51 51: Become Professional Hunter

Jin and Athena continued to teach Caleb. Jin taught Caleb tips and tricks of hunting and what are dos and don'ts in the wild. Athena, on the other hand, taught Caleb the practical course of wilderness survival. Her knowledge didn't come from any books but from her experience. 

What had he learned? 

First, Be Familiar with Your Equipment: Ensure that your weapons, ammunition, and gear are in good condition and functioning properly. Regular maintenance is essential.

Firstly, familiarity with your equipment is vital because it contributes significantly to the overall safety of the hunting expedition. Knowing how to handle your weapons and gear ensures that you can avoid accidents and handle them responsibly in the field, reducing the risk of injury to yourself and others. For instance, being familiar with your firearm's safety features and its proper use can prevent accidental discharges.

Secondly, the condition of your equipment plays a critical role in the effectiveness of your hunting venture. A malfunctioning weapon or damaged gear can not only compromise your safety but also hinder your ability to take a lethal shot at your prey. It can lead to poor accuracy, causing unnecessary mistakes, or result in a lost opportunity altogether.

Lastly, regular maintenance is stressed because it extends the lifespan of your equipment, saving you money in the long run and ensuring that it performs optimally when you need it most. It's essential to clean, oil, and inspect your weapons and gear after each use and periodically perform thorough maintenance to catch any issues before they become critical.

That's also the reason why the members of the hunting party carry strips of white cloth with them and polish stones every time.

Then, there's the second important stuff that Jin had imprinted on his damned brain after the constant hunt. Yes, later after his first successful hunt, he hunts another six, each one successful. However, they weren't as easy as his first one. His second hunt was called Rivoty Deer. It was an eight-foot deer that could bounce continuously at a height of two meters. Even with the bait and element of surprise, the deer managed to evade his ambush due to its speed.

It uses its antlers and hoofs to attack. It had even managed to land a kick on the arm which dislocated it. Fortunately, Jin was masterful when it came to correcting injuries like sprains, strains, and dislocations. Still, he was satisfied with his hunt. He managed to apply all the things he learned and have the confidence to walk around the Forest of Death alone and survive as long as he remained careful.

Athena's wilderness survival was actually what he thought would help him a lot in the future. After all, even if you're strong enough to survive against beasts yet don't know how fair in different places. Chances, the environment would first kill you before even the beast could. Basic survival stuff such as how to procure water in the wild, how to light a fire using stone, etc... He was like a boy scout but advanced.

So what did he learn from most of his hunts? 

Study Animal Behavior: Learn about the habits, routines, and habitats of the animals you plan to hunt. This knowledge can help you predict their movements and increase your chances of success.

Firstly, understanding animal behavior allows you to become a more efficient hunter. By familiarizing yourself with the habits and routines of your target species, you can make more informed decisions in the field. This includes knowing when and where to find them, as well as how they interact with their environment and other animals. Armed with this knowledge, you can increase the likelihood of making a clean and neat kill, minimizing the damage to the parts that you could sell on the market.

Secondly, studying animal behavior enhances your chances of success as a hunter. Predicting the movements of the animals based on their habits and habitats can help you position yourself strategically. This positioning increases your chances of being in the right place at the right time, increasing the likelihood of a successful hunt. For example, knowing the feeding patterns of your target species can help you set up an ambush in an area they are likely to visit.

Furthermore, a deeper understanding of animal behavior can lead to a more fulfilling hunting experience. It allows you to appreciate the intricacies of the natural world and the species you are pursuing. This knowledge can foster a sense of respect for wildlife and a stronger connection to the environment, aligning with the principles of ethical and sustainable hunting. Of course, Caleb doesn't really care much about fulfilling hunting experience.

Just like that, another four days passed with Caleb hunting a variety of animals. From a mutated toad, a red skull hawk, a roaring tiger, to a darned spider monkey He began to become familiar with their traits and habits and how animals behave in a fight.

He began to get more and more familiar with various traits, characteristics, and habits of animals the more he fought with them. Not only humans, he could now understand how beasts would likely behave in combat and apply his specialty, anticipation. 

Not only that, he also used his taboo energy in several battles to increase his mastery. He even infused it with the blade of Odachi in one of his fights. As a result, he found out that the blade doesn't have any beast that it can't cut in the Forest of Death! 

What's more worth mentioning, Fushigiro began to teach him the Deku Step he chose every night after training with Jin and Athena. Though, the progress wasn't as optimistic as his hunts. Then, after ten days, the hunting training was over and they were about to return to their temporary base. He learned a lot of lessons that he could probably brag about. Such as...

Use Scent-Control Methods. Animals have a keen sense of smell. Minimize your scent by using scent-neutralizing sprays, wearing clothing designed to block your scent, and positioning yourself upwind of the animals you're hunting.

Camouflage Clothing. Wear clothing with camouflage patterns that match the natural environment. This helps you blend in and remain unseen by animals. Brown and green clothes actually help a lot.

Field Dressing. Learn how to properly field dress an animal to prepare it for transport and processing while preserving the meat and reducing the weight you need to carry.

Tracking Skills. He developed the ability to follow tracks and signs left by animals. This skill helps you locate and approach your quarry quietly and efficiently.

Set Up Ambush Points. Choose strategic locations to wait for your target to approach, rather than constantly stalking. This conserves your energy and increases your chances of getting a good shot. This is one of his favorites.

And lastly, the most dreaded one for him. Patience. Successful hunting often requires long periods of waiting and watching. Be patient and prepared for extended periods of inactivity. 

Of course, in terms of skills. He was still far away from Jin and others who had a very rich experience.

'What a fulfilling day.' Caleb glanced at the moon above the forest as he followed Jin and Athena. Although exhausting, his last hunt was adrenaline-inducing.