I’ve fully come to grips with the fact that my whitetail season is over…okay, maybe not. I still check the weather every 30 minutes and find myself staring at Google Earth map images for hours looking for pinch points and cover. I think staring at map images is the last step in grieving the end of whitetail season.  To pull myself out of this downward whitetail spiral, I’ve decided to set my sights on preparing for the upcoming 2016 season as a form of “whitetail withdrawal therapy.”

 There are, of course, many steps hunters take each year  to get prepared for an upcoming season.  Like many, the to-do list grows throughout the off-season and it feels as if there is never enough time to complete the growing checklist before the opener. This year, to save the last minute panic in late August, I’ve put together a to-do list to help get you started immediately. It seems checklists are the only way I stay on task and you might find find them helpful too. An off-season to-do list is also a great way to manage your whitetail withdrawal.

 Post Season Gear Check

Your gear, aside from your strategic preparation, is possibly the most important part of any hunt. Nothing will ruin a hunt faster, or piss you off more, than faulty gear. So make sure to perform regular postseason gear maintenance to keep your gear in top form for the following season. Be sure to clean your bow (or gun), wax your strings and remove oxidation from any metal. Your clothes have taken as much abuse as you have from those rainy, cold days on stand. Wash your clothes in scent eliminating detergent, making sure all articles are thoroughly dry, and store in an airtight container to keep your clothes from becoming mildewy. Remove the batteries from your electronics and let them air dry and fully clean all battery contacts. This is especially important for your game cameras, which take a beating from exposure throughout the year. It’s inevitable gear will break, get old, or just need upgrading. Take advantage of sales this time of year and replace gear that’s been hanging on by a thread while saving some money.

 Post Season Land Access

Expanding your huntable land sometime seems like a lofty goal and might feel a little out of reach. If you’re like me, you’re not a person who can afford to buy that dream tract of land in your favorite big buck state. Fortunately, there are a few ways to gain access to additional land without winning the lottery. Look into leasing as an option. This option provides a lot of flexibility through location, foliage, and terrain. Whether looking for land in or out of state, with heavy timber, or land with lots of agriculture—it’s all your choice. Leasing will still cost money, but not nearly as much as a purchasing or ownership. Some landowners will let you perform enhancements to habitat like implementing food plots, mounting cameras,  etc. But be sure to have these discussions early as these details should be determined during the lease negotiation. You can look to further reduce the financial impact of leasing by splitting the cost with a hunting buddy. Next to purchasing, leasing gives you the most control over where you’d like to hunt, and choosing land that best fits your specific hunting goals.

 If leasing isn’t an option you’re still in luck. Much access is still granted the old fashioned way by knocking on doors asking for hunting permission. It may take a little more work, but the payoff could be huge. And finally, if all else fails, don’t turn your nose up at public land. It can take some time and effort scouting to find the right location, but bruisers are taken from public land every year.

 Post Season Land Assessment

This is probably my favorite part of the off-season to do list since it requires time spent in the outdoors. Grab your trail cameras, load them with some new batteries, and begin to analyze your post hunting season deer herd. The winter intel you collect now will be valuable next hunting season, helping determine what late season food sources the deer are hitting, and seeing if any of your target bucks from this year have made it through the hunting season. The late winter and early spring is also a great time to scout. Use this time to look for and determine where bucks are bedding, locating doe bedding areas, and examining heavily used deer highways. With the foliage at a minimum this time of year, you’ll get a much better view of stand locations and potential shooting lanes, which also makes it a great time to identify new stand locations.

 Land management is also an off-season activity I enjoy. If you own your hunting land or have permission to make enhancements to a lease, determine what your land is missing that would benefit local wildlife and make your land more attractive to the game you hunt. These questions are rarely answered based on your property’s habitat characteristics alone. You’ll need to take into consideration what your property offers vs. what neighboring properties offer. If your neighbor has a large tract of agricultural land, putting a 1 acre food plot in isn’t going to all of a sudden turn your property into a whitetail buffet. To compliment your neighbor’s abundant food source, maybe your property should provide the local deer herd with more bedding and cover. Whatever the enhancement, be sure to understand the property need. Making ill-advised habitat enhancements could harm your hunting experience. Here is a link to a few of Jeff Sturgis’books which provide great insights and guidance when exploring habitat enhancements.

 Practice

I know. I harp on this all the time. But being comfortable with your bow is often an overlooked aspect of the off-season to do list. Schedules get busy with work, scouting, planting food plots, or looking for land access and practicing is forgotten until summer. Join an archery club, practice in the backyard or even try hunting small game with your bow to stay in season form. Any of these will keep you connected to the sport you love, and hopefully move you one step closer toward next season’s moment of truth from the stand.

 To donwnload and print the whitetail postseason to do list click Here

I’m typically not much of a New Year’s resolution guy. Most resolutions are ill-fated and rarely last beyond the end of January. However, resolutions related to hunting that get me outdoors more  and thinking of whitetails…now those are the type of resolutions I can commit to. It’s easy to fall victim to hunting the same places and the same way year after year, making for a stale hunting season.This year I’m committing myself to explore more. Whether it’s exploring new states and land to hunt or learning and utilizing new tactics, the goal is to push beyond my comfort zone. With that, here are a few resolutions to consider for your 2016 season to help you avoid the whitetail rut (pun intended).

1. Become A Better Shot

As archery hunters, our shot placement is critical and is often the difference between retrieving a kill and not. It’s our responsibility as archers to insure we’ve done everything possible to make a clean and ethical kill. My typical practice regiment in the offseason is a combination of range time and shooting from elevation–either from a stand or elevated deck at a range of 30 to 40 yards. This year I’m challenging myself to move my distance out to become comfortable at 40 to 50 yards consistently. Not that I’m looking to take a 50 yard shot in the timber, but the idea is to build consistency at 50 yards, making anything closer seem like a chip shot. Time on the range or practicing in your backyard will turn into success in the stand.

2. Get Into Shape

I know, this feels like a non hunting related resolution, but not so. As hunters we know the kind of toll those early mornings and long hikes up and down ridges can take on our bodies. The type of animals being hunted and terrain type will dictate what level of shape needed to hunt successfully. Increasing your level of fitness will also increase your overall shooting accuracy, which is a nice incentive and ties into becoming a better shot. No need to train like an Olympic athlete, just commit to being in a little better shape next season than you were this season and you’ll be on the right path.

3. Find New Land To Hunt

 If you’re hunting the same land year after year and not seeing the types of bucks you’d like to hunt, consider looking for new hunting locations. Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results is widely touted as the definition of insanity. You may only need to change your stand location on the current property you hunt. Or you may want to look for land that supports the kind of opportunity you’re looking for. Take it one step further and look at hunting in different states to gain those experiences you’d like to have. 2016 for me represents the year I begin to look for access in additional states. Don’t let the land you hunt dictate your experiences–get out there and knock on doors. You can never have too much land hunt to chase those mature bucks.

4. Scout More

This resolution perfectly compliments the resolution of finding new land, as scouting your current hunting location for additional spots may allow you to find that hotbed of deer activity that has been overlooked. Archery hunting is one of those pursuits where one’s level of success is a direct result of effort put in. For many, the offseason is just that–time to put the bow away until next fall. If you’re like me, hunting whitetails is a 365 day a year obsession. Scouting for next year actually begins during the present season, but be sure to take the time once late season ends to look for sign that can be used as intel for next season. Are there new trail systems popping up? Are there new bedding areas developing as the timber changes year after year. Be sure to utilize game cameras year round to keep tabs on the ebb and flow of your herd and to see what bucks made it through the season. Shed hunting is a great way to get out to do some scouting in the late/early spring. This is also a great way to spend time in the outdoors and stay connected to your passion year round.

5. Try A New Tactic

Maybe you want a new experience, but you don’t have time to find new land or travel to a new state. Try changing up how you hunt to add some excitement to next season. If you typically sit on field edges, maybe try setting up on a travel corridor or near a known bedding area in the timber. If you only do morning and evening sits, try sitting all day. Or break out a new call or try rattling antlers for the first time. There are no shortage of tactics to use adding some excitement to next season.

 Here’s to an exciting 2016 season! And who knows, maybe one of your resolutions will be the reason for your moment of truth from the stand.

It’s late December and I’m several weeks removed from what I thought was the end of my 2015 archery deer season. Truth be told, I did spend the opening day of rifle season in the stand. Rifle season for me now, has more to do with tradition than the actual hunt. Not to discredit those who enjoy rifle hunting, but archery hunting just appeals to me more at this point in my life.

 With that being said, I’ll have some time off during the late season allowing me to hit the timber to make one final attempt at filling my tag with a nice buck. I’ve hunted late season sparingly in the past, typically considering this period of the season a lost cause with little to no deer movement. I’ve never had success during late season, and never knew anyone who had either. As I’ve dedicated this year to learning as much as possible about whitetail strategy, I realized that my approach, understanding and tactics used during the late season had been wrong. In past years I didn’t pay much attention to how deer behavior would change during late season—with the exception of the extreme hunting pressure during rifle season here in Pennsylvania. I think it’s safe to say I’ve consistently been in the wrong place at the wrong time when it comes to late season archery hunting.

 Many standard tactics hold true during late season. Access and exit routes to a stand or blind are essential, playing the wind will be critical and all movement should be low impact. All these may be even more important than usual due to the skittish nature of most deer herds, given the pressure they’ve experienced all season. I’ve decided to focus on three areas to improve upon this season.

When To Hunt

If you’re like me, between work and family I have precious little time to spend in the stand, and I’d like to hunt every free day I can. But just like any other time of the season, quality sits are better than quantity sits. This time of year morning hunts should be out, and the focus should be on evening hunts, as deer this time of year will likely be in bed long before you hit your stand. Morning hunts will also increase your odds of bumping a buck enroute to the stand. As always, follow the weather closely. Allow the weather to help you decide when to take that extra day off from work to be in the timber. The usual cold fronts are choice, but this time of year also look for days when precipitation is forecasted. The day after a light snow should be particularly good.

Where To Hunt

This time of year food is king and evening hunts should include a field or food plot stand location—as food sources in the timber should be getting scarce. A deer’s body during late season is pretty worn down. With the intensity of the rut, and the pressure of gun season, deer are looking to replenish their bodies and increase fat storage in preparation for the winter months to come. Again, pay attention to the weather, as not all food source are created equal during this time. Green food sources are in play if the temperature is trending warmer than usual for the time of year and crops like clover and winter wheat are a good option.  If temperatures are on the colder side, focus on higher energy foods like corn, beans and turnips.

How To Hunt

Simply put, you need to know where the deer are at. Avoid barreling into a stand location without good information—patience is key during the late season. If the conditions aren’t right, the high risk with a low reward opportunity isn’t worth potentially blowing up what might otherwise be a good location. Steer clear of bedding areas and try to hunt property edges to avoid bumping deer. Rely on game camera intelligence now more than ever. And if you have a piece of property that has been relatively untouched this season, this might be where that mature buck you’ve been looking for is living.

 Below are a few videos from Drury Outdoors that are definitely worth watching. These videos share some tips for the final phases of the deer hunting season.

The season has finally arrived, the wait is over. I got my first hunt in on our farm this past weekend—in a monsoon. Many hunters will wait out the less than desirable conditions until the weather cools (or in my case, dries) and the rut kicks in before they really make their press for whitetail glory. But success can be had in the early season.

Entrance and Exit Strategy

Nothing can kill a hunt before it gets started like a poor entrance strategy. Being aware of where deer are bedding and feeding when entering your stand and how the wind is carrying your scent is critical. Ditches and creeks are ideal choices for entrance and exits to and from stand locations. If hunting a field, try using standing crops as a visual shield between you and the deer and have a buddy pick you up in his truck if possible. Deer don’t seem to equate vehicles with human pressure, especially in farmland where vehicle noise and motion is frequent.

Hunt Food

Know where your food sources are. This time of year there is plenty of browse, but deer will still hit the areas where they can get the best nutrition. Agriculture fields are still a good bet as deer are typically following their food to bedding pattern in the early season. Don’t forget about acorns. Deer will pass up other food sources once acorns begin to drop, especially white oak. A good acorn crop will keep bucks in cover of the timber. Once acorns begin to drop, find a white oak near a known travel route. This spot is a good bet to see deer movement.

Limit Morning Hunts

This is a tip I struggle to follow as I want to be in the woods as much as possible, but morning hunts in the early season can be a risky proposition. During this portion of the season, deer are usually long gone back to their bedding before you ever hit the timber. To hunt a morning you should really have bulletproof information from cameras, or scouting, telling you to be in a stand on a given morning. If you are planning to hunt a morning, make sure you know conditions are just right for your stand location. Otherwise, you are educating deer of your presence and hurting your chances for good daylight movement as the season progresses.

Follow Your Information

This seems like a simple one, but we hunters often outthink ourselves and fall victim to analysis paralysis. You’ve spent the offseason placing trail cams and scouting; now is the time to trust all the information you’ve gathered. Be decisive and deliberate in your efforts and don’t be afraid to make aggressive moves when weather conditions and your information are telling you the risk is worth the potential reward.

Have Fun

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the chase that we forget why we started hunting in the first place…it’s fun! A day in the outdoors spent in a stand is a day well spent. If you’re having a slow hunt, breathe in the clean air and remember how fortunate we are as hunters to be able to experience the thrill of the hunt and freedom most only wish they could feel. It really is an awesome experience. So just get out there and enjoy!

The opening at our farm is tomorrow. To say my nights have been sleepless is an understatement. Visions of all the offseason work coming together like a movie script keep me awake at night and my anticipation is only matched by a child’s intrinsic joy on Christmas eve. While lying in bed my wife tells me good night before turning off the light, and I respond with, “I love deer season” (true story).

 Like any good whitetail addict, during this time of year I typically lie in bed analyzing every facet of the upcoming opening day. I mentally run through the various stand locations on the property, the deer movement I’ve identified on camera (in addition to historical knowledge of the property), and consider how the predicted wind for the weekend may impact my options. I crave as much information and knowledge as I can possibly acquire about the woods I intend to hunt and the characteristics of the whitetail I pursue. The quantity of information that can be gathered with today’s technology is incredible; just game cams alone provide a wealth of information. More often that not, navigating the trash and the treasure leads to more confusion instead of decisive decision making. That being said, this year I’ve decided to employ a tool to help me make sense of all my information and ultimately cut down on the guess work—and hopefully allow for some sleep. I’m a bit of a closet technology nerd and when I can combine technology and hunting, I’m in whitetail heaven. To help me organize my information, this year I’m using a HuntSoft account. HuntSoft is an online software-based platform that takes your game camera pictures and extracts all the data from the day an image was taken. You can also enter information manually like sightings, kill locations, cam and stand locations, etc. This program then takes all the uploaded information and provides reports outlining trends taking place on your property. It’ll let you know if that bruiser you have on camera moves most often during a north wind, which time of day he’s most often on his feet, or if a specific moon phase prompts his movement. This tool really just organizes your information in a digestible and meaningful way that can be most useful in planning a hunt. You can view a tutorial video below here to see how to get started. I’m currently using the free version as a test run.

 I understand this tool may not be for everyone and is not a replacement for a hunter’s woods smarts. This type of tool only provides hunters with additional information and enhances what they already know. If the tool is telling you it’s a good day for a certain stand location based on that day’s wind, you still have to have a truthful approach. There must be an entry and exit plan for that location, knowledge about which direction the deer will move to effectively play the wind, and confidence that deer will pass that stand with that day’s conditions. It’s not a magic elixir, but I’ve certainly found it to be helpful in planning and understanding the dynamics of our farm.

 I’m currently at the beginning stages of using this tool. Below I’ll share with you some screens from my profile.

 I’ve outlined our property and have my camera and stand locations all plotted on the map.

  Once plotted with wind preferences for each stand location, the tool will give you the best stand locations per day based on the data.

 The game log screen is where you upload your camera images or input a deer on hoof sighting, a kill location, etc. To the right you can filter your images using several criteria.

Once uploaded you can tag each image, allowing you to filter later.

Once you have your images and data uploaded, you can begin to pull reports detailing movement by hour, movement by wind direction or movement by moon phase.

There are multiple companies offering similar products, however I find HuntSoft to be the most user friendly and like the level of reporting it provides. Here are a few other options: Deer Lab, and Big Game Logic.

 As hunters, we’re always looking for some type of advantage, and this software is one of mine. This tool may not be for everyone, but can be a helpful tool in planning and organizing your approach this season and could be part of the reason you have your moment of truth from the stand.