I think (or at least I hope!) that winter temperatures are finally beginning to move upward. If you are like me, you are probably itching to get outside instead of just sitting around waiting for next fall for the hunting seasons to begin! This time of year is great for addressing some key tasks that can improve your chance of success next fall. Whether you own your own land, belong to a hunting club, or hunt public land, what you do now will help you stay active and better your odds of a productive hunting season.
Habitat work: Dropping trees this time of year, whether by doing hinge cuts or a full-blown clearcut to create a varied habitat, whatever trees you cut this time of year will aid greatly in creating browse for deer. Daylighting the immediate area outside the dripline of a tree you want to preserve, such as a wild apple tree, will provide much-needed feed for deer and set the stage for later fertilization and care of the tree you want to maintain. Based on the long-term goals for your property, tree removal will aid in the stimulation of growth of the understory.
Once the frost is out of the ground, it’s time to take soil samples if you have or are planning to add any food plots. Getting the results of soil samples and following the recommendations is truly the first and most critical step in creating the most productive crop results possible.
Getting in Shape: After months of winter doldrums and hours of sitting by the fireplace, it’s time to get outside and get back into shape! Every fall, we hear tragic reports of hunters coming across the remains of someone who probably did not take the time to work on physical fitness and no doubt overdid it on a hike in the woods. The more active we can be in the coming months, the easier it will be to move quickly up a hillside to get into position to call to a spring gobbler or to drag a big buck out of the woods this coming fall. Lie out and follow a fitness regimen that includes both cardiovascular activities as well as weight and strength exercises.
Practice Shooting: Any truly dedicated archer will tell you that you cannot practice too much to improve your efficiency in bowhunting. It is not just a matter of taking shot after shot at a stationary target — you should be practicing different angles, distances, and stances you may find yourself in when actually out hunting. The same is quite true for rifle or shotgun hunters. Practice shots uphill, downhill, and on the level. Vary the shooting positions from which you can safely shoot and change the distances you practice. Especially if you are planning a trip out west, take time to become proficient at long-distance shots. Whatever type of equipment you use, the more you practice now, the more comfortable and relaxed you will be when you are about to take a critical shot this fall.
Equipment Checks: Now, not just a few days before you head out on a hunt, is the time to do an in-depth equipment check. Change out and install new batteries where needed, replace or repair damaged items, and order things now that could take too much time to get when you find yourself just a few days before the opening day!
Off-Season Scouting: When it comes to scouting —whether it is an area you are already familiar with or a new territory you are checking out for the first time — there is never an off-season for scouting! Mother Nature is constantly changing things up, whether through winter storms or perhaps via insect infestation or disease that kills or stresses various soft or hard mast-producing trees. Such disruptions can cause game birds and animals to change their bedding areas, feeding areas, and travel routes. Scouting while there is still some snow on the ground will help identify what changes, if any, may have occurred since last season.
Don’t forget the trail cameras. Placing the cameras out now in strategic locations will aid in laying out the best game plan for the upcoming seasons. You may need to adjust stand locations from years past, and the data you receive from the cameras may help you determine new stand locations and your prospective travel routes to and from your stands.
