with high carbs such as Saltine crackers, bread, cookies, peppermints, protein/nutrient bars. These will curb nausea a bit, and help you continue on. Make sure to bring extra wipes, puke bags, and stuff to clean up with if you do get sick while trekking or in the stand or hide.
Are You Getting Tired Easily?
If you wanted to nap, you most likely wouldn’t be able to unless you’re in a good-sized blind. Being pregnant is exhausting. You’re making another human using your body, why wouldn’t it be? If you find yourself tired all the time throughout the pregnancy with a constant need to nap..I’d suggest not going hunting, unless you could stay at the tent or camper or vehicle.
How Has Your Mood Been Lately? Can You Handle It Mentally?
Think about this one hard. Can you watch Bambi right now, without crying when his mom dies? If you answered no, then you might not want to go hunting during your pregnancy
Which Weapon Will You Be Using?
Take caution with what weapon you use, and how you use it. Being pregnant limits the grip and brace depending on how far along you are. If you feel the slightest bit unsure of the situations, please listen to your instinct, and don’t go, or just don’t be the one who actually hunts.
Will hunting attire fit you in this stage?
Most likely you won’t be able to find maternity deer hunting wear that grows with you throughout the season. So keep that in mind as well. In a lot of cases, it’s hard to find attire for late pregnancy, when hunting..unless you wear the men’s XXL, etc.
Additional Considerations
If you’re early in pregnancy, the fresh air, outdoors, and thrill of the hunt may help relieve the buildup of excitement and tension. If you’re further along then it might be a little too exciting. You don’t want to be about to shoot a 10 pointer, and yours just happens to break…Or contractions start.
The nature of hunting as a sport is really based on patience, which you’re basically practicing for the rest of your term. This helps lower the pressure put on you as you’re pregnant. It seems the fresh air almost gives one, a certain glow. A great stress reliever, and confidence booster for most. Who can say they went deer hunting while pregnant? Sounds awesome right?
Deer hunting could be something you’re accustomed to in your everyday life, so you should be able to just go about it like another day. It really just depends on you. If you feel comfortable, then do it. If you feel the slightest bit of hesitation then don’t do it. You could even get the baby’s name while hunting if you haven’t decided yet. Deer hunting has many benefits mentally and physically for the hunter, as long as you do it right. Make sure to only push yourself to the limits you’re used to, don’t overdo it. Always consult your Midwife or Doctor before going deer hunting. Be extremely cautious if you have underlying conditions that might alter the state of the baby, such as anemia, low blood pressure, etc. Always take caution when doing any extreme sport or activities while pregnant. Knowing this, I’d say, after consulting your doctor and making sure you’re up to it..then you can. Happy Hunting!
