Getting Ready for Hunting Season

Hunting season is right around the corner. Keeping this in mind, there are many things to do now to avoid the last minute rush and a stress-free enjoyable hunting season.

A few suggestions to get started -

1) Purchase your new hunting and fishing license now. They expire August 31st.
2) Make final arrangements on your dove, deer and other hunting leases.
3) Go to the gun range. Clean your rifles and shotguns, take the ammo (brand, load and caliber) you plan to shoot and practice. Keep in mind that not every ammo is the same and I like to always make sure my rifle is sighted in and shotguns are patterned for whatever I am hunting prior to getting in the field. By visiting the gun range now, you will avoid the crowds of last minute hunters.

For you bow-hunters, you should be practicing daily with your hunting set-up. If you are not doing so already, start shooting broadheads to ensure your bow is tuned properly and sighted in. Also, try to shoot at different distances to help train your eyes and keep from getting complacent. Check your equipment thoroughly as you may need new strings, cables, silencers, etc. The last thing you want is to get to your number one stand on opening morning only to find faulty equipment from it sitting idle too long.

I also recommend going to your ranch or lease, getting your feeders up and running, setting up and moving blinds and making senderos now. By doing these things well in advance of hunting season it gives the deer the time to get acclimated to the changes.

I also recommend scouting now. It is a great time to get in blinds and watch the activity. It is very interesting to watch the bucks, their antler development and finally the transition from velvet to hard antlers! By the way, now is the time to make plans to take your youngsters to the field. They are the ones that really need to be prepared (especially if they will hunt). It is a great way to spend quality time with them!

Hunters, get ready now, invest a lot of time, and you are sure to have a successful and stress free season!