We all know it’s not a good idea to procrastinate. In fact, there are rarely any occasions when it is a good idea to wait until the very last minute to do what you know simply has to be done. The benefits of accomplishing tasks early far outweigh any poor excuses for delaying the tasks that you know are best done early. So, think about this:

If you are a squirrel hunter or are looking for the ideal time to mentor a new hunter, be they youth or adult, there is no better season than the upcoming fall squirrel season, which opens on September 14, 2024 — just about five weeks from now. There is a Junior Hunt, which runs from September 14-28, and a regular statewide season that runs from September 14 to November 29, with an additional split season running from December 16 to February 28, with no hunting on December 25.

For Pennsylvania deer hunters, and specifically archery hunters, just less than two months from now, the antlered and antlerless statewide season opens on October 5. It runs through November 22, 2024, with a second season opening up the day after Christmas and running until January 20, 2025. Bear hunters throughout the state will have opportunities to hunt these bruins as early as mid-October.

All of these seasons and the opportunities they provide will be upon us before we realize it! While the really dedicated hunters are aware of the rapidly approaching seasons, most of us are also busy with summertime activities and chores. As the days silently drop off the calendar and the weeks slowly slip away, there are a few things we should be doing now in the way of preparation.

Trail Cameras:

Pre-season scouting is important to success, especially if you are trying to locate and pattern a trophy buck, bear, or gobbler. Most hunters today are busy folks, often with little time to devote to pre-season scouting, even though they realize the benefits of getting out before the season’s opening days to locate the prime hunting spots. For years now, trail cameras have become an increasingly popular tool and, in fact, are probably the most effective tool for pre-season scouting. With today’s innovations and features, cameras can be strategically placed and monitored on your smartphone or home computer. If a camera is not yielding the results you hope for, it can quickly and easily be relocated to another spot you want to monitor. But the key to successfully using trail cameras is to get them out and in use — and the sooner, the better!

Food Plots:

Today’s archery hunters pursuing big game are arguably the most dedicated and highly motivated men and women throughout the hunting community. They are generally more apt to do the research, go the greater distance, and pay close attention to every little detail that could possibly affect the outcome of a hunt. Food plots, especially when tucked away in a woodland setting remotely located from disturbance from other hunters, can dramatically increase the odds for success for bow hunters (and rifle and shotgun hunters as well). But food plots take time to come to maturity, and the window of opportunity for planting is now! There are dozens of seed mixes available from numerous seed companies — from clovers and chickory to brassicas and rape to beets and radishes — and the “what, where, and how” may vary widely from one mix to the next. The key here is to get with your local seed mix provider, discuss your goals with him, obtain his advice on what and when to plant, and realize that the time to plant may be closing!

Equipment Check:

There is little doubt that most archers have been busy practicing and improving their shooting skills already and that the majority of firearm hunters tend to wait until the last minute to take a shot or two before heading out on a hunt! Unfortunately, procrastination can lead to the last-minute discovery that one or more of the critical components of your hunting equipment needs repair, replacement, or simply can’t be located! Take time now to verify the integrity of the equipment you plan to use this fall, and you can then relax knowing over the next few months that you are in good shape or have the time for needed repairs or replacements!