Non-hunting preparations for hunting
Posted by Bryan on September 10, 2007
This past weekend I prepared a few PA hunting stands with my father. I also started gathering my hunting gear to bring back to OH (where I live and work/study). I packed my climbing stand (only stand I use), clothes, knives, drag rope, etc.
I also started thinking about some of the non-hunting related things I need to take care of to make my hunting more fun and successful. These include things that I don’t necessarily lump in to the category of ‘hunting equipment’ but that could make or break my season one way or another. What kind of things am I talking about? Here are the top two on my list…
- Vehicles! My wife and I have a combined 270,000+ miles on our two cars (Honda Civic and Subaru Outback). High mileage vehicles require maintenance and TLC. I want both of our cars ready for the Fall/Winter before I head to my deer stands. Otherwise, I might find myself sitting in a mechanic’s garage in the middle of the rut.
- School/work: Graduate school isn’t exactly a cup of tea, and I’m scheduled to defend my prospectus October 5th (1st Friday of deer season). I’d much rather go on a celebratory hunt than a drown my sorrows hunt. I’ve got a lot of other projects going on with school also…and I’d like to get them under control so I can free my weekends come deer season.
Opening day of deer season is September 29th here in OH, so I’ve got about 3 weeks…wish me luck! Make sure you have your bases covered as well…
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
I actually just fixed a minor issue on my truck as well that will make my trips much more enjoyable. I also try to get as much done around the house as I can right before hand. Lord knows that laundry will be way down the list come October 1st.
It’s funny too, because the wife and I just had a conversation about who was going home to take care of the dog while I was hunting. New puppy this year and that never even crossed my mind. Not a problem on the weekends, but definitely a problem during the week since normally you will finding me changing my clothes in the truck in order to make it in time to the woods!!!
We did work out a deal though. Always nice to think of these things and get them taken care of beforehand!
September 10th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Trying to cover all the bases before the season is a must, but can sometimes be challanging. I like to make a list that I refer to during each preseason. It really helps with my preperation. I usually add to this list on an annual basis. To add to the confusion, sometimes one has to prepare for another hunter who maybe has been away at school, ect. One year I somehow forgot to pack my son’s arrows in the truck. To this day I don’t know how I could have forgot his arrows, but I did. He’s really nice about it though, as he blames himself for not getting involved in the prep work that year. You know you’ve successfully completed all the necessary prehunt preparation when you’re sitting in your treestand on opening morning before first light and you feel as though everything is clicking just right. You know, that “in the zone” feeling! I love it!
September 10th, 2007 at 10:54 am
I second the list idea. My mind is so scattered most of the time and there are so many mission critical pieces of gear when it comes to hunting that one can’t afford to forget like the many times I have. I’ve forgot my boots, release, arrows (been there too big guy), face paint, and one time………….the ramrod to my muzzleloader. Grrrr, that was a colorful conversation that I had with myself.
Not sure this can be considered a tip or not but I like to take my wife out for a night on the town the weekend before the opener. It’s inevitable that hunting season is going to make you lose points so you might want to put a few on the board.
September 10th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
I don’t have to take my wife out because she goes hunting with me. Man I love that!
September 10th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Arthur, glad your truck is up and running. My wife and I have also had the new puppy talk! Glad to hear you both are working it out!
Serendipity, I know that story well since I’m the one whose arrows were forgotten. However, that was my fault…my equipment is my responsibility.
BuckNaked, I like your tip, and I’d add to it that it’s a good idea to spend time with your wife throughout the year, even during hunting season!
Arthur, I’m trying to get my wife to come hunting with me!!! She’s thinking about it… I may refer my wife to your wife for some encouragement!
September 10th, 2007 at 2:56 pm