We have all learned over the years that 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 that which you know is best done early. With that in mind, think about these things:

Mentoring a Youth or Adult:

If you are a squirrel hunter, or are looking for the ideal time to mentor a new hunter, be they a youth or adult, there is no better season than the upcoming fall squirrel season, which opens on September 12, 2026 — just about 5 weeks from now. There is a Junior Hunt that runs from September 12-27, and the regular statewide season runs from September 12 to December 24, with an additional season running from December 26 to February 28, 2027, with no hunting of squirrels 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 3. It runs through November 20, 2026, with a second season opening up the day after Christmas and running until January 24, 2027. Bear hunters throughout the state will have opportunities to hunt these bruins as early as mid- October, with several WMU’s opening earlier.

All of these seasons and the opportunities that they provide are going to be upon us before we realize it! While the really dedicated hunters are aware of the rapidly approaching seasons, most of us are simply 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 an important key 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 opening days of a season 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 to use in pre-season scouting. With today’s innovations and features, cameras can be quickly placed in strategic locations and then 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 successful use of trail cameras is to get them out and in use — and the sooner the better!

Food Plots:

Today’s archery hunters in pursuit of 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 affect the outcome of a hunt. Food plots, especially when tucked away in a woodland setting, can dramatically increase the odds of 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 rapeseed 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 and discuss with him what your goals are, obtain his advice on what and when to plant, and realize that the time to plant may be closing sooner than you thought!

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 critical components of your hunting equipment need 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 that over the next few months, you are in good shape or have the time for needed repairs or replacement! Make your plans NOW — you’ll be glad later that you did.