| These are some things you can do right now to | | | | are far less used right now. If you are a firearms |
| help you have a successful fall deer hunting | | | | hunter, spreading out the cost of ammunition |
| season. Consistently successful hunters are one | | | | doesn't hurt anything either. By using your firearm |
| who get prepared well before the season begins. | | | | or bow consistently, you will become much more |
| 1. Get in Shape or Stay in Shape | | | | natural with it and will start to sense of any |
| I will begin with the simple advice that it is always | | | | problems are developing. Getting a gun fixed in |
| a good idea to visit your physician and get a good | | | | May or June is alot easier than in mid-October. |
| thorough physical, especially prior to embarking on | | | | 4. Do a Gear Check |
| a fitness routine. Have him advise you on a good | | | | Go through your gear and see what is in good |
| routine if you wish. | | | | shape, what needs repair, and what needs to be |
| Otherwise, begin with just some walking. A 30 | | | | replaced. Go through in your mind any needs you |
| minute walk each day to begin with is a good | | | | had during last season for gear you don't have. If |
| start. Incorporate some easy stretching as part | | | | it's a big ticket item, you can start saving for it |
| of the routine, preferably after you have warmed | | | | now. Also, by starting to look around now, you |
| up your muscles. As time goes by, increase | | | | might find a bargain for the item you are seeking. |
| distance and speed, and seriously consider | | | | When it comes to tree stands and safety |
| carrying some weight in a pack to simulate what | | | | harnesses, if in doubt, replace the item. As we all |
| will happen in the field. If the terrain where you will | | | | know, there are far more hunters injured in tree |
| hunt is hilly or mountainous, do some work in | | | | stand mishaps than by firearms. Don't let it |
| similar terrain. | | | | happen to you. |
| Don't neglect diet. I don't necessarily mean go on | | | | 5. Do Something to Improve Habitat |
| a diet, but eat in a healthy manner. You want to | | | | Whether it is on your own land or on public land, |
| increase the number of seasons you get to hunt. | | | | see what you can do to make the area where |
| This diet and exercise routine can form habits | | | | you wish to hunt better. If you own your own |
| that will help maximize these years to their fullest. | | | | land, there are multiple resources available to help |
| 2. Spend Time in the Area You will Hunt | | | | you. There are commercial websites and |
| Whether you will hunt on your own private | | | | organizations devoted to deer management |
| property or on public land, becoming intimately | | | | practices. Also, check with your state's |
| familiar with the terrain, deer habits, etc., is | | | | conservation department or department of |
| invaluable. Though deer movement and behavior is | | | | natural resources. Many have programs to assist |
| quite different this time of the year than it will be | | | | local landowners. |
| during hunting season, there is much you can | | | | If you hunt public land, contact the agency that |
| learn. For example, discovering exact location of | | | | manages the land and see what you can do to |
| trees and plants on which local deer browse will | | | | help the local habitat. It is unlikely that they will |
| help you later when you start to plan hunting | | | | turn down the offer of volunteer assistance. Be |
| spots and/or stand sites. Though they will use | | | | open-minded on this. Don't go into it thinking they |
| trails differently, you will likely be able to find and | | | | are going to let you clear an area where you |
| mark out travel corridors. Consider placing a game | | | | want to hunt and plant a food plot. They might |
| camera if your hunting area is private property. | | | | employ your assistance on their next herd count |
| 3. Begin to Practice with Your Bow or Firearm | | | | in the area or something like that. Getting to |
| Getting out once or more a month now with your | | | | know these folks might be your ticket to some |
| firearm, or practicing consistently with your bow | | | | great insight. |
| is a far superior plan to going into panic mode | | | | So, if your mind has turned the corner to Fall |
| right before hunting season. Firearm ranges are | | | | deer hunting, here are some concrete steps you |
| packed soon before deer season begins and they | | | | can take now to keep that itch manageable. |