Get ready for next season now.
Hunting season may be over, but that doesn't mean preparations for hunting have to end. For today's #WhitetailWednesday, here are some things you can do today to be better prepared for the hunt next fall.
Make changes to your hunting bow/gun
If you've been considering a modification for your primary hunting weapon, now is the time to do it. This is especially important if you're considering a scope or sight change. Getting it done now gives you plenty of time to get used to the new additions and get the weapon properly sighted in. If it's a bow sight, you'll want the summer to practice. When the fall comes around, you'll thank yourself for getting it done early.
Plan food plots/habitat modification
Maybe you've wanted to put a new food plot on your property or do some hinge cutting to help modify deer movements. Now is the time to start planning, gathering supplies and thinking about how to start making your property more appealing to big whitetail bucks. A little extra work on this now can pay off big in the fall.
Scout/shed hunt
Do you have a new hunting area but haven't properly explored all of it yet? Now is the time to do some post-season scouting to discover how the deer were using it last fall. You can use this opportunity to shed hunt and see what kind of bucks were hanging out on the property last year.
Assess the survivors
This goes hand-in-hand with the scouting portion. Use sheds and your trail cameras to see which bucks made it through the season and identify target bucks for the following fall. The more you learn about each buck, the better your odds become when hunting season rolls around.
Plan your new stand sites
You probably don't want to put up your stands or blinds this early, but there's nothing that says you can't start planning new spots now. This will help you leave less impact on the spot in the late summer/early fall when you do hang the stands because you won't be searching around for a tree. Remember, less impact means better odds for success.
Pick up new equipment
Now is the time to shop for new hunting gear. Many stores, especially chain outlets like Walmart or Meijer (for my fellow Midwesterners) are liquidating their hunting stocks right now to make room for spring and summer outdoor gear. Why not save some money?
Hunting season may seem like it's a long way off at this point, but it'll be here before you know it. A little extra preparation now will save you some headaches prior to hunting season and may even translate into a more successful season in the fall!
