Did you know 75% of deer hunters in the United States are already getting ready for 2024?1 For those who love deer hunting, summer isn't a time to relax. It's the perfect time to get ready for the big hunt next season. This guide will show you the important things to do before the 2024 hunting season starts. It includes tasks like checking your bow and rifle, and making sure you're fit. This way, you'll be ready before everyone else when the season kicks off.
While the deer are enjoying their summer, hunters use this time wisely. Being proactive now can help you catch a big deer later while having a great and safe hunting trip.2 This article tells you about setting up cameras and studying deer movements. These steps are crucial for the 2024 hunting season preparation.
Key Takeaways:
- It's important to check your bow and rifle during summer to make sure they work well when hunting season comes.
- Making friends with local farmers can help you learn where the deer are and let you hunt on their land.
- Placing trail cameras early shows you where the big deer are, making your hunt more successful.
- Don't forget to look after and repair your hunting equipment now to avoid problems later.
- Working out and getting fit helps a lot, especially when you have to carry a big deer after hunting.
Sight in Your Bow or Rifle
Sighting in your bow or rifle is vital before hunting season. Do it early during the summer. This lets you set up your hunting gear well and improve your marksmanship., starting early means you can avoid the crowd and find the best gear for your weapon.
Schedule Range Time
Make sure to plan range sessions all summer. It helps you perfect your target practice and ensure your rifle hunting or bow hunting is accurate. Starting early lets you try out new ballistics and broadheads for the best shot outcomes.
Practice with Different Loads and Broadheads
Use your time at the range to try various loads and broadhead/arrow types. This is key to finding what’s best for your shooting and hunting ways. Being prepared this way will help you succeed when hunting season starts.
Ensure Proper Sighting and Accuracy
Be very precise when setting up your bow or rifle’s sights. This is crucial for making good and ethical shots. Spend time getting your aim just right. Make sure your shooting skills are sharp for when you’re out in the field.
Talk to Farmers
Local farmers are the best source of knowledge about deer movements in hunting areas.3 During summer, talking with them can reveal where deer go to feed. This info is gold for hunters.3 Also, farmers might get a lot of hunting requests late summer to early fall. So, talking to them early could help you get a yes to hunt on their land.3
Gain Valuable Local Knowledge
Farmers understand deer habits well because of their work around the fields in the summer.3 They know where deer often move, which is key for setting up hunting spots.3 Their tips can really help hunters find the best places for their stands and blinds.
Increase Chances of Land Access
Getting involved in farmers' summer chores can make a big difference.3 Helping out with mowing, fencing, or harvesting shows you care about the land.3 This caring attitude could sway landowners to let you hunt on their land.
Set up Trail Cameras
Setting up trail cameras in summer is smart. It helps to learn about deer movements.4 By watching the photos and videos, hunters can see which deer call the area home.4 This knowledge is key for finding bucks early or during the rut.4
Monitor Deer Movement Patterns
Trail cameras show how deer act and move.4 They show that most bucks don’t move the same way every day.4 With many camera views, hunters can understand deer activities well.4 Knowing the routes deer take is more important than just where they eat.4 This helps hunters be ready all hunting season.4
Identify Bucks in the Area
Setting up cameras in summer lets hunters know which big bucks are around.4 This info is vital for good hunting plans.4 It guides how and where hunters should aim to meet these top bucks.4
Check Your Gear
As the 2024 hunting season nears, checking your gear is key.5 Many hunters forget this until the end, causing problems, costs, and time. Use the summer months to fix any gear issues, so you're set for the season.5
Inspect Treestands and Safety Harnesses
Begin with a careful look at your treestands and safety harnesses.5 Look for wear, tear, or damage, and fix or replace as needed. Having safe and reliable gear is crucial for a good hunting experience.5
Sharpen Knives and Broadheads
Then, sharpen your hunting knives and broadheads.5 A sharp blade makes field-dressing easier. Sharp broadheads mean clean, humane kills. Do this now, not at the last minute.5
Test Rangefinders and Replace Batteries
Lastly, check your rangefinders and change old batteries.5 Accurate shots depend on good rangefinding gear. New batteries stop field troubles before they start.5
By checking your hunting gear now,3 you can avoid sudden issues and get ready for 2024.5 This prep will help you stay focused on the hunt, not your equipment.5
Clear Travel Paths
Overgrown vegetation can be a big problem when you're trying to get to your hunting spot quietly and fast.6 During the summer, make sure to clear paths to your hunting places. Have more than one path ready based on the way the wind is blowing.7 This way, you won't make any noise. You also won't trip over things like old logs and thick bushes.7
Keeping your hunting access and travel paths clear helps you move unseen and unheard.6 This is key for spotting big deer and other animals. Doing this in the summer is smart. It means you'll have easy access during hunting season. And, you won't scare off the deer with noise.
Pattern the Does
As you scout this summer, remember: does matter too. Does are often seen more than bucks. Their movements stay the same all year.3 Finding where does go helps hunters spot bucks later in the year.3 This approach lets hunters know where the deer are and see more mature bucks when it's hunting season.3
Locate Areas Frequented by Does
Watching where does go tells you a lot about the deer in your area.3 Look for where they eat, rest, and drink. This helps you guess where bucks might be during the rut.3
Increase Chances of Buck Encounters
Studying does' movements gives hunters a big edge in the fall.3 Does have fixed travel paths, which are easy to see in summer.3 Knowing where does meet can help you find mature bucks. This boosts your chance of spotting them at the start of hunting season.3
Hunting Season Preparation
Many hunters only talk to landowners when they need hunting permission or the season is about to start. Yet, visiting landowners in summer and helping out can really help. It keeps your relationships good and improves your chances of getting hunting access.3 Visiting in advance to offer help shows you value their land and are ready to be a good caretaker.
Visit Landowners
Warm months are perfect for hunters to reach out to landowners.3 Visiting off-season means you care about respecting their property. This action can make it easier to get permission to hunt there later on.
Offer to Help Around the Property
Don’t just say hello; offer your help with their work too.3 Tasks like trimming bushes, fixing fences, or any other job can show you're serious about helping their place stay nice. This helps build trust and possibly opens the door to more hunting chances in the future.
| Key Considerations for Hunting Season Preparation | Benefits |
|---|---|
| 3 Visiting landowners during the summer | Maintains positive relationships and increases chances of hunting access |
| 3 Offering to help with property maintenance | Demonstrates responsibility and commitment, leading to trust and future access |
| 1 Ensuring proper hunting licenses and permits | Allows legal participation in the upcoming hunting season |
| 1 Preparing essential hunting gear and equipment | Prevents last-minute issues and ensures readiness for the season |
Spending time helping landowners in summer can help you a lot when hunting season comes.3 This approach shows you're grateful for their support and are committed to caring for their land.
Get in Shape
Deer hunting doesn't need extreme fitness, but being fit helps a lot.8 It boosts hunting success in tough places.8 Being able to walk more than those on horses can give you better chances.8
In the summer, walk a lot and exercise. This will prepare you for dragging a big buck or field dressing.8 For those with bowhunting in mind, being strong is key for drawing and holding the bow. Start getting fit early to meet the hunting season's demands.
Improve Physical Fitness
8 Being fit for hunting is more than a few weeks' work.8 It's about keeping your body in balance, strong, and ready to handle whatever outdoors.8 To do this, hike with added weight, do strength routines, and include cardio.8 A good strength training plan consists of lunges, shoulder presses, and other exercises that help you move better outdoors.
Prepare for Dragging and Field Dressing
8 Four months ahead is a good time to start getting in shape for hunting, but even a few weeks will help.8 This prepares your body for the season ahead.8 Having a tough mind is also key in hunting.8 The better prepared you are, the more chance of success you have.
Conclusion
Getting ready for the 2024 hunting season starts in the summer. Make sure your bow or rifle is on point, talk to local farmers, and set up trail cams. Check your gear, clear your paths, learn about the deer, be friendly with landowners, and get fit. Doing all this gives hunters a big head start. According to studies, more than 80% of hunters get tired at the season's end. So, good preparation is key.9
Keeping your hunting plans and notes organized helps a lot. About 75% of hunters get pumped by buying new gear.9 Being thorough before the season starts can lead to a better season in 2024. Plus, research shows that over 65% of hunters use ground blinds later in the season. And close to 60% use hunting apps for better strategies.9
The real secret to having a great hunting season in 2024 is what you do in summer. Spend 4-6 weeks improving your hunting spots before the season starts again.9 Follow the advice in this article closely. It will help you have a hunt to remember, with exciting chases and successful catches.
FAQ
What are some essential tasks to complete before the 2024 hunting season?
Why is it important to sight in your bow or rifle early?
How can talking to local farmers help with hunting preparation?
What benefits come from setting up trail cameras during the summer?
Why is it important to check your hunting gear in the summer?
How can clearing travel paths benefit your hunting preparation?
Why is it important to pattern the does during the summer?
How can visiting landowners in the summer benefit your hunting access?
Why is it important to get in shape for the hunting season?
Source Links
- https://morrrange.com/6-ways-to-prepare-for-hunting-season/
- https://www.fieldandstream.com/hunting/off-season-tasks-for-deer-hunters/
- https://www.northamericanwhitetail.com/editorial/10-ways-to-prepare-for-deer-season/263003
- https://www.themeateater.com/wired-to-hunt/whitetail-scouting/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-pre-season-trail-cameras
- https://gothunts.com/equipment-prep-part-1-of-3/
- https://hornybuckseed.com/2020/12/how-to-fully-prep-hunting-land-for-deer-hunting-season/
- https://tuttland.com/blog/ways-to-prep-your-land-now-before-the-start-of-hunting-season/
- https://forloh.com/blogs/watering-hole/how-to-get-fit-for-hunting-season
- https://www.hawkhunting.com/3-ways-to-successfully-end-your-deer-season/
