By Tom Nelson
Host-American Archer
“I should have put on some bug repellent,” I thought to myself as I swatted at another pesky insect. It was mid-summer and while most of my friends were spending their free time bass fishing or enjoying Michigan’s lakes and beaches, I was in the deer woods getting ready for bow season. Sure, opening day was still many weeks from now, but I for one wanted to be ready.
Earlier in the day I had perused through my hand written notes from last fall regarding needed changes and chores that would benefit my deer hunting come the following fall. At the end of each Michigan deer season, I take a bit of time and write down items that need to happen before the following season begins. Many of these noted changes are minor, such as trim a few more branches from a certain tree stand. Or perhaps a major issue, like moving a ladder stand 50 yards to the south where most of the deer seemed to be moving instead of where it was currently located.
By taking the time to write down all the needed changes and ideas while fresh in my memory right after season closes, I am far less likely to forget to implement them before next season rolls around. I have a notebook that I have utilized for several years now that I write in detail changes that need to happen. Come spring or summer I review these notes and begin to address them.
Taking the time to review and tackle the noted items well in advance of opening day greatly benefits my bow hunting experience. Most noticeably is the fact that I am not out in the deer woods days before season tromping around trimming shooting lanes, placing stands…basically alerting the local whitetail population to the fact that humans are intruding upon their turf. Mature whitetails do not take this trespassing lightly and many will vacate the area for days, if not weeks. Whether they smell you or see you, whitetails will respond negatively to your presence within their core living area. Taking the time to get out weeks, or even months ahead of opening day, I give those crafty old whitetails time to calm back down and return to their home turf after being disturbed.
One of my most recent items that I had scratched onto my note pad was to move the “Hillside Stand” farther up the hill, closer to the top. Many times while I was hunting from the “Hillside Stand” over the last several years, bucks would cruise by out of my bow range, higher up the hill above my stand site. This became more common, especially during the pre-rut phase when the bucks were seeking receptive does. More times than I care to remember, a buck traveled past me without coming within effective bow range. Heeding my written notes, I took the time in the spring and scouted out a suitable tree stand site farther up the slope. I spent time clearing shooting lanes and trimming out the tree as to make setting a stand in place at a later date an easy task.
Just after Halloween, I was up in the new stand located in a cluster of maples. The stand site offered a good view, excellent concealment and ample shooting lanes. As the sun began to settle behind the western skyline I heard the unmistakable sound of deer hooves crunching dry leaves. Within seconds, a group of several antlerless deer appeared and walked right past my stand a mere 15 yards away. The fact they kept stopping and looking back told me that something was following them. I already had my bow in my grasp when a nice buck appeared traveling down the same trail as the others. As he passed by, I came to full draw and then stopped him with a soft bleat. At the shot, the buck bolted downhill some 40 yards before abruptly coming to a halt. He stood there for a heartbeat, then tipped over.
Later as I stood over the buck giving thanks, I looked further down the slope at my old stand site. Had I not changed the stand location per my notes, I would had never had an opportunity at this deer. Instead I was placing my Michigan tag on him.
Not all the preseason prepping involves outside work. Preparing for season also means maintaining your archery tackle. New strings and/or cables are items that need to be checked on regularly. Taking your bow to your local pro shop for a quick check up may save you problems down the road. Now is also the time to replace any damaged components or try out any new accessories such as new bow sights, broad heads, arrows, All the items that may increase your archery accuracy. Now is the time to try them out, not the week before season.
I like to take a bit of time and look over my tree stands and blinds. Are there any straps that need replacing or holes that need patching? Taking charge now, well in advance if bow season can save you headaches later when the season is open and you should be focused on the hunt. In my experience, advance preparation often makes the difference between success and failure come the fall.
-Tom
Tom’s buck