Planning a Hunt for 2026 — What Will It Entail?

By JR Hossack

Planning your next big hunt starts long before you pack your rifle or bow. From booking outfitters to navigating modern travel rules, 2026 is shaping up to demand more preparation than ever. Here’s what you need to know to make your next adventure run smoothly — and successfully.

Hunting Free Range Water Buffalo In The NT Australia.

Planning a Hunt for 2026 — What Will It Entail?

The end of a hunting season always sparks the same thought: Where to next? For many of us, planning the next big adventure is half the fun. Whether it’s a Cape buffalo in Africa, red stag in New Zealand, or a once-in-a-lifetime bull elk in the Rockies, the 2026 season starts long before you shoulder a rifle or string a bow.

1. Start Early — Way Early

Big game hunts aren’t booked overnight. Outfitters across the world are filling their 2026 and even 2027 calendars now. Prime dates vanish quickly, especially in places like Africa or Alaska where weather and game movements create tight hunting windows.Starting early also gives you time to save, train, and prepare. Every serious hunter knows — the difference between a dream and a hunt is a plan.

2. Choosing the Destination

Ask yourself: what’s calling you next? Maybe it’s the whisper of kudu in the thornveld, the bugle of elk in a misty basin, or the challenge of sambar in the Victorian High Country.Consider:

• Species & challenge: rifle, bow, or crossbow?

• Travel & logistics: can you get your firearm or gear there?

• Physical demands: will you need to train for altitude or steep country?

• Timing: does the hunt clash with family, work, or other travel?

Good outfitters will tailor the hunt to your abilities and expectations — but knowing your limits (and ambitions) up front makes all the difference.

3. Paperwork, Permits & Prep

CITES permits, firearm import forms, travel insurance, hunting licenses — it’s not glamorous, but it’s crucial. For international hunts, start your paperwork months in advance.If you’re hunting domestically, ensure tags are drawn, blocks booked, and rifles sighted in well ahead of time. Nothing ruins a hunt faster than red tape or an unchecked zero.

When travelling by air, always consider leaving a day early. If your luggage or firearms are delayed, that buffer day could save your hunt. Arriving early also gives you a chance to recharge your body after a long-haul flight and adjust to the time zone before the hunt begins.The same logic applies on the way home — allow yourself a spare day to regroup, repack your gear, and balance baggage weight before heading to the airport. You might even find time for a quiet meal or a last-minute gift for family and friends before the flight home. A little extra time on both ends can make a world of difference.

If your taking a firearm into the USA you need a ATF import permit and it needs to be lodged at least 3 months before to allow processing time, and you need a valid USA hunting licence. You need that approval from the AFT to apply for your export permit out of Australia.

And here’s a final but vital point: things are changing fast. Entry rules, passport requirements, and digital border systems are being updated constantly. Many regions — including the EU — now use facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and pre-approval digital registration systems that must be completed before you even get to the airport. Don’t assume the same process applies as your last trip.

Check, check, and double-check. If you’re travelling with a child or teenager, some countries require a letter of permission from your partner or a copy of the birth certificate before departure. The same goes for carrying prescription medications — certain countries require pre-entry medical clearance. A little extra research can save a world of trouble at the check-in counter.

4. Gear and Fitness

A successful hunt is 80% preparation. Test every piece of kit you plan to carry — boots, packs, optics, ammo, arrows.If you’re heading somewhere physically demanding, build a routine now. Hill work, stair climbs, and pack training three times a week will make a world of difference when you’re climbing ridges or stalking through thornbush.

5. Budget Realistically

Factor in flights, trophy fees, tips, taxidermy, insurance, freight, and gear upgrades. Costs can escalate quickly, especially if you decide to mount a trophy or extend your stay.A clear, honest budget lets you enjoy the experience without financial regret. Remember — the hunt is the investment, the memories are the dividend.

6. Mental Preparation

Every hunt has its highs and lows. Weather, missed shots, flight delays — they’re part of the adventure. Embrace the journey as much as the outcome. The stories that last aren’t always about the animals taken, but the country crossed and people met along the way.

7. Lock It In and Count the Days

Once the deposit’s paid, the fun begins. You’ve set the course. The rest is anticipation, training, and daydreaming — until the moment you step off the plane or into the bush, rifle in hand and heart ready for what’s to come.

Final Thoughts

Planning your 2026 hunt isn’t just logistics — it’s laying the groundwork for adventure. Start now. Research outfitters. Train your body. Tune your gear. Secure your dates.

Don’t forget travel insurance — and if your destination is in a politically unstable or remote region, consider extraction insurance as well. It’s one of those things you hope you’ll never need, but you’ll be glad to have if the unexpected happens.

Because when the time comes, and you’re standing in wild country with the wind on your face, you’ll know — you did it right.

Author Bio

JR Hossack is an international hunter and editor of Big Game Hunter Magazine. His writing captures the essence of hunting across continents — from the deserts of Arizona to the buffalo plains of Africa — blending adventure, preparation, and respect for the hunt.