Preparation is Hard Work

I had every intention of waiting until rifle season officially opened to begin talking about deer hunting, but as the suspense and anticipation brews within me, I decided to begin a little early. There are a lot of things that a hunter typically does in order to prepare for deer season. Many hunters labor all year long in preparation of the hunt. They will plant and maintain food plots or dump grain or corn in order to attract deer to their desired location. They also set up trail cameras so they can see what kind of traffic they have passing through their range. This is the point where the trophy hunters will pick out the monster buck that they will spend all season chasing. I have seen some people go as far as naming the deer that linger around their property, and watch them grow throughout the years. In addition to the food plots and trail cams, a hunter may also walk through the woods looking for signs of the presence of deer. Some of the things that you may look for are tracks, rubs, ground scrapes, and droppings. It's essential that you check all of your equipment to verify that it is ready and your rifle or bow is sighted in and shooting on point. It's also a great idea to set your stand up early, climb up into your seat and make sure you have clear shooting lanes. You want to be able to make sure that if a deer does pass through, you have the ability to shoot it through the brush. If you anticipate a limb or branch getting in your way, now is the time to cut it out. It's easy to get caught up in all of the activities and forget about other critical elements; however, you can never forget to make sure you are up to date on the laws. The conservation department may change laws or regulations from year to year as they work towards managing wildlife. In order to keep yourself legal and avoid fines or offenses, you have to stay updated on these changes. Once all of the preparation has been made, you can climb into your stand and relax, feeling competent, and knowing that you are ready for a great season.