| Yeah, I know it's July, but's it's not to early to | | | | and tags as early as you can. Don't show up |
| start preparing for the upcoming deer season. | | | | opening morning and find that the little grocery |
| Recently I was cleaning out my Garage and going | | | | store on the corner doesn't carry hunting license |
| through some of my hunting gear. I have to | | | | and tags any longer. Most states are set up to |
| admit, most of that gear I've had for years. It's | | | | where you can buy license online now. Get them |
| reliable (for the most part) and I know it like the | | | | early. |
| back of my hand. | | | | 5. While you're online, grab the new hunting |
| I was in for a few surprises though. I have an old | | | | regulations for the area you plan on hunting. A |
| set of Ranging 5x32 binoculars that is starting to | | | | couple years ago I planned an out of state |
| get foggy. Time for a new set. One of my | | | | hunting trip and downloaded the regulations about |
| favorite hats has a hole in the top. I have no idea | | | | two days before I left. The state had changed |
| how it happened, I'm going to blame it on the | | | | the regulations for the area I was going to hunt |
| Wife. | | | | that year and I learned two days before I was to |
| There were a few other surprises, which led me | | | | leave that I should have put in for a special draw. |
| to do a thorough shakedown of my equipment | | | | Needless to say, I was scrambling to find a new |
| and make a list of the stuff that needed replacing. | | | | area in a distant state two days before the |
| Here are 7 Tips that will help you have a | | | | opener. |
| successful hunting trip this year. | | | | 6. Don't rely on friends to bring the necessities. It's |
| | | | always good to have extra food and necessities |
| 1. Replace you old maps. Things change. Opening | | | | at the deer camp. I can't tell you how many |
| morning is not the time to find out the Forest | | | | stories I hear about ruined deer hunts because |
| Service has put a road in 50 yards from your | | | | someone in the party didn't bring what they were |
| deer stand (I'm guilty of that one) | | | | suppose to. I try and bring all that I will need, |
| 2. Take the time to site rifle in. Yep, I'm guilty of | | | | including food and drink, and if we have extra, all |
| that one also. Last year, I was too busy to make | | | | the better! |
| it to the range before season. I left out the day | | | | 7. If you're on medication, make sure you take |
| before the opener in Oklahoma and arrived about | | | | enough to last you until you get back home. Don't |
| 10 p.m. I passed a buck up on opening morning | | | | rely on finding a pharmacy that will refill your |
| and decided I'd "just check" the zero of my rifle. I | | | | prescription. Some may, some may not. You may |
| was shocked to find it was almost 6 inches low. | | | | have a hard time getting a prescription filled out |
| I'm blaming that on my Wife also, I'm sure she did | | | | of state. Best to have extra and not need it than |
| something to it. | | | | to need it and not have it. |
| 3. Check you binoculars and scopes. Make sure | | | | I know these are simple rules, but it's the simple |
| they're bright and clear and that the adjustment | | | | things that we forget most and the simple things |
| knob is free and works easy. | | | | that can ruin a trip! |
| 4. If you're hunting out of state, get your license | | | | |