With each passing day, we’re getting closer to the exciting archery season! While we might wish we could stretch time, we still have a wonderful opportunity to prepare for it. To ensure a successful start, here are five essential tasks to tackle. Remember, there’s no need to worry about the small stuff; you have plenty of time to get everything done!
Stands, Blinds, and Saddles
Archery hunters have a variety of options for their hunting endeavors. If you haven’t set up any stands yet, there’s still time to do so before the season begins. Your first priority should be to inspect all your stands, sticks, and steps to ensure they are in good working order and that nothing requires replacement. Safety is the top priority.
If you plan to hunt from a blind, set it up now and apply a scent killer. Allow the blind to sit outside for a day or so before heading into the woods to position it. Once you’ve chosen the location for the blind, make sure to carefully brush it in so it won’t alarm deer.
Saddle hunters should also inspect all their equipment to confirm that everything is functioning correctly. Additionally, don’t forget to trim any shooting lanes. If you need back cover, consider checking out the products from Ghilliepuck.
Don’t Be Stinky
All archery hunters know that managing the wind is essential for success. It’s also important to wash your camouflage clothing and ensure you have plenty of scent-killing products for the season. My favorite scent killer is made by Scent Thief. They offer a variety of products designed to keep you undetected by a deer’s keen sense of smell.
One of their standout offerings is the Trophy Pack, which is perfect for the hunting season. The Trophy Pack includes:
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24 oz Scent Thief Field Spray
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16 oz Scent Thief Body Wash & Shampoo
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32 oz Scent Thief Laundry Detergent
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Scent Thief Wafer
Scent Thief products have contributed significantly to my success in harvesting several deer. They are truly remarkable!
Food Plots
As the season inches closer, it’s never too late to enhance your plots. During September, I like to sow oats and rye. Both of these seeds germinate quickly and contribute to the diverse greenery in my plots. Over the years, I’ve seen plenty of deer feeding on the oats and rye. Keep an eye on the weather and, before the next rainstorm hits, go out and scatter your oats and rye. The deer will definitely appreciate it!
Mock Scrapes
Bucks have shed their velvet and now have hard antlers. They are beginning to make scrapes and travel more frequently. This is the perfect time to create some strategic scrapes. While you’re out hanging your stands, be sure to bring materials to make scrapes with you. Grab some Head-Scratcher Gland Lure, Contender Interdigital Gland mix, and a trail camera to assist you. A well-placed scrape can attract elusive bucks within close range. If you’re unsure how to create a scrape, check out my YouTube video, which guides you through the process step by step. Mock scrapes are excellent for hunting during the early season.
Shoot Often
The most important thing you can do leading up to the season is shoot your bow or crossbow. I learned long ago not to make this mistake. I have one less buck on my wall because I was confident my bow was shooting well. Needless to say, my strings stretched, and I was unaware my bow was off. Early in the season, a beautiful buck offered me a shot, and I watched my arrow sail over his back. I went home and shot my bow a few times, and it was shooting 6 inches high. After looking at the bow, I could tell it was out of tune, so I had to stop hunting for a few days to get new strings on the bow during the season.
While you are practicing shooting your bow, make sure you shoot your fixed blades and mechanicals. You want to make sure that your arrows are flying true with your field points and hitting where you aim. If you are off a little bit, take the time to ensure you fix where the arrows are hitting. You might need to slightly adjust your rest to bring the arrow groups together. You might want to walk back tune your bow to make sure the arrow flight is straight.